The use of natural refrigerants: a complete solution to the CFC/HCFC predicament

Abstract The ideal refrigeration or heat pump cycle for a given purpose is defined by the boundary conditions of the application and is completely independent of the refrigerant used. The real cycle should approach the theoretical ideal as closely as practically possible. The thermodynamic and heat transfer properties of the refrigerant are important in this respect. Natural substances such as ammonia, propane and carbon dioxide are often better than the present halocarbons in this regard. By using simple methods of safety it is possible to use these three natural fluids for practically all conventional refrigeration and heat pump systems.