DESIRABLE PROPERTIES OF REFRIGERANTS

A good refrigerant should have the following properties:

1. Thermodynamic properties
   1. Low boiling point
   2. Low freezing point
   3. High saturation temperature
   4. High latent heat of vaporization
   5. High critical pressure and temperature.
2. Chemical properties
   1. Non-toxic
   2. Non-flammable
   3. Non-explosive
   4. Non-corrosive
   5. Chemically stable
   6. Odourless
3. Physical properties
   1. Low specific volume
   2. High thermal conductivity
   3. High electrical insulation
   4. Low specific heat
   5. Miscibility with lubricating oil.
4. Other properties
   1. Ease of leakage detection
   2. Ease of handling
   3. High COP
   4. Ease of availability and of low cost.
   5. Low power consumption per ton of refrigeration.