Chlorodifluoromethane

Environmental effects

R-22 is often used as an alternative to the highly ozone-depleting CFC-11 and CFC-12, because of its relatively low ozone depletion potential of 0.055, among the lowest for chlorine-containing haloalkanes. However, even this lower ozone depletion potential is no longer considered acceptable.

As an additional environmental concern, R-22 is a powerful greenhouse gas with a GWP equal to 1810 (which indicates 1810 times as powerful as carbon dioxide). Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are often substituted for R-22 because of their lower ozone depletion potential, but these refrigerants often have a higher GWP. R-410A, for example, is often substituted, but has a GWP of 2088. Another substitute is R-404A with a GWP of 3900. Other substitute refrigerants are available with low GWP. Ammonia (R-717), with a GWP of <1, remains a popular substitute on fishing vessels and large industrial applications. Ammonia's toxicity in high concentrations limit its application in small-scale refrigeration applications.

Propane (R-290) is another example, and has a GWP of 3. Propane was the de facto refrigerant in systems smaller than industrial scale before the introduction of CFCs. The reputation of propane refrigerators as a fire hazard kept delivered ice and the ice box the overwhelming consumer choice despite its inconvenience and higher cost until safe CFC systems overcame the negative perceptions of refrigerators. Illegal to use as a refrigerant in the US for decades, propane is now permitted for use in limited mass suitable for small refrigerators. It is not lawful to use in air conditioners or larger refrigerators because of its flammability and potential for explosion.

Phaseout in the European Union

Since 1 January 2010, it has been illegal to use newly manufactured HCFCs to service refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment; only reclaimed and recycled HCFCs may be used. In practice this means that the gas has to be removed from the equipment before servicing and replaced afterwards, rather than refilling with new gas.

Since 1 January 2015, it has been illegal to use any HCFCs to service refrigeration and air-conditioning equipment; broken equipment that used HCFC refrigerants must be replaced with equipment that does not use them.

Phaseout in the United States

R-22 was mostly phased out in new equipment in the United States by regulatory action by the EPA under the Significant New Alternatives Program (SNAP) by rules 20 and 21 of the program, due to its high global warming potential. The EPA program was consistent with the Montreal Accords, but international agreements must be ratified by the US Senate to have legal effect. A 2017 decision of the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit held that the US EPA lacked authority to regulate the use of R-22 under SNAP. In essence the court ruled the EPA's statutory authority was for ozone reduction, not global warming. The EPA subsequently issued guidance to the effect that the EPA would no longer regulate R-22. A 2018 ruling by the same court held that the EPA failed to conform with required procedure when it issued its guidance pursuant to the 2017 ruling, voiding the guidance, but not the prior ruling that required it. The refrigeration and air conditioning industry had already discontinued production of new R-22 equipment. The practical effect of these rulings is to reduce the cost of imported R-22 to maintain aging equipment, extending its service life, while preventing the use of R-22 in new equipment.

R-22, retrofit using substitute refrigerants

The energy efficiency and system capacity of systems designed for R-22 is slightly greater using R-22 than the available substitutes.

R-407A is for use in low- and medium-temp refrigeration. Uses a polyolester (POE) oil.

R-407C is for use in air conditioning. Uses a minimum of 20 percent POE oil.

R-407F and R-407H are for use in medium- and low-temperature refrigeration applications (supermarkets, cold storage, and process refrigeration); direct expansion system design only. They use a POE oil.

R-421A is for use in "air conditioning split systems, heat pumps, supermarket pak systems, dairy chillers, reach-in storage, bakery applications, refrigerated transport, self-contained display cabinets, and walk-in coolers". Uses mineral oil (MO), Alkylbenzene (AB), and POE.

R-422B is for use in low-, medium-, and high-temperature applications. It is not recommended for use in flooded applications.

R-422C is for use in medium- and low-temperature applications. The TXV power element will need to be changed to a 404A/507A element and critical seals (elastomers) may need to be replaced.

R-422D is for use in low-temp applications, and is mineral oil compatible.

R-424A is for use in air conditioning as well as medium-temp refrigeration temperature ranges of 20 to 50˚F. It works with MO, alkylbenzenes (AB), and POE oils.

R-427A is for use in air conditioning and refrigeration applications. It does not require all the mineral oil to be removed. It works with MO, AB, and POE oils.

R-434A is for use in water cooled and process chillers for air conditioning and medium- and low-temperature applications. It works with MO, AB, and POE oils.

R-438A (MO-99) is for use in low-, medium-, and high-temperature applications. It is compatible with all lubricants.

R-458A is for use in air conditioning and refrigeration applications, without capacity or efficiency loss. Works with MO, AB, and POE oils.

R-32 or HFC-32 (difluoromethane) is for use in air conditioning and refrigeration applications. It has zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) [2] and a global warming potential (GWP) index 675 times that of carbon dioxide.

Physical properties

It has two allotropes: crystalline II below 59 K and crystalline I above 59 K and below 115.73 K.

Price history and availability

EPA's analysis indicated the amount of existing inventory was between 22,700t and 45,400t.

In 2012 the EPA reduced the amount of R-22 by 45%, causing the price to rise by more than 300%. For 2013, the EPA has reduced the amount of R-22 by 29%.