Refrigerants

Where is information on refrigerants compiled?

In the Refrigerant Report and in the digital refrigerant ruler RefRuler (Android App, iOS App).
Hands-on information on the use of natural refrigerants in BITZER products is compiled in the dcouments AT-660 (R290/propane and R1270/propene), AT-640 (R717/ammonia/NH₃), AT-744 (R744/CO₂).
(last revision: 05.2025)

How are the safety groups of the refrigerants defined?

The refrigerants are classified according to ISO817 (chapter 6.2), determined by flammability and toxicity:

Safety groups of refrigerants according to ISO817
	Lower toxicity	Higher toxicity
Higher flammability	A3 e.g. R290, R600, R1270	B3
Flammable	A2 e.g. R152a, R418A	B2 e.g. R40, R723, R1130(E)
Lower flammability	A2L e.g. R32, R1234yf, R454A	B2L e.g. R717
No flame propagation	A1 e.g. R22, R134a, R404A, R744	B1 e.g. R245fa, R514A

(last revision: 05.2025)

Why is R1234ze(E) not considered flammable according to the EU Pressure Equipment Directive, but classified as flammable in safety class A2L according to EN378 or ASHRAE 34 ?

The difference results from varying definitions of "flammable":
R1234ze(E) is not flammable at 20°C (definition of the EU Pressure Equipment Directive), but flammable at 60°C (definition of EN378 and ASHRAE 34/ISO 817).
- The EU Pressure Equipment Directive 2014/68/EU in Art. 13 classifies fluids into a hazardous group 1 (flammable, explosive, toxic etc.) and a non-hazardous group 2 (all others). For classification in group 1, the Directive refers to CLP Regulation (EC) No 1272/2008, which considers e.g. packaging and transport of substances. According to Annex I, chapter 2.2 of this regulation, a "flammable gas" is a gas or gas mixture that has a flammable range with air at 20°C and 101.3 kPa. This is not the case for R1234ze(E), so it belongs to fluid group 2.
- The standards EN378-1 (Annex E) and ASHRAE 34 refer to the test conditions in ISO817 (specialised on refrigerants) for their classification in safety class A2L. According to chap. B.1.1 of ISO817, the flammability for single compound refrigerants is measured at 60°C and 101.3 kPa.
The chemically similar refrigerant R1234yf, on the other hand, is flammable according to both definitions and accordingly classified in safety class A2L and fluid group 1.
(last revision: 05.2025)

Are HS. screw compressors approved for refrigerants R290 (propane) and R1270 (propene)?

The models HSNP74 and HSNP85 are approved for operation with R290 and R1270 .
For details on operation with R290 and R1270 see Technical information AT-660.
(last revision: 05.2025)

Are ORBIT compressors for refrigerants of safety class A2L (e.g. R454B, R452B, R32) technically different from the ORBIT compressors for refrigerants of safety class A1 (z.B. R410A)?

Due to the stricter requirements of the Pressure Equipment Directive for use with flammable refrigerants, the manufacturing effort is significantly higher. An A2L compressor can be operated with A1 refrigerants, but not vice versa.
For details see Operating instructions ESB-130.
(last revision: 05.2025)

Are there different ECOLITE condensing units for medium temperature vs. low temperature application and for refrigerants of safety classes A1 and A2L?

No, the ECOLITE condensing units can be operated in medium and low temperature application and with A1 and A2L refrigerants.
For details see Operating instructions KB-206.
(last revision: 05.2025)

Are the Bitzer heat exchangers and pressure vessels approved for refrigerants of safety class A2L?

Yes, all heat exchangers and pressure vessels approved for A2L refrigerants and many also for A3 refrigerants.
(last revision: 05.2025)

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