Enabling High Efficiencies With Low-GWP
At a time when synthetic refrigerants are scrutinized for their environmental impacts, R-290 has emerged as an increasingly viable natural alternative. With excellent thermodynamic properties — such as low back pressure, high volumetric capacity and high coefficient of performance — R-290 outperforms R-404A in energy efficiencies in Copeland's test labs.
With a global warming potential (GWP) of 3 and an ozone depletion potential (ODP) of 0, R-290 poses virtually no threat to the environment. Current U.S. safety standards limit refrigeration system charges to 150g.
![Gaining Wider Adoption Gaining Wider Adoption](https://media.copeland.com/c97f4f83-f26e-4079-9858-b15d000cd639/C011%20-%20Propane%20-%20Component%201_Image_16%3a9.jpg?width=1200)
Gaining Wider Adoption
Modern refrigeration technologies have evolved to ensure equipment safety and support the use of R-290 in an expanding range of applications. Today, R-290 is primarily used in self-contained display cases that feature a built-in condensing unit. These cases have been in service for more than a decade in Europe and have become increasingly popular in the U.S. in recent years.
Smaller-format retailers are leveraging self-contained, R-290 cases in distributed architectures; larger retailers see these solutions as flexible spot merchandising options.