Opteon™
Refrigerants

Frequently Asked Questions

The Opteon™ family of refrigerants from Chemours
represents a breakthrough line of low global warming
potential (GWP) solutions. They were developed to help

Q. What are the by-products if an HFO burns?
A.

properly. HFOs are similar to HFCs, in that if they aremeet increasingly stringent global regulations, while often

exposed to an open flame from brazing, hydrogen

maintaining or improving performance compared tofluoride, a hazardous acidic compound, can beincumbent products. Over the past few years, Chemoursgenerated. The probability of generating hydrogenhas commercialized multiple Opteon™ stationary

fluoride, and the recommended safe work practices torefrigerants ranging in application from commercial toprevent this scenario, are the same whether using antransport refrigeration, with multiple new products on theHFO or HFC. Be sure to read, understand, and follow

horizon for applications including air conditioning and waste

the SDS when working with HFOs. Always make sureheat recovery. The following questions are a non-exhaustive

you wear the recommended PPE and have adequate

list of the most frequently asked questions, based on bothventilation when working with any refrigerant.

in-field queries and digital submissions. If you have aquestion that is not covered in the list below, please fill outa contact us form on Opteon.com or reach out to youraccount manager from Chemours.

Like HFCs, HFOs are safe to use when handled

Q. Are the PT charts for Opteon™ XP40 (R-449A), XP44(R-452A), and XP10 (R-513A) available?
A.

Yes, the PT charts and other technical information isavailable on the Opteon™ website, www.opteon.com, as
well as for download from the Apple and Android stores

Q. What is an HFO?

in the form of the Chemours PT Calc app.
A.

HFO is an acronym for “hydro-fluoro-olefin.” Like HFCs,
the three main chemicals that make up an HFO areQ. Will current leak detection systems be able to detect
Opteon™ products?

hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon. HFOs have very low
GWP and zero ozone depletion potential (ODP).

A.

Yes, many of the leak detection system OEMs are inthe process of adding Opteon™ products to theirrefrigerant libraries. For leak detection systems that doQ. What are the GWP values of the Opteon™ low GWP

not have Opteon™ products as a selection, it isstationary refrigerants?
A.

recommended to set your system to detect R-134a.

The following GWP values are based on The IPCC FifthAssessment Reports:

Q. Will oil break down with higher discharge

Opteon™ Refrigerant
Name

ASHRAE Number

AR5 GWP (CO2=1.0)

XP10R-513A573

XP40

R-449A1282

XP44R-452A

1945

temperatures when running on these HFOs?
A.

No, as long as compressor OEM recommendations fortemperature management are followed, the lubricant
will be stable and provide adequate lubrication.

Opteon™

Refrigerants

Q. Can Opteon™ XP40 (R-449A), XP44 (R-452A), andQ. If there are non-adjustable values on a system, will there

A.

XP10 (R-513A) be reclaimed?

be any difficulty in retrofitting to Opteon™ XP40

Yes, all three of these refrigerants can be reclaimed, as long(R-449A)?

as they have not been mixed with any other refrigerants.

A.

the desired superheat after a retrofit to Opteon™ XP40

Q. Are significant changes expected for pipe sizing of new(R-449A). There are conversion kits available fromsystems running on Opteon™ XP40 (R-449A) or XP10

manufacturers of non-adjustable TXVs that can be(R-513A)?
A.

installed to make the TXV adjustable. It isNo, changes in the piping of new systems is notrecommended that these conversion kits be installed

expected to be significant. The most updated version

on all non-adjustable TXVs to allow adjustment ofof the Chemours Refrigerant Expert Tool (DUPREX)

superheats following the retrofit.

modeling program has the ability to do line sizing
calculations. This tool can be downloaded for free from

Q. What kind of adjustments to valves will be needed
when retrofitting to Opteon™ XP40 (R-449A)?

the Opteon.com website.
Q. If you top off Opteon™ XP40 (R-449A) or XP10A.

closed will be required in both low and medium

nonflammable rating?

temperature applications to increase the superheat toNo. As part of the ASHRAE Standard 34 listing process

the desired amount for Opteon™ XP40 (R-449A).

for an A1 rating, the refrigerant blend undergoes

For a properly sized R-22 TXV set for a specificrigorous fractionation testing, including multiple leaksuperheat, a slight adjustment may be needed in low

recharge scenarios, in order to ensure that the blend willtemperature applications and up to a 1-2 turnalways maintain a nonflammable A1 rating.

adjustment may be required in medium temperatureapplications to decrease the superheat to the desired

Opteon™ Opteon™ XP40 (R-449A)

amount for Opteon™ XP40.

Q. What compressor manufacturers approve Opteon™
XP40 (R-449A)?
A.

Q. Do powerheads need to be replaced during theretrofit (R-404A/507 or R-22 to Opteon™ XP40)?

Opteon™ XP40 (R-449A) is approved/listed for agrowing number of OEMs in the commercialA.

For R-22 systems, over common low temperature andrefrigeration market, including industry leaders Bitzer

medium temperature evaporator conditions, the dewand Emerson (Copeland). Please visit our website forpoint of Opteon™ XP40 (R-449A) is only a few pounds

the most recent information on OEM approvals.

different than the saturated pressure of R-22.
Powerheads will not need to be changed.

Q. Is Opteon™ XP40 (R-449A) a drop-in replacement forFor R-404A systems, TXV OEMs are currently testingR-404A and R-22?
A.

For a properly sized R-404A TXV set for a specificsuperheat for R-404A, typically a 1-2 turn adjustment(R-513A) multiple times, will this impact its A1A.

Some adjustment to the TXV will be required to obtain

Opteon™ XP40 (R-449A) to see if changing theChemours has published detailed retrofit guides for

powerheads is necessary. Please contact the valve

converting R-404A and R-22 systems that areOEM for an official recommendation.

available at Opteon.com.
In general, when converting from R-404A to Opteon™

Q. As a blend, will Opteon™ XP40 (R-449A) fractionation
cause any problems?

XP40 (R-449A), equipment and oil changes are notrequired. However, filter driers should be replaced andA.

No, fractionation is not expected to cause any

thermal expansion valves (TXVs) may need to beproblems. Like all zeotropic blends, fractionation canadjusted or replaced if non-adjustable.

occur; however, the impact is expected to be minimal.

R-22 to Opteon™ XP40 (R-449A) retrofits will likely

For example, if 10% system charge was lost and thenrequire an oil change from mineral oil to POE, filter
drier, and elastomeric seal replacements.
In all cases, it is recommended that superheat settings
be checked and adjusted as necessary after conversion.

the system was recharged, there would theoretically be
a 2% loss in capacity and no loss in COP or mass flow.

Opteon™

Refrigerants

Q. Is demand cooling/liquid injection required on aQ. Can I change an R-22 chiller with a floodedA.

system that is operating on Opteon™ XP40 (R-449A)?

evaporator over to operate on Opteon™ XP40Opteon™ XP40 (R-449A) has a lower discharge(R-449A)?

temperature than R-22 and higher dischargeA.

temperature than R-404A. Opteon™ XP40 is expected(R-449A), R-407C, etc., are not recommended for use

to behave similar to R-407A with respect to the needin chillers with flooded evaporators.

for demand cooling/liquid injection. For retrofit of R-22systems, it is recommended to leave demand cooling inQ. Can Opteon™ XP40 (R-449A) be used in screwcompressors?

place, although it will likely run less often. It is always
recommended to consult with the compressorA.

manufacturer for specific guidance on demand cooling.

the compressor manufacturer for specific guidance onrefrigerant retrofits, especially concerning elastomericother refrigerant?
No, mixing refrigerants is not recommended. If

components and lubricant recommendations.

Opteon™ XP40 (R-449A) were to be topped off with aOpteon™ XP10

different refrigerant, the resulting mixture would noQ. In the past, some R-134a systems would develop

longer be Opteon™ XP40. The pressure-temperatureplugged capillary tubes; do we know if Opteon™ XP10

characteristics and performance would be impacted.
Q. Can you retrofit an R-502 system to Opteon™ XP40(R-449A)?
A.

Yes. However, R-502 systems could be upwards of 30years old and the equipment may need to be replaced;
therefore, we recommend a thorough systemevaluation and consultation with an OEM.

Q. What kind of energy efficiency improvement can I
expect by retrofitting to Opteon™ XP40 (R-449A)?
A.

The observed energy efficiency increases whenretrofitting an R-404A system to Opteon™ XP40(R-449A), up to 12% for medium temperature racks
and up to 5% for low temperature racks.

Q. If a refrigeration system has capillary tubes insteadof TXVs, will Opteon™ XP40 (R-449A) work? Is it
different for R-404A vs. R-22 systems (i.e., will ouranswer be any different for R-22 system conversions
vs. 404A)?
A.

Yes, Opteon™ XP40 (R-449A) has been used in screw
compressors. It is always recommended to consult withQ. Can you top off Opteon™ XP40 (R-449A) with anyA.

Zeotropic refrigerant blends, including Opteon™ XP40

For an existing R-22 system with a capillary tube, the mass
flow rate and operating pressures of Opteon™ XP40
(R-449A) are a close match and will likely perform
adequately; however, for optimal results, it is recommended
to replace the cap tube with a TXV when possible.
R-404A has somewhat different properties than
Opteon™ XP40. Therefore, it is recommended for
optimal results to replace the capillary tubes with TXVs.

(R-513A) will be less likely to do this?
A.

In the early days of HFC/POE use, there were issues
with plugging in some capillary tubes. The 134a/POE
tended to gunk up capillary tubes, because the drawing
lubricants used in making the capillary tubes had
compatibility issues with POE. In recent years,
manufacturers have resolved most of these issues andcap tube plugging issues with HFCs and HFCcontaining blends, including XP10 (R-513A), areexpected to be extremely rare.

Opteon™

Refrigerants

For more information on the Opteon™ family of refrigerants, or other refrigerants products, visit opteon.com or call (800) 235-7882.
The information set forth herein is furnished free of charge and based on technical data that Chemours believes to be reliable. It is intended
for use by persons having technical skill, at their own risk. Because conditions of use are outside our control, Chemours makes nowarranties, expressed or implied, and assumes no liability in connection with any use of this information. Nothing herein is to be taken as alicense to operate under, or a recommendation to infringe, any patents or patent applications.
© 2016 The Chemours Company FC, LLC. Opteon™ and any associated logos are trademarks or copyrights of The Chemours Company FC,LLC. Chemours™ and the Chemours Logo are trademarks of The Chemours Company.
Replaces: K-28828
C-10677 (3/16)