Refrigerant Conversions
for Flooded Systems
Part 2. R-22 Ice Rink Refrigeration Plants
Conversion of an Ice Rink Chiller from R-22
to Opteon™ XP40 (R-449A)

Background

The Solution

Freon™ R-22 was a prevalent refrigerant in many
applications, including medium and low temperature chillers with flooded evaporators. Under theMontreal Protocol CFCs and HCFCs were phasedout and as of January 1, 2020, the production
and importation of R-22 was ceased in North
America, leading to a significant concern overprice and availability.

Working in conjunction with our partners in the ice
rink community, Chemours has demonstrated
success with using blends in flooded evaporator ice
rink chillers, and we have developed a method forovercoming historical challenges that will allow end
users to continue to use their existing R-22 equipment with minimal or no system changes.

R-22 has a unique set of properties which delivered excellent performance in a wide array ofapplications. One such benefit of a single component refrigerant like R-22 is that it has notemperature glide, an important factor for flooded applications. Many of today’s refrigerant
solutions are multi-component blends with somedegree of glide. In systems with flooded evaporators, these multi-component blends may exhibit
behaviors that could possibly cause performance
reductions when compared to R-22 with thesedesigns.
Historically, blends have been avoided in flooded
evaporator applications and until now, end users
have been left with a tough choice; continue using
R-22 with its associated supply risks or purchasenew equipment.

Opteon™ XP40 (R-449A) is a low global warming
potential (GWP) hydrofluorolefin (HFO) blend that has
been used mainly as a replacement for R-404A,R-22, and R-507A in direct expansion systems.
Opteon™ XP40 offers a close performance match toR-22 with a reduced GWP of 1397 and zero ozone
depletion potential (ODP) and has been utilized
extensively in the commercial refrigeration sector.
While Opteon™ XP40 offers an intriguing solution,
there are certain considerations that must be taken
when retrofitting. A comprehensive engineering
evaluation of the system is recommended prior toretrofit. Once a system is deemed to be viable for aretrofit, the process of converting from R-22 toR-449A is quite simple and includes recovery of theR-22, an oil change to POE, the replacement ofelastomeric seals, evacuation, leak testing, andcharging with R-449A.

Refrigerant Conversions for Flooded Systems - Part 2. R-22 Ice Rink Refrigeration Plants

2

The Method

The Outcome

Chemours has extensive experience andpublished guidelines, which we encourage you toconsult, for retrofit of DX R-22 systems toR-449A and include numerous best practices(oil, seals, etc.) that are also applicable toflooded systems.

Converting an R-22 flooded ice rink system toOpteon™ XP40 can be an effective means ofmoving your operation away from R-22 while
ensuring that the system still delivers on its
intended purpose. Opteon™ XP40 caneffectively extend the life of your existing
system, removing the need for the significant
expense associated with replacing the entire
system while also allowing end users to have agreater degree of security when it comes toaccessing future service gas. Specificperformance results will vary on an
application and location basis.

Based on our experience, there are several otherkey considerations for flooded systems that mustbe taken when performing a retrofit with Opteon™
XP40 including the system control set points,pressure vs temperature control, safety device
settings, component pressure ratings, motor amp
draw, and liquid line sizing.
Special attention should be paid to the current
control set points as the higher operating pressures and lower operating temperature ofOpteon™ XP40 could lead to sub-optimum
performance if not adjusted properly.
Additionally, pressure relief devices must beinspected and reviewed to ensure they canmanage the higher operating pressure without
creating a discharge event. Due to the glide
associated with R-449A, the discharge pressure
will be higher than R-22. The mechanical components in the system should be inspected to verify
the maximum operating pressure and ensure safe
operation. Liquid line sizing should be verified toprevent liquid stacking in the condenser. If thecondenser outlet piping is not properly sized theaddition of an equalization line may be necessary
to prevent liquid stacking in the condenser.

The team at Chemours is here to support, if you
are considering a retrofit of your exiting R-22
flooded system and would like to discuss anyquestions you may have, contact us today
through Opteon.com or through our tech-to-techline; 866-433-8324 or via email attech2tech@chemours.com

Although not all encompassing of the systemchanges that may need to occur with a retrofit ofthis type, the above points represent the criticalconsiderations that should be evaluated based on
our experience.

Refrigerant Conversions for Flooded Systems - Part 2. R-22 Ice Rink Refrigeration Plants3About Opteon™ Refrigerants
The Opteon™ refrigerants portfolio offers the optimal balance of environmental sustainability, performance, safety, and cost to help meetboth regulations and business goals.

refrigerant generations.

savings over the system’s life.

global and local regulatory standards.
Minimizing conversion costs and downtime.

technologies.

experience, Chemours refrigerant experts
can help customers achieve both complianceand peak performance.

Visit Opteon.com/regulations for more information on HFC replacements or contact our experts.

The information set forth herein is furnished free of charge and based on technical data that Chemours believes to be reliable. It is intended foruse by persons having technical skill, at their own risk. Since conditions of use are outside of Chemours’ control, Chemours makes no warranties,
expressed or implied, and assumes no liability in connection with any use of this information. Nothing herein is to be taken as a license to operate
under, or a recommendation to infringe, any patents or patent applications. NO PART OF THIS MATERIAL MAY BE REPRODUCED, STORED IN
A RETRIEVAL SYSTEM OR TRANSMITTED IN ANY FORM OR BY ANY MEANS WHETHER ELECTRONIC, MECHANICAL, PHOTOCOPYING,RECORDING OR OTHERWISE WITHOUT THE PRIOR WRITTEN PERMISSION OF CHEMOURS. FOR MORE INFORMATION, VISIT
WWW.OPTEON.COM.
© 2023 The Chemours Company FC, LLC. Opteon™, Freon™ 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.
O-RCFSP2 (2/23)

Refrigerant Conversions for Flooded Systems - Part 2. R-22 Ice Rink Refrigeration Plants4