Like all gases used as refrigerants, octafluoropropane acts as a coolant because it can be compressed under high pressure into a liquid. The compressed octafluoropropane is channeled through a refrigeration system in which it is allowed to expand into a gas, a process during which heat surrounding the gas is absorbed. Industries that use octafluoropropane gas for refrigeration include electricity production, food and beverage, medical and pharmaceutical, and computer and data storage rooms.