R-113 PT Chart and Refrigerant Profile

Where you will find R-113

R-113 (CFC-113) is a legacy low-pressure refrigerant. A University of Waterloo safety data sheet describes it in low-capacity packaged centrifugal chillers (low pressure, high volume), and A-Gas lists it as a refrigerant in cooling systems, a foam-blowing agent and a cleaner for electrical equipment. Any R-113 machine still running in the US is decades old: production ended in 1996. The chiller nameplate states the refrigerant and charge.

It has the lowest pressures of the common low-pressure refrigerants. R-113 boils at 117.7°F at sea level, so at normal operating temperatures both the evaporator and the condenser sit below atmospheric pressure. At 40°F saturation it reads 24.4 in Hg vacuum; at 100°F it is still in a vacuum, 8.6 in Hg. Compare R-11 at 100°F, 8.9 psig, and R-123 at 6.1 psig. Use a gauge or transducer that resolves inches of mercury accurately, and the pressure converter when controls display psia or kPa.

Charging R-113

R-113 is a single-component refrigerant and a liquid at room temperature, so it is handled and charged as a liquid. There is no glide and no fractionation: one column of the chart applies to the evaporator and the condenser, and topping off after a leak does not shift composition. No manufacturer charging procedure was found; charge amount and method come from the chiller maker’s service manual.

Because the whole system runs in a vacuum, a leak anywhere pulls air and moisture in rather than pushing refrigerant out. A condenser pressure above the saturation pressure for the measured condensing temperature points to non-condensables. Check the pair with the PT calculator.

Oil and compatibility

BITZER’s refrigerant table lists mineral oil and alkylbenzene for R-113, the same families used with R-11. Follow the chiller manufacturer for the exact grade. No retrofit flushing guidance specific to R-113 was found.

Safety, handling and recovery

R-113 is A1 under ASHRAE 34: lower toxicity, no flame propagation.

Section 608 pressure class: at 104°F R-113 saturates at -3.4 psig, 6.8 in Hg vacuum (11.3 psia). That is far under the 45 psia limit, so it is a low-pressure refrigerant, and 40 CFR 82.152 names R-113 as an example of one. Work on these machines needs Type III or Universal EPA 608 certification.

Recovery from a low-pressure appliance must reach 25 mm Hg absolute (40 CFR 82.156 Table 1, equipment made on or after November 15, 1993), close to 29 in Hg vacuum at sea level. As an ozone-depleting refrigerant R-113 may not be knowingly vented, sales are restricted to certified technicians, and appliances with 50 lb or more are subject to the leak repair rules of 40 CFR 82.157. The refrigerant recovery guide covers the procedure.

Cylinders: the legacy color for R-113 was dark purple (violet, PMS 266) in AHRI Guideline N-2017 Table 1. Since January 1, 2020 new containers are light green-gray RAL 7044, with the legacy color only on the label; existing painted inventory need not be repainted. Recovery cylinders are gray with a yellow top. See cylinder colors.

Status and replacements

CFC-113 is a Class I controlled substance with an ODP of 0.8 (40 CFR 82 Subpart A Appendix A). US production and import were banned from January 1, 1996 (40 CFR 82.4), with narrow essential-use exemptions. Existing equipment can still be serviced, but only with recovered, recycled or reclaimed R-113 or stock produced before the ban. Recovered refrigerant cannot go to a new owner unless an EPA-certified reclaimer has reclaimed it.

Its AR4 GWP is 6,130. R-113 is not an AIM Act regulated HFC, so the HFC phasedown does not apply to it; the ozone rules already ended its supply.

Replacement options:

• R-123: A-Gas names it as the replacement, and Linde lists R-123 as a retrofit replacement for R-11 and R-113. R-123 is itself a Class II HCFC: since January 1, 2020 it may be used only in equipment made before 2020, and consumption allowances reach zero in 2030 (see the R-123 profile).
• EPA’s chiller substitute list does not name CFC-113 as the refrigerant being replaced for any specific substitute. For new low-pressure chillers the current options are R-1233zd(E), R-1336mzz(Z) and R-514A.

An R-113 machine is usually a candidate for replacement rather than conversion; any conversion needs the chiller manufacturer’s data.

Common questions

What is R-113 refrigerant?

R-113 is CFC-113, 1,1,2-trichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane (CCl2FCClF2). It is a Class I CFC used in low-pressure centrifugal chillers and, outside refrigeration, as a solvent and foam-blowing agent.

What replaced R-113?

In chillers, R-123 was the listed retrofit replacement (A-Gas, Linde). With R-123 now restricted as well, new low-pressure chillers use HFO and HCFO refrigerants such as R-1233zd(E) and R-1336mzz(Z).