R-1270 (propylene) PT Chart and Refrigerant Profile

Where you will find R-1270

R-1270 is refrigerant-grade propylene (propene), a hydrocarbon. Linde, which sells it as CARE 45, describes it for low- and medium-temperature refrigeration: commercial refrigeration, chill cabinets, cold storage and food processing, industrial refrigeration, and small to large air conditioning and chiller systems. BITZER gives an application range of +12°C to -40°C (about 54°F to -40°F) single stage and -20°C to -55°C (about -4°F to -67°F) two-stage, and lists it as a substitute for R-404A, R-507A and R-22.

In the US its listed territory is narrower. EPA’s SNAP program lists propylene as acceptable in industrial process refrigeration, new and retrofit, since March 18, 1994. So in the US, expect it mainly in industrial process refrigeration. Retail food and AC listings for it were not found on the EPA pages checked.

It runs higher than R-290 (propane). R-1270 boils at -53.7°F at sea level, against -43.8°F for R-290. At 40°F it saturates at 81.8 psig (R-290: 63.9 psig); at 100°F, 212.6 psig (R-290: 173.9 psig).

Charging R-1270

R-1270 is a single-component refrigerant: no glide, and composition does not shift, so vapor or liquid charging is possible. Charge by weight to the nameplate; no manufacturer charging procedure with numeric targets was found. Linde states that because propylene is flammable it requires different charging and recovery procedures, so follow the equipment manufacturer’s flammable-refrigerant procedure.

For running checks, convert suction pressure with the PT calculator or the superheat calculator, and liquid-line pressure with the subcooling calculator, with targets from the manufacturer.

Linde also says R-1270 is not suitable for retrofitting existing fluorocarbon refrigerant systems. Do not top off or convert an R-404A or R-22 system with propylene.

Oil and compatibility

BITZER lists PAO, PAG and POE, plus alkylbenzene and mineral oil “with limitations”. Linde’s product data summary lists mineral oil, alkylbenzene and POE. The sources differ, so the compressor manufacturer’s lubricant and viscosity choice governs.

Safety, handling and recovery

A3 under ASHRAE 34 (BITZER, Linde, EPA): lower toxicity, highly flammable (LFL at or below 0.10 kg/m³ or heat of combustion of 19,000 kJ/kg or more). The flammability safety classes page compares A3 with A2L. Keep ignition sources away, ventilate, and do not braze on a circuit that still holds refrigerant.

Section 608 pressure class: at 104°F R-1270 saturates at 224.4 psig (239.1 psia), between 170 and 355 psia, so it is a high-pressure refrigerant (40 CFR 82.152). Factory-sealed small appliances with 5 lb or less fall under Type I; other equipment needs Type II. Universal covers both.

Venting: 40 CFR 82.154(a)(1)(vi) exempts hydrocarbons only in industrial process refrigeration used for processing hydrocarbons. Everywhere else R-1270 is a non-exempt substitute: no venting, required recovery levels apply (high-pressure appliances under 200 lb to 0 in Hg, 200 lb or more to 10 in Hg; small appliances 90% or 80% recovery, or 4 in Hg vacuum), and since January 1, 2018 sales are restricted to certified technicians. A recovery machine used on it must be certified for flammable refrigerants (40 CFR 82.158 Appendix B4, which adds UL 1963 Supplement SB); see recovery machine compatibility.

Cylinders: AHRI Guideline N-2017 assigns no legacy color to R-1270. New containers are light green-gray RAL 7044 with a red band on the shoulder or top for flammable refrigerants. Linde’s CARE 45 cylinders (European product data) have a left-hand DIN 477-1 valve, so plan for a matching adapter. See cylinder colors.

Status and replacements

Propylene is not an ozone-depleting substance and not an AIM Act regulated HFC, so allowance rules and the Technology Transitions GWP limits do not restrict it. EPA assigns a GWP of 1.8 in 40 CFR 84.64 (the AR4 indirect value); EPA’s industrial process refrigeration page prints 5, and Linde prints 2.

Use in the US is set by SNAP, end use by end use:

• Industrial process refrigeration: acceptable, new and retrofit (listed March 18, 1994).
• New centrifugal chillers, new positive displacement chillers and new cold storage warehouses: unacceptable as of January 3, 2017 (rule of December 1, 2016, 81 FR 86778).
• Retail food, household, AC and other end uses: no R-1270 listing found on the EPA pages checked, so no acceptance is stated here.

For commercial refrigeration in the US, the hydrocarbon that EPA lists widely is R-290. For R-404A alternatives see the R-404A replacement comparison, and R-290 vs R-600a for the other common hydrocarbons.

Common questions

What is the difference between R-1270 and R-290?

Both are A3 hydrocarbons. R-1270 (propylene) runs higher pressures than R-290 (propane): 81.8 psig against 63.9 psig at 40°F, and 212.6 against 173.9 psig at 100°F. In the US R-290 has SNAP listings in many self-contained end uses, while R-1270’s acceptable listing is industrial process refrigeration.

What is the refrigerant number for propylene?

Propylene is R-1270 in ASHRAE Standard 34. Linde sells refrigerant-grade propylene as CARE 45.