Refrigerant System Chemistry and Contaminant Control
ASHRAE Technical Committee 3.2

Scope of TC 3.2

TC 3.2 is concerned with all chemical reactions and contaminant control inside refrigerant systems. The primary focus includes effects of temperature, pressure and materials on chemical reaction rates. It also includes sources, generation, as well as control of water and other contaminants. Materials of interest include refrigerants, lubricants, additives, manufacturing chemicals and materials of construction. Scope includes identifying and quantifying contaminants that affect properties and performance of system components such as filters and driers. It is also concerned with contaminants during recovering, recycling and reclaiming refrigerants.

TC 3.2 members offer their wide knowledge on these topics in many different Society activities, through various subcommittees.  The subcommittee meetings are where the action is, so don't miss them. They are a good way for TC members to become more closely involved with the activities of the committee.

Handbook

The ASHRAE Handbook is published in a series of four volumes, one of which is revised each year, ensuring that no volume is older than four years.

Refrigeration: Refrigerant System Chemistry
System chemistry deals with chemical reactions between refrigerants, lubricants, and construction materials of various system components (e.g., compressor, heat transfer coils, connecting tubing, expansion device). Higher temperatures or contaminants such as air, moisture, and unwashed process chemicals complicate chemical interactions between components. Phase changes occur in the refrigeration cycle; in particular, the temperature extremes from the highest discharge line temperature to the lowest evaporating temperature are of importance to the end user. This chapter covers the chemical aspects of refrigerants and lubricants, and their effects on materials compatibility.

The ASHRAE REFRIGERATION HANDBOOK can be purchased form the on-line bookstore by clicking the highlighted link.

Handbook (Andrea Hernandez Irias)
8.2.1. Updates on Handbook activities and meetings
8.2.1.1. Chapter 6 Refrigerant System Chemistry
8.2.1.2. Chapter 7 Control of Moisture and Other Contaminants in Refrigerant Systems

Comment on the Handbook: ASHRAE welcomes your comments on the Handbook or a specific Handbook chapter.   submit a comment about any aspect or part of the Handbook series, you can use the Handbook Comment Form.

Review a Handbook Chapter: To provide your feedback about a specific Handbook chapter, you can answer the brief survey questions on the Handbook Chapter Review Form.

Programs

Technical committees develop and sponsor technical sessions at the winter and annual conferences. Information about their future technical program is discussed at each TC meeting and at the TC’s Program Subcommittee meeting.

ASHRAE publishes papers and transactions from presentations at its conference events. In addition, ASHRAE records most of the seminar sessions from its conferences on DVD. These DVDs are ideal for use at chapter meetings, in university courses, or company lunch and learns. Products available from the most recent conference may be found here.


 

Research

Technical Committees are responsible for identifying research topics, proposing research projects, selecting bidders, and monitoring research projects funded by ASHRAE. Information about their specific research program is discussed at each TC meeting and at the TC’s Research Subcommittee meeting.


Research Strategy:

The research strategy of TC 3.2 is to investigate all chemical interactions within a refrigeration or air conditioning system with special emphasis on the refrigerant, lubricant and all materials of construction including metals, elastomers, polymers, electrical motor insulation, and desiccants. The effect of time, temperature, pressure, electricity, catalytic metals, and contaminants such as moisture, air, process chemicals, etc. on the type and rate of chemical reactions is of primary interest.

 

TC 3.02 has the following on-going research project.

ACTIVE RESEARCH
RTAR 1856 – “Determine the Effect and Allowable Limits of Moisture and Contaminants in CO2 Systems”
Ivan was chair, recommendation to move responsibility to John Sun at Oakridge. Update from RL-work statement reviewed by RAC and will be returned with comments and TC will receive notice. Major concern is tasks need to be developed with more detail-too vague. Original committee members were Valerie Lisi, John Wu, and Tony Barthel - none were at meeting to confirm if they still wished to be a member. Andew Sumner volunteered to be a member and will take over as chair if John Sun is not interested.

 

RTAR 1886 – “Kinetic and Mechanistic Studies of the Breakdown of HFO Refrigerants”
Work statement sent to RAC, it was returned with comments, sent back with appropriate cover sheet, RL said there were more comments not addressed, we will reply back and this would then go out for bid. RAC will meet at this meeting.


Future Research needs and New Research ideas
Possible RTAR for Process Chemical Stability With New Low GWP Refrigerants. Review what was done previously and what knowledge gaps exist. Rosine will review the original info for discussion in Orlando.

Standards

 ASHRAE writes standards for the purpose of establishing consensus for: 1) methods of test for use in commerce and 2) performance criteria for use as facilitators with which to guide the industry. ASHRAE publishes the following three types of voluntary consensus standards: Method of Measurement or Test (MOT), Standard Design and Standard Practice. ASHRAE does not write rating standards unless a suitable rating standard will not otherwise be available. ASHRAE is accredited by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and follows ANSI's requirements for due process and standards development. Standards may be purchased at the ASHRAE Bookstore.

ASHRAE 97-2007 (RA 2017) - Sealed Glass Tube Method to Test the Chemical Stability of Materials for Use within Refrigerant Systems (ANSI Approved)
ASHRAE 35-2014 (RA 2024) -Method of Testing Desiccants for Refrigerant Drying (ANSI Approved)
ASHRAE 63.2-2017 - Method of Testing Liquid-Line Filter Drier Filtration Capability (ANSI Approved)
ASHRAE 78-1985 - (RA 2017), Method of Testing Flow Capacity of Suction Line Filters and Filter-Driers (ANSI Approved)
ASHRAE 219-2021 - Method of Testing the Ability of Liquid Line Filter Driers or Adsorbents to Remove Organic Acid (ANSI Approved)

Other Activities

TIP: If MTG involvement add here otherwise leave blank.

MTG: Lower Global Warming Potential Alternative Refrigerants

MTG.LowGWP coordinates TC/TG/TRG technical activities to help transition the HVAC&R industry to sustainable lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) alternative refrigerants. The MTG will further request participation from US EPA and AHRI. The MTG responsibilities include suggestions for research, development and presentation of technical programs of all types on alternative lower GWP refrigerants, suggestions for Life Cycle Climate Performance (LCCP) systems evaluation for different applications, development of lower GWP solutions for different applications, and a special publication detailing aspects of LCCP applied to the HVAC&R fields. 

FAQs

ASHRAE Technical FAQs are provided as a service to ASHRAE members, users of ASHRAE publications, and the general public. While every effort has been made to ensure their accuracy and reliability, they are advisory and provided for informational purposes only, and in many cases represent only one person’s view. They are not intended and should not be relied on as an official statement of ASHRAE. Technical questions not addressed may be submitted to the ASHRAE Technical Services department at tse@ashrae.net.