R-454B
R-454B, also known by the trademarked names Opteon XL41, Solstice 454B, and Puron Advance, is a zeotropic blend of 68.9 percent difluoromethane (R-32), a hydrofluorocarbon, and 31.1 percent 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R-1234yf), a hydrofluoroolefin.[1] Because of its reduced global warming potential (GWP), R-454B is intended to be an alternative to refrigerant R-410A in new equipment.[2][3][4] R-454B has a GWP of 466, which is 78 percent lower than R-410A's GWP of 2088.[2]
R-454B is non-toxic and mildly flammable, with an ASHRAE safety classification of A2L. In the United States, it is expected to be packaged in a container that is red or has a red band on the shoulder or top. These containers are supplied with a left-hand thread valve to prevent cross-contamination.[2][5][6]
There is a shortage of R-454B in the United States as of May 2025.[7][8][9]
History
[edit source]The refrigeration industry has been seeking replacements for R-410A because of its high global warming potential. R-454B, formerly known as DL-5A, has been selected by several manufacturers.[4][10][11][12][13]
R-454B was developed at and is manufactured by Chemours. Carrier first announced introduction of R-454B in ducted residential and light commercial packaged refrigeration and air conditioning products in 2018, with R-454B-based products launches starting in 2023.[14]
Physical & Thermodynamic Properties
[edit source]| Property | Typical Value |
|---|---|
| Molecular weight | 62.6 g/mol |
| Normal boiling point (1 atm) | −50.5 °C (−58.9 °F) |
| Critical temperature | 78.1 °C (172.6 °F) |
| Critical pressure | ≈ 52.7 bar (≈ 763.9 psia) |
| Critical density | ≈ 443 kg/m³ (≈ 27.7 lb/ft³) |
| Temperature glide | ≈ 1.5–2.3 °F (small, near-azeotropic behavior) |
| Liquid density (at 25 °C) | ≈ 985–996.5 kg/m³ |
| Vapor pressure (at 25 °C) | ≈ 15.2–15.7 bar (≈ 1,516 kPa) |
| Heat of vaporization (at boiling point) | ≈ 52.7 BTU/lb (or ≈ 316 kJ/kg) |
| Appearance | Colorless |
| Lubricant compatibility | Polyolester (POE) oil |
Operating pressures are generally similar to (or slightly lower than) R-410A, which allows relatively straightforward adaptation of existing equipment designs. Capacity and efficiency are typically close to or slightly better than R-410A in properly designed systems.
Related refrigerants
[edit source]R-454B is not the only blend of R-32 and R-1234yf to be proposed as a refrigerant. Other blends include R-454A (35 percent R-32, 65 percent R-1234yf) and R-454C (21.5 percent R-32, 78.5 percent R1234yf). There are also several blends that include a third component.[1]
See also
[edit source]- R-410A, a refrigerant that is being phased out in some countries, and which R-454B is a popular replacement for
- Difluoromethane, R-32, another R-410A replacement
- List of refrigerants
References
[edit source]- 1 2 "ASHRAE Refrigerant Designations". Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- 1 2 3 "Opteon XL41 product information". Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ↑ "Solstice 454B product information". Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- 1 2 "Carrier Introduces Puron Advance" (Press release). December 19, 2018.
- ↑ "Protection of Stratospheric Ozone: Listing of Substitutes Under the Significant New Alternatives Policy Program". Federal Register. 86 (86). United States Environmental Protection Agency: 24444–24474. May 6, 2021.
- ↑ "AHRI Guideline N: 2017 Guideline for Assignment of Refrigerant Container Colors" (PDF). Retrieved June 27, 2021.
- ↑ "Nationwide shortage of new AC refrigerant hits as Arizona heats up". 12news.com. 2025-05-08. Retrieved 2025-06-06.
- ↑ Mufich, Adam (2025-05-06). "Cold Truth: The R-454B Shortage". Contracting Business. Retrieved 2025-06-06.
- ↑ "R-454B Shortage Is No Excuse for Mixing Refrigerants | ACHR News". www.achrnews.com. Retrieved 2025-06-06.
- ↑ "Opteon XL41 (R-454B) and Opteon XP10 (R-513A) Refrigerants selected by Mitsubishi Electric Hydronics and IT Cooling Systems SpA (MEHITS) Applications" (Press release). May 27, 2019.
- ↑ "Honeywell to offer R454B as alternative to R410A". March 13, 2021.
- ↑ "Johnson Controls moves to R454B". May 27, 2021.
- ↑ "Behavior of R410A Low GWP Alternative Refrigerants DR-55, DR-5A, and R32 in the Components of a 4-RT RTU DR-5A, and R32 in the Components of a 4-RT RTU". Purdue University Purdu. 2016. Retrieved June 30, 2021.
- ↑ "Carrier Introduces Puron Advance™: The Next Generation Refrigerant for Ducted Residential, Light Commercial Products in North America". Carrier Corporation (since 2020 Carrier Global Corporation). 2018-12-19. Retrieved 2021-07-26.
