TYPES OF REFRIGERANT

R-12
CFC compounds are generally of the safest primary refrigerants available.
Dichlorodifluoromethane, or R-12 in the industry, is nontoxic, nonflammable, colorless
and, when used in low concentrations, odorless. R-12 has a boiling point of -29 degrees
Celsius and is generally phased out of use in today's industries. The compound was
most commonly found in automobile air conditioners and smaller refrigerators until
harmful effects to the ozone layer of Earth's atmosphere were traced to the widespread
use of R-12, according to the United Kingdom's Department for Environment Transport
Regions.
R-22
A once widely used HCFC refrigerant is a synthetic compound called
monochlorodifluoromethane, referred to in the industry as R-22. This refrigerant is
nontoxic, nonflammable and noncorrosive. It, too, was used mainly in household
refrigerators and smaller air conditioning units, until it was implicated in damages
rendered to the atmosphere.
R-134a
The most common HFC refrigerant is R-134a, tetrafluoroethane. R-134a has no harmful
effects to the earth's atmosphere, is nontoxic and nonflammable. It is used mainly in
domestic and auto air conditioning, as well as commercial refrigeration. Due to the
minimal harm done to the environment, HFCs recently replaced harmful CFCs and
HCFCs in widely used refrigeration systems.
R717
R717 is a commonly used ammonia refrigerant found mainly in industrial cooling
systems. The boiling point of R717 is roughly -33 degrees Celsius, enabling
temperatures well below zero at atmospheric pressure. Ammonia is a natural, colorless
and only moderately flammable refrigerant. Its use has had no damaging effects on the
environment, it's lighter than air and is water-soluble. Ammonia is commonly used in
meat packing plants, liquid storage and ice skating rinks.
R-410A
A blend of two hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants, difluoromethane and pentafluoroethane,
R-410A is a non-ozone-depleting refrigerant that provides better energy efficiency than
both R-22 and R-407C and uses no chlorine in its makeup.
It is considered more than suitable as an R-22 replacement due to its higher pressure
and refrigeration capacity that results in better performance. Should users decide to
purchase units that use R-410A, the process is usually quite easy. In fact, many
companies that manufacture air conditioning and refrigeration equipment make units
specifically for use with R-410A.
While it is most popular in commercial refrigeration, air conditioning and chilling units, it
is important to note that this alternative to Freon will not work in R-22 A/C units.
Because R-410A has higher pressure, it requires a different manifold pressure gauge
than what is typically used with R-22.
R-404A
Another widely accepted alternative to R-22, R-404A has an Ozone Depletion Potential
of 0, just as R-407C and R-134A. This refrigerant is often used for refrigeration systems
that require a temperature between -45° C and 15° C, which translates to between -49°
F and 59° F, respectively. It is most useful in the commercial and industrial transport
industries due to its wide temperature range.
The refrigerant’s makeup is very similar to R-22 and sometimes offers improved
performance. Because R-404A has no rapid reaction to air or water, it is considered
safe for many uses. It is also non-flammable, colorless and odorless.
However, as with any refrigerant, users should always take the appropriate safety
precautions to protect themselves. Direct contact with R-404A can still cause frostbite,
and exposing it to fire or high heat for too long can result in a ruptured tank, which will
have a rocket-effect that you don’t want to be around. 
R-407C
Because it has thermodynamic properties that closely correspond to those available in
R-22, R-407C is a common replacement refrigerant for those who wish to retrofit their
R-22 equipment.
The mixture of hydrofluorocarbons includes a blend of pentafluoroethane,
difluoromethane and 1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane. The widely accepted alternative
refrigerant is popular in packaged air conditioners and ductless split systems and water
chillers as well as in light air conditioning and direct expansion systems found in
residential, commercial and industrial properties. R-407C also works in medium
temperature refrigeration systems.
R-407C is used in many newly manufactured appliances. New equipment that uses
nitrogen as a holding charge works best with R-407C because of the use of polyol ester
oil. While it is most common to put in new appliances and refrigeration systems, R-407C
is able to be retrofitted on some R-22 systems as long as the procedure includes an oil
change.
 Pressure and Temperature Relationship Chart
R-12 R-134a R-12 R-134a
°F °F
(psig) (psig) (psig) (psig)
-20 10.1 26.9 50 84 142
-15 13.2 31.7 55 92.6 155
-10 16.5 36.8 60 102 170
-5 20.1 42.5 65 111 185
0 24 48.6 70 121 201
5 28.2 55.2 80 144 235
10 32.8 62.3 90 168 274
15 37.7 70 100 196 317
20 43 78.3 110 226 365
25 48.8 87.3 120 260 418
30 54.9 9.8 130 297 476
35 61.5 107 140 337 539
40 68.5 118 150 382 608
45 76 130