Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) Refrigerants

Hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants are a class of synthetic chemical compounds composed of hydrogen, fluorine, and carbon, used primarily as working fluids in refrigeration, air-conditioning, and heat-pump systems. They were developed as replacements for ozone-depleting substances such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) because they contain no chlorine and therefore do not directly damage the stratospheric ozone layer. Thermodynamically, HFCs operate by undergoing repeated phase changes between liquid and vapor, absorbing heat during evaporation and releasing heat during condensation. However, despite being ozone-safe, most HFCs have very high global warming potentials (GWPs) and are strong greenhouse gases, which has led to their regulation and gradual phase-down under international agreements such as the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol.