Editing Propane (section)

=== Refrigerant ===

Blends of pure, dry "isopropane" [isobutane/propane mixtures of propane (R-290) and [[isobutane]] (R-600a)] can be used as the circulating refrigerant in suitably constructed compressor-based refrigeration.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Başaran |first=Anıl |date=August 10, 2023 |title=Experimental investigation of R600a as a low GWP substitute to R134a in the closed-loop two-phase thermosyphon of the mini thermoelectric refrigerator |url=https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1359431122004550 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230811050616/https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/S1359431122004550 |archive-date=August 11, 2023 |access-date=2023-08-11 |journal=Applied Thermal Engineering |volume=211 |doi=10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2022.118501 |s2cid=248206074 |language=en-AU }}</ref> Compared to fluorocarbons, propane has a negligible [[ozone depletion potential]] and very low [[global warming potential]] (having a GWP value of 0.072,<ref>[https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/downloads/report/IPCC_AR6_WGI_Full_Report.pdf Climate Change 2021 – The Physical Science Basis]</ref> 13.9 times lower than the GWP of carbon dioxide) and can serve as a functional replacement for [[Dichlorodifluoromethane|R-12]], [[Chlorodifluoromethane|R-22]], [[1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane|R-134a]], and other [[chlorofluorocarbon]] or [[hydrofluorocarbon]] [[refrigerant]]s in conventional stationary refrigeration and air conditioning systems.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ozone/pdf/hcfc_technical_meeting_summary.pdf |title=European Commission on retrofit refrigerants for stationary applications |access-date=2010-10-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090805150605/http://ec.europa.eu/environment/ozone/pdf/hcfc_technical_meeting_summary.pdf |archive-date=August 5, 2009 }}</ref> Because its global warming effect is far less than current refrigerants, propane was chosen as one of five replacement refrigerants approved by the EPA in 2015, for use in systems specially designed to handle its flammability.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Koch |first1=Wendy |title=Why Your Fridge Pollutes and How It's Changing |url=https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/150306-why-your-fridge-pollutes-and-how-its-changing |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210226092729/https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/150306-why-your-fridge-pollutes-and-how-its-changing |url-status=live |archive-date=February 26, 2021 |publisher=National Geographic |access-date=22 December 2021 |date=March 6, 2015}}</ref>

Such substitution is widely prohibited or discouraged in motor vehicle air conditioning systems, on the grounds that using [[Flammability|flammable]] hydrocarbons in systems originally designed to carry non-flammable refrigerant presents a significant risk of fire or explosion.<ref>{{multiref2
|1={{cite web |url=http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/refrigerants/hc12alng.html |title=U.S. EPA hydrocarbon-refrigerants FAQ |publisher=Epa.gov |access-date=2010-10-29 |archive-date=2002-12-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021231213807/http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/refrigerants/hc12alng.html |url-status=dead }}
|2=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080719055123/http://www.vasa.org.au/pdf/memberlibrary/hydrocarbons/hc_white_paper.pdf Compendium of hydrocarbon-refrigerant policy statements, October 2006]. vasa.org.au
|3={{cite web |url=http://www.autoacforum.com/MACS/HCwarning.pdf |title=MACS bulletin: hydrocarbon refrigerant usage in vehicles |access-date=2010-10-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110105174944/http://www.autoacforum.com/MACS/HCwarning.pdf |archive-date=2011-01-05 }}
|4={{cite web |url=http://www.sae.org/news/releases/05hydrocarbon_warning.htm |title=Society of Automotive Engineers hydrocarbon refrigerant bulletin |publisher=Sae.org |date=2005-04-27 |access-date=2010-10-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050505030057/http://www.sae.org/news/releases/05hydrocarbon_warning.htm |archive-date=2005-05-05 |url-status=dead }}
|5={{cite web |url=http://www.shadetreemechanic.com/cc_hydrocarbon_refrigerants.htm |title=Shade Tree Mechanic on hydrocarbon refrigerants |publisher=Shadetreemechanic.com |date=2005-04-27 |access-date=2010-10-29 |archive-date=2010-11-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101127153510/http://shadetreemechanic.com/cc_hydrocarbon_refrigerants.htm |url-status=dead }}
|6={{cite web |url=http://www.labour.gov.sk.ca/Default.aspx?DN=2fb5ac24-d90e-4408-bf40-559793bd8e96 |title=Saskatchewan Labour bulletin on hydrocarbon refrigerants in vehicles |publisher=Labour.gov.sk.ca |date=2010-06-29 |access-date=2010-10-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090701025850/http://www.labour.gov.sk.ca/Default.aspx?DN=2fb5ac24-d90e-4408-bf40-559793bd8e96 |archive-date=2009-07-01 }}
|7=[https://web.archive.org/web/20080719134349/http://www.vasa.org.au/content/refriggas/index.php#Bookmark%202 VASA on refrigerant legality & advisability]. vasa.org.au
|8={{cite web |url=http://www.energy.qld.gov.au/zone_files/petroleum_pdf/safety_alert025.pdf |title=Queensland (Australia) government warning on hydrocarbon refrigerants |publisher=Energy.qld.gov.au |access-date=2010-10-29 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217150006/http://www.energy.qld.gov.au/zone_files/petroleum_pdf/safety_alert025.pdf |archive-date=December 17, 2008 }}}}</ref>

Vendors and advocates of hydrocarbon refrigerants argue against such bans on the grounds that there have been very few such incidents relative to the number of vehicle air conditioning systems filled with hydrocarbons.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/HansArt.nsf/V3Key/LA19971016015 |title=New South Wales (Australia) Parliamentary record, 16 October 1997 |publisher=Parliament.nsw.gov.au |date=1997-10-16 |access-date=2010-10-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090701025536/http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/HansArt.nsf/V3Key/LA19971016015 |archive-date=1 July 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LC20000629051 |title=New South Wales (Australia) Parliamentary record, 29 June 2000 |publisher=Parliament.nsw.gov.au |access-date=2010-10-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20050522080708/http://www.parliament.nsw.gov.au/prod/parlment/hansart.nsf/V3Key/LC20000629051 |archive-date=22 May 2005 }}</ref>

Propane is also instrumental in providing [[off-the-grid]] refrigeration, as the energy source for a [[gas absorption refrigerator]] and is commonly used for camping and recreational vehicles.

It has also been proposed to use propane as a refrigerant in [[Heat pump|heat pumps]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Everitt |first=Neil |date=2023-03-18 |title=Scientists back propane in heat pumps |url=https://www.coolingpost.com/world-news/scientists-back-propane-in-heat-pumps/ |access-date=2024-03-09 |website=Cooling Post |language=en-GB}}</ref>