A refrigerant is a substance or mixture, usually a fluid, used in a heat pump and refrigeration cycle. In most cycles it undergoes phase transitions from a liquid to a gas and back again.
The ideal working fluid or often called refrigerant would have favorable thermodynamic properties, be noncorrosive to mechanical components, and be safe, including freedom from toxicity and flammability.
The desired thermodynamic properties are a boiling point somewhat below the target temperature, a high heat of vaporization, a moderate density in liquid form, a relatively high density in gaseous form, and a high critical temperature. Since boiling point and gas density are affected by pressure, refrigerants may be made more suitable for a particular application by appropriate choice of operating pressures.
Chlorodifluoromethane or difluoromonochloromethane is a hydro chlorofluorocarbon (HCFC). This colorless gas is better known as HCFC-22, or R-22, or (CH ClF2). It is commonly used as a propellant and refrigerant. R-22 cylinders are colored light green.
R22 is a single component HCFC refrigerant that has historically been used for air conditioning, medium temperature and low temperature refrigeration.
The refrigerants market size is estimated to be USD 22.9 billion in 2018 and is projected reach USD 31.0 billion by 2023, at a CAGR of 6.2% between 2018 and 2023. The market is mainly driven by the rising demand for refrigerants from the applications domestic, commercial, and industrial refrigeration; chillers; window, split, VRF, and other air-conditioning systems; and MAC. Growing demand for refrigerants in upcoming applications has created various opportunities for its manufacturers. APAC is the key market for refrigerants, globally, followed by North America and Europe, in terms of volume. One of the primary drivers of the market is the increasing demand for consumer appliances in these regions.
Increase in demand for energy-efficient cooling solutions and rising awareness regarding global warming and ozone depletion is expected to shape the industry over the forecast period. Fluorocarbon phase-out as per regulations laid down by the Montreal Protocol and updated by the Kyoto Protocol has led to a resurgence in demand for natural refrigerants. The hydrocarbon and inorganic segments are, therefore, expected to witness considerable growth.
The stationary air conditioning, chillers, and heat pumps segment dominated the market by application and accounted for over 47% of the overall volume in 2016. Increased spending power of the middle class on consumer appliances, such as refrigeration systems, has resulted in the growth of this segment. Rising demand for cooling equipment owing to rapid industrialization, deteriorating weather conditions, and growth in the manufacture of consumer appliances has also positively influenced its demand.
Commercial refrigeration is another application witnessing significant growth. Increasing hypermarket, supermarket, and food retail chains, coupled with rise in consumption of packaged and frozen foods, has boosted the demand for commercial refrigerants.
Few major players are as under
Jiangxi Bosheng New Refrigerant Co., Ltd.
Quzhou JinyuanHongtai Refrigerant Co., Ltd
Anhui T.C Refrigerant High-tech Co., LTD
Hangzhou Elk Refrigerant High-Tech Co., Ltd
Refrigerant & Chemical
