Hydrocarbon refrigerants as sustainable alternatives to high-GWP refrigerants: a systematic review of R600 and R600a.

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Title: Hydrocarbon refrigerants as sustainable alternatives to high-GWP refrigerants: a systematic review of R600 and R600a.
Authors: Ibrahim, Osama Abd Al-Munaf1 (AUTHOR) Osama.A.Ibrahim@uotechnology.edu.iq, Kadhim, Saif Ali1 (AUTHOR) 20292@uotechnology.edu.iq, Hammoodi, Karrar A.2 (AUTHOR) karrar.hammoodi@uoa.edu.iq, Ashour, Ali M.1 (AUTHOR) ali.m.ashour@uotechnology.edu.iq, Bouabidi, Abdallah3,4 (AUTHOR) abdallah.bouabidi@issig.u-gabes.tn, Rashid, Farhan Lafta5 (AUTHOR) farhan.lefta@uokerbala.edu.iq, Sathyamurthy, Ravishankar6,7 (AUTHOR) r.sathyamurthy@kfupm.edu.sa
Source: Journal of Thermal Analysis & Calorimetry. Nov2025, Vol. 150 Issue 21, p17185-17206. 22p.
Subjects: Refrigerants, Butane, Flammability, Clean energy, Isobutane, Green products
Abstract: Global warming has heightened the need for sustainable refrigerants with low global warming potential (GWP). This review evaluates hydrocarbon refrigerants—butane (R600) and isobutane (R600a)—as eco-friendly alternatives in vapor compression refrigeration systems, including air conditioners and domestic refrigerators. Their thermal, physical, and environmental properties are analyzed, along with practical challenges and advantages. Hydrocarbon refrigerants offer high energy efficiency, negligible ozone depletion potential (ODP), and very low (GWP≈3). They are also non-toxic and compatible with conventional lubricants. However, their high flammability requires careful system design and safety measures. Research confirms that R600 and R600a are viable replacements for high-GWP refrigerants like R134a, particularly in domestic refrigeration, where small refrigerant charges reduce flammability risks. R600 exhibits a superior coefficient of performance (COP), though system modifications are necessary for optimal efficiency. Studies suggest that using lower-displacement compressors can enhance performance when transitioning from R134a to R600 and R600a alternatives. While hydrocarbons present a promising solution for reducing environmental impact, their flammability remains a key limitation. Future research should focus on improving safety standards and expanding their applicability to larger systems. This review provides a comprehensive assessment for researchers and engineers, supporting the adoption of hydrocarbon refrigerants as a sustainable alternative, provided that proper safety protocols are implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
Copyright of Journal of Thermal Analysis & Calorimetry is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract. (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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  Data: Hydrocarbon refrigerants as sustainable alternatives to high-GWP refrigerants: a systematic review of R600 and R600a.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ibrahim%2C+Osama+Abd+Al-Munaf%22">Ibrahim, Osama Abd Al-Munaf</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> Osama.A.Ibrahim@uotechnology.edu.iq</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Kadhim%2C+Saif+Ali%22">Kadhim, Saif Ali</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> 20292@uotechnology.edu.iq</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Hammoodi%2C+Karrar+A%2E%22">Hammoodi, Karrar A.</searchLink><relatesTo>2</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> karrar.hammoodi@uoa.edu.iq</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Ashour%2C+Ali+M%2E%22">Ashour, Ali M.</searchLink><relatesTo>1</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> ali.m.ashour@uotechnology.edu.iq</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Bouabidi%2C+Abdallah%22">Bouabidi, Abdallah</searchLink><relatesTo>3,4</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> abdallah.bouabidi@issig.u-gabes.tn</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Rashid%2C+Farhan+Lafta%22">Rashid, Farhan Lafta</searchLink><relatesTo>5</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> farhan.lefta@uokerbala.edu.iq</i><br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Sathyamurthy%2C+Ravishankar%22">Sathyamurthy, Ravishankar</searchLink><relatesTo>6,7</relatesTo> (AUTHOR)<i> r.sathyamurthy@kfupm.edu.sa</i>
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="JN" term="%22Journal+of+Thermal+Analysis+%26+Calorimetry%22">Journal of Thermal Analysis & Calorimetry</searchLink>. Nov2025, Vol. 150 Issue 21, p17185-17206. 22p.
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Refrigerants%22">Refrigerants</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Butane%22">Butane</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Flammability%22">Flammability</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Clean+energy%22">Clean energy</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Isobutane%22">Isobutane</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Green+products%22">Green products</searchLink>
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  Label: Abstract
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  Data: Global warming has heightened the need for sustainable refrigerants with low global warming potential (GWP). This review evaluates hydrocarbon refrigerants—butane (R600) and isobutane (R600a)—as eco-friendly alternatives in vapor compression refrigeration systems, including air conditioners and domestic refrigerators. Their thermal, physical, and environmental properties are analyzed, along with practical challenges and advantages. Hydrocarbon refrigerants offer high energy efficiency, negligible ozone depletion potential (ODP), and very low (GWP≈3). They are also non-toxic and compatible with conventional lubricants. However, their high flammability requires careful system design and safety measures. Research confirms that R600 and R600a are viable replacements for high-GWP refrigerants like R134a, particularly in domestic refrigeration, where small refrigerant charges reduce flammability risks. R600 exhibits a superior coefficient of performance (COP), though system modifications are necessary for optimal efficiency. Studies suggest that using lower-displacement compressors can enhance performance when transitioning from R134a to R600 and R600a alternatives. While hydrocarbons present a promising solution for reducing environmental impact, their flammability remains a key limitation. Future research should focus on improving safety standards and expanding their applicability to larger systems. This review provides a comprehensive assessment for researchers and engineers, supporting the adoption of hydrocarbon refrigerants as a sustainable alternative, provided that proper safety protocols are implemented. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]
– Name: AbstractSuppliedCopyright
  Label:
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  Data: <i>Copyright of Journal of Thermal Analysis & Calorimetry is the property of Springer Nature and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites without the copyright holder's express written permission. Additionally, content may not be used with any artificial intelligence tools or machine learning technologies. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This abstract may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full abstract.</i> (Copyright applies to all Abstracts.)
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        Value: 10.1007/s10973-025-14831-3
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        Text: English
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        PageCount: 22
        StartPage: 17185
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      – SubjectFull: Refrigerants
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Butane
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Flammability
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      – SubjectFull: Clean energy
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      – SubjectFull: Isobutane
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      – SubjectFull: Green products
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      – TitleFull: Hydrocarbon refrigerants as sustainable alternatives to high-GWP refrigerants: a systematic review of R600 and R600a.
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              Text: Nov2025
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