What is the typical refrigerant used in many commercial refrigeration systems?

The typical refrigerant used in many commercial refrigeration systems is ammonia. Ammonia (NH3) is favored in industrial and commercial applications due to its excellent thermodynamic properties, efficiency, and cost-effectiveness. It has a high latent heat of vaporization, which allows systems to achieve better energy efficiency and capacity.

Additionally, ammonia has a low boiling point and can provide effective cooling at relatively low pressures, making it ideal for use in large refrigeration systems like those found in food processing and cold storage facilities. Its environmental impact is also significant; while ammonia is toxic, it has zero ozone depletion potential and a low global warming potential compared to many synthetic refrigerants.

While other refrigerants such as Freon-12 (which is now largely phased out due to its ozone-depleting characteristics), Carbon Dioxide (which is gaining popularity but primarily in specific niches), and R134a (commonly used in smaller systems such as car air conditioning) are used, ammonia remains prevalent in larger scale commercial refrigeration applications due to its efficiency and effectiveness.