Ammonia as a Refrigerant (R717)
Ammonia (R717) is a natural refrigerant consisting of nitrogen and hydrogen. It is well proven and is used today primarily in industrial refrigeration, commercial refrigeration and food storage due to its good refrigeration properties and high energy efficiency.
GWP 0
Ammonia has no impact on global warming (GWP = 0).
PFAS- and TFA-free
R717 does not release PFAS substances or TFA during operation.
Compatible with the F-gas Regulation
A natural refrigerant that is not affected by the restrictions of the EU F-gas Regulation.
Ammonia – a natural refrigerant with a long history
Ammonia became popular as a refrigerant during the 1930s and has been used in industrial applications for more than 100 years. It is used as a replacement for synthetic refrigerants such as R22 and R134a.
The EU’s decision to phase out synthetic refrigerants due to their high GWP values and PFAS emissions has increased interest in R717. The updated F-gas Regulation and the proposed PFAS ban mean that natural refrigerants are the alternatives of the future – and ammonia is fully compatible with current and forthcoming requirements under the F-gas Regulation.
Ammonia safety and handling
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Safety class B2L – toxic, corrosive and operating at higher pressures than other refrigerants.
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Material selection – ammonia can cause corrosion in copper.
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Leak detection – gas detectors and regular maintenance are important.
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Odour as a warning signal – its distinctive odour means that leaks are often detected early.
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Ammonia has a low fire risk, but it can form explosive mixtures when it comes into contact with air. Current regulations therefore impose strict safety requirements on the use of R717.
The energy efficiency of ammonia
Ammonia has good thermodynamic properties and can provide high energy efficiency, particularly in larger refrigeration and freezing systems. Its efficient heat transfer contributes to good refrigeration performance and low operating costs when the system is correctly sized and adapted to the needs of the facility.
Heat from an ammonia system can also be recovered. However, the temperature level is normally lower than the heat that can be produced by a transcritical CO₂ system. For applications requiring higher temperatures, such as domestic hot water production, the recovered heat may therefore need to be supplemented or upgraded using a heat pump.
The choice between ammonia and CO₂ should therefore not be based solely on the efficiency of the refrigerant. The refrigeration demand, required temperature level, potential use of recovered heat, and the size and operating profile of the facility should be assessed as a complete system.
Read more about CO₂ as a refrigerant and the opportunities for heat recovery.
EKA's skills
At EKA, we work with natural refrigerants and energy-efficient refrigeration and heat pump solutions.
If you are interested in learning more about how ammonia technology can be used in your facility, we are here to help. Contact us to discuss the possibilities offered by R717 and how you can benefit from using a natural refrigerant.