What is the recommended alternative for CFC-11 in centrifugal chillers?

HCFC-123 is recognized as the recommended alternative for CFC-11 in centrifugal chillers due to its suitable thermodynamic properties and lower ozone depletion potential compared to CFC-11. HCFC-123 has been designed to offer similar efficiency levels in refrigeration applications, particularly in large systems such as centrifugal chillers, making it a viable replacement.

Its characteristics allow for effective operation in existing systems with minimal modifications, as its pressure and temperature relationships are more aligned with those of CFC-11. Additionally, HCFC-123 has a much lower environmental impact in terms of ozone layer depletion compared to CFCs, aligning with global efforts to phase out substances that harm the ozone layer.

While other refrigerants like HCFC-22, HFC-134a, and ammonia might be suitable alternatives in certain applications, HCFC-123 stands out in terms of being one of the most accepted replacements specifically for centrifugal chillers that once utilized CFC-11.