Forane R-404A Refrigerant is an HFC refrigerant blend manufactured by Arkema, designed as a non-ozone-depleting replacement for R-502. It is a near-azeotropic mixture of three HFC components: R-125 (44%), R-143a (52%), and R-134a (4%)
Primary Applications
Forane® 404A is formulated for medium and low temperature refrigeration applications. It is widely used in :
- Commercial refrigeration: food display and storage cases, supermarket freezers, walk-in coolers and freezers
- Ice machines
- Cold storage rooms and warehouses
- Transport refrigeration (refrigerated trucks and containers)
- Industrial process refrigeration
The refrigerant was specifically developed to match the properties of R-502, making it suitable for both new equipment and retrofitting existing R-502 systems.
Technical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Composition | R-125 / R-143a / R-134a (44/52/4 wt%) |
| Average molecular weight | 97.6 g/mol |
| Normal boiling point | -46.5 °C (-51.2 °F) |
| Critical temperature | 72.0 °C (161.7 °F) |
| ASHRAE safety classification | A1 (non-toxic, non-flammable) |
| Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) | 0 |
| Global Warming Potential (GWP) | 3,922 (AR4) / 3,943 (AR5) |
The near-azeotropic nature of R-404A means it has very low temperature glide (<1°C), allowing it to be used in flooded evaporator systems without significant performance issues.
Lubrication Requirements
Important: R-404A is not miscible with mineral oils (MO) or alkylbenzene (AB) that were traditionally used with R-502 systems .
When retrofitting from R-502 to R-404A:
- The original oil must be replaced with Polyol Ester (POE) oil
- Residual mineral oil should be reduced to 5% or less of the total oil charge
- Failure to properly change the oil can result in inadequate oil return to the compressor and other system problems
Charging and Retrofit Guidelines
Charging: Due to its zeotropic (near-azeotropic) nature, R-404A should be charged as a liquid to prevent fractionation (changes in refrigerant composition). If vapor charging is necessary, a valve should be installed to flash the liquid to vapor during charging .
Retrofit: While R-404A can be used to retrofit many existing R-502 systems, it is not a direct “drop-in” replacement. The operating pressures are higher than R-502, so manufacturer-specific recommendations should be consulted for pressure relief modifications .
Leaks: Testing shows that fractionation due to system leaks is typically not a problem for R-404A. The leak can be repaired and the system topped off.
Packaging and Availability
Forane® 404A is available in various container sizes including :
- 24 lb (10.9 kg) cylinders – DOT-39 disposable cylinders (orange color code)
- Bulk options – ISO tanks (18 tons) and ton drums (780 kg)
Environmental Considerations
R-404A has a high Global Warming Potential (GWP of approximately 3,922) . Due to regulatory pressure under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol and various regional F-gas regulations, R-404A is being phased down in many regions. Lower-GWP alternatives (such as R-448A, R-449A, and R-452A) are increasingly being specified for new equipment, though R-404A remains available for servicing existing systems in most areas .
Would you like information about lower-GWP alternatives to R-404A for new or retrofit applications?