BOC Refrigerants

CARE refrigerants technical information

1. APPLICATION
CARE refrigerants are high purity hydrocarbons. They are flammable, non-toxic, unstenched, natural gases
available in a range of cylinder sizes and as bulk delivered to static storage tanks. The CARE range of
hydrocarbon refrigerants can be used in virtually all refrigeration and air-conditioning systems, provided that the
necessary safety precautions are accommodated. Table 1 illustrates the ranges of applications and traditional
refrigerants they can replace.
Table 1: Application ranges for CARE refrigerants
Refrigerant
CARE 10

Composition
HC-600a (isobutane)

CARE 30

blend of HC-600a and

HC-290
HC-290 (propane)

CARE 40

CARE 45
CARE 50

HC-1270 (propene/
propylene)
blend of HC-290 and
HC-170 (ethane)

Application type
high/medium temperature; domestic
appliances.
high/medium temperature; commercial,
automotive, domestic.
high/medium/low temperature; commercial
& industrial refrigeration & A/C, heat
pumps, chillers.
high/medium/low temperature; commercial
refrigeration, air-conditioning.
high/medium/low temperature; commercial,
industrial & process refrigeration & A/C,
heat pumps, chillers.

Fluorocarbon equivalent
CFC-12, HFC-134a
CFC-12, HFC-134a
HCFC-22, HFC-404A,
HFC-407C, HFC-507
HCFC-22, HFC-407C,
HFC-404A, R502
HCFC-22, HFC-404A,
HFC-407C, HFC-507

Any systems that employ CARE refrigerants must be designed and constructed specifically to account for the
risks posed by their flammability. Consequently, CARE refrigerants shall not be used for retrofitting under any
circumstances. Further, all refrigerants have differing thermodynamic and chemical properties that necessitate
attention to be paid to the design of all aspects of the refrigeration system.

2. ENVIRONMENTAL
Although the refrigerant properties of hydrocarbons have been known for many decades their resurgence in this
application since the mid-1990s has been primarily due to their being ecologically benign, as shown in Table 2
below. Other environmental benefits over hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants are that hydrocarbon refrigerants
do not contribute to pollution in the form of toxic and carcinogenic wastes, and the release of ODP products
during their production process.
Table 2: Environmental properties of various refrigerants
Refrigerant
CARE 10
CARE 30
HFC-134a
CARE 40
CARE 45
CARE 50
HCFC-22
HFC-404A
HFC-407C
HFC-410A
(1)

Naturally occurring
substance
Yes
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
No

Atmospheric lifetime
(Years)
0.02
< 0.04
14
0.04
0.001
< 0.21
12
< 52
< 29
< 29

Global warming
potential (GWP) (1)
7
7
1410
7
5
7
1780
3860
1750
2060

Ozone depletion
potential (ODP) (1)
0
0
0
0
0
0
0.034
0
0
0

Data from 2005 IPCC/TEAP Special Report. GWP based on 100 year integration time, CO2 = 1. ODP is relative to R11.

MARCH 2005

PAGE 1 OF 8

 BOC Refrigerants
CARE refrigerants technical information

3. REFRIGERANT DATA
3.1 Refrigerant purity
CARE refrigerants are very high purity hydrocarbons and are produced to relevant refrigerant specifications.
Standard CARE 10, CARE 30, CARE 40 and CARE 50 is 99.5% pure saturated hydrocarbon, and CARE 45 is 97.5%
pure unsaturated hydrocarbon. Contaminants such as other hydrocarbons, moisture, sulphur, aromatics, and
non-condensable gases are controlled to the necessary tolerances. Detailed specifications are available upon
request.
3.2 Properties of refrigerants
Physical properties of CARE refrigerants are provided and compared against non-HC refrigerants in Table
3. Thermodynamic and transport properties of various refrigerants are shown in Table 4.
Table 3: Physical Properties of refrigerants
Refrigerant
CARE 10
CARE 30
CFC-12
HFC-134a
CARE 40
CARE 45
CARE 50
HCFC-22
HFC-404A
HFC-407C
(1)

Chemical formula
CH(CH3)3
CH(CH3)3+CH3CH2CH3
CCl2F2
CH2FCF3
CH3CH2CH3
C3H6
CH3CH2CH3+C2H6
CHClF2
CHF2CF3+CF3CH3+CH2FCF3
CH2F2+CHF2CF3+CH2FCF3

Normal
boiling (1)
pt. (C)

Critical
temp .
(C)

Critical
pressure
(bar, a)

-11.7
-31.5
-29.8
-26.2
-42.1
-47.7
-49.0
-40.8
-46.6
-43.8

135.0
114.8
112.0
101.1
96.7
91.8
91.2
96.0
72.5
86.1

36.5
40.4
41.1
40.7
42.5
46.2
42.9
49.7
37.8
46.5

Flammable Limits (% vol)

Lower

Upper

1.8
2.0
2.1
2.5
2.2
-

8.5
9.0
9.5
10.1
9.9
-

Boiling & freezing points at standard atmospheric pressure (101.325kPa)

Table 4: Thermodynamic and transport properties of refrigerants

Property (1)

CARE
10

Density, l (kg m-3)

Density, v (kg m-3)
Specific heat, l (kJ kg -1 K-1)
Specific heat, v (kJ kg -1 K-1)
Ratio of specific heats, l (-)
Ratio of specific heats, v (-)
Viscosity, l (Pa s) 10-6
Viscosity, v (Pa s) 10-6
Thermal cond, l (W m-1 K-1)
Thermal cond, v (W m-1 K-1)
Surface Tension (N m-1) 10-3
Speed of sound, l (m s -1)
Speed of sound, v (m s -1)
Temperature glide (K)
Latent heat (kJ kg -1)
Saturation press. (bar, abs)

CARE
30

CFC12

HFC134a

CARE
40

544

533

1310

1206

494

9.1

12.2

36.8

32.3

20.5

2.44

2.51

0.98

1.43

2.91

1.73

1.77

0.70

1.01

1.88

1.36

1.43

1.63

1.56

1.31

1.16

1.24

166

141

199

8.0

8.4

0.10
0.02

CARE
45

CARE
50

HCFC
-22

HFC404A

HFC407C

507

493

1191

1042

1140

24.2

21.55

44.8

66.4

43.2

2.68

2.84

1.29

1.56

1.55

1.98

1.89

0.91

1.23

1.08

1.61

1.71

1.62

1.80

1.65

1.67

1.23

1.25

1.34

1.26

1.72

1.37

1.31

208

102

94

101

146

132

159

13.4

12.1

8.8

9.2

8.9

12.9

12.8

12.6

0.10

0.07

0.08

0.09

0.10

0.09

0.08

0.07

0.09

0.02

0.01

0.01

0.02

0.02

0.02

0.01

0.01

0.01

9.8

9.3

8.5

8.3

7.0

6.7

7.1

8.2

4.7

7.1

810

814

406

508

721

713

724

522

367

481

199

209

133

144

216

221

216

159

134

156

7.8

3.9

0.4

5.8

332

353

139

178

342

338

348

180

139

186

3.5

5.2

6.5

6.6

9. 6

11.5

10.1

10.4

12.6

10.2

(1)

Suffixes: l - saturated liquid, v - saturated vapour. All conditions given at +25C (dew point). Data taken from NIST
Refprop 6.01 and ASHRAE Fundamentals 2001.

MARCH 2005

PAGE 2 OF 8

 BOC Refrigerants
CARE refrigerants technical information
3.3 Vapour pressure
The graphs in Figures 1 and 2 show vapour pressures of CARE refrigerants alongside other refrigerants of similar
pressures. Thermodynamic tables for the CARE refrigerants are also provided in section 3.4.

14
R12
12

R134a
CARE 30

Pressure (bar, abs)

10

CARE 10
8
6
4
2
0
-30

-20

-10

10

20

30

40

50

Temperature (C)

Figure 1: Saturated pressure/temperature characteristics for CARE 10, CARE 30, CFC-12 and HFC-134a

25
R404A
R407C
20

R22

Pressure (bar,a)

CARE 40
CARE 50

15

CARE 45
10

0
-50

-30

-10

10

30

50

Temperature (C)

Figure 2: Saturated pressure/temperature characteristics for CARE 40, CARE 45, CARE 50, HCFC-22, HFC404A and HFC-407C

MARCH 2005

PAGE 3 OF 8

 BOC Refrigerants
CARE refrigerants technical information
3.4 Saturated property tables
Thermodynamic properties of saturated CARE 10
Temp. (C)

Pressure
(bar, abs)

-40
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80

0.28
0.37
0.46
0.58
0.72
0.89
1.08
1.31
1.57
1.86
2.20
2.59
3.02
3.50
4.05
4.65
5.31
6.04
6.85
7.73
8.69
9.73
10.87
12.10
13.43

Liquid (bubble point)

Enthalpy
Density
Entropy
(kJ kg -1 K-1)
(kg m-3)
(kJ kg -1 K-1)
502.2
508.7
515.2
521.8
528.4
535.0
541.7
548.3
555.0
561.7
568.4
575.2
581.8
588.5
595.2
601.8
608.4
615.0
621.4
627.8
634.2
640.3
646.4
652.3
658.0

624.6
619.4
614.0
608.6
603.2
597.6
592.0
586.3
580.5
574.6
568.6
562.4
556.2
549.9
543.4
536.8
530.0
523.1
516.0
508.7
501.2
493.5
485.6
477.4
468.8

0.653
0.698
0.742
0.786
0.830
0.873
0.915
0.958
1.000
1.042
1.083
1.125
1.166
1.207
1.248
1.288
1.329
1.369
1.409
1.450
1.490
1.530
1.570
1.610
1.650

Vapour (dew point)

Enthalpy
Density
Entropy
(kJ kg -1 K-1)
(kg m-3)
(kJ kg -1 K-1)
502.2
508.7
515.2
521.8
528.4
535.0
541.7
548.3
555.0
561.7
568.4
575.2
581.8
588.5
595.2
601.8
608.4
615.0
621.4
627.8
634.2
640.3
646.4
652.3
658.0

0.87
1.10
1.37
1.69
2.06
2.50
3.00
3.59
4.25
5.01
5.86
6.83
7.91
9.12
10.48
11.99
13.67
15.53
17.60
19.89
22.43
25.24
28.37
31.85
35.73

2.326
2.319
2.313
2.308
2.304
2.302
2.300
2.300
2.300
2.301
2.302
2.305
2.307
2.311
2.315
2.319
2.323
2.328
2.333
2.338
2.344
2.349
2.354
2.359
2.364

Thermodynamic properties of saturated CARE 30

Temp.
(C)

Liquid (bubble point)

Enthalpy
Density
Pressure
(bar, abs) (kJ kg -1 K-1) (kg m-3)

-40
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80

MARCH 2005

0.73
0.91
1.12
1.37
1.65
1.98
2.35
2.78
3.26
3.81
4.41
5.09
5.84
6.66
7.57
8.57
9.66
10.84
12.13
13.53
15.03
16.66
18.40
20.28
22.29

516.3
522.7
529.1
535.5
541.9
548.2
554.6
561.0
567.3
573.7
580.0
586.2
592.4
598.5
604.5
610.5
616.3
622.0
627.5
632.9
638.0
642.9
647.5
651.7
655.4

566.7
562.6
558.4
554.1
549.6
545.1
540.4
535.6
530.6
525.5
520.3
514.9
509.3
503.6
497.6
491.5
485.1
478.5
471.7
464.6
457.1
449.3
441.1
432.3
422.9

Vapour (dew point)

Entropy
Enthalpy
Density
Pressure
(kJ kg -1 K-1) (bar, abs) (kJ kg -1 K-1) (kg m-3)
0.752
0.798
0.844
0.890
0.935
0.980
1.024
1.068
1.112
1.155
1.199
1.242
1.285
1.328
1.371
1.413
1.456
1.498
1.541
1.583
1.626
1.669
1.712
1.755
1.799

0.49
0.62
0.78
0.96
1.19
1.45
1.75
2.10
2.50
2.96
3.48
4.06
4.71
5.44
6.25
7.15
8.13
9.22
10.40
11.70
13.12
14.66
16.33
18.14
20.10

516.3
522.7
529.1
535.5
541.9
548.2
554.6
561.0
567.3
573.7
580.0
586.2
592.4
598.5
604.5
610.5
616.3
622.0
627.5
632.9
638.0
642.9
647.5
651.7
655.4

1.28
1.60
1.98
2.43
2.95
3.56
4.25
5.04
5.95
6.97
8.13
9.43
10.89
12.53
14.36
16.40
18.67
21.20
24.03
27.18
30.70
34.66
39.11
44.14
49.88

Entropy
(kJ kg -1 K-1)
2.541
2.529
2.519
2.510
2.502
2.496
2.491
2.486
2.483
2.480
2.478
2.476
2.475
2.475
2.475
2.475
2.476
2.477
2.478
2.479
2.479
2.480
2.480
2.479
2.478

PAGE 4 OF 8

 BOC Refrigerants
CARE refrigerants technical information

Thermodynamic properties of saturated CARE 40

Temp. (C)

Pressure
(bar, abs)

-40
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80

1.11
1.37
1.68
2.03
2.44
2.92
3.45
4.06
4.75
5.51
6.37
7.32
8.37
9.52
10.79
12.18
13.70
15.34
17.13
19.07
21.17
23.43
25.86
28.49
31.31

Liquid (bubble point)

Enthalpy
Density
Entropy
-1
-1
-3
(kJ kg K )
(kg m )
(kJ kg -1 K-1)
528.3
534.3
540.2
546.1
551.9
557.7
563.5
569.1
574.7
580.1
585.5
590.8
595.9
600.8
605.5
610.1
614.3
618.3
621.9
625.1
627.8
629.8
631.1
631.2
629.8

579.0
573.1
567.1
561.1
554.9
548.5
542.1
535.5
528.7
521.8
514.7
507.4
499.8
492.1
484.1
475.7
467.1
458.0
448.5
438.5
427.8
416.3
403.7
389.7
373.6

0.626
0.674
0.722
0.769
0.816
0.862
0.908
0.954
1.000
1.045
1.091
1.136
1.181
1.226
1.271
1.316
1.362
1.407
1.453
1.499
1.546
1.593
1.642
1.692
1.745

Vapour (dew point)

Enthalpy
Density
Entropy
-1
-1
-3
(kJ kg K )
(kg m )
(kJ kg -1 K-1)
528.3
534.3
540.2
546.1
551.9
557.7
563.5
569.1
574.7
580.1
585.5
590.8
595.9
600.8
605.5
610.1
614.3
618.3
621.9
625.1
627.8
629.8
631.1
631.2
629.8

2.63
3.20
3.87
4.63
5.51
6.51
7.64
8.92
10.36
11.98
13.80
15.83
18.11
20.65
23.48
26.65
30.20
34.19
38.67
43.75
49.55
56.21
63.97
73.17
84.41

2.443
2.430
2.419
2.408
2.399
2.391
2.384
2.377
2.372
2.367
2.362
2.358
2.354
2.351
2.347
2.344
2.340
2.337
2.333
2.328
2.323
2.316
2.308
2.297
2.283

Thermodynamic properties of saturated CARE 45

Temp. (C)

Pressure
(bar, abs)

-40
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80

1.42
1.74
2.12
2.56
3.07
3.64
4.29
5.03
5.86
6.78
7.81
8.95
10.20
11.58
13.08
14.73
16.52
18.47
20.58
22.86
25.32
27.98
30.84
33.92
37.24

MARCH 2005

Liquid (bubble point)

Enthalpy
Density
Entropy
-1
-1
-3
(kJ kg K )
(kg m )
(kJ kg -1 K-1)
537.6
542.9
548.2
553.4
558.5
563.5
568.4
573.2
577.8
582.3
586.7
590.9
594.8
598.6
602.1
605.3
608.1
610.6
612.6
614.1
614.9
614.9
613.9
611.3
606.6

599.4
593.0
586.5
579.9
573.1
566.2
559.2
552.0
544.6
537.1
529.3
521.3
513.0
504.5
495.6
486.3
476.7
466.5
455.8
444.4
432.1
418.8
404.1
387.4
367.5

0.636
0.683
0.729
0.775
0.821
0.866
0.911
0.956
1.000
1.044
1.088
1.132
1.176
1.219
1.263
1.307
1.351
1.395
1.440
1.485
1.531
1.579
1.627
1.678
1.734

Vapour (dew point)

Enthalpy
Density
Entropy
-1
-1
-3
(kJ kg K )
(kg m )
(kJ kg -1 K-1)
537.6
542.9
548.2
553.4
558.5
563.5
568.4
573.2
577.8
582.3
586.7
590.9
594.8
598.6
602.1
605.3
608.1
610.6
612.6
614.1
614.9
614.9
613.9
611.3
606.6

3.23
3.91
4.70
5.61
6.64
7.82
9.15
10.66
12.35
14.26
16.39
18.77
21.44
24.42
27.76
31.50
35.71
40.45
45.81
51.92
58.95
67.13
76.80
88.53
103.36

2.482
2.466
2.451
2.438
2.425
2.413
2.403
2.393
2.383
2.374
2.366
2.358
2.350
2.342
2.335
2.327
2.319
2.311
2.302
2.292
2.281
2.268
2.253
2.235
2.212

PAGE 5 OF 8

 BOC Refrigerants
CARE refrigerants technical information

MARCH 2005

PAGE 6 OF 8

 BOC Refrigerants
CARE refrigerants technical information
Thermodynamic Properties of Saturated CARE 50
Temp.
(C)

Liquid (bubble point)

Enthalpy
Density
Pressure
-1
-1
(bar, abs) (kJ kg K ) (kg m-3)

-40
-35
-30
-25
-20
-15
-10
-5
0
5
10
15
20
25
30
35
40
45
50
55
60
65
70
75
80

1.63
1.97
2.37
2.82
3.33
3.91
4.56
5.29
6.11
7.01
8.01
9.12
10.33
11.65
13.09
14.66
16.36
18.20
20.19
22.33
24.88
27.85
30.81
33.77
36.74

529.9
535.8
541.7
547.6
553.4
559.1
564.8
570.4
575.9
581.2
586.5
591.6
596.6
601.3
605.9
610.2
614.2
617.9
621.1
623.9
626.1
627.5
627.9
626.9
623.9

564.8
559.2
553.4
547.5
541.5
535.4
529.2
522.8
516.2
509.5
502.5
495.4
488.0
480.4
472.5
464.3
455.7
446.7
437.2
427.1
416.2
404.4
391.3
376.4
358.7

Vapour (dew point)

Entropy
Enthalpy
Density
Pressure
-1
-1
-1
-1
(kJ kg K ) (bar, abs) (kJ kg K ) (kg m-3)
0.680
0.728
0.777
0.824
0.872
0.919
0.965
1.012
1.058
1.104
1.150
1.196
1.241
1.287
1.333
1.379
1.425
1.471
1.518
1.565
1.612
1.661
1.710
1.762
1.817

1.20
1.48
1.81
2.20
2.64
3.15
3.73
4.38
5.12
5.94
6.87
7.89
9.02
10.27
11.64
13.14
14.78
16.56
18.50
20.60
22.88
25.35
28.02
30.91
34.04

529.9
535.8
541.7
547.6
553.4
559.1
564.8
570.4
575.9
581.2
586.5
591.6
596.6
601.3
605.9
610.2
614.2
617.9
621.1
623.9
626.1
627.5
627.9
626.9
623.9

2.77
3.37
4.07
4.87
5.79
6.84
8.03
9.38
10.90
12.61
14.52
16.67
19.07
21.76
24.77
28.14
31.93
36.19
41.02
46.51
52.82
60.14
68.78
79.24
92.38

Entropy
(kJ kg -1 K-1)
2.515
2.501
2.489
2.477
2.467
2.458
2.450
2.443
2.436
2.430
2.424
2.419
2.414
2.410
2.405
2.401
2.396
2.391
2.386
2.379
2.372
2.363
2.352
2.338
2.319

4. COMPATIBILITY
4.1 Lubricants
All CARE refrigerants have full chemical compatibility with all common refrigeration lubricants, including mineral,
alkyl benzine and polyol ester oils, the exception being silicone and silicate based lubricants. CARE refrigerants
are soluble with all refrigeration oils. Under high pressure and low temperature conditions increased solubility can
occur with certain oil types and this should be considered when making a selection. Details on lubricant options
are included in Table 5. In addition:
Polyvinylether (PVE) lubricants have not been assessed for use with hydrocarbon lubricants as yet, although
they are expected to behave similarly to POE oils.
It is recommended that the compressor manufacturer be consulted to determine the selection of the correct
lubricant.
For safety reasons the system should be well evacuated and if possible, the oil warmed before removing it
from the compressor (or the compressor from the system).
Table 5: Compatibility of various lubricants with CARE refrigerants
Oil Type
Mineral (M)
Alkyl benzene (AB)
Semi-synthetic (AB/M)
Polyolester (POE)
Poly alkyl glycol (PAG)
Poly-alpha-oelfins (PAO)

MARCH 2005

Solubility
Fully soluble with CARE but be aware of excessive solubility at high temperature
conditions and compensate by selection of a high viscosity grade.
Fully soluble and typical viscosity grades applicable to all applications.
A blend of AB and M oils achieving desirable properties for use with HCs.
Some types can be very soluble with CARE and consideration should also be
given in terms of viscosity adjustment.
Soluble and partially soluble with CARE depending upon the conditions. Typical
viscosity grades can be used.
Soluble with CARE but typically used for low temperature applications.

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 BOC Refrigerants
CARE refrigerants technical information

4.2 Materials
Virtually all common elastomer and plastic refrigeration materials used as O rings, valve seats, seals and gaskets
are compatible with CARE refrigerants. These include Neoprenes, Vitons, Nitrile rubbers, HNBR, PTFE and Nylon.
Materials that are incompatible and should not be used with hydrocarbon refrigerants are EPDM, natural rubbers
and silicone rubbers. Neoprene products should not be used with CARE 45.
NOTE. Whilst testing has been conducted on a number of selected materials with hydrocarbons it should be noted that there
are numerous different grades available in the market and for this reason compatibility should be checked with the
manufacturer or supplier of the component.

4.3 Desiccants
Desiccants are used within filter driers. Most commonly used desiccants are compatible with CARE refrigerants.
Acceptable types are XH-5, XH-6 or equivalent.
4.4 Thermal stability
CARE refrigerants will not react with common system component materials under typical operating conditions
and in this respect will not decompose. CARE refrigerants cannot decompose to form acids within the system,
though this still may occur with the lubricants in the event of a burn out.

5. SAFETY
5.1 Flammability
All CARE refrigerants are highly flammable but non-toxic. They are classified A3 according to the European
Standard BS EN 378: 2000 Refrigerating systems and heat pumps - Safety and environmental requirements.
Requirements are also provided in the Institute of Refrigeration Safety Code for Refrigerating Systems Utilising
Group A3 Refrigerants (www.ior.org.uk) and the ACRIB Guidelines for the Use of Hydrocarbon Refrigerants
(www.acrib.org.uk). Refer also to EN 60335-2-24 for use of flammable refrigerants in domestic refrigerators, EN
60335-2-40 for air conditioners and heat pumps, and EN 60335-2-89 for commercial refrigeration. Reference should
be made to these documents, which detail the requirements for the safe use of flammable refrigerants in domestic,
commercial and industrial applications. Some of the important key requirements are summarised in Table 6.
Table 6: Key requirements for class A3 refrigerants (EN 378: 2000)
Category
A
(domestic/
public)
B
(commercial/
private)
C
(industrial/
restricted
access)
All

Examples
Hospitals, airports, shopping
centres, prisons, theatres,
schools, supermarkets, hotels,
dwellings.
Offices, small shops, restaurants,
places for general manufacturing
and where people work.
Cold stores, dairies, abattoirs,
non-public areas of supermarkets,
plant rooms.

<2.5 kg per sealed refrigerant circuit

<10 kg in special machinery rooms or open air for
indirect systems.

<10 kg in human occupied spaces

<25 kg if high pressure side is located in a special
machinery room or in the open air
No limit if entire refrigerant containing parts are in a
special machinery room or in the open air.

MARCH 2005

Requirements
<1.5 kg per sealed refrigerant circuit
<5 kg in special machinery rooms or in the open air for
indirect systems

Charges in systems below ground (i.e. cellars and basements) is restricted to <1.0 kg.
Sealed systems containing <0.15 kg may be sited in any location.
If the charge is >0.15 kg within an indoor location, a sudden loss of refrigerant should not raise the
mean concentration in the room above the Practical Limit (0.008 kg m-3, e.g. 800 g per 100 m3)
Piping for systems containing >1.5 kg of refrigerant is restricted to rooms containing the refrigerating
machinery or outside.

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 BOC Refrigerants
CARE refrigerants technical information

All potential sources of ignition (such as electrical contacts) associated with the equipment should be
appropriately sealed, or replaced with non-sparking components.

5.2 Toxicity
All CARE refrigerants are non-toxic; they can displace oxygen in the air and have asphyxiant properties at high
concentrations. Table 7 provides toxicity data.
Table 7: Toxicity data for Care Refrigerants
Lethal concentration

(LC50)
(ppm)

Refrigerant
CARE 10
CARE 30
CARE 40
CARE 45
CARE 50
(1)
(2)

570 000
>570 000
>800 000
650 000
>800 000

(ppm)

Cardiac
sensitisation
(LOEL)(1) (ppm)

1 000
1 000
1 000
1 000
1 000

50 000
>50 000
100 000
100 000
100 000

Occupational
exposure limit (OEL)

Anaesthetic
(EC50)(2)
(ppm)
200 000
>200 000
280 000
400 000
280 000

LOEL: lowest observed effect level

EC50: effective concentration

5.3 Training
It the policy of BOC Limited to only sell CARE products to individuals that have been trained in the safe use and
handling of flammable refrigerants. Qualified engineers and technicians must have completed a CARE Training
workshop. Other courses and qualifications will be considered subject to further discussion.

6. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Further information relating to CARE refrigerants, their properties, use, storage and applications can be obtained
directly from BOC Refrigerants.
BOC Refrigerants
The Priestley Centre
10 Priestley Road
Surrey Research Park
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XY
Tel: 0800 020800
Fax: 0800 136601
(from outside UK +44 1483 244441)
E-mail: info@care-refrigerants.co.uk
CARE Refrigeration website: http://www.care-refrigerants.co.uk
General BOC Refrigerants website: http://www.bocspecialgases.com

MARCH 2005

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