The refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) sector is pivotal in modern society, influencing diverse areas such as food preservation, thermal comfort, healthcare, and industrial operations. Traditional refrigerants—chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)—have been linked with ozone layer depletion and significant global warming potential. In response to these environmental concerns, global agreements like the Montreal Protocol and the Kigali Amendment have mandated the reduction of harmful refrigerants. Transitioning to eco-friendly refrigerants is essential to mitigate climate change and ozone depletion while meeting the rising global demand for cooling solutions. With the irreversible consequences of high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants on the environment, refrigerants that deliver optimal cycle performance with minimal GWP are needed.

This Research Topic explores innovations in sustainable refrigerants, with a focus on emerging developments in replacing high-GWP refrigerants. The Topic aims to address the balance between the GWP of refrigerants and safety concerns, such as flammability and toxicity.

The scope of this Topic encompasses research on eco-friendly refrigerants, their technological feasibility, and their integration into current and future refrigeration systems.

We welcome articles addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:
• Development and performance of natural refrigerants, such as ammonia and carbon dioxide
• Low-GWP and zero ODP refrigerants, pure and blended cases
• Safety challenges related to alternative refrigerants, such as flammability
• Development and performance of hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) refrigerants
• Thermodynamic characteristics and energy efficiency of eco-friendly refrigerants
• New refrigerant technology system compatibility and retrofitting
• Emerging refrigeration technologies, such as magnetic, thermoacoustic, and solid-state
• Applications of sustainable refrigerants in domestic and industrial contexts
• Machine learning and artificial intelligence in assessing the thermodynamic properties of sustainable refrigerants.

Are you interested in contributing a manuscript to this Research Topic?

Innovations in Sustainable Refrigerants: Balancing Performance and Environmental Impact for Green Cooling

Topic Coordinators