Refrigerant gases, lubricating oils and glycol

The choice of refrigerant affects system design, the components used, and operating conditions. Omnia Frigo supports refrigeration professionals in selecting refrigerant gases, lubricating oils, and components suitable for various commercial and industrial applications.

Alongside the refrigerants used in existing systems, interest is growing in solutions with a lower climate impact, including A2L refrigerants and CO₂ (R744). The new European F-gas regulation is pushing the sector to progressively reduce the use of HFCs with high global warming potential and to evaluate alternative technologies for new systems.

This evolution requires informed technical choices. With proper sizing, compatible components, and appropriate adjustments, systems using A2L or CO₂ can offer high energy efficiencywhile also meeting climate impact reduction objectives. Omnia Frigo helps installers and designers identify the products best suited to the expected working conditions.

Each refrigerant has specific characteristics. When choosing, consider the application, required temperatures, operating pressures, the fluid's safety class, and the component manufacturers' recommendations.

Omnia Frigo offers refrigerants for existing systems and monitors the evolution of solutions for new installations. Availability of individual products and formats can be verified with our staff.

Refrigerants such as R134a, R404A and R410A are present in many existing systems. Managing them requires careful consideration of the equipment's characteristics and the applicable regulations for each individual case. Specifically, a refrigerant with a lower GWP cannot automatically be considered a substitute for use in the same circuit.

R448A, R449A and R452A are solutions used in certain commercial and industrial refrigeration applications. The choice for a new system or for an upgrade of an existing system must be based on the required performance and the suitability of the components.

Refrigerant of class A2L, characterized by low flammability according to their safety classification, offer new possibilities for commercial refrigeration. These include R454C and R455A, proposed for low and medium temperature applications in equipment designed and approved for their use.

The choice between R454C, R455A, and other A2L refrigerants depends on the operating conditions and the characteristics of the entire system. Among other things, it's important to check the compressor, valves, heat exchangers, control devices, and lubricating oil. The system's settings must also be adjusted based on the properties of the chosen refrigerant.

Omnia Frigo supports customers in finding the right components among the ranges of the brands they carry, referring to the technical specifications of the respective manufacturers.

‎ CO₂ , identified as R744, is a natural refrigerant used in various commercial and industrial applications. Its use requires components and instruments selected for the pressures and system architecture, whether subcritical or transcritical.

To achieve good performance, it's important to evaluate the system as a whole: climatic conditions, required temperatures, heat exchange, control, and regulation all impact energy performance. Omnia Frigo can assist designers and installers in selecting compressors, exchangers, valves, pipes, and accessories specifically for CO₂ from the brands we sell.

R290 and R600a are hydrocarbons used in equipment designed for their use. They belong to safety class A3 and must be kept separate from A2L refrigerants: the choice of components and the methods of intervention must comply with the characteristics of the fluid and the manufacturer's instructions.

R32 and R1234yf belong to the A2L class and are used in specific applications. Compatibility should always be verified with the equipment; the similarity between the refrigerants makes direct substitution impossible without a technical analysis.

Oil contributes to the lubrication and operation of the compressor. The choice must follow the manufacturer's instructions and take into account the refrigerant used, the type of compressor, and the operating conditions..

Omnia Frigo offers Suniso lubricating oils for various refrigeration applications, including synthetic POE oils and mineral oils. For systems with A2L or CO₂‎ refrigerants , compatibility cannot be deduced from the oil family alone: ​​it is necessary to verify the compressor manufacturer's specific approval and the product characteristics.

Even when maintaining or modifying an existing system, oil selection requires careful consideration. Switching to a different refrigerant may require additional checks on the lubricant, components, and system performance.

Water and glycol mixtures transport cold or heat in the secondary circuits of refrigeration and air conditioning systems. They can be used, for example, to supply appliances distant from the refrigeration unit or to protect the circuit from freezing at the intended operating temperatures.

A system with a secondary glycol circuit can represent one of the possible solutions with the lowest environmental impactIf properly designed, it allows the refrigerant to be concentrated in the primary circuit and, in certain configurations, to reduce its overall charge. The glycol does not directly replace the refrigerant in the refrigeration cycle: it works in conjunction with a system that can also use, depending on the design, A2L or CO₂ refrigerants.

Omnia Frigo offers various types of inhibited glycol, including monopropylene glycol for food use and monoethylene glycol. Il Inhibited monopropylene glycol is available in 5 kg‎ containers; inhibited monoethylene glycol in 25 kg containers. They are distinct products: the choice should be made based on the application and the product's technical and safety data sheets.

To correctly design the circuit, it is necessary to evaluate the minimum expected temperature, the mixture concentration, the flow rates, and the compatibility with the system materials. A concentration chosen without considering these parameters can affect heat exchange and pumping consumption.

Need to choose the fluid for a secondary circuit? Tell the Omnia Frigo team about the application, operating temperatures, and system characteristics: we'll help you identify the right product.