As higher-GWP refrigerants continue to be phased out, the evaluation and approval of alternative refrigerants increase in importance.

At a time when legacy hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants are being phased out due to their high global warming potential (GWP), R-290 has emerged as an increasingly viable low-GWP alternative. Offering excellent thermodynamic properties and a very low GWP (GWP = 3), this natural hydrocarbon refrigerant has potentially widespread uses in commercial refrigeration. With a GWP of 3 and an ozone depletion potential (ODP) of 0, R-290 poses virtually no threat to the environment.