R723

R723 - more sustainability for refrigeration

Pro May 5, 2020

Summary

R723 is an azeotropic natural refrigerant blend made from 60% ammonia (R717) and 40% dimethyl ether (RE170). It offers zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and very low global warming potential (GWP) of 8, while supporting efficient operation in selected industrial and commercial refrigeration applications. Because it contains ammonia, R723 must be handled with the same rigorous safety considerations as ammonia-based systems, including appropriate design, installation, operation and maintenance by qualified professionals.

What exactly is R723?

R723 was developed through several years of research. Its designation reflects its classification within the 700 series of inorganic and natural refrigerants and its average molecular mass of approximately 23 g/mol. The blend is a colourless, liquefied gas with a sharp odour. By mass, it consists of 60% ammonia (R717) and 40% dimethyl ether (RE170). R723 behaves azeotropically, meaning there is no significant composition shift during evaporation and condensation. As a result, it can be handled in many respects like a single-component refrigerant, although system design and operation must always reflect the blend’s ammonia content and applicable safety requirements.

Why is R723 environmentally friendly?

R723 is valued because it is non-fluorinated, has zero ODP and has a very low GWP of 8. In addition, when directly compared with ammonia, R723 returns a 7% COP improvement. Ammonia has a track record in industrial refrigeration and, when applied correctly, can support efficient, low-carbon cooling. The addition of dimethyl ether improves selected operating characteristics compared with pure ammonia. Published technical references note that R723 can offer higher volumetric refrigeration capacity than ammonia and can reduce discharge temperature, which may support compact and efficient system design in suitable applications. However, environmental benefit should be assessed at system level: energy efficiency, refrigerant charge, leakage prevention, safety design, maintenance quality and verified product performance all contribute to real-world sustainability.

Can ammonia refrigeration systems be operated with R723?

In principle, some ammonia refrigeration systems may be suitable for operation with R723, but it should not be treated as a universal drop-in replacement. Compatibility, compressor suitability, refrigerant charge, oil management, controls, safety devices, regulatory requirements and the operating envelope must all be reviewed before any conversion. Because R723 contains ammonia, the relevant safety requirements for ammonia systems apply, including appropriate risk assessment, ventilation, leak detection, pressure protection and qualified installation and maintenance. Any retrofit or new design should therefore be validated by the system designer and component manufacturers before implementation.

Is R723 economical?

R723 can support economical operation where it is technically appropriate, particularly when high efficiency, low refrigerant cost and reduced leakage impact are considered over the system lifecycle. Compared with many synthetic refrigerants, natural refrigerants and low-GWP blends may also provide better long-term resilience against regulatory restrictions on high-GWP fluorinated gases. However, the business case depends on the full installation: equipment design, application temperature, system size, safety measures, maintenance requirements, energy prices and verified product performance. For decision makers, the most robust approach is to compare lifecycle cost, energy consumption and safety requirements.

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Why does verified performance matter?

Choosing a low-GWP refrigerant is only one part of achieving sustainable refrigeration. Real-world energy use depends on the performance of the complete system and its components. Independent third-party certification helps specifiers, installers and end users compare declared performance data with greater confidence, reducing the risk of underperforming equipment, higher energy consumption and avoidable emissions. Eurovent Certification supports this by verifying product performance through certification programmes based on recognised rules, independent testing, audits and ongoing surveillance.

FAQ

Is R723 a natural refrigerant?

R723 is widely treated as a natural, non-fluorinated refrigerant blend because it combines ammonia (R717) and dimethyl ether (RE170). It has zero ozone depletion potential and very low global warming potential compared with many conventional fluorinated refrigerants.

Can R723 replace ammonia in existing refrigeration systems?

R723 may be suitable for some ammonia-based systems, but it should only be used after a full technical assessment. Component compatibility, compressor performance, oil management, safety requirements and the system’s operating conditions must be confirmed by qualified professionals and relevant manufacturers.

Why is R723 relevant for sustainable refrigeration?

R723 combines low direct climate impact with useful thermodynamic properties for selected applications. When applied safely and efficiently, it can contribute to lower lifecycle emissions, especially where reliable component performance and good system design are verified.

What Eurovent Certified Performance programmes allow R723?

Within Eurovent Certified Performance, R723 can be relevant to products certified under the Chillers and Heat Pumps (LCP-HP) programme where the refrigerant is authorised for the intended market and application. Currently R723 is not widely used, but it can be a candidate for capacities higher than 100 kW. Acceptance in other programmes should be checked against the latest programme-specific Technical Certification Rules.