Science Buddies: "Ask an Expert"

I am planning to build an absorption refrigerator for my science project. I plan on purchasing R717 (anhydrous ammonia) and R600 (butane) refrigerant. However, there seems to be a restriction on who can purchase refrigerants. Is there anyway other way that I could get these refrigerants. E.g. converting household ammonia into anhydrous ammonia.

Hi,

You should double check your information on the restrictions on the sale of refrigerants. It is true that the sale of hydroflourochlorocarbon (HFC) and fluorocarbon based refrigerants are being heavily regulated and phased out, but I can find no restrictions on amonia or butane. Anhydrous ammonia is widely used as a fertilizer and butane is widely available as a camp stove fuel, so I would not expect any real problem in purchasing eiiiither one, other than than a seller might want to see evidence that you know the safe handling practices for the chemical.

Good luck!

Barrett Tomlinson

Does R717 have specific refrigerant properties that anhydrous ammonia fertilizer doesn't have?
Does R600 have specific refrigerant properties that butane camp stove fuel doesn't have?
Are they the same thing?

Hi,

R600 is n-Butane, plaain and simple.. Here is a material safety data sheet on it:

http://www.advgas.com/images/products/R ... 20MSDS.pdf

R717 is just anhydrous ammonia. Here is an MSDS ofr it:

http://www.harpintl.com/downloads/pdf/msds/ammonia.pdf

Here is a product specification: for R717

http://www.harpintl.com/downloads/pdf/spec/HARP-717.pdf

Here are the EPA sale restriction rules:

http://www.epa.gov/Ozone/title6/608/sales/sales.html#q2

I hope this helps>

Barrett Tomlinson

Thanks for your help.