Among commercial and industrial refrigerants, which one has the highest latent heat and refrigeration effect?

Ammonia is known for having the highest latent heat and refrigeration effect among commercial and industrial refrigerants. This is primarily due to its thermodynamic properties, which allow it to absorb more heat during the evaporation process compared to other refrigerants. As ammonia evaporates, it requires significant energy to change from a liquid to a gas, which translates to a higher refrigeration effect. This capability makes ammonia a highly efficient refrigerant option, especially in large-scale industrial applications.

The high latent heat of ammonia contributes to its effectiveness in cooling systems, allowing for the transfer of a larger amount of heat at lower operating costs. In contrast, other refrigerants like Freon, R-134a, and R-22 have lower latent heats, making them less efficient in terms of heat absorption and removal compared to ammonia. This distinct advantage is why ammonia is commonly employed where strong cooling performance is essential.