What does F-gas mean—and why should laboratories care?
When selecting a refrigerated centrifuge, laboratory professionals typically focus on familiar specifications: speed, capacity, rotor compatibility, temperature control, footprint and application requirements.
But there is another factor worth adding to the evaluation process: the refrigerant used in the centrifuge’s cooling system.
Refrigerated centrifuges are designed to help support the integrity of temperature-sensitive samples. Traditionally, many refrigeration systems have relied on fluorinated greenhouse gases, commonly known as F-gases. Many of these gases have a high global warming potential (GWP), which means their environmental impact can be significantly greater than that of carbon dioxide.
As regulations evolve and laboratories place greater emphasis on sustainability and energy efficiency, refrigerant choice is becoming an increasingly important consideration when selecting laboratory equipment.
So, what exactly are F-gases, and what should you look for when comparing refrigerated centrifuges?
What are F-gases?
F-gas is the commonly used term for fluorinated greenhouse gases. These gases are used in industrial applications including refrigeration equipment, chillers, air conditioners and heat pumps.
In laboratory refrigeration systems, hydrofluorocarbon—or HFC—refrigerants such as R134a, R449A, R513a and R404A have been used in equipment including refrigerated centrifuges, refrigerated shakers and chillers.
The concern is that many HFC refrigerants have high GWP values.
What is global warming potential?
Global warming potential, or GWP, is a measure used to compare the potential climate impact of different greenhouse gases.
The differences between refrigerants can be substantial.
According to the comparison provided in the source article:
Refrigerant | GWP | Refrigerant class |
|---|
R744 / CO2 | 1 | Natural |
R290 | 3 | Hydrocarbon |
R1234yf | 4 | Hydrofluoroolefin |
R449A | 1,396 | HFC/HFO |
R134a | 1,430 | HFC |
R410A | 2,088 | HFC |
R404A | 3,922 | HFC |
That means choosing a low-GWP refrigerant can substantially reduce the refrigerant-related environmental impact of a refrigeration system.
Why are F-gas regulations changing?
Governments around the world are implementing regulations intended to reduce emissions associated with fluorinated greenhouse gases.
In February 2024, the European Union adopted F-Gas Regulation EU 2024/573, introducing measures for the gradual phase-out and reduction of fluorinated greenhouse gases. The source article notes that laboratory centrifuges have an exemption under Implementing Regulation EU 2024/2729 until December 31, 2028.
The United States is also addressing HFC use through the American Innovation and Manufacturing Act of 2020 and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Technology Transitions Program.
For laboratories buying equipment expected to remain in operation for many years, these developments make refrigerant technology increasingly relevant.
Rather than asking only:
“How well does this centrifuge cool?”
Laboratories can also ask:
“What refrigerant does this centrifuge use, and what is its environmental impact?”
Low-GWP refrigerants: R290 and CO2
One approach to reducing the impact of refrigeration systems is moving from higher-GWP HFCs toward natural refrigerants with significantly lower GWP values.
Thermo Fisher Scientific is phasing out certain HFC refrigerants and replacing them with more sustainable natural refrigerant alternatives in selected centrifuge platforms.
Two of those alternatives are R290 and CO2, also known as R744.
R290 refrigerant in refrigerated centrifuges
Thermo Scientific™ X and S Series Refrigerated Centrifuges use R290, a non-HFC hydrocarbon refrigerant with a GWP of 3.
The article also notes that R290 breaks down into carbon dioxide and water and does not release PFAS byproducts into the environment.
R290 is also becoming more familiar outside the laboratory. Household refrigerators and freezers are increasingly transitioning toward natural refrigerants such as R290.
CO2 refrigerant for larger centrifuge platforms
For larger refrigeration systems, CO2 refrigerant, or R744, offers another low-GWP option.
CO2 has a GWP of 1 and is used in Thermo Scientific™ LYNX™ Superspeed Centrifuges, Cryofuge™ and BIOS Large-Capacity Centrifuges. Because of the scale of CO2 refrigeration systems, the technology is particularly suited to larger centrifuge platforms.
Large commercial refrigeration systems, such as refrigerator and freezer cases in grocery stores, also use CO2 technology, showing how natural refrigerants are being adopted across multiple refrigeration applications.
What is GreenCool™ Technology?
Selecting a low-GWP refrigerant is only part of the sustainability equation. The efficiency of the entire refrigeration system also matters.
Thermo Scientific™ GreenCool™ Technology is designed to enhance cooling efficiency and reduce overall energy consumption across selected Thermo Scientific centrifuge platforms, including the X and S Series general-purpose centrifuges, LYNX superspeed centrifuges, Cryofuge and BIOS platforms.
The technology is tailored according to the requirements of each centrifuge platform.
Larger floor-model centrifuges use GreenCool CO2 Technology, while more compact benchtop and floor-standing models use GreenCool HC Technology with hydrocarbon refrigerant.
This approach allows the refrigerant and cooling system to be matched to the performance requirements and scale of the centrifuge.
Energy-efficient centrifuges can support laboratory sustainability
Energy consumption is another important consideration when evaluating sustainable laboratory equipment.
The Thermo Scientific™ X4TR Centrifuge, for example, has 6% lower energy consumption compared with the legacy Thermo Scientific™ Sorvall™/Multifuge™ X4R Pro Centrifuge, which uses traditional R134a HFC refrigerant.
The benefits become even more noticeable across some larger centrifuge platforms.
GreenCool CO2 Technology provides reported energy savings of:
- Up to 13% with LYNX centrifuges
- Up to 14% with Cryofuge and BIOS 16 centrifuges
- Up to 15% with BIOS A centrifuges
The article's comparison table on page 2 also shows improved cooling performance for the listed GreenCool-equipped platforms.
These improvements prove an important point: centrifuge sustainability is not only about the refrigerant itself.
Refrigerant choice, cooling-system design and energy consumption all contribute to the overall environmental profile of a refrigerated centrifuge.
Can sustainable centrifuge technology also improve laboratory performance?
Sustainability improvements do not necessarily need to come at the expense of laboratory performance.
For selected centrifuge platforms using GreenCool CO2 Technology, the source article shows added improvements beyond lower GWP and energy savings. These include reduced equipment weight, lower noise levels and improved cooling performance. The LYNX centrifuge also achieves greater rotor speed at 4°C.
For laboratories, improvements such as these may contribute to a better working environment and more efficient workflows while supporting broader sustainability goals.
5 questions to ask when selecting a refrigerated centrifuge
Traditional specifications such as rotor capacity, maximum speed, application compatibility, sample protection and safety remain central to any centrifuge buying decision.
However, laboratories may also want to add the following questions to their centrifuge evaluation process:
- What refrigerant does the centrifuge use?
Understanding whether the system uses a traditional HFC refrigerant or a natural low-GWP alternative can offer useful insight into its environmental profile. - What is the refrigerant's GWP?
GWP values vary considerably. For example, R134a has a GWP of 1,430 compared with 3 for R290 and 1 for CO2. - How energy efficient is the centrifuge?
Look beyond refrigerant type and consider the energy requirements of the complete refrigeration system. - Does the refrigeration technology support future laboratory needs?
Centrifuges can remain in operation for many years. Considering the evolving F-gas landscape as part of today's purchasing decision may help laboratories plan for longer-term requirements. - Does the system balance sustainability with performance?
The goal should be to identify a centrifuge that delivers the cooling, speed, capacity and reliability needed for laboratory workflows while also reducing environmental impact where possible.
Frequently asked questions about F-gases and centrifuges
What does F-gas mean?
F-gas stands for fluorinated greenhouse gas. These gases are widely used in refrigeration and cooling applications, including some refrigerated laboratory equipment.
Why does GWP matter when selecting a centrifuge?
The GWP of a refrigerant provides a sign of its potential climate impact. Refrigerants used in centrifuges can range from a GWP of 1 for CO2 to several thousand for some traditional HFC refrigerants.
What is a low-GWP refrigerant?
A low-GWP refrigerant has a substantially lower global warming potential than many traditional HFC refrigerants. Examples discussed in the source article include R290, with a GWP of 3, and CO2/R744, with a GWP of 1.
Which Thermo Scientific centrifuges use natural refrigerants?
The Thermo Scientific X and S Series Refrigerated Centrifuges use R290. CO2 refrigeration technology is used in LYNX Superspeed, Cryofuge and BIOS centrifuge platforms.
Can lower-GWP refrigeration also reduce energy consumption?
According to the source article, selected centrifuges incorporating GreenCool Technology achieve reductions in energy consumption ranging from up to 6% to up to 15%, depending on the platform and comparison model.
A cooler future for refrigerated centrifugation
F-gas compliance and the transition toward lower-GWP refrigeration technologies are becoming increasingly relevant across refrigeration applications, including laboratory centrifuges.
For laboratories, this creates an opportunity to broaden the way centrifuge performance is evaluated.
Speed, capacity and temperature control will always matter. But so do refrigerant choice, global warming potential and energy consumption.
When these factors are considered together, laboratories can make more informed purchasing decisions that support their scientific workflows while also contributing to sustainability goals.
As the original article concludes, environmental benefits, energy savings and performance are all important factors to consider when selecting a centrifuge.
The next time you compare refrigerated centrifuges, look beyond the rotor and the RPM. Take a closer look at what's keeping your samples cool.
Browse Thermo Scientific’s centrifuges here!