R-11 kept buildings cool for 60 years, proving its reliabilityāuntil environmental regulations rewrote the rules of the game. R-11 (Trichlorofluoromethane), a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC), was widely used as a refrigerant primarily in large chillers for commercial air conditioning systems. Its usage spanned several decades, starting from its introduction in the 1930s until its phase-out in the 1990s under the Montreal Protocol due to its high ozone-depleting potential. Key Timeline of R-11 Usage: 1930s: R-11 was introduced as one of the first synthetic refrigerants. It became popular for its non-flammability and efficiency in low-pressure systems. 1940sā1980s: R-11 was a dominant refrigerant in centrifugal chillers used for cooling large buildings and industrial facilities. 1987: The Montreal Protocol was signed, targeting the phase-out of ozone-depleting substances, including R-11. 1996: Production of R-11 ceased in developed countries under the Montreal Protocol. However, existing systems continued using reclaimed or stockpiled R-11. 2000s: Most systems transitioned to alternative refrigerants like R-123 and R-134a. In total, R-11 was actively used as a refrigerant for around 60 years, though its prevalence significantly declined after the late 1990s due to environmental regulations.
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