Analyses four different refrigerants for their suitability in large water chillers for district cooling - R22, R123, R134a and R717 (ammonia). Compares their physical properties and volume flow rates and their advantages and drawbacks for their intended application. Concludes that any of the refrigerants could serve adequately and it is not possible from the advantages and drawbacks cited to recommend one over another for all applications. Points out that the underlying idea is that ammonia is a viable candidate refrigerant for district cooling plant water chillers.

KEYWORDS: Refrigerants, district cooling, comparing, chillers, refrigeration, ammonia, R22, R123, R134a.