Which refrigerant is known for having the highest latent heat and refrigerant effect in commercial and industrial applications?

The correct choice is ammonia, which is recognized for its high latent heat of vaporization and significant refrigerant effect. In commercial and industrial applications, ammonia stands out as a highly efficient refrigerant due to its thermodynamic properties. Its high latent heat signifies that it can absorb a substantial amount of heat from the environment as it evaporates, making it extremely effective in cooling systems. This capability contributes to higher efficiency in refrigeration cycles, resulting in better energy utilization and overall performance.

Ammonia is also beneficial due to its low environmental impact in terms of ozone depletion potential and is typically more cost-effective compared to some synthetic refrigerants. Its properties enable it to be widely used in large-scale refrigeration systems, including those found in food processing and refrigeration plants.

In contrast, other refrigerants like R134a, Freon-12, and R404A, while commonly used, do not exhibit the same level of efficiency or refrigerant effect as ammonia in these applications. Each of them has specific uses arising from their unique characteristics, but none can achieve the same level of performance as ammonia in terms of both latent heat and refrigerant effect in the commercial and industrial sector.