Refrigerants that are blends of two gases to create a stable third refrigerant are known as what?

The correct answer is azeotropes. Azeotropes are specific blends of two or more refrigerants that behave as a single substance with a unique boiling point and composition when evaporating and condensing. In an azeotropic mixture, the components are combined in such a way that the vapor produced during evaporation has the same composition as the liquid mixture, leading to a stable phase behavior. This stability is crucial in refrigeration applications when consistent performance is needed.

Understanding azeotropic blends is important because they can improve efficiency, reduce environmental impact, and enhance the overall performance of cooling systems. Azeotropes differ from simple mixtures, which may fractionate and lead to changes in concentration during boiling and condensation, resulting in inconsistent performance.