A Comparative Performance Study of an Ejector-Expansion Refrigeration Cycle Using R134a and its Alternatives: Application of Automobile Air Conditioning

In this study, the performance of ejector-expansion refrigeration cycle (EERC) with R134a alternative refrigerants (R152a, R1234yf, R404A, R407C, R507A and R600a) for automobile air-conditioning application is investigated numerically. The ejector is modeled with a constant mixing-pressure assumption taking into consideration the friction effect in the ejector mixing section. The studied refrigerants are compared based on the optimum area ratio, discharge temperature, compressor input power, volumetric cooling capacity, exergy destruction, COP, exergy efficiency and COP improvement. The results show that R152a and R1234yf have the closest performance to R134a and can be considered the most suitable alternative refrigerants for R134a. The COP and exergy efficiency are improved by 2.26% and 2.27%, respectively, using R152a compared to the use of R134a, whereas they are reduced by 2.89% and 2.88% using R1234yf. The volumetric cooling capacity is reduced for both R152a and R1234yf by 6.14% and 6.8%, respectively. In addition, the effect of compressor rotational speed on the performances is reported.

Thermodynamic Analysis of Eco-Friendly Refrigerant Mixtures as an Alternative to HFC-134a in Household Refrigerator

Nowadays, research has been focused on refrigerants from Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), which are not harmful to the ozone layer. Because of replacing refrigerants from chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). HFCs are used in many applications, including refrigerants, aerosols, solvents, and blowing agents for insulating foams. However, some HFCs have relatively high global warming potential (GWP) and are subject to further examination due to growing concerns about global climate change. The present work’s main objective is to select eco-friendly refrigerants from AC5, R430A and R440A, combining two or more refrigerants from HC, HFC and HFO groups as a direct substitute HFC-134a in a household refrigerator. The performance of the domestic refrigerator with liquid suction heat exchanger (LSHX) was compared in terms of compressor discharge temperature, coefficient of performance (COP), volumetric cooling capacity (VCC), and power consumption of a compressor. It was found that the average COP of R440A and R430A was higher by approximately 2.5% and 1.47% than HFC-134a. However, the COP of AC5 was 6.1% lower than that of HFC-134a. The VCC of R430A is almost equal to HFC-134a. The results also show that AC5, R440A and R430A consume less power than HFC-134a. The compressor outlet temperature with R440A, AC5 provide higher values than HFC-134a, which affects the compressor life. The best overall performance was achieved with the refrigerant R430A in the household refrigerator and suggested an alternative to HFC134a, which also has a very low GWP from the environmental safety perspective.

Energy Analysis of HFC-152a, HFO-1234yf and HFC/HFO Mixtures as a Direct Substitute to HFC-134a in a Domestic Refrigerator

The Kyoto protocol emphasized the need of replacement of HFC refrigerant due to their high GWP values that causes pollution in the environment. So in this paper the refrigerants R1234yf, R152a and HFOs/HFCs mixtures of R134a/R152a/R1234yf such as ARM42 (in the ratio of 8.5/14 /77.5 by mass), ARM42a (in the ratio of 7/11/82 by mass) with a view of replacement of the refrigerant HFC-134a in a domestic refrigerator were analyzed theoretically. Volumetric cooling capacity, compressor discharge temperature, coefficient of performance, compressor energy consumption and refrigeration capacity are the main parameters to estimate the performance of the refrigerator. The results are revealed that HFC-152a had gave a superior performance as compared to HFC-134a in terms of COP and equal cooling and volumetric cooling capacities. However, the refrigerant HFC-152a was flammable and runs with high compressor outlet temperature which may restrict its usage. The HFO refrigerant R1234yf showed an almost equal volumetric cooling capacity, compressor energy consumption, refrigerating effect and COP when compared with HFC-134a. Among the refrigerants ARM42 and ARM42a, the refrigerant ARM42a was selected as a good alternative for HFC-134a because the Volumetric cooling capacity and COP of ARM42a were almost equal to HFC-134a. Therefore ARM42a had better choice of direct substitute to HFC-134a in a domestic refrigerator when the corresponding safety requirements are adopted. So on overall comparison of every property of refrigerants we can conclude that R1234yf can be treated as best alternative to HFC-134a in a domestic refrigerator.

Characteristics of R718 Thermal Systems and Possibilities for Implementation in Refrigeration / Heat Pump Systems in Buildings

Regulations for CFCs and HCFCs refrigerants phase out and HFCs and HFEs reduction and renewed interest in natural refrigerants (water R718, CO2 R744, ammonia R717, air, hydrocarbons etc.) are discussed. Thermodynamic properties of water (R718) are analyzed and benefits of applicationas well as challenges in the implementation of R718 systems are explained. Deep vacuum operating conditions and low specific volumetric cooling capacity of R718 are peculiarities that cause large and extremely large volumetric flow rates for the temperature range of refrigeration / heat pump air –conditioning applications. The required pressure ratio for a given temperature lift is high. The high value of the water isentropic exponent causes high temperature at the compressor discharge. The specifics in the R718 turbo compressors caused by that reasons are analyzed and the range of optimum application of R718 refrigeration / heat pump systems are estimated

Thermodynamic Analysis of Low GWP Refrigerant Mixtures in a Refrigerator as Replacement to R-134A

Chlorofluorocarbons and hydro chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) are replaced by hydroflourocarbons (HFCs) which is not harmful to the ozone layer. However, few of HFCs have a relatively high global warming potential (GWP) and are subject to further examination due to growing concerns about global climate change. The goal now is to find the next generation of environmentally sustainable work fluids with an insignificant direct environmental impact in terms of ozone depletion and global warming potential. This document introduces the mixture of low-GWP refrigerants like R440A, R430A, R1234ze (E)/152a (50:50 by mass), R290/600a (40/60), R290/600(60/40), R290/600(50/50), ARM 42,ARM 42a and AC5 are used to replace R-134a in a domestic refrigeration system without doing any modifications to the system. The performance of the refrigerator was observed in terms of volumetric cooling capacity, blower discharge temperature, and coefficient of performance, refrigeration effect and energy consumption of a blower.

Effect of Hydrofluorocarbons and Hydrofluoroolefins in a Household Refrigerator as a Substitute for R134a

Now a days R134a can be used in domestic refrigerators and in air conditioning of automobiles. As per Kyoto protocol the usage of R134a is restricted due to their higher GWP value. The GWP value of this refrigerant is around 1430. So in this article, thermodynamic analysis of HFC-152a, HFO refrigerants-1234ze(E) and 1234yf was done in a household refrigeration system as direct substitute to HFC-134a.The performance of the household refrigerator was compared in terms of outlet temperature of the compressor, volumetric cooling capacity (VCC), refrigeration effect, work done by the compressor and coefficient of performance (COP). The entire analysis is carried out at various operating conditions of condenser and evaporator temperatures i.e. condensation temperature of 25°C,35°C & 45°C and evaporating temperatures ranging between −20°C to 10°C.From the theoretical results, it can be concluded that R1234yf can be used as a direct substitute to R134a.

Performance computation of window air conditioner with very low GWP near azeotropic refrigerant mixtures as a drop in Substitutes to R22

The principal objective of the present study is to compute the thermodynamic performance of window air conditioner based on standard vapour compression refrigeration cycle using R22, R407C and nineteen refrigerant mixtures. In this work nineteen R290/R1270 blends at different compositions are developed. A MATLAB code is developed to compute the thermodynamic performance parameters of all the studied refrigerants at condensing and evaporating temperatures of 54.4°C and 7.2°C respectively. The performance parameters are cooling effect, compressor work, COP, compressor discharge temperature, power per ton of refrigeration and volumetric cooling capacity respectively. Analytical results revealed that COP of new binary mixture R290/R1270 (90/10 by mass %) is 2.82% higher among R22, R407C and nineteen studied refrigerants. Energy required by the compressor per ton of refrigeration for R290/R1270 (90/10 by mass %) is 2.73% lower among R22, R407C and nineteen studied fluids. The discharge temperature of the compressor for all the nineteen investigated blends are reduced by 6.0-8.9oC compared to R22. Overall thermodynamic performance of window air conditioner with R290/R1270 (90/10 by mass %) is better than R22 with significant savings in energy consumption and hence it is an energy efficient ecofriendly refrigerant mixture as a drop in substitute to R22.

Performance characteristics of low global warming potential R134a alternative refrigerants in ejector-expansion refrigeration system

Performance assessment of ejector-expansion vapor compression refrigeration system with eco-friendly R134a alternative refrigerants (R152a, R1234yf, R600a, R600, R290, R161, R32, and propylene) is presented for air-conditioning application. Ejector has been modeled by considering experimental data based correlations of component efficiencies to take care of all irreversibilities. Ejector area ratio has been optimized based on maximum coefficient of performance (COP) for typical air-conditioner operating temperatures. Selected refrigerants have been compared based on area ratio, pressure lift ratio, entrainment ratio, COP, COP improvement and volumetric cooling capacity. Effects of normal boiling point and critical point on the performances have been studied as well. Using ejector as an expansion device, maximum improvement in COP is noted in R1234yf (10.1%), which reduces the COP deviation with R134a (4.5% less in basic cycle and 2.5% less in ejector cycle). Hence, R1234yf seems to be best alternative for ejector expansion system due to its mild flammability and comparable volumetric capacity and cooling COP. refrigerant R161 is superior to R134a in terms of both COP and volumetric cooling capacity, although may be restricted for low capacity application due to its flammability.

Stepping on the Water

This study explores various uses of engineering as a tool for solving problems and improving the quality of life. The experiments in the article show that competitive athletes swim with their fingers spread slightly, because this configuration generates greater speed, the research being based on a principle known as constructional law. The constructional law has been applied to predict all the key features of the design of animal locomotion, which includes human running and swimming. In engineering, the discovery expands a domain of constructal-design results that has been growing fast. Bodies that generate heat volumetrically are endowed with maximum heat transfer density when the spacing between the solid surfaces internal to the volume have certain sizes that are smaller in forced convection than in natural convection. The volumetric cooling of future electronics, avionics, and self-cooling materials rests on this class of constructal designs. The swimming with spread fingers is the corresponding design of a body for maximum momentum transfer density.