Performance evaluation of VCR system with pure and various blends of R134a, R1234yf, and R1234ze (E) refrigerants

Abstract

The current small passenger car vapor compression refrigeration systems use high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants causing the greenhouse gas effect. In the present work, the low GWP of two pure refrigerants, R1234yf and R1234ze (E), and 16 blends of R134a, R1234yf, and R1234ze (E) are analyzed numerically. The experiments were conducted with R134a refrigerant to validate the numerical results. The experiments were conducted at the compressor speed of 600–1500 rpm and the condensing air at 30–40°C, relative humidity of 85%, and velocity of 1–3 m/s. The simulation and experimental results for R134a are deviated by a minimum of 10% and a maximum of 15%. It is found that the latent heat of vaporization of the two refrigerant mixtures with 80% R134a–20% R1234yf and the three refrigerant blends of 50% R134a–10% R1234yf–40% R1234ze (E) are the highest among 16 combinations. The other blends show a moderate difference of latent heat with R134a, but for maximum cooling capacity, the blends with 80% R134a–20% R1234yf and 50% R134a–10% R1234yf–40% R1234ze (E) are found to be more suitable for practical applications.