The experimental investigation of refrigerant distribution and leaking characteristics of R290 in split type household air conditioner

Tang, Wenjun; He, Guogeng; Cai, Dehua; Zhu, Yihao; Zhang, Aoni; Tian, Qiqi

doi:10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2016.12.083

Cited by 42 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…The modelling results show that at a cooling power of 8.8 kW, 44% of the refrigerant concentrates in the condenser, and 17% of the refrigerant concentrate in the evaporator while 5% of the refrigerant dissolved in the oil lubricant. Table 3 shows the refrigerant distribution comparison between related literature [6,9,16,17] and the current study. As can be seen from Table 3, the mass of the refrigerant inventory in the condenser and evaporator are roughly the same as the present study.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…For steady-state conditions, the experimental results indicated that with the rise of the thermal load, the refrigerant mass increased in the condenser while a reverse trend was found in the evaporator. Tang et al [9] tested the refrigerant distribution and leakage in a split type household air conditioner using R290. The results indicated that 85-92% of the refrigerant accumulates in the low-pressure side of the system and the evaporator holds the most mass of the refrigerant.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Modelling of Refrigerant Distribution in an Oil-Free Refrigeration System using R134a

Chen

Zhao

et al. 2019

Energies

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Increasing number of refrigeration units has led to an increase of CO2 emissions and the destruction of the ozone layer. Using low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants, improving the efficiency of vapour compression refrigeration (VCR) units, and minimising refrigerant leakages can reduce the global warming effect. Investigating the refrigerant distribution under varied operating conditions can provide a deeper understanding of refrigerant charge optimization. This study proposed a model of refrigerant mass distribution in a prototype oil-free VCR system using a linear compressor with variable strokes and R134a. The absence of the oil lubricant allows the adoption of compact heat exchangers, such as micro-channels, so that the total refrigerant charge can be reduced significantly. The predicted total refrigerant charge has a Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 3.7%. The simulation results indicate that refrigerant distributed in the condenser is most sensitive to operating conditions and total refrigerant charges. The refrigerant accumulated in the condenser is 6.8% higher at a total refrigerant charge of 0.33 kg than that of 0.22 kg. For a total refrigerant charge of 0.33 kg, 72.1% of the total refrigerant can accumulate in the condenser. At a fixed pressure ratio, the refrigerant as a two-phase form in the condenser decreases slightly with the increase of compressor strokes, resulting in a larger mass flow rate, thus cooling capacity. The present model can be adapted for optimization of a refrigeration unit and its components.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Modelling of Refrigerant Distribution in an Oil-Free Refrigeration System using R134a

Chen

Zhao

et al. 2019

Energies

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“…Taking the above test rig as case study, the following approach is [11] Household AC (10-kW c ) R22 (4 kg) QCV + RW Miller et al (1985) [12] Household HP (10-kW h ) R22 (5.7 kg) OLM Belth et al (1988) [13] Household HP (10-kW h ) R22 OLM Grodent (1998) [14] Household AC (8-kW c ) R22 (1.7-2.4 kg) OLM Primal et al (2001) [15] Household HP (5-kW h ) R290 QCV + RW Hoehne et al (2004) [16] Prototype (1.5-kW c ) R290 (150 g) QCV + RW Bjork et al (2006) [17,18] Domestic refrigerator (0.1-kW c ) R600a (34 g) QCV + EVM Ding et al (2009) [19] Household AC (7.1-kW c ) R410A (2 kg) QCV + RW Peuker (2010) [20] Automotive AC (4-kW c ) R134a (1 kg) QCV + RW Wujek et al (2014) [21] Household AC/HP (10-kW c ) R410A/R32 QCV + RW Li et al (2015) [22] Household AC (2.6-kW c ) R290 (250-350 g) QCV + RW Tang et al (2017) [23] Household AC R290 (260-350 g) QCV + RW Li et al (2018) [24] Household AC (2.6-kW c ) R410A (1.06 kg) QCV + RW employed to assess its charge inventory as a function of the operating conditions.…”

Section: Methodsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Experimental assessment of the fluid charge distribution in an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) power system

Dickes

Dumont

Lemort

2020

Applied Thermal Engineering

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“…Tang et al. 12,13 experimentally investigated the distribution of HC-290 within the heat exchangers of a split air conditioner designed for both heating and cooling. It was found that migration of relatively large portion of HC-290 to IDU in the cooling mode would increase the flammable risk.…”

Section: Studies On Refrigerant Leakage From Room Air Conditionersmentioning

confidence: 99%

CFD simulation of HC-290 leakage from a split type room air conditioner

Prakash

Gautham

Lal

et al. 2021

Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part E:

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HC-290 is one of the alternatives to HCFC22 in room air-conditioners. With the phase-down schedules in Kigali Amendment, it is imperative to use HC-290. However, there are concerns about its flammability in the event of a leak from the AC indoor unit (IDU). IEC 60335-2-40 has been revised to extend the capacity ranges for A2L refrigerants and is being further revised with a focus on A2 and A3 refrigerants. In real-life situations, furniture and occupants are present inside the room and these may positively or negatively influence the dispersion of any leaked HC-290. CFD simulation of dispersion of leaked HC-290 has been carried out for a variety of scenarios. The variables include leakage rates, IDU installation heights, IDU blower ON or OFF and types of furniture. Furniture, in general, appears to promote mixing, thereby reducing HC-290 stratification. The maximum concentration occurs on the side where the leak is directed by the momentum of the jet from IDU. There is no significant effect on the concentration distribution by the type and size of furniture with legs, although solid furniture has some marginal effect due to reduction of room free volume. The average concentration of HC-290 in the room is slightly more when the solid furniture like cupboards are placed some distance away from the IDU. The highest concentration at 30 cm above floor level, is 44% of LFL when the blower is ON, while it is 62% when the blower is OFF.

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The experimental investigation of refrigerant distribution and leaking characteristics of R290 in split type household air conditioner

Cited by 42 publications

References 16 publications

Modelling of Refrigerant Distribution in an Oil-Free Refrigeration System using R134a

Modelling of Refrigerant Distribution in an Oil-Free Refrigeration System using R134a

Experimental assessment of the fluid charge distribution in an organic Rankine cycle (ORC) power system

CFD simulation of HC-290 leakage from a split type room air conditioner

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