Theoretical energy performance assessment and environmental impact of various new ozone-friendly refrigerants used in residential air conditioners

This study aims to assess the feasibility and performance, as well as the exergy loss, of utilizing ejectors in absorption–compression cascade configurations for low-temperature refrigeration systems. The coefficient of performance (COP) is used to measure system efficiency, including COP.A (COP of the absorption chiller), COP.C (COP of the compression side) and COP.Ca (COP of the cascade configuration). The results highlight the importance of ejector placement on the absorption side for optimal performance. Configuration D1, with an ejector on the absorption side, demonstrates an 85% improvement in COP.A, approximately 10% in COP.C and nearly 100% in COP.Ca compared to configurations without an ejector. However, in certain cases, using an ejector on the compression side is not feasible from a second-law perspective, particularly for higher compression-side evaporator temperatures. Nonetheless, the study suggests that configuration D0, which includes an ejector on the absorption side coupled with a simple compression cycle, is applicable for these conditions and performs similarly to D1 in other temperature ranges. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing ejector placement in absorption–compression cascade configurations and advancing the development of more energy-efficient refrigeration systems.

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Assessment of using different ozone-friendly R22 alternative refrigerants in residential air conditioners in a high-ambient temperature country

Sarsam

2024

J. Eng. Appl. Sci.

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The performance of a vapor compression refrigeration system (VCRS)-based residential air conditioner operating in a high-ambient temperature (HAT) country was investigated using six zero-ODP (ozone depletion potential) refrigerants as replacements to R22. The non-flammable alternative refrigerants considered in the present research were R134a, R404A, R407C, R410A, R448A, and R507A. Using the basic conservation laws, the VCRS was modeled during steady-state operation and solved using engineering equation solver (EES) software. Coefficient of performance (COP), pressures and temperatures at compressor suction and discharge, Global Warming Potential (GWP), critical pressure and temperature, compressor pressure ratio, volumetric cooling capacity (VCC) specific cooling capacity (SCC), and refrigeration effect were utilized as assessment criteria for the alternative refrigerants considered. From these refrigerants, the highest values of suction pressure, discharge temperature, and condenser pressure were attained by R410A. In addition, the discharge temperatures for all refrigerants, except R134a, were all higher than their corresponding critical values, causing a quicker drop in the VCRS’s performance. As an alternative refrigerant, R407C showed the highest SCC of 141.0 kJ/kg followed directly by 139.2 and 138.0 kJ/kg for R410A and R448A, respectively. A reverse trend was found for VCC with respective values of 4722 and 3775 kJ/m3 for R410A and R448A. Lower volume flow rates and smaller-sized compressors are expected for higher VCC refrigerants. The same trend was found for the compressor’s specific work input and condenser’s specific heat transfer with values of (51.14, 46.82, and 45.38 kJ/kg) and (190.3, 187.8, and 183.4 kJ/kg) for R410A, R407C, and R448A, respectively. For applications in HAT countries, larger condenser’s specific heat transfer makes the refrigerant more applicable. Conversely, with respect to COP, refrigerant R134a with a value of 3.075 was the superior alternative followed by R448A and R407C with respective COPs of 3.042 and 3.011. Based on the overall assessment in terms of environmental obligation, COP, compressor input power, refrigerant flow rate required, and all the evaluations made in this research, refrigerant R448A was recommended as the most appropriate substitute to R22 which can effectively be used in residential air conditioners in a HAT country.

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Theoretical energy performance assessment and environmental impact of various new ozone-friendly refrigerants used in residential air conditioners

Cited by 4 publications

References 47 publications

Current status of refrigerants used in domestic applications: A review

Current status of refrigerants used in domestic applications: A review

Comparative exergy and energy analyses of compression–absorption cascade refrigeration cycles with varied configurations and ejector implementations

Assessment of using different ozone-friendly R22 alternative refrigerants in residential air conditioners in a high-ambient temperature country

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