Príspevok
Theoretical Analysis on the Thermal Performance of R600a, R290 and Their Mixtures in a Retrofit R134a Vapor Compression Refrigeration System
DOI: 10.18462/iir.compr.2024.0611
Sekcia: Special compressors and components II
Stav prijatia: Abstrakt prijatý
Autori
| Meno | Organizácia | |
|---|---|---|
| ZHONGJIE HUAN, PhD: Thermal Engineering | TSHWANE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY | |
| TEBOHO RAMATHE, MASTER OF ENGINEERING: MECHANICAL | TSHWANE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY |
Abstrakt
Refrigeration systems play vital roles in life quality of human beings and social development in terms of food security, environmental impact, and energy efficiency. The traditional CFC, HCFC, and HFC refrigerants have been in the process of phase-out and being replaced by the sustainable working fluids. In this paper, a theoretical analysis was developed to evaluate the feasibility of the R134a retrofit by hydrocarbons R600a, R290 and the various mixtures of R600a/R290 in a vapor compression refrigeration system. The evaporation and condensation temperatures were ranging from -25 °C to 3 °C and 25 °C to 65 °C, respectively. Superheating and sub-cooling degrees were constant at 5 °C. The thermodynamic and thermo-physical properties were obtained using REFPROP software. The results show that both pure R600a and R290 cannot be recommended as drop-in substitutes for R134a due to their significant differences in thermo-physical properties. A mixture of R600a/R290 50%/50% composition was found to be the most appropriate alternative refrigerant for the R134a system retrofit with a comparative thermal performance.
Kľúčové slová
Refrigerant mixtures
Retrofit
Thermal performance
Vapor compression system