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Comparative Performance of Low-GWP Refrigerants as Substitutes for R134a in a Vapor Compression Refrigeration System

  • Research Article-Mechanical Engineering
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Abstract

This study predicts numerically the performance of low-GWP refrigerants [R152a, R1234yf and R1234ze(E)] as an alternative to R134a in a vapor compression refrigeration system. The plate heat exchanger was used as a condenser, and the appropriate correlations available in the published literature were used to predict the heat transfer coefficients and friction factors of refrigerants during condensation. Drop-in analysis based on the same conditions of the cooling medium (water) was considered, and the system was modeled in EES software. For this analysis, the inlet temperature of the water was varied from 15 to 40 °C as an input, and its effect on the performance parameters (condensation temperature, input power, discharge temperature, compression ratio, cooling capacity and COP) was analyzed and compared with R134a. The correlation used in this study predicts the better performance of R152a and R1234ze(E) as their heat transfer coefficient values are found to be 67–72% and 0.85–3% higher at condensation temperatures of 40–55 °C, respectively, when compared with R134a. The trends for the predicted frictional pressure drops are also found to be similar. For the drop-in analysis based on the same cooling medium conditions, simulation results reveal better performance for R152a and R1234ze(E). R152a shows 6.3–11% higher COP relative to R134a, whereas R1234yf shows lower COP of 7.6–12%, for the range of cooling water inlet temperatures considered in this study. Simulation results conclude that R152a seems more adequate refrigerant as an alternative of R134a in vapor compression refrigeration system.

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Abbreviations

COP:

Coefficient of performance

A o :

Cross-sectional area (m2)

\( \dot{m} \) :

Mass flow rate (kg/s)

h :

Specific enthalpy (kJ/kg)

CR:

Compression ratio

N :

Engine speed (rpm)

D :

Compressor displacement (m3/rev)

P :

Pressure (kPa)

D h :

Hydraulic diameter (mm)

b :

Amplitude of corrugation (mm)

Q C :

Heat transfer in condenser (kW)

c p :

Specific heat at constant pressure (kJ/kg K)

T :

Temperature (K)

U :

Overall heat transfer coefficient (W/m2 K)

A :

Effective area (m2)

\( \Delta T_{\text{lm}} \) :

Logarithmic mean temperature difference (K)

N p :

Number of plates

L p :

Port to port length (mm)

D p :

Diameter of port (mm)

W :

Width (mm)

h :

Heat transfer coefficient of water (W/m2 K)

G :

Mass flux (kg/m2 s)

L :

Length of plate (mm)

f :

Friction factor

\( \Delta P \) :

Pressure drop (kPa)

x :

Quality

We:

Weber number

Nu:

Nusselt number

Pr:

Prandtl number

k :

Thermal conductivity (W/mK)

g :

Gravitational acceleration (m/s2)

Bo:

Bond number

\( \eta \) :

Efficiency of compressor

\( \rho \) :

Density (kg/m3)

\( \varphi \) :

Enlargement factor of corrugation surface

\( \lambda \) :

Corrugation pitch (mm)

\( \gamma \) :

Dimensionless corrugation parameter

\( \sigma \) :

Surface tension (N/m)

\( \beta \) :

Chevron angle (°)

wf:

Working fluid (refrigerant)

W:

Water

wall:

Wall

h:

Hydraulic

l:

Liquid

v:

Vapor

eq:

Equivalent

m:

Mean

s:

Isentropic

v:

Volumetric

fri:

Frictional

comp:

Compressor

C:

Condensation

E:

Evaporator

HFCs:

Hydrofluorocarbons

CFCs:

Chlorofluorocarbons

ODP:

Ozone depletion potential

GWP:

Global warming potential

VCRC:

Vapor compression refrigeration cycle

HFOs:

Hydrofluoroolefins

AACS:

Automotive air conditioning system

EES:

Engineering equation solver

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan

    Ameer Hamza

  2. Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, University of Engineering and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan

    Tauseef Aized Khan

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  1. Ameer Hamza
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  2. Tauseef Aized Khan
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Correspondence to Tauseef Aized Khan.

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Hamza, A., Khan, T.A. Comparative Performance of Low-GWP Refrigerants as Substitutes for R134a in a Vapor Compression Refrigeration System. Arab J Sci Eng 45, 5697–5712 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-020-04525-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-020-04525-3

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