Performance of a finned-tube evaporator optimized for different refrigerants and its effect on system efficiency

This paper presents a comparable evaluation of R600a (isobutane), R290 (propane), R134a, R22, R410A, and R32 in an optimized finned-tube evaporator, and analyzes the impact of evaporator effects on the system coefficient of performance (COP). The study relied on a detailed evaporator model derived from NIST's EVAP-COND simulation package and used the ISHED1 scheme employing a non-Darwinian learnable evolution model for circuitry optimization. In the process, 4500 circuitry designs were generated and evaluated for each refrigerant. The obtained evaporator optimization results were incorporated in a conventional analysis of the vapor compression cycle. For a theoretical cycle analysis without accounting for evaporator effects, the COP spread for the studied refrigerants was as high as 11.7%. For cycle simulations including evaporator effects, the COP of R290 was better than that of R22 by up to 3.5%, while the remaining refrigerants performed approximately within a 2% COP band of the R22 baseline for the two condensing temperatures considered.     

板式蒸发器换热性能的数值模拟Ⅱ:结果及分析

在已建立的数学模型的基础上,对板式蒸发器换热能力进行了数值模拟.针对应用较广的R134a和R410A制冷剂来比较和分析板式蒸发器在小的温差下的换热性能.在三种不同的计算工况下简要分析了各种热力参数的变化对蒸发器整体换热性能的影响.不同的制冷剂,其换热系数和压降差别较大,相同工况下采用R410A替代R22,板式蒸发器的换热性能可提高8.5%～10.0%,且压降可大幅降低.     

R22替代工质回热循环的性能分析

R22的替代工质的制冷性能通常比R22差，采用回热循环是改善循环性能的一种方法，但是增加回热器会带来成本的增加，而且不同的制冷剂在回热循环中的COP及容积制冷量的变化也是不同的。针对上述问题，分析回热循环的特性和6种制冷剂（R290，R1270，R134a／R1270（0．45／0．55），R134a／R290（0．6／0．4），R407C和R410A）在回热循环中的容积制冷量和COP的变化特点。研究结果表明，R134a,／R1270，R290和R134a／R290系统使用回热器后，性能改善较大，R410A系统只有在高冷凝温度、高过热度时才有必要使用回热器，其余替代工质系统使用回热器，其系统性能改善不明显。     

Refrigeration system performance using liquid-suction heat exchangersPerformance d''un système frigorifique utilisant des échangeurs liquide-vapeur à l''aspiration

Heat transfer devices are provided in many refrigeration systems to exchange energy between the cool gaseous refrigerant leaving the evaporator and warm liquid refrigerant exiting the condenser. These liquid-suction or suction-line heat exchangers can, in some cases, yield improved system performance while in other cases they degrade system performance. Although previous researchers have investigated performance of liquid-suction heat exchangers, this study can be distinguished from the previous studies in three ways. First, this paper identifies a new dimensionless group to correlate performance impacts attributable to liquid-suction heat exchangers. Second, the paper extends previous analyses to include new refrigerants. Third, the analysis includes the impact of pressure drops through the liquid-suction heat exchanger on system performance. It is shown that reliance on simplified analysis techniques can lead to inaccurate conclusions regarding the impact of liquid-suction heat exchangers on refrigeration system performance. From detailed analyses, it can be concluded that liquid-suction heat exchangers that have a minimal pressure loss on the low pressure side are useful for systems using R507A, R134a, R12, R404A, R290, R407C, R600, and R410A. The liquid-suction heat exchanger is detrimental to system performance in systems using R22, R32, and R717.     

Thermodynamic performance of air conditioners working with R417A and R424A as alternatives to R22

The energy and exergy parameters of R417A and R424A gases which can be used instead of R22 were experimentally investigated for a split-type air conditioner. Although GWP amounts of the available alternative refrigerants are higher compared to R22, their ODP values are zero. The experiments were accomplished for three different ambient temperature values of 25 °C, 30 °C and 35 °C. The covered test conditions were carried out for steady-state case while keeping the inside medium temperature at constant temperature of 22 °C. The cooling capacity, COP, exergy destruction of components in the unit (i.e., compressor, condenser, evaporator, and expansion device), exergetic efficiency and some other parameters of the system were determined. COP values for the refrigerants of R417A and R424A were noted to be smaller compared to R22. Similarly, both isentropic efficiency of the compressor and exergetic efficiency of the system were higher for R22. The use of R424A will be more suitable rather than R417A since COP values of R417A are lower about 5–16% compared to R424A. The COP value of R22 is greater than that of R417A and R424A by amounts of 17–23% and 4–18%, respectively. At the greater evaporation temperatures (0 °C to +5 °C as in the air-conditioners) it can be stated that R424A is more preferable than R417A as an alternative refrigerant to R22.     

R404A和R410A应用于平行流冷凝器的模拟分析比较

采用分布参数法对平行流冷凝器建立数学模型，对目前广泛使用的制冷剂R134a和低温制冷剂R404A和R410A在平行流冷凝器中的换热和流动性能进行模拟计算和分析比较。分别在相同和不同工况下。比较3种制冷剂的换热系数及压降等换热和流动性能参数。结果表明，在采用平行流冷凝器的汽车空调工况范围内，R410AR404A的流动和传热性能均优于R134a，更适宜用于汽车空调用平行流冷凝器。     

Formation Conditions of Clathrates Between HFC Alternative Refrigerants and Water

There are two promising candidates as alternative refrigerants for air-conditioners and heat pumps. The first is R407C, which is composed of HFC-32 (23 mass%), HFC-125 (25 mass%), and HFC-134a (52 mass%). The second is R410A, which is composed of HFC-32 (50 mass%) and HFC-125 (50 mass%). In this study, formation conditions of clathrate compounds between water and HFC alternative refrigerants such as HFC-32, HFC-125, HFC-134a, and their mixtures, R407C and R410A, were investigated. Phase diagrams of clathrates of these HFC alternative refrigerants and their mixtures were determined. From the phase diagrams, the critical decomposition temperature and the critical decomposition pressure were determined. The relationship between the critical decomposition points for the clathrates of HFC-32, HFC-125, HFC-134a, R410A, and R407C were studied. It is found that R407C and R410A form clathrate compounds with water under the evaporating temperature condition in the refrigeration cycle of air-conditioners and heat pumps.     

低温室效应HCFCs替代物性能分析

在阐述目前国内外HCFCs替代形势的基础上,对热泵空调及冷冻冷藏系统典型HCFCs制冷剂R22和其传统替代制冷剂(R410A,R407C,R404A,R507A),以及低温室效应R22替代物(R161,R290,RTJU4,R32,R717及R1234yf)的热力性能、循环性能及其可燃特性进行对比与分析.结果表明,R161,R290,RTJU4,R717,R32不仅具有零ODP较低GWP值的优势,其热力学及传热学特性也优于传统的HCFCs替代物,其中部分工质在一定的应用条件下具有较好的循环性能.R32,R1234yf和RTJU4的可燃性较小;RTJU4在系统循环性能上具有较明显的优势;R717具有较好热力学、传热学和循环特性,经进一步的系统和部件改进也具有较强的替代潜力.     

HFC-161及其应用

介绍ODs替代品HFC-161的性质及应用实例，通过分析与实验说明这些混合制冷剂能够分别替代R410A，R407C，R404A和HFC-134a，均具有环保性能优异、能效比高、用量少、与原系统兼容等特点。     

风冷螺杆热泵机组制冷剂替换试验研究

对R22、R407c、R134a三种制冷剂的基本物性及热力性能进行了分析比较，并在风冷螺杆热泵机组基础上进行了替换试验研究。结果表明：R407c为最佳替换R22的制冷剂；R134a替换后能效比较高，但制冷（热）量衰减过多，同时R134a的运行压力过低不太适合热泵工况。     

Exergetic analysis of a vapour compression refrigeration system with R134a, R143a, R152a, R404A, R407C, R410A, R502 and R507A

This communication deals with the exergetic analysis of a vapour compression refrigeration system with selected refrigerants. The various parameters computed are COP and exergetic efficiency in the system. Effects of degree of condenser temperature, evaporator temperature and sub-cooling of condenser outlet, supper-heating of evaporator out let and effectiveness of vapour liquid heat exchanger are also computed and discussed. In this study, it was found that R134a has the better performance in all respect, whereas R407C refrigerant has poor performance.     

Calculation of thermodynamic properties of R407C and R410A by the Martin–Hou equation of state — part I: theoretical development

A theoretical development of the thermodynamic properties of two mixtures of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerants, i.e. R407C and R410A (in the superheated vapour state), is carried out. The modelling is based on the Martin-Hou equation of state, which has long been used for pure hydrofluorocarbons (e.g. R134a) with good results. Since R407C and R410A are very well investigated refrigerants, the analytical procedure here derived concerns with those thermodynamic properties of R407C and R410A (in the superheated state) that are not published in the current specialised literature. They are: compressibility factor, isentropic and isothermal compressibility, volume expansivity, isentropic and isothermal exponent, speed of sound and Joule–Thomson coefficient. These properties may be used as a theoretical basis for research into the optimal HFC-mixture for compressor efficiency and for performing cycle calculations in the vapour-phase region for systems working with R407C and R410A.     

Thermodynamic assessment of high-temperature heat pumps using Low-GWP HFO refrigerants for heat recovery

Reducing energy consumption by utilizing heat recovery systems has become increasingly important in industry. This paper presents an exploratory assessment of heat pump type heat recovery systems using environmentally friendly refrigerants. The coefficient of performance (COP) of 4 cycle configurations used to raise the temperature of heat media to 160 °C with a waste heat at 80 °C is calculated and compared for refrigerants R717, R365mfc, R1234ze(E), and R1234ze(Z). A multiple-stage “extraction” cycle drastically reduces the throttling loss and exergy loss in the condensers, resulting in the highest COP for R1234ze(Z). A cascade cycle using R1234ze(Z) and R365mfc has a relatively high COP and provides practical benefits. Even under adverse conditions, the primary energy efficiency is greater than 1.3 when the transmission end efficiency of the electric power generation is 0.37. The assessment demonstrated that high-temperature heat pumps are a promising approach for reducing primary energy consumption for industrial applications.     

R32用于单元式空调机的性能实验研究

对比分析R32,R410A和R22的基本物性参数,并在R410A单元式空调机上开展直接充注R32的替代试验,测试不同充注量下的制冷量、功率和COP变化趋势.结果表明,充注R32的机组存在性能最优点,在相对R41 OA充注量为60%时,机组的制冷量和COP达到最大,并均高于R410A机组的.     

制冷剂R32的性能及其在空调机上的应用研究

介绍R32、R22和R410A三种制冷剂的物理性质和热力学性能,从理论分析方面,分析R32替代R22和R410A的可行性,同时,通过在水冷单元式空调机组分别采用三种制冷剂进行实验对比测试,研究这三种制冷剂在空调制冷系统中实际应用的性能对比,从而从实际应用方面,分析R32替代R22和R410A的可行性。     

Electrical properties of CFC- and HCFC-substitutes

Electrical properties of refrigerants are of importance as soon as bushings are surrounded by a refrigerant. This is the case e. g. for hermetic sealed motor compressors as well as for some control devices such as liquid level control units or capacity controls for compressors. This paper presents a survey of existing data for HFC refrigerants and presents new measurements for those HFC blends that have been identified as long term replacements for CFCs and HCFCs. The data collection includes permittivity, electrical conductivity and breakdown voltage. Values are given for the HFC blends R404A, R407C, R410A and R507 as well as for R134a.     

Analysis of a refrigeration cycle driven by refrigerant steam turbine

The objectives of this paper are to develop a novel cycle with refrigerant Rankine and refrigeration cycles, and to discuss the thermodynamic analysis of the cycle and the adequacy of the development. The combined cycle uses only one working fluid, has a simple mechanical system and does not have abrading parts. Three different refrigerants are evaluated to find the best candidate for the novel combined cycle—R123, R134a and R245ca. It is found that the R123 cycle gives the highest cycle efficiency among all cycles considered in the present study. The base cycle has a low efficiency because of the high temperature at the turbine outlet. By recovering the heat at the turbine outlet, the overall COP increases by 47% in case of the R245ca cycle. In the base cycle, COP depends mostly on the boiler pressure, while in the modified cycle with the recuperator, the cycle efficiency depends mostly on the boiler temperature. Considering the cycle efficiency and environmental issues, it is concluded that R245ca is the most promising refrigerant out of the cycles considered in the present paper.     

Flow condensation heat transfer coefficients of R22, R134a, R407C, and R410A inside plain and microfin tubes

Flow condensation heat transfer coefficients (HTCs) of R22, R134a, R407C, and R410A inside horizontal plain and microfin tubes of 9.52 mm outside diameter and 1 m length were measured at the condensation temperature of 40 °C with mass fluxes of 100, 200, and 300 kg m⁻² s⁻¹ and a heat flux of 7.7–7.9 kW m⁻². For a plain tube, HTCs of R134a and R410A were similar to those of R22 while HTCs of R407C are 11–15% lower than those of R22. For a microfin tube, HTCs of R134a were similar to those of R22 while HTCs of R407C and R410A were 23–53% and 10–21% lower than those of R22. For a plain tube, our correlation agreed well with the present data for all refrigerants exhibiting a mean deviation of 11.6%. Finally, HTCs of a microfin tube were 2–3 times higher than those of a plain tube and the heat transfer enhancement factor decreased as the mass flux increased for all refrigerants tested.     

Theoretical comparison of low GWP alternatives for different refrigeration configurations taking R404A as baseline

Six refrigerants are evaluated as low GWP replacements for R404A using different configurations, including two-stage system architectures. These refrigerants are selected according to similar characteristics to R404A, and they are the mid-term alternatives R407A and R407F, and the long-term alternatives: L40 and DR-7 (with very low GWP and low flammability), N40 and DR-33 (with low GWP and no flammability). In order to have a complete comparison range, various operating conditions are considered, covering low and medium evaporator temperatures and two levels of condensation temperatures. Configurations selected are presented and the equations used to simulate the expected performance are shown. From a given cooling capacity, volumetric flow rate and COP are compared, taking R404A as baseline. The most efficient alternatives are the low-flammable refrigerants, L40 and DR-7, and when no flammability is acceptable, N40 and DR-33 are also very good options.     

Experimental evaluation and performance enhancement prediction of desiccant assisted separate sensible and latent cooling air-conditioning system

CO₂ and R410A desiccant wheel (DW)-assisted separate sensible and latent cooling (SSLC) air-conditioning systems were tested under the AHRI standard. At a 50 °C regeneration temperature, the coefficient of performance (COP) of the vapor compression cycles improved only 7% from the respective baseline systems for both refrigerants. This paper proposed the idea of applying divided condensers (or gas coolers) to the R410A (or CO₂) SSLC system to enhance its performance. It was found that the application of divided heat exchangers to the SSLC system provided sufficiently hot airflow for regenerating the desiccant wheel at both a reduced high side pressure (from 10.4 MPa to 9.7 MPa for CO₂, from 3.46 MPa to 3.45 MPa for R410A) and a reduced discharge temperature from the condenser (gas cooler) (4 K lower for both refrigerants). The COP improvement is 36% and 61% to R410A and CO₂ baseline systems, respectively.