Investigation of using low GWP alternatives to replace R404A in the refrigeration system

Abstract

In recent years, the use of refrigerants, which increase the global warming potential by creating a greenhouse effect, has begun to be restricted in refrigeration systems. More environmentally friendly and more efficient synthetic mixtures and natural refrigerants are replacing refrigerants with high global warming potential. In this study, R404A refrigerant, which is frequently preferred in refrigeration systems and has a high global warming potential, was discussed. Six different refrigerants (R407H, R448A, R454C, R468A, R290, R1270) that could be alternatives to R404A refrigerant were examined and compared with R404A. Energy, exergy, and environmental analyzes were performed under the same conditions according to -10 ℃, -5 ℃, and 0 ℃ evaporating temperatures. Among the refrigerants, R290 had the best value with a coefficient of performance of 4.11 and an exergy efficiency of 40.04%. The values of R1270 refrigerant were also almost the same as R290. Even if R468A shows the lowest performance, it can be preferred over R404A because its global warming potential is lower than R404A.

Keywords

• Global warming potential
• R404A
• R290

Kaynakça

1. [1] López-Belchí A. Assessment of a mini-channel condenser at high ambient temperatures based on experimental measurements working with R134a, R513A and R1234yf. Applied Thermal Engineering 2019; 155: 341–353.
2. [2] Hepbasli A. Low exergy heating and cooling systems for sustainable buildings and societies. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 2012; 16 (1): 73–104.
3. [3] Kharseh M, Altorkmany L, Al-Khawaj M, Hassani F. Warming impact on energy use of HVAC system in buildings of different thermal qualities and in different climates. Energy Conversion and Managment, 2014; 81: 106–111.
4. [4] Mota-Babiloni A, Makhnatch P. Predictions of European refrigerants place on the market following F-gas regulation restrictions. International Journal of Refrigeration 2021; 127: 101-110.
5. [5] Cabello R, Sánchez D, Llopis R, Andreu-Nacher A, Calleja-Anta D. Energy impact of the Internal Heat Exchanger in a horizontal freezing cabinet. Experimental evaluation with the R404A low-GWP alternatives R454C, R455A, R468A, R290 and R1270. International Journal of Refrigeration 2022; 137: 22-33.
6. [6] Makhnatch P, Mota-Babiloni A, Rogstam J, Khodabandeh R. Retrofit of lower GWP alternative R449A into an existing R404A indirect supermarket refrigeration system. International Journal of Refrigeration 2017; 76: 184-192.
7. [7] Oruc V, Devecioglu AG. Experimental investigation on the low-GWP HFC/HFO blends R454A and R454C in a R404A refrigeration system. International Journal of Refrigeration 2021; 128: 242-251.
8. [8] Mota-Babiloni A, Navarro-Esbrí J, Peris B, Molés F, Verdú G. Experimental evaluation of R448A as R404A lower-GWP alternative in refrigeration systems. Energy Conversion and Management 2015; 105: 756-762.

9. [9] Zhang L, Yang Z, Zhai R, Lv Z, Zhang Y, Deng Q. Flammable performance and experimental evaluation of a new blend as R404A lower-GWP alternative. International Journal of Refrigeration 2022; 135: 113-120.
10. [10] Altinkaynak M. Exergetic performance analysis of low GWP alternative refrigerants for R404A in a refrigeration system. International Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies 2021; 16: 842–850.
11. [11] Deng Q, Zhang Z, Hu X. Thermoeconomic and environmental analysis of an inverter cold storage unit charged R448A. Sustainable Energy Technologies and Assessments 2021; 45: 101159.
12. [12] Yoon J, Kim J, Lee D, Chung HJ, Kim Y. Experimental study of a gas-injection refrigeration system using refrigerant mixtures to replace R404A. Applied Thermal Engineering 2023; 218: 119350.
13. [13] Erten S, Kosan M, Isgen F, Demirci E, Aktas M. Thermodynamic Analysis of Industrial Cooling Systems with the Usage of Different Types of Evaporators: Experimental Study. Gazi University Journal of Science 2021; 34(4): 1145- 1161.
14. [14] Arora A, Kaushik SC. Theoretical analysis of a vapour compression refrigeration system with R502, R404A and R507A. International Journal of Refrigeration 2008; 31(6): 998–1005.
15. [15] Tripathi R, Tiwari G, Dwivedi V. Overall energy, exergy and carbon credit analysis of N partially covered photovoltaic thermal (PVT) concentrating collector connected in series. Solar Energy 2016; 136: 260-267.