Energy Efficiency Study, Comparing, Commercial Grade Propane/Butane Blend; Refrigerant Grade Propane and Chlorodifluoromethane (CHClF2), Investigated in a Psychrometric Chamber
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.11113/jest.v1n2.17Keywords:
Refrigerants, global warming, propane, cooling capacityAbstract
The current use of hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) as refrigerants will be phaseout and phasedown. Hydrocarbon (HC) refrigerants were introduced as potential replacements. These refrigerant grade hydrocarbons namely propane (R 290) and isobutane (R 600a) were on sale at premium prices. As Malaysia has capabilities to produce LPG, a study was conducted to find out the suitability of commercial liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) to be used as refrigerant. This study compares the efficiencies and cooling capacities of commercial grade LPG to refrigerant grade propane (C3H8) and chlorodifluoromethane (CHClF2) (R 22) in a split unit air conditioner installed in a psychrometric chamber. Results of experiments indicated that the commercial blends in the ratio of 80% propane and 20% butane provided the highest efficiency, but had the lowest cooling capacities; in contrast, the imported refrigerant grade propane despite value being purer, was not reflected in term of its efficiency; recorded the lowest. CHClF2 provided the highest efficiency and cooling capacity. LPG has the potential to replace R22 in split air conditioners despite losing 10 % in cooling capacities but instead gained 2.6% in energy efficiencies.Â
References
Alsaad, M.A. and Hammad, M.A. (1998). The Application of Propane/Butane Mixture for Domestic Refrigerator. Applied Thermal Engineering. 18, 911-918.
Dalkilic, A.S. and Wongwises, S. (2010). A Performance Comparison of Vapour- Compression Refrigeration System Using Various Refrigerants. International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer. 37, 1340-1349.
Devotta, S., Padalkar, A.S., and Sane, N.K., (2005). Performance Assessment of HC-290 as a Drop- In Substitute to HCFC-22 in a Window Air- Conditioner. International Journal of Refrigeration. 28, 594-604.
Department of Environment (DOE) Malaysia, 2010, Consultative Workshop on “HCFC Phaseout Management Plan (HPMP) for Malaysia, 4 October 2010.†DOE Malaysia.
Granryd, E. (2001). Hydrocarbons as Refrigerants- An overview. International Journal of Refrigeration. 24, 15-24.
Hwang, Y., Jin, D.H. and Rademacher, R. (2007). Comparison of R-290 and Two HFC Blends for Walk- In Refrigeration Systems. International Journal of Refrigeration. 30, 633-641.
Joudi, K.A. and Al Amir, Q.R. (2014). Experimental Assessment of Residential Split Type Air Conditioning Systems Using Alternative Refrigerants to R22 at High Ambient Temperature. Energy Conversion and Management. 86, 496-506.
Kim, M.H., Lim, B.H. and Chu, E.S. (1998). The Performance Analysis of a Hydrocarbon Refrigerant R-600a in a Household Refrigerator/Freezer. KSME International Journal. 12(4), 753-760.
M. S. ISO 5151, (2010). Non-Ducted Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps- Testing and Rating for Performance, Department of Standards Malaysia, 11.
Mohanraj, M., Jayaraj, S. and Muraleedharan, C. (2007). Improved Energy Efficiency for HFC134a Domestic Refrigerator Retrofitted with Hydrocarbon Mixture (HC290/HC600a) as Drop- In Substitute. Energy for Sustainable Development. 11(4), 29-33.
Padalkar, A.S., Mali, K.V. and Devotta, S. (2014). Simulated and Experimental Performance of Split Packaged Air Conditioner Using Refrigerant HC-290 as a substitute for HCFC 22. Applied Thermal Engineering. 62, 277-284.
Park, K.J., Shim, Y.B. and Jung, D. (2009). A Drop In Refrigerant 431a for Replacing HCFC 22 in Residential Air Conditioners and Heat Pumps. Energy Conversion and Management. 50, 1671-1675.
Purkayastha, B. and Bansal, P.K. (1998). An Experimental Study on HC290 and a Commercial Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Mix as Suitable Replacements for HCFC 22. International Journal of Refrigeration. 21(1), 3-17.
Tashtoush, B., Tahat, M. and Shudeifat, M.A. (2002). Experimental Study of New Refrigerant Mixtures to replace R 12 in Domestic Refrigerators. Applied Thermal Engineering. 22, 495-496
Thangavel, SP. and Somasundram, P. (2013). Part Load Performance Analysis of Vapour Compression Refrigeration System with Hydrocarbon Refrigerants. Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research. 72, 454-460.
Teng, P.T., Mo, H.E., Lin, H., Tseng, Y.H., Liu, R.H. and Long, Y.F. (2012). Retrofit Assessment of Window Air- Conditioner. Applied Thermal Engineering. 32, 100-107.
UNEP, 2016, Frequently asked questions relating to the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol. Viewed 3 April 2017 http://ec.europa.eu/clima/sites/clima/files/faq_kigali-amendment_en.pdf
U.S, EPA, 2015, Significant New Alternative Policy (SNAP) Report, viewed 26 September 2016 <http://www.epa.gov/ozone/snap/index.html>.
Wongwises, S. and Chimres, N. (2005). Experimental Study of Hydrocarbon Mixtures to Replace HFC 134a in a Domestic Refrigerator. Energy Conversion and Management. 46, 85-100.
Wu, J.H., Yang, L.D. and Hou, J. (2012). Experimental Performance Study of a Small Wall Room Air Conditioner Retrofitted with R290 and R1270. International Journal of Refrigeration. 35, 1860-1868.
Yu, C.C. and Teng, T.P. (2014). Retrofit Assessment Using Hydrocarbon Refrigerants. Applied Thermal Engineering. 66, 507-518.
Yu, J., Xu, Z. and Tian, G. (2010). A Thermodynamic Analysis of a Transcritical Cycle with Refrigerant Mixture R-32/R-290 for a Small Heat Pump Water Heater. Energy and Buildings. 42, 2431-2436.
