Comparison of Performance Parameters of Four Types of Refrigerants

Abstract

The use of refrigerants requires to meet ecology and legislation requirements. The aim of the legislation is also to reduce the global warming potential (GWP). Natural refrigerants such as carbon dioxide, ammonia, and hydrocarbons such as propane, isobutene, and propylene are used mainly because of their environmental benefits compared to synthetic refrigerants. This work compares two natural refrigerants: R-744 and R-290 and two synthetic refrigerants: R-134a and R-32. All these refrigerants are used mainly in heat pumps. In this work were calculated and compared the following performance parameters: heat rejected in the condenser, cooling power, compressor power, and the coefficient of performance (COP). The most important parameter is the coefficient of performance because when it decreases, electric energy consumption increases. It requires reaching a high value of COP. Further, this work deals with the economic analyses of selected refrigerants. The last aim of this article is their ecologic analysis based on the GWP factor.

Keywords

• refrigerants
• heat pumps
• global warming potential coefficient of performance