Performance investigation of ozone-friendly R404A and R507 refrigerants as alternatives to R22 in a window air-conditioner

In this study, experimental research was carried out to investigate the performance of R22 and its ozone-friendly alternative refrigerants (R404A and R507) in a window air-conditioner. The performance parameters of the system using R22 were considered as benchmarks and those obtained using alternative refrigerants were compared. Experimental results showed that R22 had the lowest pressure ratio and discharge temperature closely followed by R507. The average discharge temperature obtained using R507 and R404A were 4.2% and 15.3% higher than that of R22, respectively. The lowest compressor power and energy consumption were obtained from R507 retrofitted system. Also, the highest refrigeration capacity and coefficient of performance (COP) were obtained using R507 in the system. The average refrigeration capacities of R507 and R404A were 4.7% higher and 8.4% lower than that of R22, respectively, while the average COP of R507 increased by 10.6% and that of R404A reduced by 16.0% with respect to that of R22. Generally, the investigation has revealed that R507 can be used successfully as a retrofitting refrigerant in existing window air-conditioners originally designed to use R22 in the event of HCFC phased out.

► I studied the performance of two R22 alternatives in a retrofitted air-conditioner.
► Average refrigeration capacity of R507 greater than that of R22 by 4.7%.
► Average COP of R507 greater than that of R22 by 10.6%.
► R507 performed better than R404A as a retrofitted refrigerant.
► R22 air-conditioners can be successfully retrofitted with R507.