Theoretical Performance Investigation of Vapour Compression Refrigeration System Using HFC and HC Refrigerant Mixtures as Alternatives to Replace R22

The present paper describes the theoretical thermodynamic performance of vapour compression refrigeration system using HFC and HC blends as an alternatives to replace the refrigerant R22. In this study thermodynamic analysis of window air conditioner with R431A, R410A, R419A, R134a, R1270, R290 and fifteen refrigerant mixtures consists of R134a, R1270 and R290 was carried out based on actual vapour compression cycle. All the investigated refrigerant mixtures are ozone friendly in nature and they possess GWP in the range of 0.0244 to 1.685 times the GWP of R22. Thermodynamic performance analysis of all the investigated refrigerant mixtures were evaluated at the condensing and evaporating temperatures of 54.4oC and 7.2oC respectively. The results show that COP for the refrigerant mixture R134a/R1270/R290 (50/5/45 by mass percentage) is 2.10% higher among the R22, R431A, R410A, R419A, R134a, R1270, R290, and fifteen studied refrigerant mixtures. The compressor discharge temperature of all the studied refrigerants were lower than that of R22 by 4.8oC-22.2oC. The power consumption per ton of refrigeration for the refrigerant mixture R134a/R1270/R290 (50/5/45 by mass percentage) is 2.01% lower among R22, R431A, R410A, R419A, R134a, R1270, R290, and fifteen studied refrigerant mixtures. Overall the thermodynamic performance of refrigerant mixture R134a/R1270/R290 (50/5/45 by mass percentage) is better than that of R22 with reasonable savings in the energy and hence it is an appropriate ecologically energy efficient alternative refrigerant to substitute R22 used in air conditioning applications.