The drop-in of HFC134a with HFO1234ze in a household refrigerator

This paper reports the results of a comparative experimental analysis between HCF134a and HFO1234ze. The experimental apparatus consists of a domestic, commercial refrigerator operating with HCF134a and for which a drop-in substitution with HFO1234ze has been realized. A series of experimental trials have been taken out to evaluate: the pull-down time for the identification of the optimal charge of HFO1234ze and 1-day electric energy use. All the tests have been taken under sub-tropical conditions in conformity with the UNI-EN-ISO15502. The results show that the refrigeration cycle performance of HFO1234ze is as good as that of HFC134a. In particular, the cycle working with HFO134ze with the optimal charge shows an energy saving of 9%.