Comparative performance analysis of the low GWP refrigerants HFO1234yf, HFO1234ze(E) and HC600a inside a roll-bond evaporator

• Comparative analysis of three low GWP refrigerants for household refrigerators.
• Low GWP refrigerants tested: HFO1234yf, HFO1234ze(E) and HC600a.
• Performance analysis of a roll-bond evaporator for household refrigerators.
• The refrigerants tested can be considered good substitutes for HFC134a.
• HFO1234yf can be considered a direct drop-in substitute for HFC134a.

This paper presents the comparative performance analysis of the low GWP refrigerants HFO1234yf, HFO1234ze(E) and HC600a inside a commercial roll-bond evaporator for household refrigerators. The vaporisation performances were evaluated at two evaporation temperatures, −15 and −20 °C, and different refrigerant mass flow rates and compared with those of the traditional refrigerant for domestic refrigeration HFC134a. The performance analysis was carried out using both thermocouples installed on the rear side of the roll-bond evaporator and an IR thermo-camera. Each of the low GWP refrigerants tested can be considered a good substitute for HFC134a, provided that the compressor displacement is adjusted to deliver the proper refrigerant mass flow rate. Only HFO1234yf exhibits performance similar to HFC134a at the same mass flow rate, therefore it can be considered a direct drop-in substitute for HFC134a.