Experimental analysis of R1234yf as a drop-in replacement for R134a in a small power refrigerating system

This paper presents an experimental study of the R1234yf drop-in performance in an R134a small power vapor-compression refrigeration system. Experiments were performed for two compressor supply frequency values of 40 and 60 Hz, evaporation temperatures from −5 to +5 °C and condensation temperatures of 45, 50 and 55 °C. From the experimental measurements, parameters such as the cooling power, compressor electric power or the energy efficiency ratio (EER) of the system are obtained and compared between the two refrigerants. Results show that R1234yf may be an adequate drop-in refrigerant for R134a as it closely matches its cooling capacity at the expense of lower EER values.