HFC32, a low GWP substitute for HFC410A in medium size chillers and heat pumps

•This paper investigates HFC32 condensation inside a BPHE.•HFC32 exhibits heat transfer coefficients much higher than those of HFC410A.•HFC32 exhibits frictional pressure drop slightly higher than those of HFC410A.•HFC32 is a very promising low GWP substitute for HFC410A in chillers and heat pumps.

This paper presents the experimental heat transfer coefficients and pressure drops measured during refrigerant HFC32 condensation inside a commercial Brazed Plate Heat Exchanger (BPHE) and compares this data with similar measurements previously obtained for refrigerant HFC410A to assess its capability as low GWP substitute for HFC410A in medium size chillers and heat pumps. The effects of saturation temperature, refrigerant mass flux, and vapour super-heating are investigated. HFC32 exhibits heat transfer coefficients much higher and frictional pressure drop slightly higher than those of HFC410A. Therefore, considering that HFC32 exhibits a GWP just one-third that of HFC410A, taking into account also its good thermodynamic properties, it seems to be a very promising low GWP substitute for HFC410A in medium size chillers and heat pumps.