Refrigerant charge reduction in vapor compression refrigeration cycles via liquid-to-suction heat exchange

•The potential for charge reduction via internal heat exchange is assessed.•The analysis is carried out for refrigerants R134a, R22, R290, R600a and R717.•The cooling capacity is constrained so that the evaporating pressure can vary.•The charge can be reduced depending on the refrigerant properties and inventory.

This short communication reports a study of the potential for refrigerant charge reduction in vapor compression refrigeration systems by means of a liquid-to-suction heat exchanger. The analysis was carried out on purely thermodynamic grounds for refrigerants of current interest, such as R134a, R22, R290, R600a and R717, assuming the cooling capacity as a constraint so that the evaporating pressure is free to vary. It was found that the minimum amount of refrigerant can be reduced depending on the thermophysical properties of the refrigerant, the working conditions, and the charge inventory.