Comparative Assessment of Some Flammable Refrigerants as Alternatives to CFC12

The theoretical performance of some flammable refrigerants, namely, propane (HC290), butane (HC600), isobutane (HC600a), cyclopropane (HCC270), HFC152a and HCFC142b have been comparativelyassessed as alternatives to CFC12. Th~s has been done for a range of evaporating temperatures by using some standard refrigera~ion parameters like pressure ratio, ·specific compressor displacement, theoretical Rankine coefficient of performance, shaft per ton of refrigeration. Cyclopropane (HC270), which would require smaller compressors than CFC12 and may, offer superior energy performance, appears to be a potential candidate. If a suitable weighting is to be given for non-flammability and exp~rience, then HFC152a is perhaps a better alternative. The paperalso _discusses the need for the assessment of flammable fluids and th_e implications of using the.se flu_ids as alternatives to CFC12.