An Experimental Evaluation of Flammable and Non-Flammable High Pressure HFC Replacements for R-22

In this paper, the performance of three high pressure HFC refrigerants: R-32, R-41 OA, and R-41 08, is compared to that of R-22. R-32 has excellent thermophysical properties as compared to R-41 OA, R-41 08 and R-22. However, R-32 is a flammable refrigerant while R-41 OA and R-41 OB are non-flammable. The performance of these refrigerants is investigated in a residential heat pump at the test conditions specified in ASHRAE Standard 116-1983. Overall the high pressure fluids performed better than R-22, with R-32 giving the best results. R-32 has a cooling seasonal performance that is 5.1% better than R-22 and a heating seasonal performance that is 2.54% better than R-22. R-41 OA and R-41 OB have cooling seasonal performances which are 2-3% better than R-22, and heating seasonal performances that are similar to that of R-22. 17L 35F 47S ASH RAE ARI CFCs COP G.W.P. HCFCs HFCs HSPF O.D.P. R-22 R-32 R-410A R-4108 P..,ncl pevap SEER ST TEV NOMENCLATURE Low Tern perature Heating Test based on ASH RAE Standard 116-1983 Frost Accumulation Test based on ASH RAE Standard 116-1983 High Temp Heating Test based on ASHRAE Standard 116-1983 A[Tlerican Society for Heating, Refrigerating & Air-Conditioning Engineers American Refrigeration Institute Chlorofluorocarbons Coefficient of Performance Global Warming Potential Hydrochlorofluorocarbons Hydrofluorocarbons Heating Seasonal Performance Factor Ozone Depletion Potential Refrigerant 22, Trifluoromethane Refrigerant 32, Difluoromethane R-32/R-125 ( 50/50 wt.% ) R-32/R-125 ( 45/55 wt.% ) Condensing Pressure Evaporating Pressure Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio Short Tube Restrictor Thermostatic Expansion Valve INTRODUCTION Environmental concern over the depletion of stratospheric ozone has resulted in restrictions in the production and the phase-out of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrofluorocarbons (HCFCs). HCFC-22 is widely used in the air-conditioning and heat pump industry, especially in residential unitary and air-conditioning systems. The phaseout of HCFC-22 requires manufacturers to find suitable alternatives in a relatively short time frame. In the search for alternatives, the evaluation of the overall performance of the candidate refrigerants is very