ANALYSIS OF LOW GLOBAL WARMING POTENTIAL FLUORIDE WORKING FLUIDS IN VAPOUR COMPRESSION SYSTEMS. EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION ALTERNATIVES

[EN] Climate change is one of the short term threats for the humanity because it can affect seriously to the environment and, consequently, to vegetal and animal life. If it is not stopped in next years, maybe this effect will be irreversible. Climate change is produced by anthropogenic emissions of Greenhouse Gas to Earth's atmosphere. Vapour compression systems are one of the main contributors to this phenomenon. Among them, commercial refrigeration applications, through HFC usage, can be highlighted. Since 1990s, developed countries supermarkets are using refrigerants (mainly R134a, R404A and R507A) with great impact (high GWP values) on the climate change due to leakages, especially from parallel compressor rack DX systems. Recently, some regulations and directives have been approved to limit GWP values of HFC used in most extended refrigeration and air conditioning applications, directly affecting to commercial refrigeration. In this thesis, some low-GWP alternatives to replace the most commonly used HFC refrigerants in commercial refrigeration are evaluated, taking into account the limitations imposed by these regulations. To carry out this evaluation, the current status of parallel compressor rack refrigeration systems and their fluids has been reviewed. Then, the different low-GWP options to replace R134a and R404A have been studied. HFOs and their mixtures with HFC have been highlighted as the most promising drop-in or retrofit alternatives. Thus, R1234yf, R1234ze(E) and R450A were proposed to replace R134a and R448A to substitute R404A. The theoretical performance of the different low-GWP alternative fluids, as an overview of their potential use, has been studied at typical parallel compressor rack refrigeration operating conditions using the basic thermodynamic vapour compression cycle. Given the good theoretical performance of these refrigerants, they have been tested in a vapour compression test bench. From the experimental results it is depicted that R1234yf and R1234ze(E) are not acceptable as drop-in or light retrofit refrigerants from an energetic point of view. These fluids, when used in R134a systems, require system modifications (more severe in the case of R1234ze(E)) to achieve acceptable energy efficiency values. Moreover, due to the large refrigerant charge in PCRRS, both HFOs could present problems relating to security. Thus, while R450A presents a GWP value of 547, it appears as the best option to replace R134a due to the similar energy efficiency and properties. Its experimental mass flow rate and cooling capacity are slightly lower than R134a, but the final COP is approximately the same. The best R450A results when compared to R134a are obtained at higher CRs. Although can obtain better efficiency results in new systems, with a minor TXV adjustment R448A shows very high performance when it is used in R404A systems. Despite R448A lower cooling capacity than that R404A, this HFC/HFO mixture can achieve great CO2 equivalent emission reductions and it is recommended as lower-GWP replacement for R404A.[ES] El cambio climático es una amenaza para la humanidad ya que puede afectar seriamente al medio ambiente y, en consecuencia, a la vida animal y vegetal. Si en los próximos años no se actúa para detenerlo, tal vez este efecto sea irreversible. Entre otros factores, el incremento de la temperatura global es producido por las emisiones antropogénicas de gases de efecto invernadero a la atmósfera. La refrigeración comercial, basada en sistemas de compresión de vapor, contribuye de forma relevante a este fenómeno a través del uso de fluidos sintéticos como refrigerantes y del consumo de energía eléctrica procedente de combustibles fósiles. Desde la última década del siglo XX, los supermercados de países desarrollados utilizan HFCs como fluidos de trabajo, principalmente R134a, R404A y R507A. Estos gases, de alto potencial de calentamiento atmosférico (PCA), contribuyen al cambio climático al fugarse accidentalmente de los sistemas de refrigeración, destacando las centrales de compresores en paralelo conectadas a sistemas de expansión directa. El valor máximo de PCA de los HFCs utilizados en aplicaciones de refrigeración y aire acondicionado va a ser controlado por normativas comunitarias, afectando directamente a los fluidos usados comúnmente en refrigeración comercial. Esta tesis evalúa diferentes alternativas de bajo PCA para sustituir los refrigerantes HFC más utilizados en refrigeración comercial, teniendo en cuenta las limitaciones impuestas por las normativas actuales. Para llevar a cabo dicho estudio, se revisa el estado actual de los sistemas de centrales de compresores en paralelo y sus fluidos. A continuación, se analizan las diferentes opciones de bajo PCA para sustituir al R134a y R404A. Al destacar los HFOs y sus mezclas con HFCs como alternativas para realizar un reemplazo con pocas modificaciones del sistema (propiedades similares); R1234yf, R1234ze(E) y R450A son propuestos para sustituir al R134a y R448A para R404A. El rendimiento teórico de los diferentes fluidos alternativos de bajo PCA, para obtener una visión general del potencial de su uso, se estudia simulando las condiciones operativas típicas de las centrales de compresores en paralelo, usando el ciclo termodinámico de compresión de vapor básico. Dado el buen rendimiento mostrado por estos refrigerantes, son ensayados en un banco de pruebas de compresión de vapor. De los resultados experimentales se observa que R1234yf y R1234ze(E) no son aceptables desde un punto de vista energético como sustitutivos directos o con menores modificaciones. Dichos fluidos, cuando son utilizados en sistemas de R134a, requieren modificaciones del sistema (más severas en el caso del R1234ze(E)) para alcanzar valores aceptables de eficiencia energética. Por otra parte, debido a la gran carga necesaria en PCRRS, ambos HFOs podrían presentar problemas en cuanto a la seguridad. Así, mientras que el R450A presenta un valor de PCA de 547, aparece como la mejor opción para sustituir al R134a debido a una eficiencia energética y propiedades similares. El caudal másico y la capacidad frigorífica del R450A son ligeramente inferiores en comparación con las del R134a, pero por otra parte, el COP resultante es aproximadamente el mismo. Los mejores resultados obtenidos para R450A son obtenidas a altas tasas de compresión. Aunque puede ser obtenida una eficiencia energética más alta en sistemas de nuevo diseño, con sólo un ajuste menor de la válvula de expansión termostática, el R448A muestra valores muy altos de rendimiento en sistemas utilizados con R404A. A pesar de que la capacidad frigorífica del R448A es menor que la del R404A, esta mezcla de HFC y HFO puede dar lugar a grandes reducciones de emisiones de CO2 equivalentes, siendo así recomendado como reemplazo del R404A con menor PCA.[CA] El canvi climàtic és una amenaça per a la humanitat ja que pot afectar seriosament el medi ambient i, en conseqüència, la vida animal i vegetal. Si en els propers anys no s'actua per aturar-lo, potser aquest efecte siga irreversible. Entre altres factors, l'increment de la temperatura global és produït per les emissions antropogèniques de gasos d'efecte hivernacle a l'atmosfera. La refrigeració comercial, basada en sistemes de compressió de vapor, contribueix de manera rellevant a aquest fenomen per l'ús de fluids sintètics com refrigerants i pel consum d'energia elèctrica procedent de combustibles fòssils. Des de l'última dècada del segle XX, els supermercats dels països desenvolupats utilitzen HFCs com fluids de treball, principalment R134a, R404A i R507A. Aquests gasos, d'alt potencial d'escalfament atmosfèric (PCA en castellà), contribueixen al canvi climàtic quan s'escapen accidentalment dels sistemes de refrigeració. D'aquest tipus de sistemes destaquen com a grans emissors de diòxid de carboni les centrals de compressors en paral·lel connectades a sistemes d'expansió directa. El valor màxim de PCA dels HFCs utilitzats en aplicacions de refrigeració i aire condicionat serà controlat per normatives comunitàries, cosa que afectarà directament els fluids utilitzats a la gran majoria de sistemes de refrigeració comercial. Aquesta tesi avalua diferents alternatives de baix PCA per substituir els refrigerants HFC més utilitzats en refrigeració comercial sense oblidar les limitacions imposades per les normatives actuals. Per dur a terme aquest estudi, es revisa l'estat actual dels sistemes de centrals de compressors en paral·lel i els seus fluids. A continuació, s'analitzen les diferents opcions de baix PCA per substituir l'R134a i l'R404A. Els HFOs i les seves mescles amb HFCs com alternatives destaquen per permetre una substitució amb poques modificacions del sistema (propietats similars); R1234yf, R1234ze(E) i R450A són proposats per substituir l'R134a i R448A per l'R404A. Per obtenir una visió general del potencial de l'ús dels diferents fluids alternatius de baix PCA, s'estudia el seu rendiment teòric mitjançant una simulació de les condicions operatives típiques de les centrals de compressors en paral·lel. Per a aquesta simulació s'empra el cicle termodinàmic de compressió de vapor bàsic. Com a conseqüència del bon rendiment mostrat per aquests refrigerants, són assajats en un banc de proves de compressió de vapor. Dels resultats experimentals s'observa que R1234yf i R1234ze(E) no són acceptables des d'un punt de vista energètic com a substitutius directes o amb menors modificacions. Aquests fluids, quan són utilitzats en sistemes de R134a, requereixen modificacions del sistema (més severes en el cas de l'R1234ze(E)) per assolir valors acceptables d'eficiència energètica. D'altra banda, a causa de la gran càrrega necessària en PCRRS, tots dos HFOs podrien presentar problemes en temes de seguretat. Així, mentre que el R450A presenta un valor de PCA de 547, apareix com la millor opció per substituir l'R134a a causa de una eficiència energètica i propietats similars. El cabal màssic i la capacitat frigorífica de l'R450A són lleugerament inferiors en comparació amb les de l'R134a, però d'altra banda, el COP resultant és aproximadament el mateix. Els millors resultats de l'R450A són obtinguts a altes taxes de compressió. Tot i que pot ser obtinguda una eficiència energètica més alta en sistemes de nou disseny, amb només un ajust menor de la vàlvula d'expansió termostàtica, l'R448A mostra valors molt alts de rendiment en sistemes utilitzats amb R404A. Encara que la capacitat frigorífica de l'R448A és menor que la de l'R404A, aquesta barreja de HFCs i HFO pot aconseguir grans reduccions d'emissions de CO2 equivalents, i es per tant es recomanada com a reemplaçament amb menor PCA de l'R404A.Mota Babiloni, A. (2016). ANALYSIS OF LOW GLOBAL WARMING POTENTIAL FLUORIDE WORKING FLUIDS IN VAPOUR COMPRESSION SYSTEMS. EXPERIMENTAL EVALUATION OF COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION ALTERNATIVES [Tesis doctoral]. Universitat Politècnica de València. https://doi.org/10.4995/Thesis/10251/62680TESISPremios Extraordinarios de tesis doctorale

Experimental analysis of a high temperature heat pump prototype with low global warming potential refrigerant R-1336mzz(Z) for heating production above 155 °C

There is an urgent need to reduce fossil fuel dependency on heating processes in many sectors, highlighting industries. Vapour compression heat pumps are the most promising technologies for decarbonisation in high temperature processes. However, a climate-friendly working fluid is required for a sustainable transition. This paper presents one of the first experimental assessments of a high temperature heat pump operating refrigerant with R-1336mzz(Z). This refrigerant is an alternative to R-245fa because it is the only high temperature fluid with low global warming and zero ozone depletion potential. Fifty-one steady-state experiments were performed in a scroll compressor prototype with a liquid-to-suction heat exchanger at production temperatures between 100 and 160 °C and waste heat temperatures between 80 and 118 °C. The main considerations for the experimental campaign have been discussed, such as the control of the operational temperatures, compressor operation and liquid-to-suction heat exchanger influence. The volumetric heating capacity varied between 9.2 and 12.3 kW, and the heating coefficient of performance resulted between 1.9 and 4.4. Considering the working fluid's negligible global warming potential and high system energy performance, all considered carbon emission factors make this solution more climate-friendly than a natural gas boiler

Experimental study of R450A drop-in performance in an R134a small capacity refrigeration unit

The Kigali amendment to the Montreal Protocol has highlighted the hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) phase out as a priority to reduce the future global mean temperature increase. R134a is the most abundant HFC in the atmosphere and therefore it must be substituted using environmentally benign alternatives. In the short term, blends of HFCs and hydrofluoroolefins can replace R134a. This paper experimentally evaluates R450A (GWP of 547), a non-flammable mixture of R1234ze(E) and R134a, in an R134a small capacity refrigeration system. The controlled experimental conditions cover evaporating temperatures from −15 to 12.5 °C and condensing temperature of 25, 30 and 35 °C (36 tests in total for each refrigerant). The experimental results showed that with only a thermostatic expansion valve adjustment the average R450A cooling capacity and COP are 9.9% and 2.9% lower than those measured using R134a. Besides, the observed compressor discharge temperature values of R450A are not greater than that of R134a

Recent investigations in HFCs substitution with lower GWP synthetic alternatives: Focus on energetic performance and environmental impact

egulation (EU) No. 517/2014 (F-gas Regulation) controls the use of HFCs in several applications. This paper reviews the recent investigations performed because of F-gas Regulation, with focus on lower global warming potential (GWP) synthetic alternatives. The GWP limit and the date of prohibition have an influence on the studies found for each application. The major relevance of the studies has been observed on mobile air conditioners for pure hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), possibly caused by the earlier control. Additionally, a great number of studies have been found for stationary refrigeration systems using several mixtures and residential air conditioners using R32. An important number of articles investigate synthetic alternatives for domestic refrigerators given the flammability barriers for hydrocarbons in some countries. Despite higher GWP allowance on cascade supermarket systems, few articles are available on this topic. Given the extent of the current studies and the rate of new refrigerant developments, an increase in studies using the new synthetic mixture is expected in the coming year

Experimental evaluation of R448A as R404A lower-GWP alternative in refrigeration systems

Due to the adoption of EU Regulation No 517/2014, R404A is going to be banned in Europe in most of refrigeration applications, in which is typically used, due to its very high GWP value, 3943. In this paper an experimental comparison between R404A and R448A, a non-flammable alternative with GWP of 1390, is presented. The experimental tests are intended to simulate typical freezing and conservation temperatures and different condensing conditions. Despite cooling capacity of R448A is slightly below that of R404A, R448A energy consumption is even smaller; and R448A COP is higher than that obtained using R404A. Hence, it can be concluded that R448A could be an energy efficient alternative to R404A with a GWP reduction of 70%. Compressor discharge temperature remains at non-dangerous levels.The authors thankfully acknowledge "Ministerio de Educacion, Cultura y Deporte - Gobierno de Espana" (Grant Number FPU12/02841) for supporting this work through "Becas y Contratos de Formacion de Profesorado Universitario del Programa Nacional de Formacion de Recursos Humanos de Investigacion del ejercicio 2012".Mota Babiloni, A.; Navarro Esbrí, J.; Peris, B.; Moles, F.; Verdú Martín, GJ. (2015). Experimental evaluation of R448A as R404A lower-GWP alternative in refrigeration systems. Energy Conversion and Management. 105:756-762. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2015.08.034S75676210

Retrofit of lower GWP alternative R449A into an existing R404A indirect supermarket refrigeration system

R404A is going to be phased out from most of the commercial refrigeration systems due to its high GWP value of 3943. R449A (GWP of 1282) has been proposed to replace R404A with only minor system modifications in supermarkets. This paper presents the measurements of a light retrofit replacement of R404A using R449A in a medium temperature indirect refrigeration system (secondary fluid temperature at the evaporator outlet between −9 and −4 °C). It has been demonstrated that with a slight expansion device adjustment and 4% increase of refrigerant charge, R449A can be used in this refrigeration system designed for R404A because of its suitable thermodynamic properties and acceptable maximum discharge temperature. At a secondary fluid temperature at condenser inlet of 30 °C, the COP of R449A nearly matches that of R404A (both were between 1.9 and 2.2), despite having approximately 13% lower cooling capacity. As a conclusion, attending to the GWP reduction and similar energy performance, it was demonstrated using the TEWI methodology that the use of the recently developed refrigerant R449A in these applications can reduce the total CO2 equivalent emissions of an indirect supermarket refrigeration system designed for R404A refrigerant.This research is funded by the Swedish Refrigeration Cooperation Foundation, KYS (project “Utvärdering av en potentiell R404A-ersättare – fältprov med R449A”) and Swedish Energy Agency (EFFSYS Expand P08) with the support of Bosch Thermoteknik AB, Danfoss Värmepumpar AB, Nibe AB, Nowab, Energi & Kylanalys AB and Svenska Kyltekniska Föreningen

Optimal refrigerant mixture in single-stage high-temperature heat pumps based on a multiparameter evaluation

High-temperature heat pumps (HTHPs) are compression systems that convert residual heat to high-grade heat used in several industrial applications. Refrigerants for HTHPs are still not explored, and most studies consider only pure refrigerants. This study carries out a general screening of binary and ternary mixtures for HTHPs through a multiparameter optimization based on low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants that are feasible for operating at higher temperatures. The proposed methodology considers several parameters such as coefficient of performance, volumetric heating capacity, flammability, GWP, and perfect glide matching. The blends were required to have a critical temperature above 150 °C and to provide high energy performance to diminish the indirect carbon footprint. No ideal mixture was found for every parameter, so a trade-off solution was required. The most critical variable was flammability, reducing the coefficient of performance significantly if the ASHRAE Std 34 A1 restriction had to be fulfilled. Finally, different mixtures are given as the bests based on the main optimizable parameter. The most promising ones which comply with the environmental restriction were R-1233zd(E) and R-1336mzz(Z) based mixtures.Funding for open access charge: CRUE-Universitat Jaume

Influence of operational modes of the internal heat exchanger in an experimental installation using R-450A and R-513A as replacement alternatives for R-134a

This paper presents a first and second law of thermodynamics study using experimental data from a medium capacity refrigeration system using R-450A, R-513A and R-134a as working fluids and an internal heat exchanger (IHX) operating in three different modes: disabled (Off), activated at 38% thermal effectiveness (Middle), and activated at 78% thermal effectiveness, which is the maximum value by design (ON). When the IHX is in the Middle mode, R-513A showed to be the best option and its coefficient of performance (COP) overcomes that of R-450A and R-134a. On the other hand, for temperatures above of −7.5 °C, both R-450A and R-134a reached the highest COP when the ON and Off modes were set, respectively.Regarding the second law study, for the Off and Middle mode, the largest exergy destruction happens in the compressor for the three refrigerants. The influence of the IHX can be observed directly in the increase of the global exergetic efficiency which passes from being 8.7% in Middle mode to 18.3% for the ON mode. Additionally, a reduction of exergy destruction ratio is seen from the Middle mode, 10.6%–22.2% in the ON mode

Using ANNs to approach to the energy performance for a small refrigeration system working with R134a and two alternative lower GWP mixtures

In this paper, an artificial neural network application to model a small refrigeration system is presented. The main objective of this study is an energy comparison of three refrigerants: R134a, R450A and R513A. The application of the artificial neural network was designed to model individually three typical energy parameters: the cooling capacity, the power consumption and the coefficient of performance, as a function of the evaporating temperature and the condensing temperature. Each model was validated using a technique called cross-validation, producing minimum relative errors of for the cooling capacity and the coefficient of performance, while 0.05 for the power consumption. Based on the appropriate validation results, computer simulations were performed to build 3D color surfaces. After inspecting these 3D color surfaces, it was concluded that R450A presented a slightly lower cooling capacity than R134a, actually a 10% reduction in the cooling capacity was estimated. Similar results were observed for the power consumption, that is, R450A had about 10% less power consumption than the other two refrigerants. On the other hand, it was observed that R134a and R513A presented very similar energy behaviors. With respect the COP, it was concluded that all three refrigerants showed a very similar behavior. After the analysis performed with the artificial neural networks and the use of 3D surface color, it was concluded that R450A and R513A are appropriate refrigerants to replace R134a in the short term in applications at medium evaporating temperature

Experimental assessment of R134a and its lower GWP alternative R513A

Lower GWP refrigerants are essential to mitigate the impact of refrigeration systems on climate change. HFO/HFC mixtures are currently considered to replace HFCs in refrigeration and air conditioning systems. The aim of this paper is to present the main operating and performance differences between R513A (GWP of 573) and R134a (GWP of 1300), the most used refrigerants for medium evaporation temperature refrigeration systems and mobile air conditioners. To perform the experimental comparison, 36 tests are carried out with each refrigerant at evaporating temperatures between −15 and 12.5°C and condensing temperatures between 25 and 35°C. The conclusion of the experimental comparison is that R513A can substitute R134a with only a thermostatic expansion valve adjustment, achieving better performance and higher cooling capacity. The discharge temperature of R513A is always lower than that of R134a.The authors thankfully acknowledge the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports, Spain for supporting this work through “Becas y Contratos de Formación de Profesorado Universitario del Programa Nacional de Formación de Recursos Humanos de Investigación del ejercicio 2012 (Grant number FPU12/02841)” and “Ayudas complementarias para beneficiarios de ayudas (FPU): Estancias Breves. Convocatoria 2015 (Grant number EST15/00154)”. This research is also done within the Effsys Expand P08 project that is funded by the Swedish Refrigeration Cooperation Foundation, KYS and Swedish Energy Agency with the support of Bosch Thermoteknik AB, Danfoss Värmepumpar AB, Nibe AB, Nowab, Svensk Energi & Kylanalys AB and Svenska Kyltekniska Föreningen