Simulation of air-conditioning system components and comparison of performance for three different refrigerants

This paper presents the simulation study of three different refrigerants i.e. R22, R410A and R32 in vapour compression refrigeration system. The available experimental data of R22 was used for air conditioning system capacity of 1.565 ‘TR ’(Ton of Refrigeration). For system simulations the REFPROP and cool pack simulation tool was used. The main objective of selecting the R32 and R410A is to explore the possibility of developing new zero ODP and very low GWP refrigerants an alternative to R22. R22 is HCFC group refrigerant with 0.05 ODP and 1700GWP and R410A with Zero ODP and 2100 GWP which are responsible for environmental impacts. World community has decided to phase-out such refrigerants. R32 is having zero ODP and Very low GWP (650). For simulation, the range of evaporator temperatures was considered from-10°C to +10°C and condenser temperature from 35°C to 65°C. With compare to R22 and R410A refrigerants, the refrigerant R32 yields better coefficient of performance (COP) at higher ambient temperatures. R32 is rising in the refrigeration market because of its better energy efficiency and environmental friendly. The atmospheric life for R22 is 15 years and for R32 is 4.9 years hence R32 has been accepted as safety group refrigerant under the class A2L ASHARE standers.