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Title: Refrigerator-freezer energy testing with alternative refrigerants

Abstract

As a result of the Montreal Protocol (UNEP 1987) that limits the production of ozone-depleting refrigerants, manufacturers are searching for alternatives to replace the R12 that is presently used in residential refrigerator-freezers. Before an alternative can be selected, several issues must resolved. Among these are energy impacts, system compatibility, cost, and availability, In an effort to determine the energy impacts of some of the alternatives, energy consumption tests were performed in accordance with section 8 of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) standard for household refrigerators and household freezers (AHAM 1985). The results are presented for an 18 ft{sup 3} (0.51 m{sup 3}), top mount refrigerators-freezer with a static condenser using the following refrigerants: R 12, R500, R12/dimethylether (DME), R22/R142b, and R134a. Conclusions from the AHAM test are that R500 and R12/DME have a reduced energy consumption relative to R12 when replaced in the test unit with no modifications to the refrigeration system. Run times were slightly lower than R12 for both refrigerants, indicating a higher capacity. While the R134a and R22/R142b results were less promising (6.8% and 8.5% higher energy consumption, respectively), changes to the refrigeration system, such as a different capillary tube or compressor, may improve theirmore » performance. It is noted that the test results are only an initial step in determining a replacement for R12.« less

Authors:
 [1]; ;
  1. Oak Ridge National Lab., Oak Ridge, TN (US)
Publication Date:
OSTI Identifier:
5770727
Report Number(s):
CONF-890609-
Journal ID: ISSN 0001-2505; CODEN: ASHTA
Resource Type:
Conference
Journal Name:
ASHRAE Transactions (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers); (USA)
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 95, Part 2; Conference: 1989 ASHRAE annual meeting, Vancouver (Canada), 25-28 Jun 1989; Journal ID: ISSN 0001-2505
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION; FREEZERS; TESTING; REFRIGERATORS; CONDENSERS; ENERGY EFFICIENCY; REFRIGERANTS; STANDARDS; EFFICIENCY; FLUIDS; WORKING FLUIDS; 320106* - Energy Conservation, Consumption, & Utilization- Building Equipment- (1987-)

Citation Formats

Sand, J R, Vineyard, E A, and Sand, J R. Refrigerator-freezer energy testing with alternative refrigerants. United States: N. p., 1989. Web.
Sand, J R, Vineyard, E A, & Sand, J R. Refrigerator-freezer energy testing with alternative refrigerants. United States.
Sand, J R, Vineyard, E A, and Sand, J R. 1989. "Refrigerator-freezer energy testing with alternative refrigerants". United States.
@article{osti_5770727,
title = {Refrigerator-freezer energy testing with alternative refrigerants},
author = {Sand, J R and Vineyard, E A and Sand, J R},
abstractNote = {As a result of the Montreal Protocol (UNEP 1987) that limits the production of ozone-depleting refrigerants, manufacturers are searching for alternatives to replace the R12 that is presently used in residential refrigerator-freezers. Before an alternative can be selected, several issues must resolved. Among these are energy impacts, system compatibility, cost, and availability, In an effort to determine the energy impacts of some of the alternatives, energy consumption tests were performed in accordance with section 8 of the Association of Home Appliance Manufacturers (AHAM) standard for household refrigerators and household freezers (AHAM 1985). The results are presented for an 18 ft{sup 3} (0.51 m{sup 3}), top mount refrigerators-freezer with a static condenser using the following refrigerants: R 12, R500, R12/dimethylether (DME), R22/R142b, and R134a. Conclusions from the AHAM test are that R500 and R12/DME have a reduced energy consumption relative to R12 when replaced in the test unit with no modifications to the refrigeration system. Run times were slightly lower than R12 for both refrigerants, indicating a higher capacity. While the R134a and R22/R142b results were less promising (6.8% and 8.5% higher energy consumption, respectively), changes to the refrigeration system, such as a different capillary tube or compressor, may improve their performance. It is noted that the test results are only an initial step in determining a replacement for R12.},
doi = {},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/5770727}, journal = {ASHRAE Transactions (American Society of Heating, Refrigerating and Air-Conditioning Engineers); (USA)},
issn = {0001-2505},
number = ,
volume = 95, Part 2,
place = {United States},
year = {Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989},
month = {Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989}
}

Conference:
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