skip to main content
OSTI.GOV title logo U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Title: Model validations for low-global warming potential refrigerants in mini-split air-conditioning units

Abstract

To identify low GWP (global warming potential) refrigerants to replace R-22 and R-410A, extensive experimental evaluations were conducted for multiple candidates of refrigerant at the standard test conditions and at high-ambient conditions with outdoor temperature varying from 27.8 C to 55.0 C.. In the study, R-22 was compared to propane (R-290), DR-3, ARM-20B, N-20B and R-444B in a mini-split air conditioning unit originally designed for R-22; R-410A was compared to R-32, DR-55, ARM-71A, L41-2 (R-447A) in a mini-split unit designed for R-410A. To reveal physics behind the measured performance results, thermodynamic properties of the alternative refrigerants were analysed. In addition, the experimental data was used to calibrate a physics-based equipment model, i.e. ORNL Heat Pump Design Model (HPDM). The calibrated model translated the experimental results to key calculated parameters, i.e. compressor efficiencies, refrigerant side two-phase heat transfer coefficients, corresponding to each refrigerant. As a result, these calculated values provide scientific insights on the performance of the alternative refrigerants and are useful for other applications beyond mini-split air conditioning units.

Authors:
 [1];  [1];  [1]
  1. Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States)
Publication Date:
Research Org.:
Oak Ridge National Lab. (ORNL), Oak Ridge, TN (United States). Building Technologies Research and Integration Center (BTRIC)
Sponsoring Org.:
USDOE Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE)
OSTI Identifier:
1326491
Grant/Contract Number:  
AC05-00OR22725
Resource Type:
Journal Article: Accepted Manuscript
Journal Name:
Science and Technology for the Built Environment
Additional Journal Information:
Journal Volume: 00; Journal Issue: 2374-473; Journal ID: ISSN 2374-4731
Publisher:
Taylor and Francis
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English
Subject:
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES; low-GWP refrigerant; mini-split air conditioning unit; model; high ambient condition

Citation Formats

Shen, Bo, Shrestha, Som, and Abdelaziz, Omar. Model validations for low-global warming potential refrigerants in mini-split air-conditioning units. United States: N. p., 2016. Web. doi:10.1080/23744731.2016.1208538.
Shen, Bo, Shrestha, Som, & Abdelaziz, Omar. Model validations for low-global warming potential refrigerants in mini-split air-conditioning units. United States. https://doi.org/10.1080/23744731.2016.1208538
Shen, Bo, Shrestha, Som, and Abdelaziz, Omar. 2016. "Model validations for low-global warming potential refrigerants in mini-split air-conditioning units". United States. https://doi.org/10.1080/23744731.2016.1208538. https://www.osti.gov/servlets/purl/1326491.
@article{osti_1326491,
title = {Model validations for low-global warming potential refrigerants in mini-split air-conditioning units},
author = {Shen, Bo and Shrestha, Som and Abdelaziz, Omar},
abstractNote = {To identify low GWP (global warming potential) refrigerants to replace R-22 and R-410A, extensive experimental evaluations were conducted for multiple candidates of refrigerant at the standard test conditions and at high-ambient conditions with outdoor temperature varying from 27.8 C to 55.0 C.. In the study, R-22 was compared to propane (R-290), DR-3, ARM-20B, N-20B and R-444B in a mini-split air conditioning unit originally designed for R-22; R-410A was compared to R-32, DR-55, ARM-71A, L41-2 (R-447A) in a mini-split unit designed for R-410A. To reveal physics behind the measured performance results, thermodynamic properties of the alternative refrigerants were analysed. In addition, the experimental data was used to calibrate a physics-based equipment model, i.e. ORNL Heat Pump Design Model (HPDM). The calibrated model translated the experimental results to key calculated parameters, i.e. compressor efficiencies, refrigerant side two-phase heat transfer coefficients, corresponding to each refrigerant. As a result, these calculated values provide scientific insights on the performance of the alternative refrigerants and are useful for other applications beyond mini-split air conditioning units.},
doi = {10.1080/23744731.2016.1208538},
url = {https://www.osti.gov/biblio/1326491}, journal = {Science and Technology for the Built Environment},
issn = {2374-4731},
number = 2374-473,
volume = 00,
place = {United States},
year = {Fri Sep 02 00:00:00 EDT 2016},
month = {Fri Sep 02 00:00:00 EDT 2016}
}

Journal Article:
Free Publicly Available Full Text
Publisher's Version of Record

Citation Metrics:
Cited by: 2 works
Citation information provided by
Web of Science

Save / Share: