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Experimental evaluation of two refrigerant mixtures in a breadboard air conditioner

Conference ·
OSTI ID:6912137
An experimental, water-to-water, breadboard heat pump (that is one designed to be easily reconfigured) was constructed for comparison of pure R22 to the refrigerant mixtures R22/R114 and R13/R12. Three evaporator configurations were extensively studied. In all cases the best mixture outperformed R22. The best efficiency with R22/R114 was 32% higher and with R13/R12 was 16% higher than the best efficiency measured with R22. Other observations were, first, that mixtures can take advantage of heat exchangers efficiency that, in a gliding temperature application, a pure refrigerant is incapable of utilizing. Secondly, that heat exchange between the condensed and evaporating refrigerant is beneficial to some mixed refrigerants. Finally, mixtures exhibit nonlinearity of enthalpy versus temperature in the two phase region which has significant impact on both heat exchanger and cycle design. 12 figs.
Research Organization:
Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
DOE Contract Number:
AC05-84OR21400
OSTI ID:
6912137
Report Number(s):
CONF-8804100-1; ON: DE88012933
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English