Evaluation of a condenser based on mini-channels technology working with R410A and R32. Experimental data and performance estimate

Abstract In this paper, R32 is investigated as a replacement refrigerant for R410A. The Global Warming Potential (GWP) of R32 is only 675, 32% of that of R410Awhich has a GWP of 2088. Theoretical and experimental investigations are carried out on the performance of the condensation process within a mini-channel tube. Mini-channel heat exchangers technology allows reducing refrigerant charge and lets use flammable refrigerants. Due to the aspect ratio, high heat transfer coefficients are also registered. The experimental data recorded show that, for any given saturation temperature or refrigerant mass velocity, both the heat transfer coefficient and the frictional pressure gradient are always higher for R32. So, a numerical analysis based on the experimental data was developed to determinate which refrigerant performs better. The results of this numerical analysis show that, although at high refrigerant mass velocities R410A performs better, a given heat power can be always achieved with lower mass velocities and thus with a lower compressor power input when using R32. Therefore, it can be concluded that using R32 in a mini-channel condenser reduces the environmental impact and improves the energy efficiency of the system.

[1]  G. Longo,et al.  A review on in-tube two-phase heat transfer of hydro-fluoro-olefines refrigerants , 2016 .

[2]  Satish G. Kandlikar,et al.  Evolution of Microchannel Flow Passages--Thermohydraulic Performance and Fabrication Technology , 2003 .

[3]  Guoliang Ding,et al.  Pressure drop during horizontal flow boiling of R410A/oil mixture in 5 mm and 3 mm smooth tubes , 2009 .

[4]  P. Kew,et al.  Correlations for the prediction of boiling heat transfer in small-diameter channels , 1997 .

[5]  L. Friedel,et al.  Two-phase pressure drop across sudden contractions in duct areas , 1997 .

[6]  Wu Mei,et al.  Cycle performance study of ethyl fluoride in the refrigeration system of HFC-134a , 2014 .

[7]  J. V. C. Vargas,et al.  Modeling, simulation and optimization of a vapor compression refrigeration system dynamic and steady state response , 2015 .

[8]  S. Devotta,et al.  Alternatives to HCFC-22 for air conditioners , 2001 .

[9]  James M. Calm,et al.  The next generation of refrigerants – Historical review, considerations, and outlook , 2008 .

[10]  Julian Winkler,et al.  Void fractions for condensing refrigerant flow in small channels: Part I literature review , 2012 .

[11]  W. Wang,et al.  Flow boiling of ammonia and flow instabilities in mini-channels , 2017 .

[12]  Junming Li,et al.  Experimental investigation of condensation heat transfer and pressure drop of propane, R1234ze(E) and R22 in minichannels , 2016 .

[13]  Hung M. Pham,et al.  R32 And HFOs As Low-GWP Refrigerants For Air Conditioning , 2012 .

[14]  Fernando Illán Gómez,et al.  Heat transfer coefficient during condensation inside a minichannel multiport tube with R32 and R410A as working fluids , 2015 .

[15]  F. Vera-García,et al.  Condensing two-phase pressure drop and heat transfer coefficient of propane in a horizontal multiport mini-channel tube: Experimental measurements , 2016 .

[16]  S. Taira,et al.  R32 As a Solution for Energy Conservation and Low Emission , 2000 .

[17]  Yang Yao,et al.  An experimental and theoretical study on an injection-assisted air-conditioner using R32 in the refrigeration cycle , 2017 .

[18]  F. Vera-García,et al.  Two phase flow pressure drop in multiport mini-channel tubes using R134a and R32 as working fluids , 2015 .

[19]  S. M. Ghiaasiaan,et al.  Pressure drop caused by abrupt flow area changes in small channels , 2005 .

[20]  F. Vera-García,et al.  Experimental two-phase heat transfer coefficient and frictional pressure drop inside mini-channels during condensation with R1234yf and R134a , 2015 .

[21]  Mirza M. Shah,et al.  Prediction of heat transfer during condensation of carbon dioxide in channels , 2016 .

[22]  F. Vera-García,et al.  Experimental condensing two-phase frictional pressure drop inside mini-channels. Comparisons and new model development , 2014 .

[23]  A. Bontemps,et al.  Refrigerant charge in refrigerating systems and strategies of charge reduction , 2008 .

[24]  J. Thome,et al.  Critical heat flux: Performance of R1234yf, R1234ze and R134a in an aluminum multi-minichannel heat sink at high saturation temperatures , 2016 .

[25]  Davide Del Col,et al.  Condensation in a Square Minichannel: Application of the VOF Method , 2014 .

[26]  E. Granryd,et al.  Propane heat pump with low refrigerant charge: design and laboratory tests , 2004 .

[27]  Xianbiao Bu,et al.  Performance characteristics of R1234yf ejector-expansion refrigeration cycle , 2014 .

[28]  G. He,et al.  Experimental investigation on flow boiling heat transfer performance of a new near azeotropic refrigerant mixture R290/R32 in horizontal tubes , 2016 .

[29]  Yongchan Kim,et al.  Performance comparison between R410A and R32 multi-heat pumps with a sub-cooler vapor injection in the heating and cooling modes , 2016 .

[30]  J. Coleman,et al.  Two phase pressure losses of R134a in microchannel tube headers with large free flow area ratios , 2004 .

[31]  Reinhard Radermacher,et al.  Testing, simulation and soft-optimization of R410A low-GWP alternatives in heat pump system , 2015 .

[32]  Pradeep Bansal.  High efficiency novel window air conditioner , 2015 .

[33]  Feng Liu,et al.  An experimental investigation of refrigerant mixture R32/R290 as drop-in replacement for HFC410A in household air conditioners. , 2015 .

[34]  S. Koyama,et al.  Condensation of refrigerants in a multiport tube with rectangular minichannels , 2016 .

[35]  Zhongmin Liu,et al.  Cycle performance of alternative refrigerants for domestic air-conditioning system based on a small finned tube heat exchanger , 2014 .

[36]  Reinhard Radermacher,et al.  Performance comparison of R410A and R32 in vapor injection cycles , 2013 .

[37]  J. Thome,et al.  Experimental study on condensation heat transfer in vertical minichannels for new refrigerant R1234ze(E) versus R134a and R236fa , 2011 .

[38]  Wufeng Jin,et al.  Analysis of Indoor Environment Safety with R32 Leaking from a Running Air Conditioner , 2015 .

[39]  Barry N. Taylor,et al.  Guidelines for Evaluating and Expressing the Uncertainty of Nist Measurement Results , 2017 .

[40]  A. Cavallini,et al.  Update on Condensation Heat Transfer and Pressure Drop inside Minichannels , 2006 .

[41]  A. London,et al.  Compact heat exchangers , 1960 .

[42]  Srinivas Garimella,et al.  Characterization of two-phase flow patterns in small diameter round and rectangular tubes , 1999 .

[43]  J. G. Cascales,et al.  R32 and R410A condensation heat transfer coefficient and pressure drop within minichannel multiport tube. Experimental technique and measurements , 2016 .

[44]  Henrik Madsen,et al.  Load forecasting of supermarket refrigeration , 2014, 1406.5854.