A Novel Direct-Expansion Radiant Floor System Utilizing Water (R-718) for Cooling and Heating

Alsouda, F; Bennett, NS; Saha, SC; Islam, MS

A Novel Direct-Expansion Radiant Floor System Utilizing Water (R-718) for Cooling and Heating

Alsouda, F Bennett, NS Saha, SC Islam, MS

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Publisher:: MDPI
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Energies, 2024, 17, (17)
Issue Date:: 2024-09-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Alsouda, F
dc.contributor.author	Bennett, NS
dc.contributor.author	Saha, SC
dc.contributor.author	Islam, MS
dc.date.accessioned	2025-02-03T21:32:41Z
dc.date.available	2025-02-03T21:32:41Z
dc.date.issued	2024-09-01
dc.identifier.citation	Energies, 2024, 17, (17)
dc.identifier.issn	1996-1073
dc.identifier.issn	1996-1073
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/184848
dc.description.abstract	While forced-air convective systems remain the predominant method for heating and cooling worldwide, radiant cooling and heating systems are emerging as a more efficient alternative. Current radiant cooling systems primarily rely on hydronic chilled water systems. This study introduces direct-expansion radiant cooling as a novel technique that could enhance the efficiency of radiant cooling and reduce its environmental impact. Water (R-718) has been tested as a refrigerant due to its favorable thermodynamic properties and environmental advantages; however, to the author’s knowledge, it has yet to be tested in direct-expansion radiant cooling. This research investigated several refrigerants, including water (R-718), ammonia (R-717), R-410a, R-32, R-134a, and R-1234yf, for this application. The findings indicate that water demonstrates efficiency comparable to other non-natural refrigerants, making it a promising candidate, given its favorable thermodynamic properties and substantial environmental benefits. Despite challenges such as a high compression ratio necessitating multi-stage compression, a high compressor discharge temperature exceeding 300 °C and requiring specialized blade materials, and a high suction volume flow rate, direct-expansion radiant cooling operates within a different temperature range. Consequently, the compressor discharge temperature can be reduced to 176 °C, and the compression ratio can be lowered to approximately 3.5, making water a more viable refrigerant option for this application.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	MDPI
dc.relation.ispartof	Energies
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.3390/en17174520
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	02 Physical Sciences, 09 Engineering
dc.subject.classification	33 Built environment and design
dc.subject.classification	40 Engineering
dc.subject.classification	51 Physical sciences
dc.title	A Novel Direct-Expansion Radiant Floor System Utilizing Water (R-718) for Cooling and Heating
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	17
utslib.for	02 Physical Sciences
utslib.for	09 Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Engineering and Information Technology/School of Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/UTS Groups/Centre for Advanced Manufacturing (CAM)
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2025-02-03T21:32:39Z
pubs.issue	17
pubs.publication-status	Published
pubs.volume	17
utslib.citation.issue	17

Abstract:

While forced-air convective systems remain the predominant method for heating and cooling worldwide, radiant cooling and heating systems are emerging as a more efficient alternative. Current radiant cooling systems primarily rely on hydronic chilled water systems. This study introduces direct-expansion radiant cooling as a novel technique that could enhance the efficiency of radiant cooling and reduce its environmental impact. Water (R-718) has been tested as a refrigerant due to its favorable thermodynamic properties and environmental advantages; however, to the author’s knowledge, it has yet to be tested in direct-expansion radiant cooling. This research investigated several refrigerants, including water (R-718), ammonia (R-717), R-410a, R-32, R-134a, and R-1234yf, for this application. The findings indicate that water demonstrates efficiency comparable to other non-natural refrigerants, making it a promising candidate, given its favorable thermodynamic properties and substantial environmental benefits. Despite challenges such as a high compression ratio necessitating multi-stage compression, a high compressor discharge temperature exceeding 300 °C and requiring specialized blade materials, and a high suction volume flow rate, direct-expansion radiant cooling operates within a different temperature range. Consequently, the compressor discharge temperature can be reduced to 176 °C, and the compression ratio can be lowered to approximately 3.5, making water a more viable refrigerant option for this application.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/184848