Exploring Low-Global Warming Potential Refrigerants for Medium-Charge Systems

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

Exploring Low-Global Warming Potential Refrigerants for Medium-Charge Systems

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

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Publisher:: WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Energy Technology, 2025
Issue Date:: 2025-01-01

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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	2025-07-25T01:49:14Z
dc.date.available	2025-07-25T01:49:14Z
dc.date.issued	2025-01-01
dc.identifier.citation	Energy Technology, 2025
dc.identifier.issn	2194-4288
dc.identifier.issn	2194-4296
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/188731
dc.description.abstract	The rising global warming potential (GWP) of refrigerants, particularly R-410A and R-134a, has driven the urgent need for environmentally friendly alternatives in cooling and heating systems. While low-GWP refrigerants are increasingly available for large and small refrigerant charge systems, a significant gap remains in identifying viable replacements for medium-charge applications, particularly in high and moderate climate conditions. This study addresses this critical gap by evaluating 15 lower GWP refrigerant options, including hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), hydrochlorofluoroolefins (HCFOs), and hydrocarbons (HCs). The analysis focuses on their direct and indirect environmental impacts, ease of design integration, operational parameters such as capacity and efficiency, and economic feasibility. A novel aspect of this work is including internal heat exchanger performance as a function of refrigerant properties, offering unique insights into how system design can influence cycle efficiency. Key findings reveal that while several refrigerants can effectively replace R-410A in chiller applications, variable refrigerant flow systems present greater challenges due to performance and safety considerations. R-447A exhibits superior performance in standard ambient conditions among the studied refrigerants, whereas R-454B is better suited for high ambient environments. Additionally, refrigerants such as R-1233zde, R-1234yf, R-1234zee, R-1234zez, R-1243zf, and R-1336mzz(Z) demonstrate significantly lower total environmental weighted impact compared to R-410A, emphasizing their potential for reducing environmental harm. This study advances the current understanding of medium-charge refrigerant applications, providing actionable insights for researchers, policymakers, and manufacturers navigating the transition away from high-GWP HFCs.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	WILEY-V C H VERLAG GMBH
dc.relation.ispartof	Energy Technology
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1002/ente.202402333
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject	0904 Chemical Engineering, 0906 Electrical and Electronic Engineering, 0912 Materials Engineering
dc.subject.classification	4008 Electrical engineering
dc.title	Exploring Low-Global Warming Potential Refrigerants for Medium-Charge Systems
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.for	0904 Chemical Engineering
utslib.for	0906 Electrical and Electronic Engineering
utslib.for	0912 Materials 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	2025-07-25T01:49:12Z
pubs.publication-status	Published

Abstract:

The rising global warming potential (GWP) of refrigerants, particularly R-410A and R-134a, has driven the urgent need for environmentally friendly alternatives in cooling and heating systems. While low-GWP refrigerants are increasingly available for large and small refrigerant charge systems, a significant gap remains in identifying viable replacements for medium-charge applications, particularly in high and moderate climate conditions. This study addresses this critical gap by evaluating 15 lower GWP refrigerant options, including hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), hydrochlorofluoroolefins (HCFOs), and hydrocarbons (HCs). The analysis focuses on their direct and indirect environmental impacts, ease of design integration, operational parameters such as capacity and efficiency, and economic feasibility. A novel aspect of this work is including internal heat exchanger performance as a function of refrigerant properties, offering unique insights into how system design can influence cycle efficiency. Key findings reveal that while several refrigerants can effectively replace R-410A in chiller applications, variable refrigerant flow systems present greater challenges due to performance and safety considerations. R-447A exhibits superior performance in standard ambient conditions among the studied refrigerants, whereas R-454B is better suited for high ambient environments. Additionally, refrigerants such as R-1233zde, R-1234yf, R-1234zee, R-1234zez, R-1243zf, and R-1336mzz(Z) demonstrate significantly lower total environmental weighted impact compared to R-410A, emphasizing their potential for reducing environmental harm. This study advances the current understanding of medium-charge refrigerant applications, providing actionable insights for researchers, policymakers, and manufacturers navigating the transition away from high-GWP HFCs.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/188731