Comparative analysis of HFO-1234ze(E) and R-515B as low GWP alternatives to HFC-134a in moderately high temperature heat pumps

Abstract

This article provides a theoretical energy performance and carbon footprint analysis of the hydrofluoroolefin HFO-1234ze(E) and the mixture R-515B as low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants to replace the hydrofluorocarbon HFC-134a in different heat pump applications. The reference configuration is a single-stage cycle with an internal heat exchanger (IHX). In this way, the impact of the IHX on medium and moderately high temperature heating applications has been investigated. HFO-1234ze(E) and R-515B result in approx. 25% lower heating capacity than HFC-134a due to a diminution of the latent heat of vaporisation and suction density. The heating capacity difference between HFO-1234ze(E) and R-515B remains below 2%. The heating coefficient of performance (COP) of the alternative low GWP refrigerants is comparable to that of the HFC-134a at the proposed conditions. The environmental analysis illustrates that HFO-1234ze(E) and R-515B can reduce down to 18% and 15%, respectively, the equivalent CO2 emissions compared to HFC-134a in low-temperature space heating applications. In addition, this reduction arrive at 78% when compared to a natural gas boiler, considered as the conventional heating technology in moderately high temperature applications (domestic hot water, industrial processes, and radiators). Although HFO-1234ze(E) and R-515B present comparable energy and environmental performance, the latter refrigerant has an advantage in regard to installation safety requirements as a non-flammable refrigerant (A1).