Exergy and energy analysis of low GWP refrigerants in the perspective of replacement of HFC-134a in a home refrigerator

Abstract

The present work focusses on comparison of several low Global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants in search of possible alternatives to a refrigerant HFC-134a of a home refrigerator without any modifications. A computational mathematical model is developed and thermodynamic analysis has been carried out to investigate the influence of Evaporator temperature on the performance characteristics like Volumetric Cooling Capacity (VCC), Compressor power consumption, COP, and Compressor discharge temperature at two different Condenser temperatures (25°C and 45°C). By exergy analysis Exergetic efficiency, Exergy destruction ratio, and Efficiency defect across different components of the Vapour compression refrigeration system are also evaluated. Comparison is made between different refrigerants mentioned above. Results obtained revealed that the refrigerants HFO- 1234yf and HFC-152a can be a good replacement of HFC-134a refrigerant without any modifications. Condenser and Liquid suction heat exchanger (LSHX) have the highest and the lowest Efficiency defect respectively, among all the system components of a home refrigerator.