Theoretical Investigation of Energy-Saving Potential of Eco-Friendly R430A, R440A and R450A Refrigerants in a Domestic Refrigerator

Abstract

This paper presents theoretical investigation of the energy-saving potentials of the eco-friendly R430A, R440A and R450A refrigerant mixtures in a domestic refrigerator. The results showed that R440A refrigerant mixture produced the highest coefficient of performance (COP). The COPs obtained for R430A and R440A were 5.57 and 10.70% higher, respectively, while the COP of R450A was 3.36% lower than that of R134a. All the three investigated alternative refrigerants exhibited low discharge pressure which is highly desirable in refrigeration system. R430A and R440A refrigerants produced higher refrigerating effect and volumetric cooling capacity (VCC) than R450A and R134a refrigerants. The average VCCs of R430A and R440A are 8.75 and 7.24%, respectively, higher than that of R134a, while the value of R450A is 4.77% lower than that of R134a. The results also showed that R430A and R440A are more energy saving than both R450A and R134a in the refrigeration system. The power per ton of refrigeration obtained for R430A and R440A is 5.48 and 10.46% lower, respectively, than the value of R134a, while the value for R450A is 4.62% higher than that of R134a. Generally, R430A and R440A performed better than both R450A and R134a in that they exhibited lower energy consumption per ton of refrigeration, lower discharge pressure, higher refrigerating effect, COP and volumetric cooling capacity than R450A and R134a. The overall best performance is obtained using R440A in the system.