19th Brazilian Congress of Thermal Sciences and Engineering

November 06th-10th, 2022, Bento Gonçalves - RS - Brazil

ENC-2022-0665
COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS OF ENERGY EFFICIENCY BETWEEN A
MIXTURE (50% ISOBUTANE AND 50% PROPANE) IN RELATION TO R-
410A FLUID

Domingos Sávio Tavares Mendes Junior¹

Eraldo Cruz dos Santos¹
Diego Felipe Boneterre Miranda¹
Mauro Rafael Rodrigues Paixão¹
Caio Luiz de Carvalho Macedo¹
Carlisson Arnaud de Azevedo¹
1UniversidadeFederal do Pará, R. Augusto Corrêa, 01 - Guamá, Belém - PA, 66075-110,
savioxcape@hotmail.com; eraldocs@ufpa.br; diegoboneterre@gmail.com; mauro.paixão@itec.ufpa.br;
caio.macedo07@hotmail.com; carlisson.azevedo@gmail.com

Abstract This work aims to study the energy efficiency and cost-effectiveness of the application of a mixture of
hydrocarbons with 50% propane (R-290) and 50% isobutane (R-600a), in split inverter air conditioners, to the
detriment of the refrigerant fluid R-410a, which is a hydrochlorofluorocarbon – HCFC. This is because the R-410a
refrigerant fluid will have its worldwide production discontinued from 2024 onwards, requiring a replacement fluid
that meets the criteria of lower environmental impact, better energy efficiency, which is safe for residential operation
and has the best cost benefit. The study was carried out through tests carried out on a didactic test bench in air
conditioning with a hot and cold inverter system, located at the Climatization and Thermal Comfort Laboratory -
ClimatConT, of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering – FEM, of the Federal University of Pará – UFPA. In this
circuit, the refrigerant R-410a was first injected into a 9,000 BTU/h inverter air conditioner, and thus, the
thermodynamic data presented at certain points of the system, throughout the test, in a time interval of 10 in 10
minutes, for a period of 4 uninterrupted hours. The same method was done when injecting the hydrocarbon mixture
into the bench. After obtaining the data of both fluids, the average of each one of them was taken, and through the
REFPROP program, the enthalpies of the respective refrigerants were found, being able to later calculate the ideal
and real coefficient of performance of each mixture. From that point on, the comparison between them began, verifying
the energy efficiency, the consumption of electric energy with the application of one of the gases and the cost benefit,
through the net present value – NPV, of the use of the mixture of Hydrocarbons. What was expected was to determine,
from the test parameters, the best mixture for residential air conditioning, within the internationally used safety
parameters. Therefore, it was realized that the mixture of 50% of R-600a and 50% of R-290 is the best choice as a
refrigerant fluid for a 9000 BTU/h split type air conditioner. With the end of the study, this research proved to be an
additional contribution to the tendency to use natural gases in detriment of synthetic gases.

Keywords: hydrocarbons, air conditioning, refrigerants, energy efficiency, safety.

1. INTRODUCTION

With technological advances, man has managed to condition certain artificial climates for his thermal comfort. Air
conditioning devices such as coolers, heaters, air humidifiers, among others, are examples of devices that achieve this
goal. Focusing on air conditioners, we can visualize their use; uniting the function of the three equipment’s mentioned
above, in a single device.
In the 70s-80s, the use of R-12 gas (commonly known as Freon-12) was common. However, in the course of the
“80s”, research confirmed the harmfulness of this fluid in relation to the ozone layer. Which its deterioration caused
climate changes, which are raising the average temperature on the planet. Based on this aspect, measures began to be
discussed and put into practice, as was the case of the Montreal Protocol, of 1986, that determines the reduction of
substances harmful to the ozone layer.
Domingos Sávio Tavares Mendes Junior, Eraldo Cruz dos Santos, Diego Felipe Boneterre Miranda, Mauro Rafael Rodrigues Paixão,
Caio Luiz de Carvalho Macedo, Carlisson Arnaud de Azevedo
Comparative Analysis of Energy Efficiency Between a Mixture (50% Isobutane and 50% Propane) in Relation to R-410a Fluid

In this scenario, it is evident the importance of choosing the refrigerant gas for the operation in the air conditioning
system. It is notorious, the relevance that there is in the commercial, industrial and even residential sectors, for these
devices. Therefore, investments in new technologies that can increase energy efficiency, reducing the cost of operation,
in addition to avoiding the use of harmful refrigerant gases to the ozone layer and to human beings, is a very important
aspect in this scenario.
In view of the presented scenario, it was decided to carry out a research that evaluates the behavior and energy
efficiency of the fluid mixture (50% of R-600a and 50% of R-290) comparing it with the fluid R-410a operating in a
Split system. Therefore, data collection was carried out through testing on the test bench of the air conditioning
laboratory and computer simulation and mathematical modeling were carried out, so that, finally, the coefficient of
performance (COP) of the mixture of hydrocarbons and analyzed its use as a substitute for R-410a.

2. CONTEXTUALIZATION

Refrigerants are largely responsible for the exchange of heat in a refrigeration and air conditioning system.
Possessing an excellent endothermic factor, these products act as a system cooler, reducing the temperature of the
ambient air when it comes into contact with the evaporator coil, which is subsequently returned at a low temperature to
the desired environment cooling.
Currently, it is desired to find refrigerant fluids that act efficiently in the air conditioning system, but that do not
cause a burden on the environment, especially the ozone layer. The first gases used with the objective of climatizing
environments degrade the ozone layer, and, consequently, contribute to the increase in the average temperature of the
earth, converging with the “greenhouse effect”. However, with subsequent studies on the importance of coexistence
between the ecosystem and the survival of the human race, an attempt was made to eliminate the use of these products.
According to Santos et. al., (2020), the gradual elimination of chlorofluorocarbon compounds (CFCs) in the last 30
years has yielded satisfactory results, as can be seen in the monitoring of satellite data in the Earth's stratosphere.
However, according to scientists, the full recovery of the ozone layer could still take six decades.
In the coming years, it is necessary to have a replacement for refrigerants that, currently, still have a high potential
for degrading the ozone layer – ODP and a high global warming potential – GWP, as is the case with R-410a.
An alternative to this substitution of R-410a can be found in the correct use of natural fluids that are normally based
on hydrocarbons, such as ammonia and carbon dioxide.
Synthetic refrigerants are largely composed of CFCs and HCFCs, and the blends are mainly composed of
hydrofluorocarbons – HFCs.
Another alternative for replacement is the use of Hydrofluorolefins – HFOs refrigerants, but the low production still
imposes high purchase and sale costs on HFOs.

2.1. R-22 Refrigerant

It is a colorless refrigerant fluid that was widely used in refrigerators, air conditioners and liquid coolers in the early
20th century. Its physical and chemical capabilities, added to its volumetric efficiency, result in excellent performance in
low and medium capacity systems. As a result, R-22 was one of the most commonly used refrigerants in air
conditioners.
According to Santos et. al., (2020) CFCs are refrigerant fluids whose chemical compositions are formed by the
elements Chlorine, Fluorine and Carbon, as an example, there are commercial fluids used in air conditioning and
refrigeration: R-11, R-12, R-113, R-114, R-115, R-502, etc.
All CFC-type refrigerants are ASHRAE safety rated as A1, i.e. non-toxic or flammable.
The lifetime (permanence in the atmosphere) of CFCs in the atmosphere varies from 60 to 540 years, causing high
depletion of the ozone layer. Most CFCs have an ozone depletion potential (ODP) index between 0.6 and 1.
However, these products have many disadvantages for nature and people. Depending on the specifications, the
substance is hazardous to the environment and flammable. In addition, when in contact with the skin, it can cause
irritation and, if inhaled, can cause suffocation (ADIAS, 2021).

2.2. R-410a Refrigerant Fluid

According to Santos et. al., (2020) in Hydrofluorocarbons - HFCs all chlorine atoms are replaced by hydrogen
atoms, as an example we have the refrigerants R-134a, R-404a, R-407c, R-410a, etc.
As there are no chlorine atoms in HFCs, they do not deplete the ozone layer, that is, the ODP is zero.
It is estimated that HFCs are expected to become the most used refrigerants in air conditioning systems in the
coming decades.
R-410a refrigerant is a quasi-azeotropic mixture of HFC compounds developed as a substitute. It is the natural
successor to R-22 in new air conditioning systems. Positive evaporation temperatures (Santos et. al., 2020 apud GREE,
2021).
 19th Brazilian Congress of Thermal Sciences and Engineering
November 06th-10th, 2022, Bento Gonçalves, RS, Brazil

This gas is the preferred choice, internationally, for use in new air conditioning and heating equipment. Being able
to work under high pressures and only with POE synthetic oil. The great advantage of R-410a is its superior cooling
capacity, which can be 50% higher than that of R-22.

2.3. R-600a Refrigerant Fluid

The refrigerant R-600a (isobutane) is a colorless and odorless HC hydrocarbon, it can be used in place of R-12, R-
22 and R-134a in applications with wide temperature ranges. Considered as a natural refrigerant, it can be used neat or
mixed with other HFCs, replacing other chlorofluorocarbons. Furthermore, it can also be used in installations of new
equipment and for installations to be converted (TAZZETTI, 2021).
However, due to the high capacity of solubility in lubricants, precautions are needed so that the equipment
compressor is not damaged, which happens in many cases. In addition, isobutane also has characteristics of high
flammability and toxicity, requiring greater safety in the equipment in which it operates (MONTEIRO, 2020).
R-600a is also an ASHAE A3 safety rated refrigerant with the same safety requirements outlined in the IEC 60335-
2-40 standard (2018). Where high toxicity and flammability are found.

2.4. R-290 Refrigerant Fluid

Refrigerant R-290 (propane) is a colorless, odorless HC hydrocarbon used as a successor to R-22 over a wide
temperature range. Seen as a natural refrigerant, it can be used neat or mixed with other HFCs, replacing other
chlorofluorocarbons (TAZZETTI, 2021).
In addition, it can be used in new equipment installations or replacing other refrigerants in different equipment.
Widely accepted in commercial refrigeration, the pressure levels and refrigeration capacity values of R-290 are similar
to R-32.
The ASHRAE safety classification of R-290 is A3, that is, it has high flammability with high toxicity, and,
according to the IEC 60.335-2-40 standard (2018), the safe application of this fluid in air conditioning systems must
have its concentration, in an enclosure, measured by the Lower Flammability Limit – LFL, whose density value must be
below 1.2 kg/m3.

2.5. Refrigerants Blends

They are fluids from the mixture of other refrigerants, as in the case of R-410a, which is composed of the gases R-
32 (50%) and R-125 (50%) (FRIGOCENTER, 2021).
The idea of using refrigerant blends is to combine the desirable characteristics of pure gases in a single mixture of
refrigerants. Its behavior may be azeotropic or non-azeotropic (FRIGOCENTER, 2021).
This type of fluid has stood out due to the phase-out of pure halogenated refrigerants. Since the amount of pure
fluids that have the appropriate characteristics for the replacement of halogenates is insufficient, it was decided to use a
mixture of refrigerants, which can provide the adjustment of properties, adapting the most desirable ones.

2.6. The Coefficient of Performance – COP

The coefficient of performance – COP of the air conditioning cycle can be assimilated as being, how efficient the air
conditioning system is in transforming the thermal load.
The COP can be reached by the refrigeration capacity – , that is, the amount of heat that can be removed from the
environment to be air-conditioned, by the compressor power – or cycle work, which must be provided to the air
conditioning system, for the removal of the same amount of heat. Therefore, it can be expressed by Equation (1):

As the mass flow rate of the system – is constant throughout the cycle; the mass flow rate can be eliminated from
the equation. Therefore, the COP of the cycle can be expressed by Equation (2):

Where, h1 = specific enthalpy at the compressor inlet; in kJ/kg; h2 = specific enthalpy at the compressor outlet; in
kJ/kg and h4 = specific enthalpy at the evaporator inlet, in kJ/kg.
Domingos Sávio Tavares Mendes Junior, Eraldo Cruz dos Santos, Diego Felipe Boneterre Miranda, Mauro Rafael Rodrigues Paixão,
Caio Luiz de Carvalho Macedo, Carlisson Arnaud de Azevedo
Comparative Analysis of Energy Efficiency Between a Mixture (50% Isobutane and 50% Propane) in Relation to R-410a Fluid

2.7. REFPROP

REFPROP is software that is based on accurate pure fluids and currently available mixing models. It implements
some mathematical models for the thermodynamic properties of pure fluids. The explicit energy equation of state of
Helmholtz is an example of these equations. It is equivalent to the thermodynamic potential which is defined as the
internal energy of the system minus the product of temperature times the entropy of the system (THERMAL-
ENGINEERING, 2021).
The calculation base employs a model that applies mixing rules to the Helmholtz energy of the mixing components;
using an initial function to explain the ideal mix output. Viscosity and thermal conductivity are modeled either with
liquid-specific correlations, an ECS method, or through the friction theory method. Property templates can also be
accessed by other applications (such as spreadsheets) through the use of a dynamic-link library (DLL) (SOFTWARE,
2021).
As this software offers a wide range of equations and specialized functions, suitable for solving thermodynamic
problems and in heat and mass transfer, it proves to be an excellent engineering tool for professionals and students
working in this area.

3. MATERIALS AND METHODS

To obtain experimental data on the COP of refrigerants and their potencies, the use of the ClimatConT space at
UFPA was chosen. However, the thermal load of this space was disregarded, as the environment was conditioned at a
temperature of 25 °C, for a pressure of 101.325 kPa and the only way observed was the test bench as a system.
On the test bench, the refrigerant fluids HFC R-410a and the hydrocarbons R-600a and R-290 were sequentially
applied to perform the analysis of the performance of the air conditioner with the fluids, as shown in Figure 1, which
shows the ClimatConT test bench:

(a) (b)

Figure 1. UFPA ClimatConT test bench: (a) test bench components and (b) sealing check of the sealed assembly
using nitrogen and a vacuum pump.

To start the experiment, it was first observed if the system was sealed (closed), shown in Figure 1, since it was in
this condition, the manometer was connected with the nitrogen bottle (Figure 1) to pressurize the system, with the aid of
a vacuum pump.
After this step, the “vacuum break” was performed, which means that the system was repressurized with nitrogen, to
remove any possible moisture that may have remained. The vacuum is then redone.
After verifying that the sealed set of the air conditioner on the test bench is really under vacuum and without any
trace of moisture in the air, the R-410a refrigerant charge is applied, which was initially used in an amount of 650 g,
according to the manufacturer's instructions.
However, it was found that under this amount of gas, the system could not operate in its ideal state, its pressure
being lower than its saturation pressure. With the help of an electronic scale, the applied mass of refrigerant fluid to the
system was increased, which culminated in a total application of 860 g of R-410a on the bench.
Upon arrival at this time, the 5-point thermometer sensors can be installed on the test bench. The arrangement of the
sensors followed the following order:
 19th Brazilian Congress of Thermal Sciences and Engineering
November 06th-10th, 2022, Bento Gonçalves, RS, Brazil

 Sensor 1: Evaporator outlet temperature;

 Sensor 2: Return air temperature;
 Sensor 3: Suction temperature (between the evaporator and the compressor) (T 1, h1);
 Sensor 4: Temperature between the condenser and the expansion valve (T 3, h3);
 Sensor 5: Discharge temperature (between compressor and condenser) (T 2, h2).

Finally, after preparing the system for the test, its analysis was carried out. The acquisition of data during its
operation was made based on the values presented, every 10 minutes in a total period of 4 hours, in the five
thermometer sensors, in the suction and discharge vessel pressure gauges, respectively, and in the countertop electrical
current meter clock.
With the test bench ready for measurement, and the temperature selected for the air conditioner to provide during
the test was 18 °C, all data observed in the test were recorded in graphs which are located in the results part. The
experiment started at 10 am, and the bench was turned on at 9:57 am.
At the end of this first test carried out with the R-410a fluid, the gas collection process began, given that its disposal
into the environment is illegal. The method used to collect the refrigerant fluid consists of the following steps:
 Preparation of the gas collector;
 Preparation of the balance and the bottle;
 Connect the pressure gauge to the low side of the simulator;
 Connect the manometer to the collector;
 Connect the collector to the storage bottle;
 Monitor the mass increase in the storage bottle using the scale.

After the process of removing the gas from the test system, the procedure of applying fluid on the bench was redone,
however this new application was performed for the mixture (50% R-610a and 50% R-290).
In the case of a blend in the proportions of 50 – 50%, it was necessary to find the amount of mass of the refrigerants
so that the system could operate based on the value of the saturation pressure of the mixture, according to the
REFPROP software, in Table 1 are values are displayed:

Table 1. Mixture saturation pressure (REFPROP).

Temperature Pressure
°C K kPa Psi
0 273,15 254,01 36,8410
5 278,15 300,17 43,5359
10 283,15 352,41 51,1127

Based on the temperature range from 0 to 10 °C, which is equivalent to the ideal temperature for system operation,
and the respective saturation pressures for them, R-600a and R-290 gases were applied.
Knowing which pressure range should work; we sought to insert into the system a quantity of these refrigerants that,
during the test on the bench, operated within this range.
Table 2 shows the amounts of masses that were injected until a working operation was obtained within the
acceptable pressure range for the mixture.

Table 2. Amounts in grams of mass applied to the system.

Mass in grams of R-600a Mass in grams of R-290

50 100
110 60
140 140
60 60
40 40

The total amount of applied mass of R-600a and R-290 were both 400 g. Therefore, the total mass of the mixture
injected on the test bench was 800 g. It is important to note that the amounts of mass were verified by subtracting the
initial mass of the refrigerants, which were for R-600a and R-290, respectively: 680 g and 610 g.
However, it is important to emphasize that to meet the safety requirements in the use of hydrocarbon fluids, the total
mass of refrigerant fluid in blend placed in the air conditioner is below the recommended value of the IEC 60.335-2-40
standard (2018).
Domingos Sávio Tavares Mendes Junior, Eraldo Cruz dos Santos, Diego Felipe Boneterre Miranda, Mauro Rafael Rodrigues Paixão,
Caio Luiz de Carvalho Macedo, Carlisson Arnaud de Azevedo
Comparative Analysis of Energy Efficiency Between a Mixture (50% Isobutane and 50% Propane) in Relation to R-410a Fluid

The test performed with this blend was the same performed with R-410a. And at the end of this experiment, the
same fluid collection process was done, storing the mixture in a single container.
After collecting data during the tests on the bench, the temperatures obtained by the sensors of the five-point
thermometer were averaged and applied to the REFPROP software, so that it made the calculations and resulted in the
enthalpies of the system.
When knowing the specific enthalpies, we use them in Equation (1), which corresponds to the ideal and real COP.

4. RESULTS

4.1. Energy Efficiency

Based on the previously adopted methodology, graphic information was obtained, which will be presented in the
following images.
For the first refrigerant analyzed, R-410a, Figure 2 shows its performance obtained by thermometer and manometer
sensors. In Figure 2 the measurements were based on an interval of 10 in 10 minutes.

Figure 2. Thermal behavior of the R-410a, verified by the five-point thermometer.

From Figure 2, a relatively constant pattern can be observed for the values of temperatures recorded with the five-
point thermometer, demonstrating that during the experiment there was stability both in the environment in which the
bench was located and in the operation of the device. With R-410a refrigerant.
Regarding the refrigerant mixture (50% R-600a and 50% R-290), Figure 3 shows its performance during the test.
The methodology adopted in this experiment was the same used in the case of the R-410a refrigerant, including
repeating the time of activation of the bench and the moment when the analysis started.

Figure 3. Thermal behavior of the mixture verified by the five-point thermometer.

 19th Brazilian Congress of Thermal Sciences and Engineering
November 06th-10th, 2022, Bento Gonçalves, RS, Brazil

In contrast to the previous fluid which had some stability during the test, in the mixture of hydrocarbons there are
inconsistencies during the experiment.
Figure 3 shows the irregularities in the functioning of the system, these variations in the COP value were caused by
the mixture, given that the environment was previously conditioned as in the test carried out earlier.
With the record of the performance of both refrigerants, Table 3 could be elaborated, in which it presents the
average values of current, temperature and pressure obtained in the tests.

Table 3. Average of the data collected during the tests.

Average of the
Average R-410a
Blend
Current - I (A) 3,391 1,881
Temperature sensor - S1 (°C) 8,937 15,867
Temperature sensor - S2 (°C) 25,929 25,133
Temperature sensor - S3 (°C) 7,079 16,312
Temperature sensor - S4 (°C) 30,695 24,187
Temperature sensor - S5 (°C) 34,645 40,279
Saturation pressure in the suction pipe – pSS (kPa) 799,792 304,583
Saturation pressure in the discharge pipe – pSD (kPa) 1902,083 822,083
Saturation temperature in the suction pipe – TSS (°C) 2,167 - 19,292
Saturation temperature in the discharge pipe – TSD (°C) 32 3,458

With the parameters in Table 3 and the refrigerant in question, the enthalpies can be determined with the help of the
REFPROP software, as shown in Table 4.

Table 4. R-410a enthalpies found by the REFPROP software.

R-410a
S3 = h1 423,266 kJ/kg
S5 = h2 432,65 kJ/kg
S4 = h3 = h4 249,53 kJ/kg

Through thermodynamic calculations, the real value of the COPs of the fluids was arrived at. The following
methodology was followed, where it was first necessary to find the power of the equipment, and then the mass flow of
the mixtures worked, in order to calculate the refrigeration capacity, to determine the real COP of the refrigerant gases.
Based on the data obtained after observing the behavior of the electric current on the test bench during the
experiments with the gases in question, as shown in Figure 4, the average of the respective fluids was calculated.

Figure 4. Behavior of the electrical current during the tests.

Domingos Sávio Tavares Mendes Junior, Eraldo Cruz dos Santos, Diego Felipe Boneterre Miranda, Mauro Rafael Rodrigues Paixão,
Caio Luiz de Carvalho Macedo, Carlisson Arnaud de Azevedo
Comparative Analysis of Energy Efficiency Between a Mixture (50% Isobutane and 50% Propane) in Relation to R-410a Fluid

Where: Ir Electric current during the test with R-410a fluid and Im - Electric current during the test with the mixture
of hydrocarbons.

Table 5. Shows the value found for both.

Average of Currents (A)

Ir Im
3,39125 1,88125

We have that the power of the equipment can be determined through Equation (3):

Where: U = Working Voltage (V); I = Working current (A).

Knowing the specifications of the equipment on the bench, it was possible, through Equation (3), to calculate the
power of the equipment resulting from the operation with the tested refrigerant gases. The results of the respective
powers are shown in table 6:

Table 6. Operating power of the equipment with the different fluids.

Equipment Power (kW)

R-410a Mixture (50% R-600a and 50% R-290)
0,746075 0,413875

From this step, using the values obtained for the temperature of sensor 5 and the discharge pressure in the test bench
system, the density of both substances was determined, through the REFPROP program, as shown in Table 7:

Table 7. Thermodynamic properties of superheated steam of R-410a and from the hydrocarbon mixture.

R-410a Hydrocarbon mixture

Temperature (°C) 34,646 40,279
Pressure (kPa) 1902,1 822,08
Density (kg/m³) 73,978 18,824
Enthalpy (kJ/m³) 432,65 616,57
Entropy (kJ/(kg*K)) 1,7715 2,3610

Based on information from the manufacturer's catalogs, that a split-type air conditioner, with a capacity of 9000
BTU/h, has an air flow of around 520 m³/h, according to (FRIGELAR, 2021), it was possible find the mass flow rate of
the fluids, as shown in Table 7 and Table 8. Then, dividing the refrigeration capacity by the compressor power,
according to Equation (3), the following values are obtained representing the real COP of both the mixtures, as shown
in Table 9:

Table 8. Mass flow of refrigerants.

Mass Flow (kg/s)

R-410a Mixture (50% R-600a and 50% R-290)
0,056 0,010

Table 9. Comparison of the actual COPs of refrigerants.

Actual Coefficient of Performance

R-410a Mixture (50% R-600a and 50% R-290)
2,4883 2,1539
 19th Brazilian Congress of Thermal Sciences and Engineering
November 06th-10th, 2022, Bento Gonçalves, RS, Brazil

5. CONCLUSION

From the results, it is noted that the tests were satisfactory with the achievement of performance coefficients for the
fluids worked, which were relatively low. It is plausible to say that the values obtained were due to the fact that the test
bench used has an arrangement that is aimed at didactic purposes, however, when it comes to carrying out experiments,
its performance is small.
One of the possible causes for the low efficiency may be related to the oversizing of the system, which has a
substantial amount of valves and curves, in addition to a considerable lengthening of the tubes, which ultimately
interfere with the performance of the analyzed fluids. Another aspect to be discussed is the fact that the split inverter
system on the bench is designed to operate with the amount of 650 g of R-410a gas, and during the first test it was seen
the need to increase its amount of mass up to a value of 860 g. This was an indication that the experiment on the test
bench could present certain irregularities in the results.
All these factors generated changes in the tests, resulting in a lower than expected result for the performance
coefficients of the refrigerants and the device. However, if only the values obtained are considered and following the
points to evaluate the selection of the refrigerant that best meets the conditions, comes:
 The environmental impact, according to the ODP and GWP values;
 The actual COP value.

Considering that, according to the manufacturers of air conditioners, the selection of a refrigerant fluid must comply
with the aspects of lower environmental impact, better energy efficiency, providing safe conditions in its use and
storage, and having the highest cost/benefit ratio, it is possible to have a better idea of which refrigerant fluid should be
selected to replace R-410a refrigerant in the medium term.
Table 9 is designed to help visualize the results for the refrigerants that were evaluated on the ClimatConT test
bench.

Table 10. Characteristics of the refrigerants evaluated on the test bench.

Substance Evaluation Criteria

R-410Aa Mixture of hydrocarbons
Environmental impact ODP (0) & GWP (2090) ODP (0) & GWP (3)
Real COP 2,4883 2,1539

Analyzing the results shown in Table 10, it can be stated that the HCs mixture (with 50% of R-600a and 50% of R-
290) is the best refrigerant fluid to replace R-410a, since, despite the actual performance of this mixture is lower than
that of R-410a, the environmental impact caused by the use of the mixture of HCs is extremely low, it must be taken
into account that HCs have already been used by people who work with refrigeration and air conditioning, even than
without a mass criterion, in addition to the cost of refrigerants R-290 and R-600a being lower than that of R-410a.
Another relevant aspect for the use of this mixture of HCs is the concentration of the mixture of HCs, which must
always remain below 1.2 kg/m3, complying with the lower flammability limit, recommended by the IEC 60.335-2-40
Standard (2018).
Considering the use of a 9,000 BTU/h split inverter air conditioner in an environment of 9.0 m2 of area by 2.5 m of
internal height, there is a volume of 22.5 m3. On the ClimatConT test bench, 0.860 kg of R-410a and 0.800 kg of the
HCs mixture were used, so the lower flammability limit for R-410a is 0.03822 kg/m3, while for the HCs mixture is
0.03556 kg/m3. Both far below the limit stipulated by the IEC standard.
Therefore, it is concluded that despite a certain margin of error on the bench test, the experiment itself managed to
achieve its objective of analyzing the thermal efficiency of R-410a refrigerants and the mixture (50% R-600a and 50%
R-600a R-290), providing a comparative study of the characteristics of both.
It is expected to carry out new comparative experiments with other refrigerants that are being commercially used in
air conditioners.

6. REFERENCES

ADIAS. Ar condicionado. Available in: https://blog.adias.com.br/afinal-o-que-saofluidos-refrigerantes-de-ar-

condicionado/. Accessed in 10/11/2021.
ALMEIDA, I. Performance comparativa entre R-290 e R-600a (50:50) e R-134a para drop-in em refrigerador
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7. RESPONSIBILITY NOTICE

The authors are the only responsible for the printed material included in this paper.