Performance Analysis of R152A as a Substitute Refrigerant to R22 on Vapour Compression Heat Pump

Gbenga Adewale Sunmonu, Zhongjie Huan

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, Private Bag x680, Staatsartillerie Road, Pretoria West, 0001 ABSTRACT Due to the ozone depletion potential (ODP) and global warming potential (GWP) effects to the environment, there is need for an immediate action against the refrigerants that are affecting the environment negatively. In this paper, the energy performance analysis of the R152a and R22 is investigated. However, the refrigerants contribution to the environment is highlighted in the area of global warming and ozone depletion. The NIST REFPROP is used to investigate the performance of the vapour compression heat pump water heating system. The COP of the R152a when investigated is higher than that of R22 with about 57% and the work input around 30-35% respectively. INTRODUCTION R22 has been used majorly in air conditioning and heat pump systems in modern past and the ozone depletion is 0.055 and therefore led to the parties of the Montreal protocol to decide to phase out R22 as a result, which made the regulation for the production of HCFC to begin since 1996 in the developed countries [1]. This as a result make the search for the alternatives to R22 an imperative research focus, and for the past few years, various alternative refrigerants for R22 have been projected [2,3] and tested [4] in order to satisfy the aims and objectives of the Montreal protocol. Chen et al also validated the choice for a substitute by carrying out the experimental results an R23 and R152a using their technique of calculating the circulating composition for other suggested mixtures as R407C, R404A and R32/R134A mixtures [5]. Domanski et al also studied nine different R22 substitutes and reported that coefficient of performance (COP) of none of the selected refrigerant exceeded the COP of R22 [6]. Mixtures of R13B1/R152A were also selected for analysis because of their disparity in boiling points for a pure components which permitted a moderate degree of capacity modulation without going beyond a temperature glide of (16.70C) was done by Morrison et al, and in the end, sufficient data on this mixture is found out to permit a determination of property data using subroutines developed [7]. Ferreira et al carried out analysis on three representative plants working with R22 from an exergy view point, and acknowledged the contribution of the compressor exergy losses in the total exergy loss. And although it was established that the role of compressor exergy loss in the total loss depended on the applications and was minor when the running time of the compressor is small and isentropic efficiency is higher than 60% [8]. Although the majority of equipments in heat pump systems field still use ozone depleting R22, which had phase out plan of 2020 world wide and 2015 in the Europe Union. Thus, a substitution for this well-known refrigerant is not apparently very imperative, but it is a problem in Germany where the phase out date was 1 January 2000, and Sweden, with an earlier phase out date of 1 January 1998 and these nations represent major heat pump markets, therefore, it is wise to take immediate action [9]. However, the international protocol has also limited the use of the halogenated refrigerants in the vapour compression based refrigeration systems because the halogenated refrigerants are having poor environmental properties with respect to ozone depletion potential and (ODP) and global warming potential (GWP) [10]. Most of the developed countries have reduced the use of HCFC refrigerants. The Kyoto protocol of United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) calls for diminution in emission of six categories of green house gas, in which (HFCs) hydrofluorocarbons as refrigerants is included [11]. Over past decade, a refrigerants mixture of R410A (50%R32/50%R125) has been identified as a potential candidate for R22 and many products charged with this alternatives fluid have been on the market over the days. A simple thermodynamic cycle analysis shows that the thermodynamic analysis efficiency of R410A is somewhat lower than that of R22. However, the actual energy efficiency of R410A is found to be higher than that of R22 due to the improved compressor efficiency and decreased energy losses in some mechanism of the refrigeration systems [12]. In order to conform to strict environmental rules or regulations of the European Union, substitute refrigerants for R22 with no ozone depletion potential

(ODP), low global warming potential (GWP), and high energy efficiency have to be developed. Lately, reflecting this trend, major refrigerant suppliers have also developed substitutes with GWP of less than 500 [13]. 2. MATERIALS AND METHODOLOGIES 2.1 VAPOUR COMPRESSION HEAT PUMP WATER HEATING SYSTEM The heat pump system comprised of four different components: compressor, evaporator, condenser and expansion device. The evaporator, absorbs heat from outside air, boils it and the vapour then pass through the compressor in its gaseous state, which is pressurized and circulated through the system. On the discharge side of the compressor, the hot fluid is then cooled in a heat exchanger called the condenser, until it condenses into a high pressure or temperature. The condensed refrigerant then passed through an expansion device, which is a metering device to the system. Fig. 1. Shows a typical vapour compression heat pump cycle in a p-h diagram.

varying temperature (Tv), therefore, the refrigerating effect (Qe, kJ/kg) is given as: Qe = (h1 h4) (1)

Where, h1 = specific enthalpy of refrigerant at evaporation outlet (kJ/Kg). h4 = specific enthalpy of refrigerant at evaporation inlet (kJ/kg). (ii) An isentropic compression process in the compressor, from point 1 to 2. The work input to the compressor (Wc, kJ/kg) is Wc = (h2 h1) (2)

Where, h2 = specific enthalpy of refrigerant at compression outlet (kJ/kg). (iii) At constant pressure (Pc) from compressor discharge temperature (T2) at point 2 to condenser temperature (Tc) at point 3 followed by the condensation at different temperature (Tv) and constant pressure (Pc) from point 2 to 3. The heat rejected by the condenser (Qc, kJ/kg) is Qc = (h2 h3) (3)

Condensation
Pc 3 Expansion Expanding Pc Compression

Where, h3 = specific enthalpy of refrigerant at condensation outlet (kJ/kg). (iv) An expansion at varying enthalpy in the capillary tube from point 3 to point 4. h3 = h 4 (4) The coefficient of performance (COP) is the heat rejected unit against the work input to the compressor. Therefore, COP can be obtained by the ratio of Eq. (3) to (2): COPh = Qc/Wc 2.2. THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES REFRIGERANTS DETERMINANTS Properties that are needed to predict the refrigerants performance on a vapour compression heat pump system are pressure-volume-temperature (PvT) in a symmetry state. Properties like enthalpy and entropy may as well be derived from a PvT parallel using the specific heat. The NISP-REFPROP is thermodynamic and transport properties software that is used to predict the amount of properties of a refrigerant. This application is used to determine and forecast the amount of thermodynamic properties that can be transported by

1 h

Fig. 1. Vapour compression heat pump cycle on p-h diagram Considering the heat pump cycle above, the following described the cycle accordingly with air from the low temperature source passed over the evaporator. This in turn, increases the temperature of the vapour, and changes it state to a gaseous state. Then the gas pressure is then raised by using the compressor, and by the process, the temperature of the compressor also increases. The work input to the compressor helped the compression process to be achievable. The hot gas turns vapour through the condensation process and heat is rejected. The heat rejected from the condenser is utilized to heat water. (i) An evaporation process is considered through a constant pressure (P e) and

Table 1: Thermophysical properties and environmental effects of the investigated refrigerants [14, 15] Properties Ozone depletion potential (ODP) Global warming potential (GWP) Critical temperature (0C) Molar mass (g/mol) Boiling point Density R152A 0 120 113.26 Refrigerants R22 0.055 1810 96.2

R152a COPh

the refrigerants analyzed in this paper. However, (Table 1) shows the refrigerants ozone depletion and global warming potential level, with R152A having no or zero ODP and very low GWP, while the other which R152A is investigated in comparison with is has ODP and high GWP.

12 10 8 6 4 2 0 -10

Te COPh (50 degree celsius) Te COPh (60 degree celsius) Te COPh (70 degree celsius)

0 10 20 30 Evaporative Temperature (0C)

Fig. 2. Varying evaporating temperature at different condensing temperature for R152A COP Fig. 3 shows R22 at 50, 60 and 70 0C, the increase in COP depends on the inlet temperature of the evaporator, so as it is described below, the graph also shows that at the lower inlet temperature of the evaporator, the lower the COP. In other words, we could say, an increase in the inlet evaporative temperature will bring an increase to the COP, while a decrease in the evaporative temperature would also cause a decrease in the COP. However, the R22 COP is lower than that of R152A. At a higher evaporating temperature and a lower condensing temperature, the work input to the compressor will reduce which in return gives an increase to the COP.

66.05 -25 C 2.7014 g/L at 250C

86.47 -40.7 C 3.66 kg/m3 at 15C, gas

3. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The analysis is carried out with the help of a refrigerant properties application NIST-REFPROP at varying evaporating temperature of (-5 to 25) 0C and condensing temperature of about (50 to 70) 0C. The results gotten from the analysis is represented graphically below. Fig. 2 and 3 show that at different condensing temperatures of 50, 60 and 700C for both refrigerants R152A and R22 at varying evaporating temperatures, the COP varies. Fig. 2. Shows that at 50, 60 and 70 0C, the increase in COP depends on the inlet temperature of the evaporator, so as it is described below, the graph shows that at the lower inlet temperature of the evaporator, the lower the COP. In other words, we could say, an increase in the inlet evaporative temperature will bring an increase to the COP, while a decrease in the evaporative temperature would also cause a decrease in the COP.

12 10 8 6 4 2 0 -10

Te COPh 50 degree celsius Te COPh 60 degree celsius Te COPh 70 degree celsius

R22 COPh

10

20

30 (0C)

Evaporative Temperature Fig. 3. Varying evaporating temperature at different condensing temperature for R22 COP Fig. 4 and 5 show the work input to the compressor at different condensing temperatures of 50, 60 and 70 0C for both refrigerants R152A and R22 at varying evaporating temperatures, the work input varies. Fig. 4.

R22 Compressor work input (kJ/kg)

Shows work input to the compressor for R152A at 50, 60 and 70 0C, the increase or decrease in work input depends on the rate of the inlet temperature of the evaporator, so as it is described below, the graph also shows that the lower the inlet temperature of the evaporator, the higher the work input to the compressor. In other words, we could say, an increase in the inlet evaporative temperature will bring a decrease to the amount of work input to the compressor.

Te Wc (50 degree celsius) Te Wc (60 degree celsius) 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 -10 0 10 20 (0C) 30 Te Wc (70 degree celsius)

Te Wc (50 degree celsius) Te Wc (60 degree celsius) R152A Compressor work input (kJ/kg) 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0 -10 0 10 20 30 Evaporative Temperature (0C) Te Wc (70 degree celsius)

Evaporative Temperative Fig. 5: Compressor energy input versus evaporating temperature at varying condensing temperature The average coefficient of performance (COP) of the refrigerants is represented graphically in Figure 6. The COP of R152A with the increase in evaporating temperature and varying condensing temperature is 6.7% higher than that of R22. And is also shown that the higher the condensing temperature the lower the COP. 8 Average COP 6 4 2 0 50 60 70 Condensing Temperature (0C) Figure 6: Varying average coefficient of performance (COP) with condensing temperature. The average energy input by the compressor for R152A and R22 is graphically represented below. Figure 7 shows that the work input increases as the condensing temperature increases for each of the refrigerant. R22 R152A

Fig. 4: Compressor energy input versus evaporating temperature at varying condensing temperature Fig. 5 shows work input to the compressor for R22 at 50, 60 and 70 0C, the increase or decrease in work input depends on the rate of the inlet temperature of the evaporator, so as it is described below, the graph also shows that the lower the inlet temperature of the evaporator, the higher the work input to the compressor. In other words, we could say, an increase in the inlet evaporative temperature will bring a decrease to the amount of work input to the compressor. Although the work input to the compressor for R22 is lower than that of R152A.

However, the work input to the compressor of R152A is 32% higher than that of R22.

(ii)

(iii) 60 Average energy input (kJ/kg) 50 40 30 20 R152A 10 0 50 60 70 R22 (iv) (v)

R152A COP at the same evaporating and condensing temperature is higher than that of R22 refrigerants by 6.7%. The R152A is friendlier to the environment and has more thermophysical properties strength than R22. The work input to the compressor of R152A is 32% more compared to R22. The heat output of R152A obtained is 35.3% higher than that of R22.

REFERENCES 1. United Nations Environmental Programme. Montreal protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer. Final Act, New York, United Nations, 1987. 2. Radermacher R, Jung D. Theoretical analysis of replacement refrigerants for HCFC22 for residential uses. ASHRAE Transactions 1993; 99(1):333343. 3. Cavallini A. Working uids for mechanical refrigeration. International Journal of Refrigeration 1996; 19:485496. 4. Jung D, Song Y, Park B. Performance of HCFC22 alternative refrigerants. International Journal of Refrigeration 2000; 23:466474. 5. Chen J, Kruse H. 1997. Concentration shift simulation for the mixed refrigerants R-404A, R32/R134a and R-407C in an air conditioning system. HVAC & R Research 3(2):149157. 6. Domanski PA, Didion DA. Thermodynamic evaluation of HCFC22 alternative refrigerants and refrigerant mixtures. ASHRAE Transactions 1993; 99(Part 2):636648. 7. Morrison, G., and McLinden, M. O. 1986. "Application of a hard sphere equation of state to refrigerants and refrigerant mixtures." NBS Technical Note 1226 Gaithersburg, Maryland: National Bureau of Standards. 8. Ferreira CAI, Vanderree H, Touber S. The role of compressors in industrial refrigeration plants an exergy analysis. Proceedings of the 20th International Congress of Refrigeration, IIR/IIF, vol. III(578), Sydney, Australia, 1924 September 1999; 28432851. 9. P. C. Henderson, B. Mongey, N. J. Hewitt* and J. T. McMullan, Replacing R22 with a hydrocarbon or hydrofluorocarbon, International Journal of Energy Research. 10. Richard LP. CFC phase out; have we met the challenge. Journal of Fluorine Chemistry 2002; 114:237250. 11. Johnson E. Global warming from HFC. Environmental Impact Assessment Review 1998; 18: 485492.

Condensing Temperature (0C) Figure 7: Varying average compressor energy input with condensing temperature. The diagram below shows the heat output of R152A and R22 refrigerants. Fig. 8 shows that R152A heat output is 35.3% higher than that of R22. 500 450 400 350 300 250 200 150 100 50 0

Heat output (kW)

R22 (Qc) R152A (Qc)

50 60 70 Condensing Temperature (0C)

Fig. 8. At a constant condensing temperature, the heat output is shown for R152A and R22 4. CONCLUSION The following conclusions are drawn based on the investigation of results: (i) The R152A refrigerants obtained the higher COP even at a lower evaporating temperature than R22.

12. Ho-Saeng Lee, Hyeon-Ju Kim, Dong-gyu Kang, Dongsoo Jung, Thermodynamic performance of R32/R152a mixture for water source heat pumps, International Journal of Refrigeration, Volume 40, Issue 1, April 2012, Pages 100106. 13. Ozone layer protection, Global Warming Potentials of ODS Substitutes, http://web.archive.org/web/20101016052146/http://ww w.epa.gov/ozone/geninfo/gwps.html. 14. Gunter Siegemund, Werner Schwertfeger, Andrew Feiring, Bruce Sart, Fred Behr, Herward Vogel, Blaine McKusick "Fluorine Compounds, Organic" Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry, Wiley-VCH, Weinheim, 2002.

15. Siegemund, Gnter; Schwertfeger, Werner; Feiring, Andrew; Smart, Bruce; Behr, Fred; Vogel, Herward; McKusick, Blaine (2010). "Fluorine Compounds, Organic". In Bohnet, Matthias; Bellussi, Giuseppe; Bus, James et al.. Ullmann's Encyclopedia of Industrial Chemistry. John Wiley & Sons.
Author: Sunmonu Gbenga Adewale holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering at Lagos State University and presently pursuing his Masters degree in Mechanical Engineering at Tshwane University of Technology. He has also worked in Nigerian Brewery as a technician in the company.). He has also presented paper in the SAEEC.
Co-author:

Zhongjie Huan is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering. He holds a PhD degree in Thermal Engineering from Tianjin University, China. He has trained a lot of students at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, and has consulted in a variety of industries in the areas of refrigeration, air-conditioning and cold storage. At present he is the acting Head of Department of Mechanical Engineering at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), Pretoria.