Performance Analysis of Using Hydrocarbon Mixed Refrigerant R32-R290 as an Alternative to R410A in Reducing the GWP Value of Household Split Air Conditioners

Abstract

An experiment conducted on the mixed refrigerant R32-R290, which is used in household air conditioners, is aimed at reducing the global warming potential and improving the environmental CO₂ quality. This mixed refrigerant has a lower GWP and density than the refrigerant R410A. This research was conducted to determine the effect of the increased mass charge of R290 as a mixed refrigerant on the performance of split air conditioner. Three percentage compositions of 20%/80%, 25%/75%, and 30%/70% were applied as a change to R410A in household air conditioners. For the testing equipment condition, the air inlet evaporator and condenser temperatures were 17°C (300 K) and 35°C (308 K), respectively. In the first performance test, refrigerant mass charge of 100% (340 g) was employed. In the second test, mass charge of 40% (136 g), 50% (170 g), and 60% (204 g) were utilized for mixed refrigerant R32-R290. Compared to the performance of R410A, the experimental results for the mixed refrigerant indicated a 0.5% increase in the air outlet evaporator temperature, a 1% decrease in the air condenser outlet, a 29.7% increase in the average COP, a 12.9% decrease in the electrical power consumption from 545.12 W to 474.7 W, a 9.1% increase in the average exergy destruction average from 401.5 W to 441.6 W, and a 19.7% increase in the average exergy efficiency from 24.2 W to 30.1 W.