Evaluation of binary and ternary refrigerant blends as replacements for R134a in an air-conditioning system

Published

July 9, 2018

Author(s)

Ian H. Bell, Piotr A. Domanski, Gregory T. Linteris, Mark O. McLinden

Abstract

We investigate refrigerant blends as possible low-GWP (global warming potential) alternatives for R134a in an air-conditioning application. We carried out an exhaustive screening of the binary and ternary blends possible among a list of 10 pure refrigerants comprising three hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), six hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and carbon dioxide. The screening was based on a simplified cycle model, but with the inclusion of pressure drops in the evaporator and condenser. The metrics for the evaluation were nonflammability, low-GWP, high COP (coefficient of performance), and a volumetric capacity similar to the R134a baseline system. While no mixture was ideal in all regards, we identified 12 ``best" blends that were nonflammable (based on a new estimation method by Linteris, et al., presented in a companion paper at this conference) and with COP and capacity similar to the R134a baseline; the tradeoff, however, was a reduction in GWP of, at most, 56\% compared to R134a. An additional seven blends that were estimated to be ``marginally flammable" (ASHRAE Standard 34 classification of A2L) were identified with GWP reductions of as much as 90\%. These 17 ``best" blends were then simulated in a more detailed cycle model.

Proceedings Title

17th International Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Conference at Purdue, July 9-12, 2018

Conference Dates

July 9-12, 2018

Conference Location

West Lafayette, IN

Pub Type

Conferences

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Keywords

mixtures, blends, heat pump, efficiency

Citation

Bell, I. , Domanski, P. , Linteris, G. and McLinden, M. (2018), Evaluation of binary and ternary refrigerant blends as replacements for R134a in an air-conditioning system, 17th International Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Conference at Purdue, July 9-12, 2018, West Lafayette, IN, [online], https://tsapps.nist.gov/publication/get_pdf.cfm?pub_id=925576 (Accessed October 14, 2025)