IIR document

Developing low charge R290 room air conditioner by using smaller diameter copper tubes.

Number: pap. n. 183

Author(s) : DING G., REN T., et al., WU W.

Summary

R290 is a potential drop-in refrigerant for existing R22 systems because of zero Ozone Depression Potential (ODP) and virtually zero Global Warming Potential (GWP). However, using R290 may result in the risk of firing. Promoting the use of smaller diameter tubes in R290 room air conditioners is an effective way to reduce refrigerant charge to avoid the risk of firing, but may cause reduction of air conditioner performance, so a design method is needed to develop low charge air conditioner by using smaller diameter tube. In this study, a simulation-based design method was developed, in which a three-dimensional distributed parameter model was used for simulation, and a knowledge-based evolution method optimizer was applied to optimize air conditioner heat exchanger with smaller diameter tube. A room air conditioner using R290 and 5 mm diameter tubes has been developed and tested. It shows that the refrigerant charge can be obviously decreased in this air conditioner comparing to those with 7 mm or 9.52 mm diameter tubes. The cooling capacity has been enhanced by optimization of heat exchanger as well as the matching of the entire system. The experimental results confirmed the simulation results, and it is also shown that 5 mm diameter tubes are suitable for developing safe room air conditioners with R290.

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Pages: 9 p.

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Details

  • Original title: Developing low charge R290 room air conditioner by using smaller diameter copper tubes.
  • Record ID : 30004324
  • Languages: English
  • Source: 10th IIR-Gustav Lorentzen Conference on Natural Working Fluids (GL2012). Proceedings. Delft, The Netherlands, June 25-27, 2012.
  • Publication date: 2012/06/25

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