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Performance of propane in a unitary heat pump.

Author(s) : HWANG Y., GADO A., RADERMACHER R.

Summary

The performance of propane in a 9 kW, commercial, unitary heat pump unit was experimentally evaluated and compared to R22. The performance was compared both for cooling and heating. The performance of propane was evaluated with an 11% bigger volumetric capacity compressor of comparable efficiency. In the case of cooling, the tests done were the standard ASHRAE tests A, B and C for the steady state mode and test D for the cyclic mode. For heating, the tests were conducted at ASHRAE 47S and 17L conditions in the steady state mode. The results showed that the propane had similar coefficients of performance (COP) to R22 within 3% variation. Since the instrument grade propane (99.5% purity) was used in the tests, the effect of impurities on the refrigerant side capacity measurement was evaluated. Though the presence of impurities makes 0.3 K or less saturation temperature difference from the pure propane, their effect on the refrigerant side capacity is less than 0.5%. As an option to practically use propane in a unitary heat pump with comparable safety and performance to those of R22, the potential performance of the secondary loop system with suction-line heat exchanger was theoretically investigated. The results of the secondary loop system with suction-line heat exchanger showed that the COP of R290 is 8-9% lower than R22.

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Details

  • Original title: Performance of propane in a unitary heat pump.
  • Record ID : 2004-3019
  • Languages: English
  • Source: 21st IIR International Congress of Refrigeration: Serving the Needs of Mankind.
  • Publication date: 2003/08/17

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