ShareIJR highlights: impacts of refrigerant charge on system performance
A team from Purdue University recently published* in the International Journal of Refrigeration a study showing the impact of charge level on capacity and efficiency for several heat-pump and air-conditioning units tested at various refrigerant charge levels.
A team from Purdue University recently published* in the International Journal of Refrigeration a study showing the impact of charge level on capacity and efficiency for several heat-pump and air-conditioning units tested in the laboratory at various refrigerant charge levels.
For all the systems considered, a refrigerant charge reduction of 25% led to an average energy efficiency reduction of about 15% and cooling capacity degradation of about 20%. Furthermore, the authors found that an undercharge of about 25% would cause an average penalty in terms of Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of about 16% and cost an average annual USD 100 per ton of rated capacity for typical electricity rates.
Previous research estimates on residential air conditioners claimed that on average, 55% of systems were undercharged by 10-30% due to incorrect measurement of charge level during installation or service.
* W. Kim, J. E. Braun, Evaluation of the impacts of refrigerant charge on air conditioner and heat pump performance”, IJR, vol. 35-7, November 2012
This paper can be downloaded wia the IIR’s Fridoc database (free for IIR members within the framework of their quota of free downloads). You just have to login and search for the paper via Fridoc database (search column).
For all the systems considered, a refrigerant charge reduction of 25% led to an average energy efficiency reduction of about 15% and cooling capacity degradation of about 20%. Furthermore, the authors found that an undercharge of about 25% would cause an average penalty in terms of Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of about 16% and cost an average annual USD 100 per ton of rated capacity for typical electricity rates.
Previous research estimates on residential air conditioners claimed that on average, 55% of systems were undercharged by 10-30% due to incorrect measurement of charge level during installation or service.
* W. Kim, J. E. Braun, Evaluation of the impacts of refrigerant charge on air conditioner and heat pump performance”, IJR, vol. 35-7, November 2012
This paper can be downloaded wia the IIR’s Fridoc database (free for IIR members within the framework of their quota of free downloads). You just have to login and search for the paper via Fridoc database (search column).