SharePerformance test results of alternative low-GWP refrigerants to R410A
Emerson Climate Technologies has published the results of drop-in tests of new low GWP refrigerants, L41b and DR5, in a R410A scroll compressor.
Emerson Climate Technologies has published the results of drop-in tests of new low GWP refrigerants, L41b and DR5; in a R410A scroll compressor.
The calorimeter tests were carried out as part of the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) Low-GWP Alternative Refrigerants Evaluation Programme (Low-GWP AREP) and follows similar tests carried out last year with DuPont’s low GWP R410A replacement DR5.
R32 has no refrigerant glide and a GWP of around 675. In the drop-in tests, R32 was found to exhibit a 3-5% higher capacity than R410A, but with about 3-5% lower EER. The higher capacity is due to R32’s much higher specific heat overcoming its lower mass flow.
L41b blends R32 with 27% of the new HFO R1234ze(E). The addition of the HFO lowers the overall GWP to under 500. L41b has moderate refrigerant glide of about (4.5ºC). Compressor capacity with L41b versus R410A was within 75 to 85% of the rated performance across the operating map of the tested compressor. At lower evaporating temperatures, capacity with L41b was found to be lower than R410A. This implies that L41b compressor performance in cooling is relatively better than its performance in heating. The tested compressor COP of L41b was between 85 and 100% of R410A within the operating envelope.
DR5 is also based on R32 but this time with the addition of 27.5% of the HFO R-1234yf. Again, the addition of the HFO lowers its GWP to under 500 and like the other two refrigerants, it is in the “mildly flammable” A2L classification. DR5 has relatively low refrigerant glide of about 1.1ºC. The calorimeter testing of DR5 showed a comparable performance to that of R410A, its capacity being within 90 to 100% of rated performance across the operating map of the tested compressor. Like L41b, the reduced capacity at lower evaporating temperatures suggested that the cooling performance of DR5 is relatively better than its heating performance. The tested compressor COP of DR5 was between 95-110% of R410A efficiency within the operating envelope, with greater efficiency at higher condensing temperatures.
All of the refrigerants could be expected to show improved capabilities if used in compressors and systems specifically optimised for the new gases.
The calorimeter tests were carried out as part of the Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) Low-GWP Alternative Refrigerants Evaluation Programme (Low-GWP AREP) and follows similar tests carried out last year with DuPont’s low GWP R410A replacement DR5.
R32 has no refrigerant glide and a GWP of around 675. In the drop-in tests, R32 was found to exhibit a 3-5% higher capacity than R410A, but with about 3-5% lower EER. The higher capacity is due to R32’s much higher specific heat overcoming its lower mass flow.
L41b blends R32 with 27% of the new HFO R1234ze(E). The addition of the HFO lowers the overall GWP to under 500. L41b has moderate refrigerant glide of about (4.5ºC). Compressor capacity with L41b versus R410A was within 75 to 85% of the rated performance across the operating map of the tested compressor. At lower evaporating temperatures, capacity with L41b was found to be lower than R410A. This implies that L41b compressor performance in cooling is relatively better than its performance in heating. The tested compressor COP of L41b was between 85 and 100% of R410A within the operating envelope.
DR5 is also based on R32 but this time with the addition of 27.5% of the HFO R-1234yf. Again, the addition of the HFO lowers its GWP to under 500 and like the other two refrigerants, it is in the “mildly flammable” A2L classification. DR5 has relatively low refrigerant glide of about 1.1ºC. The calorimeter testing of DR5 showed a comparable performance to that of R410A, its capacity being within 90 to 100% of rated performance across the operating map of the tested compressor. Like L41b, the reduced capacity at lower evaporating temperatures suggested that the cooling performance of DR5 is relatively better than its heating performance. The tested compressor COP of DR5 was between 95-110% of R410A efficiency within the operating envelope, with greater efficiency at higher condensing temperatures.
All of the refrigerants could be expected to show improved capabilities if used in compressors and systems specifically optimised for the new gases.