Experimental study on R-22, R-427A, R-161 and R-290 in air-source heat pump for space heating at low ambient temperatures

• Published in: International journal of refrigeration Vol. 96; pp. 147 - 154
• Main Authors: Chen, Xiaoning, Liu, Cichong, Yang, Jingye, Chen, Jiangping
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Paris Elsevier Ltd 01.12.2018; Elsevier Science Ltd
• Subjects: Air source heat pump; Ambient temperature; Discharge; Economized vapor injection; Emissions control; Heat exchangers; Heat pumps; Heating; Injection de vapeur économisée; Life cycle assessment; Life cycle engineering; Pompe à chaleur aérothermique; Pressure ratio; R-161; R-290; R-427A; Space heating; Temperature; Wind power; Economized vapor injection; R-290; Injection de vapeur économisée; Air source heat pump; R-161; Pompe à chaleur aérothermique; R-427A
• ISSN: 0140-7007; 1879-2081
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2018.08.021

•R427A, R161 and R290 were firstly used to substitute R22 in EVI ASHP for heating.•Performances of four refrigerants were measured in high pressure ratio condition.•The capacity, COP, discharge temperature, IPLV (h) and LCCP were compared.•R290 is the most synthetically beneficial alternative. To help reduce the warming impacts, this study evaluates the drop-in performances of R-427A, R-161 and R-290 in R-22 air source heat pump with EVI (Economized Vapor Injection). The results show that the IPLV(H) of R-161 and R-290 arises 5∼8% relative to R-22 with EVI on. A reversal occurs between R-290 and the baseline with EVI on, making the IPLV(H) of R-290 superior to that of R-22 by 3.6∼5.2% from worse performance with EVI off. At -20/41 °C condition, the capacity and COP of R-290 increase by 38% and 19%, respectively. Considering COP and discharge temperatures, R-290 is better-performed to replace R-22 in high pressure ratio conditions. Based on LCCP (Life Cycle Climate Performance) model, 11% of the equivalent CO2 emission can be reduced by using R-161 and R-290. However, the discharge temperature of R-161 is high in the high pressure ratio condition. R-290 is the most synthetically beneficial alternative.