Options for low–global-warming-potential and natural refrigerants-Performance for heat pump application and analysis of systemic irreversibilities

摘要

There is growing interest in substituting existing refrigerants with low global warming potential (GWP)refrigerants, including naturally occurring fluids, to reduce the impact of human activities on climatechange. In this study we have evaluated prospective low-GWP refrigerants in four distinct heat pumpcycles using the First and Second laws of thermodynamics. The essence of the study is to establishthe performance of the low-GWP refrigerants when deployed in a heat pump system. Exergyanalysis provides a true measure of lost work, or systemic inefficiencies, vividly quantifying areas ofimprovement and identifying the preferred cycle for a refrigerant. The combined knowledge of theproperties of the phase boundary on either side of the critical point (DOI:10.1.18462/iir.icr.2019.442),and exergy analysis of prospective cycles is necessary for a better perspective on discriminatingamong refrigerants as hydrochlorofluorocarbons are phased out and replacement refrigerants mustbe found.