Modeling of Household Refrigerator Performance with Low Global Warming Potential Alternative Refrigerants

To predict the performance of household refrigerators using different refrigerant types, a thermodynamic model of the refrigeration system was created with a graphical user interface. The model was validated with experimental data taken from a commercially available household refrigerator charged with HFC-134a. The model was then used to simulate the drop-in performance of several low global warming potential alternative refrigerants (LGARs) in the household refrigerator in order to compare the performance potential of the LGARs to that of HFC-134a. The main LGAR of interest was HFO-1234yf which was evaluated as a direct drop-in replacement for HFC-134a. A parametric study of HFC-134a/HFO-1234yf blends was also conducted in order to evaluate their potential as non-flammable LGAR replacements for HFC-134a.