DROP IN LIFE CYCLE CLIMATE PERFORMANCE OF LOW GWP R-410A ALTERNATIVES FOR HEAT PUMPS

In this paper, the drop-in life cycle climate performance (LCCP) of R-32, L-41a, and D2Y60 have been investigated as the alternative low-GWP refrigerants to R-410A in heat pump systems. Results showed that R-32, L-41a, and D2Y60 have 4%, 17% and 27% LCCP reduction as compared to R-410A baseline. Lifetime emissions in a variety of climate zones, as well as the effect of direct and indirect emissions were assessed. R-410A had a higher annual leakage emission impact (approximately 9.7%) than other refrigerants (R-32 (2.7%), L-41a (2.3%), and D2Y60 (1.6%)). More attention should be paid first to the indirect emissions due to the energy consumption and second to the direct emissions due to the annual leakage since they are the main contributors affecting LCCPs. Parametric study showed that COP improvements have the largest influence on the LCCPs. Annual leakage rate and accidental leakage also have large effects on the LCCPs. Regarding the amount of refrigerant charge, test results showed that total emission variations for all refrigerants are within 5.5%, and the refrigerant charge has larger effect than the refrigerant loss EOL and service leakage rate.