Studies on the performance of eco friendly refrigerant mixtures in a small capacity window air conditioner

Abstract

Chloroflourocarbons CFCs and Hyrochloroflourocarbons HCFCs used in the refrigeration and air conditioning industry are scientifically proved to be the vital contributors for depletion of ozone layer in stratospheric region Current literature survey revealed that to satisfy the aims of the international protocols Montreal and Kyoto these refrigerants should have been phased out in the last decade itself In the current scenario refrigeration and air conditioning industries are stepping towards chlorine free refrigerants as chlorine is one of the contributing agent for the depletion of ozone layer HCFC 22 used as customary and most suitable working fluid for air conditioners has to be phased out by the year 2030 in developed countries and in developing countries by the year 2040 Research journals refers many new refrigerants as substitute for R 22 The suggested alternatives are primarily classified under HFC and HC refrigerants and they have their own advantages and limitations Hydro carbons are greatly flammable and considering the safety standards in several countries it is not permitted to be charged above a certain quantity in domestic air conditioners Thus hydrocarbons alone cannot be considered as the exclusive refrigerants in air conditioners Since the hydrofluorocarbons are non compatible with the traditional mineral oil they are used with polyolester POE oil only This polyolester oil is greatly hygroscopic and makes the system exposed to problems due to moisture prone nature The miscibility concern of R152a with mineral oil could be solved by adding hydrocarbons R290 R600 with different mass proportions to it newline