A study of alternative refrigerants for the refrigeration and air conditioning sector in Mauritius

2017 International Conference on New Energy and Future Energy System

Dreepaul, R.K.^1

Faculty of Engineering and Sustainable Development, Universite de Mascareignes, Rue de la Concorde Camp Levieux, Mauritius, Rose Hill, United States^1

关键词: Alternative refrigerant;    Coefficient of Performance;    Comparative studies;    Domestic refrigeration;    Feasible alternatives;    High operating pressure;    Hydrochlorofluorocarbons;    Impact on the environment;   

Others  :  https://iopscience.iop.org/article/10.1088/1755-1315/93/1/012054/pdf
DOI  :  10.1088/1755-1315/93/1/012054

来源: IOP

【 摘 要 】

The most frequently used refrigerants in the refrigeration and air conditioning (RAC) sector in Mauritius are currently hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFC) and hydrofluorocarbons (HFC). However, because of their strong influence on global warming and the impact of HCFCs on the ozone layer, refrigerants such as ammonia (NH3), carbon dioxide (CO2) and Hydrocarbons (HC), having minimal impact on the environment, are being considered. So far, HCs have only been safely used in domestic refrigeration. Ammonia has been used mainly for industrial refrigeration whereas CO2is still under study. In this paper, a comparative study of the various feasible alternatives is presented in a survey that was undertaken with major stake holders in the field. The retrofitting possibility of existing equipment was assessed and safety issues associated with each refrigerant were analysed. The major setback of hydrocarbons as a widely accepted refrigerant is its flammability which was considered as a major safety hazard by the majority of respondents in the survey and the main advantages are the improved equipment coefficient of performance (COP) and better TEWI factor. This resulted in a 12 % drop in energy consumption. Despite the excellent thermodynamic properties of ammonia, its use has mainly been confined to industrial refrigeration due to its toxicity. In Mauritius, the performance of ammonia in air conditioning is being evaluated on a pilot basis. The major setback of carbon dioxide as a refrigerant is the high operating pressure which is considered a safety hazard. The high initial investment cost and the lack of qualified maintenance technician is also an issue. The use of CO2is mainly being considered in the commercial refrigeration sector.