Analysis of the performance of the vapor compression cycle using the azeotropic mixture HFC-227ea + isobutane as refrigerant

• Grant number: 17/02740-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: May 01, 2017
• End date: April 30, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering
• Principal Investigator: Luciana Yumi Akisawa Silva
• Grantee: Gabriela Azevedo de Morais
• Host Institution: Instituto de Ciências Ambientais, Químicas e Farmacêuticas (ICAQF). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus Diadema. Diadema , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The selection of refrigerant is a crucial step in the project of refrigeration system. The refrigerant should have adequate thermodynamic and thermophysical properties, be non-flammable and non-toxic. Recently, Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) and Global Warming Potential (GWP) have become important criteria in the choice of refrigerants. To meet the current demand of refrigeration sector, it is necessary to research new refrigerants that have a good performance in the refrigeration cycles and they do not harm the environment. A promising alternative is the use of blends of two or more refrigerants, which allows the combination of the most desirable properties of each substance. Among the various mixtures have been investigated for use as refrigerant, the azeotropic mixtures of HFC´s and hydrocarbons stand out, because these mixtures have low environmental impact and they are potential substitutes for halogenated refrigerants. This research project has as main objective, simulate and analyze the performance of the vapor compression refrigeration cycle using the azeotropic mixture HFC-227ea +isobutene as refrigerant. The parameters that will be analyzed to evaluate the performance of the refrigeration system are refrigeration capacity, compression ratio and coefficient of performance (COP). (AU)