การทดสอบเครื่องปรับอากาศโดยใช้โพรเพนเป็นสารทำความเย็นเปรียบเทียบกับสาร R22

Abstract

The problems of global warming and greenhouse effect are also partly caused by the use of refrigerant Chlorodifluoromethane (e.g. R22 refrigerant), which normally uses in the commercial air-conditioners. Therefore, the use of propane (R290) as a refrigerant was considered because of less environmental impact as compared to R22. The tests were performed on the commercial split type air-conditioners that have a cooling capacity of 12,371 BTU/h and without any modification. Moreover, the tests were performed at a thermostat set point of 25°C. The data collection was conducted with each refrigerant on similar ambient condition that has an ambient temperature range of 29.6–31.4ºC (the difference from the average value is less than ±1ºC). A mass charge of R22 refrigerant was tested on 900 g, while the mass charges of propane (R290) were tested on 200, 300, 400, 500 and 600 g. The purpose of this study was to determine the optimum mass charge of R290 refrigerant to replace R22 refrigerant. The efficiencies of air-conditioners were mainly compared. The results showed that the optimum mass charge of R290 to replace R22 was 500 g. With the mass charge of R290 of 500 g, the room temperature at 25°C could be maintained and a similar cooling efficiency could be achieved as compared to R22 refrigerant. Also, the compressor work was only 2% higher than the use of R22 refrigerant. Furthermore, with the use of mass charge of R290 at 500 g, the results showed that the refrigeration coefficient of performance was only 2.5% lower than the use of R22 refrigerant.