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Modelling & Simulated Performance of Finned Tube Air Cooled Condenser Using

R290 as Substitute for R22

Mr. Innus Ganechari Mr. Niyaj Shikalgar

Dr. S.N. Sapali

Department of Mechanical Engineering,College of Engineering, Pune

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Introduction

A mathematical model has been formulated to predict the

influence of high outdoor air temperature on the performance of

condenser for air-conditioning system using R22 and alternative

refrigerants R290.

The outdoor ambient air temperature was varied from 300C to

500C due to which condenser temperature increases.

The study showed that R290 (Propane) is the best replacement for

R22 (HCFC22) when the air conditioning system works under high

ambient temperature because the compressor discharge

temperature is reduced, refrigerant charge required minimum and

COP is increased.

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Continued

The goal of simulated results was to assess the impact of the

condenser performance on the COP for different ambient

temperatures.

In this model, a comparative performance of R22 and its

alternatives R290 were determined theoretically and simulation in

an attempt to examine the possibility of substituting R290 in

residential air conditioners used in summer hot climate.

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Temperature Profile of Condenser

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CoolPack SimulationActual Vapour Compression Cycle

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CoolPack Simulation ResultsRefrigerant Temp

0CPressureKg/cm2

Mass flow rate LPH

PowerkW

COP

R290 50 17.236 79 1.395 3.781

52 17.984 81 1.487 3.548

54 18.755 83 1.583 3.333

56 19.55 85 1.683 3.135

58 20.163 87 1.787 2.952

60 21.217 89 1.896 2.782

R22 50 19.635 138 1.374 3.841

52 20.548 140 1.461 3.612

54 21.49 143 1.551 3.402

56 22.46 146 1.645 3.208

58 23.21 149 1.742 3.029

60 24.515 152 1.843 2.863

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R22 Simulation Results

48 50 52 54 56 58 60 620

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

Condenser Temperature (°C)

CO

P/P

ow

er/

Dry

ne

ss f

racti

on

•As condenser temperature increase from 50 to 600C power consumption increased by 26.42% for R-290 & 21.87% for R-22.•As condenser temperature increase dryness fraction after expansion reduced by 23.68% for R-290 & 21.87% for R-22.

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R290 Simulation Results

48 50 52 54 56 58 60 620

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

Condenser Temperature (°C)

CO

P/P

ow

er/

Dry

ne

ss f

racti

on

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Mass Flow Rate and Condenser Temperature Variation for R22 & R290

48 50 52 54 56 58 60 620

20

40

60

80

100

120

140

160

R22R290

Condenser Temperature Variation (°C)

Mass fl

ow

rate

(kg

/hr)

As the condenser temperature increase mass flow rate of refrigerant increase by 11.24% for R-290 & 19.90% for R-22

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Performance Comparison of R290 & R22

1 2 3 4 5 60

0.5

1

1.5

2

2.5

3

3.5

4

4.5

R22R290

Various Condenser Temperature

CO

P

COP of R290 is up to 12% higher than R22 under various condenser temperature conditions

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Conclusion

COP of R290 is up to 12% higher than R22 under various

condenser temperature conditions

Compressor discharge temperature of R290 was 30% lower

than R22 under various condenser temperature conditions.

This indirectly indicates that fluids would show long term

stability and reliability

The refrigerant charge for R-290 system is reduced by 57%

compared to R22 system for the same operating conditions.

The performance of R290 system is better than that of R22

system for same operating conditions

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References[1] A. Padalkara, K. Mali , S. Devottac, Simulated performance of R-290 in air

conditioner, in : he 23 rd international congress refrigeration, Czech republic,

August 2011.

[2] D. Jung, Y. Song and B. Park, Performance of HCFC22 alternative refrigerants, Int.

J. Refrigeration. 23(6) (2000) 466-474.

[3] Dobson MK Chato JC. Condensation in smooth horizontal tubes, J Heat transfer,

ASME 1998;120:193-213.

[4] Wang, C.C., Lee, C.J., Chang, C.T. and Chang Y.J., 1999. “Some Aspects of Plate fin

and tube heat exchanger with or without louvers” J. Enhanced heat transfer , Vol.

6,no.5, pp.357-368.

[5] International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology (IJERT) Vol.2 Isuue 1,

January-2013 ISSN:2278-0181.

[6] Fundamental of Heat & Mass Transfer 7 Edition by Theodore L. Bergman, 

Adrienne S. Lavine, Frank P. Incropera, David P. DeWitt

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Thank you

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Y-Values

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