Walid Chakroun Professor, Kuwait University Consultant, PRAHA Project Assessment of Alternative Refrigerants A UNEP-UNIDO -2015 (WS6-Th-1) Technical Forum Research Projects for Alternative Refrigerants in High Ambient Countries Dubai, UAE -31October 2015 1
Outline Outline � Refrigerant Selection � Testing Methodology and Verification � Testing Results 2
Refrigerant Selection Refrigerant Selection Key Questions Affected the Scope of PRAHA Key Questions Affected the Scope of PRAHA � What do we mean by high-ambient? � What do we mean by low GWP? � What do we mean by low-GWP? � How to manage the project openly and without comprising commercial confidentiality amongst partners?
Refrigerant Selection Refrigerant Selection Challenges � A/C industries have concerns of meeting the freeze and reduction targets set by the Montreal Protocol. � Current commercially available technologies not only perform less efficiently at high ambient conditions but also f l ffi i l hi h bi di i b l possess high-GWP characteristics. � This project is designed to answer some of the challenges related to the availability of long term low GWP alternative related to the availability of long-term low-GWP alternative refrigerants 4
Refrigerant Selection Refrigerant Selection Classification 1 1 GWP 2 GWP 2 Base line B li R f i Refrigerant t Cl ifi ti R-444B (L-20) A2L 295 R-22 R 22 R 290 R-290 A3 A3 11 11 DR-3 A2L 148 HFC 32 HFC-32 A2L A2L 675 675 R-410A R-447A (L-41) A2L 583 1 R f i 1. Refrigerants ’ classifications as per ASHRAE Standard 34 (ASHRAE, 2013). ’ l ifi i ASHRAE S d d 34 (ASHRAE 2013) 2. Estimated GWP values from chemical producers 5
Refrigerant Selection g 60 Hz 50 Hz Prototypes Prototypes Refrigerant Window A/C Decorative Split Ducted Split Package A/C Red R-32 Green Green Red L-20 Green Green Green Green DR-3 Green Green Green Green L-41 Red Green Red Red Green R-290 Green Red Red Base Units R-22 Green Green Green Green Red R-410A Green Green Red 6
Testing Methodology and Verification Building Prototypes (Discussed Earlier with the OEM’s Tech Providers) � An open invitation for all regional OEM’s companies for participation. � 7 different companies agreed to participate. � The conditions in the selection were: 1. Work closely with the technology providers on an agreeable design. 1 W k l l ith th t h l id bl d i 2. Ensure that design and manufacturing of the prototype(s) is of high quality. 3. Prototypes and the baseline units should have a minimum EER of 7 at 46°C. 4. Prototypes should have dimensions that are commercially viable and similar to baseline units. 5 Prototypes will be tested at an independent testing facility; company 5. Prototypes will be tested at an independent testing facility; company representatives or the technology providers, will not be allowed to witness the testing and no rerun or adjustment on the design can take place after the test has been concluded has been concluded. 7
Testing Methodology and Verification g gy Building Prototypes Building Prototypes � Prototypes designed and optimized specifically for the alternative refrigerant. � In addition R-22 and R-410A units were also shipped for testing as base units so each refrigerant can be compared to their respective base R-22 or R- 410A 410A. � The prototype and its base are manufactured by the same company to make p yp y p y sure that the data can be compared with high degree of confidence and the difference in the results are due to the refrigerants behavior and not to the design used by the company. design used by the company. 8
Testing Methodology and Verification Testing Prototypes � 4 different A/C categories will be tested: 4 different A/C categories will be tested: � Window (Rated Capacity=18000 Btu/hr, electrical frequency= 60 Hz) � Decorative split (Rated Capacity=24000 Btu/hr, electrical frequency= 60 Hz) � Ducted Split (Rated Capacity=36,000 Btu/hr, electrical frequency= 50 Hz) � Packaged A/C (Rated Capacity=90,000 Btu/hr, electrical frequency= 50 Hz) Packaged A/C (Rated Capacity 90,000 Btu/hr, electrical frequency 50 Hz) � Lower capacity prototypes operate at 208-230 volts, single phase and at 380-420 volts for three phases for higher categories l f h h f h h � All units possess typical dimension and weight as per their rated cooling capacity. All units possess typical dimension and weight as per their rated cooling capacity. 9
Factors Affecting Application Choice � Saudi Arabia, which is the biggest high ambient market, is 60 Hz � The rest of the Gulf is 50 Hz � Window units are used mostly in Saudi Arabia (60 Hz) � Ducted splits and packaged units are used in Kuwait Ducted splits and packaged units are used in Kuwait and the UAE (50 Hz) � Decorative splits used everywhere � Decorative splits used everywhere 10
Testing Methodology and Verification Testing Methodology and Verification Building Prototypes Window Decorative Ducted split Packaged unit Number of Tests per 220/60/1 split 220/60/1 380/50/3 380/50/3 prototypes prototype Total tests R ‐ 290 1 1 NA NA 2 3 6 R ‐ 32 2 2 NA 4 3 12 NA HFO 1 2 2 1 2 7 3 21 HFO 2 2 1 1 1 5 3 15 R ‐ 22 3 2 1 2 8 3 24 HFC base HFC base NA NA 2 2 2 2 NA NA 4 4 3 3 12 12 Total 30 90 11
Testing Methodology and Verification Testing Methodology and Verification Technical Requirements of the Testing Facility � Independent Lab and not belong to any air-conditioning or manufacturing Independent Lab and not belong to any air conditioning or manufacturing company. � All instruments used in determining the performance of the units are � All instruments used in determining the performance of the units are calibrated to a high degree of accuracy. Cooling Capacity +/- 2.5%, EER (kW/ton) +/- 3% � The lab/testing facility should hold global recognition and accreditations and have agreements with internationally recognized professional institutions/organizations. i tit ti / i ti � The lab/testing facility should be able to handle prototype with flammable refrigerants.---Intertek was chosen to be the testing Lab. f i I k h b h i L b 12
Testing Methodology and Verification Testing Methodology and Verification The results of the performance test include: Indoor Air Flow Rate Measured Gross Cooling Capacity Evaporator Outlet Air Temperature Measured Sensible Cooling Capacity Condenser Outlet Air Temperature Total Sensible Heat Ratio Suction Temperature Suction Temperature Total Power Total Power Discharge Temperature Evaporator Motor Fan Power Liquid Temperature Condenser Motor Fan Power Discharge Pressure Compressor Power Suction Pressure Power Factor Efficiency kW/Ton or EER 13
Testing Methodology and Verification Testing Methodology and Verification Testing Conditions Wi d Window Type T Indoor T db /T wb Outdoor T db /T wb T db =27 o C , T wb =19 o C T db =35 o C, T wb =24 o C T1 T db =29 o C , T wb =19 o C T db =46 o C, T wb =24 o C T3 T db =29 o C, T wb =19 o C T db =50 o C, T wb =24 o C T3 + T db =32 o C , T wb =23 o C T db =52 o C, T wb =24 o C Endurance , , Running continuously for 2 hrs g y db wb db wb All Other Types T db =27 C, T wb =19 o C T db =35 o C, T wb not controlled T1 T db =29 C, T wb =19 o C T db =46 o C, T wb not controlled T3 T db =29 C, T wb =19 o C T db =50 o C, T wb not controlled T3+ T db =32 C, T wb =23 o C T db =52 o C, T wb not controlled Running continuously for 2 hrs Endurance 14
Testing Methodology and Verification Testing Methodology and Verification Verification of the Results � A repeatability test was performed on R-410 A unit where the same unit was run twice under similar conditions at two different timings unit was run twice under similar conditions at two different timings. � The results are repeatable to high degree of. The repeatability test was p g g p y performed at 35°C, 46°C, and 50°C for all the parameters of interest. � The tests reveal excellent results where all the measured variables are within the accuracy specified earlier. 15
Results Results Preliminary results for the tests completed so far Preliminary results for the tests completed so far 16
T=35 o C 120% 110% 100% t of R-22 R-22 90% 90% lative to that 80% R-410 EER rel 70% 60% 50% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 110% 120% Cooling capacity relative to that of R-22 17
T=46 o C 120% 110% 100% t of R-22 R-22 90% 90% lative to that 80% R-410 EER rel 70% 60% 50% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 110% 120% Cooling capacity relative to that of R-22 18
T=50 o C 120% 110% 100% t of R-22 R-22 90% 90% ative to that 80% R-410 EER rel 70% 60% 50% 50% 60% 70% 80% 90% 100% 110% 120% Cooling capacity relative to that of R-22 19
Encountered Challenges � Difficulty in signing MOU’s-Information Sharing Matrix � Took longer than expected � Limited interaction at the design stage � Room for further optimization � Logistical issues 20
I f Information Sharing Matrix ti Sh i M t i Output Tech OEM NOU ‐ Other Provider Provider Manufacturer Manufacturer Country Country Stakeholders Stakeholders Complete test Yes* Yes* No No result/prototype Refrigerant Refrigerant Yes Yes Yes No parameters Comparison of Yes Yes Yes Yes results * Test results will only be provided after the final report has been issued. 21
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