HFO1234ze(e) As an Alternative Refrigerant for Ejector Cooling Technology

Abstract

The paper presented a mathematical assessment of selected refrigerants for the ejector cooling purpose. R1234ze(e) and R1234yf are the well-known refrigerants of hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), the fourth-generation halocarbon refrigerants. Nature working fluids, R600a and R290, and third-generation refrigerant of halocarbon (hydrofluorocarbon, HFC), R32 and R152a, were selected in the assessment. A detail mathematical model of the ejector, as well as other components of the cycle, was built. The results showed that the coefficient of performance (COP) of R1234ze(e) was significantly higher than R600a at the same operating conditions. R1234yf’s performance was compatible with R290, and both were about 5% less than the previous two. The results also indicated that R152a offered the best performance among the selected refrigerants, but due to the high value of global warming potential, it did not fulfill the requirements of the current European refrigerant regulations. On the other hand, R1234ze(e) was the most suitable working fluid for the ejector cooling technology, thanks to its overall performance.