Screening analysis for chlorine-free alternative refrigerants to replace R-22 in air conditioning applications

The potential health and environmental effects of the depletion of stratospheric ozone from refrigerants containing chlorine have resulted in international treaties, laws, and non-binding agreements to phase-out and eliminate many common refrigerants. R-22 is one of these compounds. A study was conducted to evaluate the potential of twenty-two chlorine-free compounds in refrigerant mixtures of up to three components as substitutes for R-22. The selection or screening of blends was based on vapor compression cycle COP at the 95[degrees]F (35[degrees]C) cooling condition, the volumetric cooling capacity of the blend, evaporator and condenser temperature glides, and the estimated'' flammability of the blend. Promising results were obtained for nine ternary blends containing E-125 and eleven ternary blends that exclude E-125. Recommendations are made to obtain further experimental data on E-125 since the mixtures with the best performance contain that compound. Results from this study will be used in an in-depth follow-on analysis.