Investigation of an automobile air-conditioner with a liquid-suction heat exchanger using R134a and R1234yf

Abstract

Air-conditioning systems (ACs) are essential in hot and humid climates to ensure acceptable ambient air quality as well as thermal comfort for buildings users. It is essential to improve refrigeration system performance without increasing the effects of global warming potential (GWP) and ozone depletion potential (ODP). The main objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of an air conditioning system that operates with a liquid suction heat exchanger (LSHX) through implementing refrigerants with zero OPD and low GWP (i.e., R134a and R1234yf). Liquid suction heat exchanger (LSHX) was added to an automobile air conditioning system (AACS).When Liquid suction heat exchanger was added to the cycle, primary results indicated that an enhancement in the cycle coefficient performance (COP) by 25.2 %and 17.3% for R134a and R1234yf respectively, and decreasing in mass flow rate of the refrigerants used (ṁr). Also increasing in refrigeration effect (RE) by 4.2% and 2.3% for R134a and R1234yf respectively. Presence of LSHX caused increasing in heat rejected by condenser (Qcond.) according to increasing in sub-cooling degree and decreasing in compressor work (Wcomp.), increasing in condenser exergy destruction (X. des. cond.) and thermostatic expansion device (TXV) exergy destruction, but decreasing in compressor and evaporator. Summary of previous experimental and numerical studies is presented as well.