Energy evaluation of a Low Temperature commercial refrigeration plant working with the new low-GWP blend R468A as drop-in of R404A

Abstract

This work analyses experimentally the energy behaviour of a centralized commercial refrigeration plant designed to be used with R404A (GWP100=3,943) at low temperatures, when it is replaced with the new low-GWP refrigerant blend R468A (GPW100=148). The tests have been done at a selected product temperature of -20°C, Class III indoor conditions according to ISO 23953-2:2015 and 20, 30 and 40°C of heat sink temperature. The product has been kept at the requested temperature in whichever conditions tested. Respect to R404A, running with R468A presents an increase in compressor discharge temperature, greater compressión operation time, and a reduction in compressor electric comssumption that yields in a very similar total energy consumption of the refrigeration plant. So it has been proved that, from an operational point of view, R468A can be a R404A drop in replacement fluid. Also, it has been measured energy savings when an internal heat exchanger is placed.