Development of Low Global Warming Potential Refrigerant Solutions for Commercial Refrigeration Systems Using a Life Cycle Climate Performance Design Tool

Development of Low Global Warming Potential Refrigerant Solutions for Commercial Refrigeration Systems Using a Life Cycle Climate Performance Design Tool

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Published: 2012

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ISBN-13:

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Commercial refrigeration systems are known to be prone to high leak rates and to consume large amounts of electricity. As such, direct emissions related to refrigerant leakage and indirect emissions resulting from primary energy consumption contribute greatly to their Life Cycle Climate Performance (LCCP). In this paper, an LCCP design tool is used to evaluate the performance of a typical commercial refrigeration system with alternative refrigerants and minor system modifications to provide lower Global Warming Potential (GWP) refrigerant solutions with improved LCCP compared to baseline systems. The LCCP design tool accounts for system performance, ambient temperature, and system load; system performance is evaluated using a validated vapor compression system simulation tool while ambient temperature and system load are devised from a widely used building energy modeling tool (EnergyPlus). The LCCP design tool also accounts for the change in hourly electricity emission rate to yield an accurate prediction of indirect emissions. The analysis shows that conventional commercial refrigeration system life cycle emissions are largely due to direct emissions associated with refrigerant leaks and that system efficiency plays a smaller role in the LCCP. However, as a transition occurs to low GWP refrigerants, the indirect emissions become more relevant. Low GWP refrigerants may not be suitable for drop-in replacements in conventional commercial refrigeration systems; however some mixtures may be introduced as transitional drop-in replacements. These transitional refrigerants have a significantly lower GWP than baseline refrigerants and as such, improved LCCP. The paper concludes with a brief discussion on the tradeoffs between refrigerant GWP, efficiency and capacity.


Performance Assessment of High-Efficiency Refrigerated Display Cases with Low-GWP Refrigerants: Preprint

Performance Assessment of High-Efficiency Refrigerated Display Cases with Low-GWP Refrigerants: Preprint

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Published: 2022

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

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As California policy makers enforce new regulations such as SB 1383 to achieve state greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction goals, it will be critical to understand the energy efficiency implications of low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants in commercial refrigeration applications. The goal of this research project, funded by Commonwealth Edison was to assess the energy performance of two high efficiency medium-temperature, self-contained, reach-in display cases that utilized natural refrigerant propane (R-290), and hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) drop-in hydrofluoroolefin R-513a, respectively. Performance of these display cases were compared to a baseline fixture using HFC (R-134a) under equal conditions in a controlled environment chamber. These display cases were selected due to their widespread use in convenience stores, and small supermarkets. The high efficiency cases were equipped with energy efficient lighting, improved panel insulation, high efficiency evaporator and condenser fan motors, and high effectiveness heat exchangers. The test method used in this project was foundationally inspired by the ANSI/ASHRAE 72-2018 standard method to evaluate each case under equivalent conditions. However, minor modifications to this methodology were implemented to better represent more realistic operation of the units. While maintaining target product temperature, the energy efficient fixtures containing R-290 and R-513a consumed 61.8% to 32.6% less energy, respectively, than a baseline case using R-134a refrigerant. The daily energy consumption of the R-290, R-513a, and baseline display cases at the upper limit of environmental conditions was 4.30, 7.59, and 11.26 kWh/day, respectively.


Performance Assessment of High-Efficiency Refrigerated Display Cases With Low Global Warming Potential Refrigerants

Performance Assessment of High-Efficiency Refrigerated Display Cases With Low Global Warming Potential Refrigerants

Author:

Publisher:

Published: 2022

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

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As California policy makers enforce new regulations such as SB 1383 to achieve state greenhouse gas reduction goals, it will be critical to understand the energy efficiency implications of low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants in commercial refrigeration applications. The goal of this research project, funded by Commonwealth Edison, was to assess the energy performance of two high-efficiency medium-temperature, self-contained, reach-in display cases that utilized natural refrigerant propane (R-290, GWP = 3), and hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) drop-in hydrofluoroolefin R-513A (GWP = 573). Performance of these display cases was compared to a baseline fixture using HFC (R-134A, GWP = 1301) under equal conditions in a controlled environment chamber. These display cases were selected due to their widespread use in convenience stores and small supermarkets. The high-efficiency cases were equipped with energy-efficient lighting, improved panel insulation, high-efficiency evaporator and condenser fan motors, and high-effectiveness heat exchangers. The test method used in this project was foundationally inspired by the ANSI/ASHRAE 72-2018 standard method to evaluate each case under equivalent conditions (ASHRAE 2018). However, minor modifications to this methodology were implemented to better represent more realistic operation of the units. While maintaining equivalent target product temperature, the energy-efficient fixtures A (containing R-290, improved insulation, heat exchangers with a higher overall heat transfer coefficient (higher UA), and more efficient lighting and fan motors) and B (containing R-513A, improved fans, and higher UA-heat exchangers, and more efficient lighting and fan motors) consumed 61.8% to 32.6% less energy, respectively, than a baseline case using R-134A refrigerant. The daily energy consumption of the R-290, R-513A, and baseline display cases at the upper limit of environmental conditions was 4.30, 7.59, and 11.26 kWh/day, respectively.


Performance Assessment of Low-GWP Refrigerated Reach-In Display Cases

Performance Assessment of Low-GWP Refrigerated Reach-In Display Cases

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Publisher:

Published: 2023

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

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This project is part of an effort by Commonwealth Edison Company (ComEd) to evaluate the energy and peak demand savings potential of emerging technologies in the Chicago area. This document focuses on the assessment of energy-efficient, medium-temperature, self-contained refrigerated display cases utilizing environmentally friendly refrigerants. The results of this evaluation will be considered by ComEd and CLEAResult to develop a new energy efficiency rebate measure for ComEd's incentive programs. This rebate measure will become an addition to the Technical Reference Manual. In 2016, the United Nations passed the Kigali Montreal Protocol Amendment, which placed restrictions on certain types of refrigerants. In compliance with this amendment, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) placed a ban on the manufacture of refrigeration systems using hydrofluorocarbons including R134a starting in January 2020. Although the ban has halted manufacture, the EPA continues to allow the use of these refrigerants. Therefore, it is critical to provide incentives for replacing these refrigerants with other environmentally friendly and energy-efficient alternatives.


Solar Energy

Solar Energy

Author: Himanshu Tyagi

Publisher: Springer Nature

Published: 2019-10-14

Total Pages: 423

ISBN-13: 9811506752

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This book covers challenges and opportunities related to solar-energy based systems. It covers a wide variety of topics related to solar energy, including applications-based systems such as solar thermal systems that are focused on drying, desalination, space cooling, refrigeration, and processing; recent advances in solar cells (DSSC) and photovoltaics; technologies for storage of energy (both sensible heating as well as latent heating); and the design of concentrated solar receivers. The information is presented in the context of the overall global energy utilization, and the role of solar energy has been highlighted. The contents of this book will be of interest to researchers, professionals, and policymakers alike.


Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps

Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps

Author: Fabio Polonara

Publisher: MDPI

Published: 2021-02-11

Total Pages: 180

ISBN-13: 3039438239

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Refrigeration, air conditioning, and heat pumps (RACHP) have an important impact on the final energy uses of many sectors of modern society, such as residential, commercial, industrial, transport, and automotive. Moreover, RACHP also have an important environmental impact due to the working fluids that deplete the stratospheric ozone layer, which are being phased out according to the Montreal Protocol (1989). Last, but not least, high global working potential (GWP), working fluids (directly), and energy consumption (indirectly) are responsible for a non-negligible quota of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the atmosphere, thus impacting climate change.


Refrigeration units in marine vessels

Refrigeration units in marine vessels

Author: Prof. Dr.-Ing. A. Hafner

Publisher: Nordic Council of Ministers

Published: 2019-04-02

Total Pages: 80

ISBN-13: 9289359412

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Fishing vessels can be equipped with energy efficient refrigeration technology applying natural working fluids. Ammonia refrigeration systems have been the first choice, but CO2 units have also become increasingly common in the maritime sector in the last few years. When retrofitting or implementing CO2 refrigeration plants, less space on board is required and such units allow good service and maintenance. Nowadays, cruise ship owners prefer CO2 units for the provision refrigeration plants.Ship owners, responsible for the health and safety of the crew and passengers, must carefully evaluate the usage of flammable low GWP working fluids, due to a high risk that toxic decomposition products are formed, even without the presence of an open flame. Suggestions for further work include a Nordic Technology Hub for global marine refrigeration R&D and development support for key components.