Experimental drop-in comparison of R516A and R134A for water-to-water refrigeration applications

R134a is still one of the most used hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) in refrigeration and air conditioning applications. However, it should be phased out in the coming years because of its high global warming potential (GWP). The refrigeration sector needs to find as soon as possible technically suitable alternative refrigerants. R516A is a promising azeotropic mixture at medium-low temperatures. The operational and energetic performance of the lower GWP refrigerant R516A is analysed as a drop-in replacement to R134a. Experimental measurements are taken from in vapour compression test rig at several steady-state refrigeration conditions. The evaporating temperature is -5 ºC, -10 ºC and -15 ºC, and is combined with 32.5 ºC condensing temperature, considering the effect of the internal heat exchanger (IHX) effectiveness. R516A presents a good performance in terms of refrigerating effect and cooling capacity. R516A coefficient of performance (COP) is higher than R134a at the evaporating temperature of -15 ºC