Theoretical assessments of HFC134a and alternatives to CFC12 as working fluids for heat pumps

HFC134a has been identified as an alternative to CFC12 for refrigeration applications. Significant progress has been made in the use of HFC134a for refrigeration. This paper analyses the suitability of HFC134a along with those of HCFC22, HCFC124, HFC134, HCFC142b and HFC152a as alternatives to CFC12 for heat-pump applications. Some basic and derived thermodynamic data have been used for a comparative assessment. HFC134a appears to be the closest alternative to CFC12, but HFC152a is likely to be a better alternative from an energy point of view.