Update on Phase II of the AHRI Low GWP Alternative Refrigerants Evaluation Program (Low GWP AREP) Karim Amrane and Xudong Wang Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI) Technical Forum on Research Projects for Alternative Refrigerants in High Ambient Countries 31 October 2015, Dubai, UAE
Low GWP AREP Introduction Cooperative research & testing program to identify suitable alternatives to high GWP refrigerants Evaluation of candidates strongly desired by OEMs The program is NOT to prioritize refrigerants, rather test and present objective results in a consistent manner Final reports available to the public Phase I was completed at the end of 2013. 38 refrigerants were evaluated in Phase I testing. AHRI published 40 test reports. Phase II testing started in 2014, and is ongoing new refrigerants high ambient testing
AHRI Low GWP AREP Phase II 29 new refrigerant fi candidates proposed, 19 tested t d(in red color) Baseline Refrigerants R-134a R-404A R-410A R-22/R-407C R-123 Alternative Refrigerant Candidates Classifications according to ASHRAE Standard 34 A1 A2L A2 BRB36 ARM-32b, ARM-35, D42Yb, ARM-20a, D42Yz, ARM-20b, ARM-25a DR-34 (R-452A), N-40c (R-448A), R-442A R-449B ARM-32c, D542HT, DR-91, DR-93, N-20b, R-442A, R-449B ARC-1, R1233zd(E) HDR110 ARM-71a, DR-5A (R454B), DR-55 HPR2A L-41-1 (R-446A) L-41-2 (R-447A) DR-3, L-20a (R-444B) LPR1A
Low GWP AREP Phase II HAT Matrix Product Category Rooftop Unit Max. Test Nominal Ambient Baseline ARM ARMcompanies Capacity 20b 71a conditions DR 55 DR 5A HPR2A L 41 1 L 41 2 N 40c R 32 Carrier 10 ton 125F 410A X X X X Goodman 2.5 ton 125F R 22 X Goodman 2.5 ton 125F 410A X Lennox 5 ton 125F 410A X X X X X X Trane 4 ton 125F 410A X X X Zamilac 6 ton 125F 410A X Carrier 3 ton 125F 410A X X X X X Split System Danfoss 3 ton 125F 410A X X X Goodman 3 ton 125F 410A X Chiller Armines 10kW 115F 410A X X X X Ice Machine Manitowoc 910 lb/24hr 120F 404A X X
Low GWP Refrigerants in HAT ASHRAE Designation Composition GWP (AR4) Classification ARM 20b NA not yet disclosed d <150 A2L ARM 71a NA not yet disclosed <500 A2L DR 55 NA R 32/R 125/R 1234yf (67/7/26) 698 A2L DR 5A R 454B R 32/R 1234yf (68.9/31.1) 466 A2L HPR2A NA not yet disclosed 600 A2L L 41 1 R 446A R32/R1234ze(E)/R600 (68/29/3) 461 A2L L 41 2 R 447A R32/R1234ze(E)/R125 (68/28.5/3.5) 572 A2L R32/R125/R134a/R1234yf/R1234ze(E) N 40c R 448A (26/26/21/20/7) / / / 1273 A1 R 32 R 32 R 32 (100) 675 A2L
Rooftop Unit Drop in Tests 5 ton rooftop packaged air conditioner Lennox LGH060H4ESP AHRI Classification: SP A Cooling Capacity (BTUH): 60,000 EER Rating: 12.7 Scroll compressor with POE oil Nominal Air flow rate 1750 cfm Test Conditions Standard A (95F), B (82F) and high ambient (115F and 125F)
Rooftop Unit Drop in Test (Source: AREP PReport No.47 and 53, Lennox Industries)
Rooftop Unit Drop in Test (Source: AREP PReport No.47 and 53, Lennox Industries)
Rooftop Unit Drop in Test (Source: AREP Report No. 47 and 53, Lennox Industries)
Rooftop Unit Drop in Test The tested alternate refrigerants had higher discharge temperatures compared to R 410A. (Source: AREP Report No. 47 and 53, Lennox Industries)
Rooftop Unit Soft Optimization Test Unit 1: 6 ton rooftop packaged air conditioner (AREP Report No. 55, Zamil AC) R 410A system with a scroll compressor (ZP61K5E) Original production POE oil and production 6.5 ton TXV Soft optimized system for R 32 test: The original compressor was changed to a prototype compressor (ZP61KCE) with POE oil, having a slightly larger displacement volume (7.18 ft^3/min Vs 7.06 ft^3/min) the 6.5 ton TXV was changed to a 4.5 ton TXV. Tested per AHRI Standard d 340/360
Rooftop Unit Soft Optimization Test (Source: AREP Report No. 55, Zamil Central Air Conditioners)
Rooftop Unit Soft Optimization Test Unit 2: 4 ton rooftop heat pump (AREP Report No. 56, Ingersoll Rand) R 410A system with a fixed speed scroll compressor (SXA044B2BPA) with POE oil. Original installed non adjustable TXVs for cooling and heating. Soft optimized system for alternative refrigerants tests: A variable frequency drive (VFD) was installed to allow the original compressorspeedspeed to be varied so that all refrigerants could be tested at the same capacity. the original TXVs were changed to adjustable TXVs of the same size for cooling and heating. Tested per AHRI Standard 210/240
Rooftop Unit Soft Optimization Test System charge and compressor speed were first determined to match R 410A capacity at A condition (95F) with EER optimized. Charge (lb) AFD (Hz) Capacity at 95F (btu/hr) EER (btu/w hr) R 410A 9 60 50,241 11.32 DR 55 8.2 60 50,213 11.81 R 32 7.25 55 50,637 11.98 DR 5A 8.2 61 50,627 11.84 Then tests were run with each refrigerant, using the selected refrigerant fi charge, TXV setting, and AFD speed for all other conditions.
Rooftop Unit Soft Optimization Test Note: R 32 was not tested at 125F due to high discharge temperature. (Source: AREP Report No. 56, Ingersoll Rand)
Split Systems Drop in Tests Two R 410A ducted split heat pumps were tested: Unit 1: 3 ton, 14 SEER Unit 2: 2.5 ton, 13 SEER Test Conditions Standard A (95F), B (82F) and high ambient (125F) Standard heating conditions (not included in this presentation)
Split Systems Drop in Tests (Source: AREP Reports No. 52, Carrier, and 54, Danfoss A/S) /) Note: R 32 at 125F in Unit 2 was not tested due to high discharge temp.
Split System Soft Optimization Test Baseline: R 410A system with a new scroll compressor (ZP31K6) Original production POE oil and production 4 ton TXV Soft optimized system for R 32 test: Step 1: the 4 ton TXV was changed to a 3 ton TXV, no other components were changed. Step 2: another ZP31K6 compressor charged with Emerson prototype R32 POE oil was used. The 3 ton TXV was used.
Split System Air Conditioner Soft Optimization Test R32 with production POE oil test could not be performed due to high discharge temperature. (Source: AREP Report No. 42, Goodman Manufacturing)
Split System Air Conditioner Soft Optimization Test (Source: AREP Report No. 42, Goodman Manufacturing)
Chiller Drop in Test Awater chiller was tested with and without liquid receiver R32 test was not performed due to high discharge temperature (>126C). R32 test was not performed due to high discharge temperature (>126C). (Source: AREP PReport No. 46, CES Armines)
Chiller drop in test R32 test under 45C ambient was able to perform with liquid receiver configuration. (Source: AREP Report tno. 46, CES Armines)
Summary Equipment covered: Rooftop units (6) Split ducted system (3) Water chiller (1) Refrigeration products (1) Test reports published: 9 reports were approved and published as of mid October (11 HAT reports are expected in Phase II). 30 reports in total for Phase II AHRI will hold a public event, the Low GWP AREP II Conference, on January 21, 2016 in Orlando, FL. 18 Test companies will present their test results to the public in the meeting. Reports are available to the public on AHRI website http://www.ahrinet.org/site/514/resources/research/ahri Low GWP Alternative Refrigerants Evaluation
AHRI Flammable Refrigerants Subcommittee (FRS) The mission is to determine gaps in existing flammable refrigerant research develop a roadmap with priorities and a timeline to complete the critical research toward the safe use of flammable refrigerants with a focus on 2L refrigerants The FRS had surveyed relevant codes and standards committees and organizations on: the main knowledge gaps for the use of 2L flammable refrigerants anystanding issuesandgaps that requireadditional research current and past research activities on flammable refrigerants
AHRI Flammable Refrigerants Subcommittee (FRS) Identified top priority research needs by surveying relevant codes and standards committees and organizations: Benchmarking risk by real life leaks and ignitions testing Other high priority topics to be addressed: Investigate t the proper basis for setting charge limits it of A2L, A2, and A3 for various types of products. Need to understand the risk/consequence after the refrigerant being ignited Investigate ignition temperatures for various 2L refrigerants at various ambient conditions Effort requires multi million dollars to sponsor research activities and produce publicly available results.
AHRI Flammable Refrigerants Subcommittee (FRS) The next steps are to: define the specific research projects to fill in the identified critical knowledge gaps collaborate within the industry and with relevant agencies to fund and launch these research projects. The US industry has committed $1 Million research fund to support the effort, and is seeking global collaboration via co sponsorship.
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