Thermodynamic Analysis of Refrigeration Systems Using Eco-Friendly Refrigerants

Siti Nur Aisyah Rahman; Michael Jonathan  Smith

doi:10.70716/reswara.v3i4.451

Authors

Siti Nur Aisyah Rahman Department of Energy Systems Engineering, Institut Teknologi Bandung, Bandung, Indonesia Author
Michael Jonathan Smith Department of Mechanical and Energy Engineering, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.70716/reswara.v3i4.451

Keywords:

eco-friendly refrigerants, thermodynamic analysis, exergy efficiency, cascade refrigeration, low GWP refrigerants

Abstract

The global transition toward environmentally sustainable refrigeration systems has intensified research on eco-friendly refrigerants with low global warming potential and zero ozone depletion potential. Conventional refrigerants such as R22 and R134a are increasingly restricted due to their adverse environmental impacts. This study presents a systematic thermodynamic analysis of refrigeration systems operating with eco-friendly refrigerants, based on an extensive synthesis of recent peer-reviewed literature. The research evaluates system performance using first and second law analyses, focusing on key indicators such as coefficient of performance, exergy efficiency, entropy generation, and environmental impact metrics. The methodological approach integrates comparative analysis across single-stage, cascade, and multi-evaporator refrigeration configurations employing hydrofluoroolefins, hydrocarbons, carbon dioxide blends, and emerging nano-refrigerants. The results indicate that refrigerants such as R290, R1234yf, R1234ze, and R744-based mixtures consistently demonstrate superior energy and exergy performance compared to conventional fluids. Cascade and multi-stage systems further enhance performance under ultra-low temperature applications. The study confirms that eco-friendly refrigerants can achieve both thermodynamic efficiency and environmental sustainability. These findings provide a robust scientific basis for refrigerant selection and system design in future refrigeration and air-conditioning applications.

References

Andrade Terán, C. A. (2020). Análisis del HFO-1234ze como alternativa ecológica en la refrigeración doméstica. Ingenius: Revista de Ciencia y Tecnología, 25, 1–10. https://doi.org/10.17163/INGS.N25.2021.01

Apriliyani, D., Dharen, H., Junjunan, B. A., & Putra, R. (2023). Analisis bahan material komponen dan pemanfaatan hukum termodinamika dalam desain kulkas yang ramah lingkungan. Jurnal Arjuna, 2(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.61132/arjuna.v2i1.487

Aisyah, N., & Ariyadi, H. M. (2024). Performance evaluation of R1224yd as alternative to R123 and R245fa for vapor compression heat pump system. International Journal of Applied Thermodynamics, 27(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.5541/ijot.1310329

Baptista, V. B. C., & Verissimo, G. L. (2021). Thermodynamic analysis of a residential air conditioning equipment operating with ODP-free and low-GWP refrigerants. In Proceedings of COBEM 2021 (pp. 1–10). https://doi.org/10.26678/abcm.cobem2021.cob2021-0240

Baptista, V. B. S., & Verissimo, G. L. (2022). Thermodynamic analysis of a residential air conditioning system operating with ODP-free and low-GWP refrigerants. Engenharia Térmica, 21(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.5380/reterm.v21i1.86684

Baskaran, A., & Mathews, K. (2015). Thermodynamic analysis of R152a and dimethylether refrigerant mixtures in refrigeration systems. International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology, 4(1), 1–8.

Bolaji, B. O., & Amosun, S. T. (2023). Energy and cooling performance of carbon dioxide and hydrofluoroolefin blends as eco-friendly substitutes for R410A in air-conditioning systems. Mechanical Engineering for Society and Industry, 3(1), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.31603/mesi.8591

Bolaji, B. O., & Okoye, O. C. (2012). Thermodynamic study of environment-friendly R429A, R435A, and R457A refrigerants as substitutes for ozone-depleting R22 in refrigeration and air-conditioning systems. Journal of Power and Energy Engineering, 31(1), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.31217/p.31.1.12

Chopra, K., Sahni, V., & Mishra, R. S. (2015). Sustainability analysis in terms of energy and exergy evaluation of a two-stage vapour compression refrigeration system using eight eco-friendly refrigerants. International Journal of Engineering Research & Technology, 4(1), 1–8.

de Paula, C. H., Duarte, W. M., Rocha, T. T. M., & Silva, J. R. (2021). Energetic, exergetic, environmental, and economic assessment of a cascade refrigeration system operating with four different ecological refrigerant pairs. International Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration, 29(3), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.1142/S2010132521500255

de Paula, C. H., Duarte, W. M., Rocha, T. T. M., & Silva, J. R. (2020). Thermo-economic and environmental analysis of a small-capacity vapor compression refrigeration system using R290, R1234yf, and R600a. International Journal of Refrigeration, 119, 1–14. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2020.07.003

Faruque, M. W., Nabil, M. H., Uddin, M. R., & others. (2022). Thermodynamic assessment of a triple cascade refrigeration system utilizing hydrocarbon refrigerants for ultra-low temperature applications. Energy Conversion and Management: X, 15, 100207. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ecmx.2022.100207

Farooq, M., Hamayoun, A., Naqvi, M., & others. (2020). Thermodynamic performance analysis of hydrofluoroolefin refrigerants in commercial air-conditioning systems for a sustainable environment. Processes, 8(2), 187. https://doi.org/10.3390/pr8020187

Hacipasaoglu, S. G., & Öztürk, I. T. (2023). Thermodynamic and environmental analysis of novel cascade refrigeration cycles with ejector and intercooler for ultra-low temperatures using eco-friendly refrigerants. Energy Technology, 11(11), e202300894. https://doi.org/10.1002/ente.202300894

Hacipasaoglu, S. G., & Öztürk, I. T. (2024). Thermodynamic performance analysis and environmental impact assessment of cascade refrigeration cycles using eco-friendly nano-refrigerants. International Journal of Refrigeration, 156, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2024.05.007

Khaleel, M. A., Hassan, M., & Al-Oran, O. (2024). Thermodynamic evaluation of low-GWP and environmentally friendly alternative refrigerants. Mechanical Engineering Research, 12(1), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.5539/mer.v12n1p1

Kumar, S., Gahlot, P., & Kumar, S. (2024). Energy, exergy, and economic analysis of N₂O-based cascade refrigeration systems for ultra-low temperature cooling applications. Results in Engineering, 21, 102259. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rineng.2024.102259

Maalem, Y., Tamene, Y., & Madani, H. (2023). Performance investigation of the eco-friendly refrigerant R13I1 used in ejector-expansion refrigeration cycles. International Journal of Applied Thermodynamics, 26(3), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.5541/ijot.1263939

Mishra, R. S. (2013). Thermodynamic performance evaluation of multi-evaporator vapor compression refrigeration systems using thirteen eco-friendly refrigerants. International Journal of Mechanical Engineering, 4(1), 1–7.

Mishra, R. S. (2015). Performance evaluation of eco-friendly refrigerants in low-temperature cascade vapor compression refrigeration systems for biomedical applications. International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering, 2(1), 1–7.

Misra, R. K. (2022). Thermodynamic performance evaluation of multi-evaporator vapor compression refrigeration systems using thirteen eco-friendly refrigerants. International Journal of Advanced Research and Innovation, 10(3), 1–10. https://doi.org/10.51976/ijari.221421

Özer, M., Karaağaç, M. O., Ergün, A., & Demir, H. (2023). Analysis of next-generation refrigerants from energy, exergy, and LCCP perspectives. Düzce Üniversitesi Bilim ve Teknoloji Dergisi, 11(4), 1–15. https://doi.org/10.29130/dubited.1388565

Shaik, S. V., & Ashok Babu, T. P. (2020). Theoretical thermodynamic performance assessment of environment-friendly novel refrigerants used in refrigeration systems. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part E: Journal of Process Mechanical Engineering, 234(2), 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1177/0954406219884968

Sitahuis, T. P. J. (2022). A theoretical thermodynamic analysis of R1234yf/CO₂ cascade refrigeration systems. In Advanced refrigeration systems (pp. 85–102). Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-19-8517-1_5

Tarish, A. L., Al Douri, J., Apostol, V., & others. (2020). Exergy and performance analyses of impact subcooling for vapor compression refrigeration systems utilizing eco-friendly refrigerants. IOP Conference Series: Materials Science and Engineering, 997(1), 012158. https://doi.org/10.1088/1757-899X/997/1/012158

Yan, Z., Zhao, J., Luo, J., Song, Q., & others. (2022). Theoretical investigation and comparative analysis of Linde–Hampson refrigeration systems using eco-friendly zeotropic refrigerants based on R744/R1234ze(Z). International Journal of Refrigeration, 142, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2022.09.036

Yilmaz, B., Erdonmez, N., Sevindir, M. K., & Kaya, M. (2014). Thermodynamic analysis and optimization of cascade condensing temperature of a CO₂ (R744)/R404A cascade refrigeration system. Applied Thermal Engineering, 70(1), 1–10.