Retrofitting an air-conditioning device to utilize R1234yf and R1234ze(E) refrigerants as alternatives to R22

The thermodynamic behaviour of R1234yf and R1234ze(E) refrigerants in air conditioners having moderate and high evaporation temperatures applications was experimentally investigated in this study. In this context, the compressor oil of a split-type air conditioner was only changed and the experiments were performed under four different ambient temperatures. The evaporation temperatures of R1234yf were noted as similar to that of R22. It was found that cooling capacities of R1234yf and R1234ze(E) were lower in comparison with R22. On the other hand, the largest power consumption amount was developed for R22 among the tested refrigerants. It was determined compared to R22 that refrigerant charging amounts of R1234ze(E) and R1234yf were lower by about 16 and 12%, respectively. Basically, although the cooling capacity and power consumption of R1234yf amounts were higher than that of R1234ze(E), COP value of the latter was seen to be greater. According to the results, it is suitable that the air-conditioning systems may be alternatively charged with R1234ze(E) as a substitute for R22 as far as COP is considered.