He Yongning,Wang Su′ao,Zhao Xihang,et al.Study on Refrigerant Replacement for Cascade Refrigeration Systems in Small and Medium-Scale Cold Store[J].Journal of Refrigeration,
Small- and medium-scale cold stores, which are widely used, play important roles in daily life. The low-carbon operation of the refrigeration units used in cold stores is of great significance. Cascade refrigeration systems, which achieve low temperatures, exhibit high energy efficiency. The R134a/CO₂ cascade system, in particular, performs well. With the tightening of refrigerant regulations, the exploration of low-GWP refrigerants has become increasingly important. In the study, the refrigerants R515B, R513A, R449A, R448A, and R450A were selected as alternatives to R134a, and their performance was evaluated in terms of energy, exergy, environmental, and economic factors. At an evaporation temperature of -50 ℃, R515B, R513A, and R450A achieved coefficients of performance and compressor powers similar to those of R134a. R515B reduced the high-stage discharge temperature by 9.97 ℃, improving system stability. Relative to R134a, at a condensation temperature of 50 ℃, R450A achieved a 0.41% reduction in exergy efficiency and a 1.38% increase in exergy loss. R450A reduced direct carbon emissions by 57.86%. The thermodynamic performance of R450A was close to that of R134a, and its comprehensive energy utilization rate was optimal, based on analysis of energy efficiency, exergy, environmental, and economic factors.
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