The feasibility study of retrofiting R404A refrigerant to R407F to improve energy saving and protect environment

Abstract

Among refrigerants to replace R22, R404A has been using broadly in mid and low temperature refrigeration systems in our country. However, with its high GWP=3922, this refrigerant also increases greenhouse effect and hence its production quantity is limited in Euroupe countries. For that reason, possessing the lower GWP of 1824,which is 50% compared with that of R404A, R407F is amid competitive refrigerants for this replacement. Experimental result shows that if we replace the existing R404A with R407F in a being used cooling system, cooling load will be higher along with approximately 7% compression work reduction leading to increasing energy saving from 10% up than the old ones, and cooling time would be cut-down without refrigeration’s major components substitution. Nevertheless, with mass flow less than 40% of that of R404A, one should adjust expansion valve to have suitable operation for this refrigerant.