The Impact of Hydrocarbon R290 Refrigerant on Air Conditioner Performance and Environmental Sustainability

This study addresses the critical need for environmentally friendly refrigerants in residential air conditioning systems and explores the advantages of hydrocarbon R290 as an alternative to synthetic options. Given the indispensability of air conditioning for human comfort, the shift towards eco-friendly refrigerants becomes paramount. This research aims to demonstrate the superiority of natural refrigerants, particularly hydrocarbon R290, over conventional synthetic alternatives in air conditioning. Through a comparison of two similar air conditioners charged with R290 and R22 refrigerants, the study evaluates their performance and environmental implications. The initial phase involves a thorough analysis of hydrocarbon R290’s physical properties and compatibility with synthetic refrigerants. The findings underscore its remarkable compatibility, directly replacing the environmentally harmful Hydrochlorofluorocarbon R22 refrigerant. Practical experiments and theoretical pressure-enthalpy chart analyses establish that R290-equipped air conditioners significantly enhance the coefficient of performance (COP). In practical applications, COP sees a 21.74% boost, while theoretical analysis indicates a 7.33% increase. Furthermore, adopting R290 contributes to a 17.5% reduction in CO2 emissions through reduced power consumption. Environmental sustainability is a pivotal aspect of refrigerant evaluation; the study furnishes compelling evidence favouring hydrocarbon R290. The research demonstrates that R290 is approximately 1,383 times more environmentally friendly than R22 in terms of global warming potential and refrigerant mass. Safety, a paramount concern in adopting new refrigerants, is also addressed. R290’s mass charge aligns with international standards, and its concentration remains 17.37% below the lower flammability limit, ensuring secure usage in confined spaces.