Miscibility analysis of polyol-ester based oil SW32 with R404A and low-GWP refrigerant R452A. (September 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Saleem, Arslan; Kim, Man-Hoe
• Is Part Of: International journal of refrigeration. Volume 129(2021)
• Page Start: 22
• Page End: 31
• Publication Date: 2021-09
• Subjects: Miscibility -- Low-GWP refrigerants -- Polyol ester oil -- R404A -- R452A -- SW32; Miscibilité -- Frigorigènes à faible GWP -- Huile d'ester de polyol -- R404A -- R452A -- SW32; Refrigeration and refrigerating machinery -- Periodicals; 621.56
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2021.05.002
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0140-7007

Abstract

Highlights: An experimental analysis is conducted to compare the miscibility of R452A and R404A refrigerant with lubricant SW32. The saturation vapor pressure of the refrigerant/lubricant mixture is measured for varying oil mass fraction and temperature. Oil refrigerant phase separations are studied and a phase diagram is developed for R404A and R452A. R452A demonstrated a higher miscibility region compared to R404A. Abstract: Refrigerant/lubricant miscibility plays an important role in the overall thermal performance and reliability of refrigeration and air-conditioning systems. R452A is considred a viable replacement of R404A refrigerant due to its comparible thermophysical properties and low global warming potential. In this paper, the miscibility of a polyol ester based oil SW32 is experimentally investigated with R404A and R452A by varying the oil mass fraction from 5% to 70% over the temperature range of 243.15K to 313.15K. The results revealed R452A is completely miscible with SW32 oil up to 30% oil mass fraction over the whole temperature range considered in the study followed by R404A which showed complete miscibility up to 20% oil mass fraction. Liquid phase separation showed the presence of three different types of immisicibility present for both refrigerant at higher oil mass fractions. Moreover, the low-global warming potential alternative, R452A demonstrated an 18% higher miscibility region with SW32 oil compared to R404A.