COMPARATIVE-ASSESSMENT OF SOME HCFCS, HFCS AND HFES AS ALTERNATIVES TO CFC11

The theoretical performances of some hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), and hydrofluorinated ethers (HFEs) have be en assessed as alternatives to CFC11 by using the standard refrigerati on parameters including pressure ratio, specific compressor displaceme nt and theoretical Rankine coefficient of performance. From this compa rative analysis, it is evident that CFC11 is the best thermodynamicall y efficient fluid and HCFC123 is the fluid which offers features close to CFC11. A brief review of the current status of HCFC123, which is c urrently accepted as an interim substitute for CFC11, is also presente d. Among the HFCs assessed, HFC245ca offers reasonable (COP)RR values with compressor sizes closer to CFC11. HFE143 is the best fluorinated ether as it offers efficiency very close to CFC11 but it requires rela tively large size compressors. Perhaps HFE143 may be suitable for the lower range of cooling capacities currently covered by CFC11.