Vol. 14 No. 1 (1999)

The retrofit and conversion of a R22 chiller to R290 was done on an AC chiller Carrier Type 30-GB-070-910. The retrofit of chiller was mainly the implementation of safety features and conversion to HC refrigerant. A series of measurements to evaluate its performance has been carried out on the same chiller for both eases i.e. before and after conversion, while it was in use. The resulting data analysis revealed that the chiller performed better with HC refrigerant compare to its previous condition. Retrofitting procedure, refrigerant conversion, test procedure and data analyses are…

The Montreal Protocol requires large water chillers cease using refrigerants 11, 22 and 123. Comparing thermodynamic and transport property parameters for these, 134a, 290, 601, 601a, 717 and pentafiuoroiodoethane avoids certain errors and biases. The parameters for R71 7 (ammonia) offer energy savings about 20%. R290 or 717 can replace 22. The pentane mixture R601 /601a [50/50] with an electronic 38% rotor speed increase can economically replace R11.

Life cycle tests of hermetic compressors were conducted using a specially designed test rig that employs a gas cycle. They were conducted at an ambient temperature of 50"C and suction and discharge pressures of 2.2 bar and 18.5 bar respectively. The oil temperature was maintained between 80- I 00"C. The duration of test was 2000h.After completion of the test, the oil samples were tested for total acid number and metal contents (Cu, Fe and Al). Any chemical degradation of refrigerant sample was assessed using NMR and F T-IR spectroscopes. The wear effects of compressor parts were measured…

In conjunction with the CFC phase out, IURC-ES ITB has been concentrating its research of HC refrigerant on