The Replacement of the R404A Refrigeration System with The Environmentally Friendly R448A, to Improve Convenience Store Energy Efficiency in Thailand

Abstract

This study presents the energy saving characteristics of the R448A, instead of the R404A refrigeration system, in 5 convenience stores, with a total of 150 m2, situated in Central Thailand. The R448A hydrofluorocarbons/hydrofluoroolefins (HFCs/HFOs) (GWP=1390) is a non-azeotropic mixture of R32 (26%), R125 (26%), R1234yf (20%), R134a (21%) and R1234ze (E) (7%), which can be retrofitted to replace the R404A refrigeration system. The R404A hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) (GWP=3735) is a near azeotropic mixture of R125 (44%), R143A (52%), R134A (4%). Both refrigerants are composed of polyol ester oil (POE), are incombustible and non-toxic. The R448A has a higher cooling capacity (Qe) and lower global warming potentials (GWP) than the R404A due to its hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) R32 component and hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs) R1234yf/R1234ze (E) component, as opposed to the R404A. This was determined by measuring power consumption (kWh) and the ambient temperature (°C) through the use of power meters and temperature data logger respectively. The result obtained was able to summarize the relationship of all the parameters concerned, and showed an energy-saving average of 7.9%, i.e. 28,273 kWh/year per 5 stores, and a decreased global warming potential (GWP) of 70%, through the use of a digital scroll compressor.