Lead Performer: Oak Ridge National Laboratory – Oak Ridge, TN
June 22, 2023
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Lead Performer: Oak Ridge National Laboratory – Oak Ridge, TN
DOE Total Funding: $700,000
Project Term: January 1, 2023 – January 1, 2024
Funding Type: Lab Award
Project Objective
This project empirically characterizes the thermal transport phenomena for the next generation of low GWP refrigerants in a range of channel geometries. Additionally, this project explores the effect of oil on refrigerant thermophysical properties and thermal-hydraulic performance. Overall, this project will allow ORNL to develop state-of-the art facilities to evaluate flow boiling and condensation for current and future refrigerants. This state-of-the art infrastructure can also characterize thermophysical properties for refrigerant/oil mixtures. Using these capabilities, we will obtain empirical data for multiphase heat transfer and pressure drop for GWP <150 refrigerant blends. This is part of our design framework for the next generation of heat exchangers employing GWP <150 refrigerant blends.
Project Impact
The residential and light commercial A/C installed use approximately 321,728 tons of R-410A, which represents direct emissions of 33,000,000 tons of CO2. This estimate is based on leak rates of 4% per year, and an end-of-life loss of 15%. The database developed in this project can reduce the direct emissions by 96.4% (32,500,000 tons of CO2). This supports the EERE/BTO goal of 50-52% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. Additionally, optimized heat exchangers, enabled by the data generated in this project, will help to lower indirect emissions. These emissions include both refrigeration and air-conditioning applications.
Contacts
DOE Technology Manager: Payam Delgoshaei
Lead Performer: Saad Jajja