Thermodynamic analysis of low GWP alternatives to HFC-245fa in high-temperature heat pumps: HCFO-1224yd(Z), HCFO-1233zd(E) and HFO-1336mzz(Z)

This paper analyses the feasibility of HCFO-1224yd(Z), HCFO-1233zd(E) and HFO-1336mzz(Z), three low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants, as alternatives to HFC-245fa in high-temperature heat pump (HTHP) systems for low-grade waste heat recovery. HTHPs are a sustainable technology that can help to mitigate climate change through the thermal valorisation of the industrial low-grade waste heat. Before presenting and analysing the results, mapping of the minimum superheat degree requirement in the operating range, and the influence of the Internal Heat Exchanger (IHX) on each alternative are studied. The simulations were carried out at condensing temperatures from 115 to 145 degrees C and evaporating temperatures from 45 to 75 degrees C, using a single-stage cycle with and without IHX. Finally, the Total Equivalent Warming Impact (TEWI) evaluation is performed to illustrate the environmental effect of each alternative. Attending to the results, HCFO-1233zd(E) improves the COP about 27% compared to HFC-245fa, whereas HFO-1336mzz(Z) and HCFO-1224yd(Z) show an improvement of approx. 21 and 17%, respectively. Although HCFO-1233zd(E) and HCFO-1224yd(Z) present similar suction volumetric flow rate to HFC-245fa, HFO-1336mzz(Z) shows a relative increment up to 80%, and therefore, higher compressor and installation size are expected for this refrigerant. Finally, the TEWI analysis presents a significant reduction of the equivalent CO2 emissions for each low GWP alternative, between 59 and 61%. HCFO-1233zd(E) shows the highest reduction in all the simulation cases, followed by HCFO-1224yd(Z) and HFO-1336mzz(Z).