Experimental Study on the Replacement of HFC-R134a by Hydrocarbons in Automotive Air Conditioning System

The HFC-R134a and hydrocarbon refrigerant (HCR) will be evaluated on the automotive air conditioning (AAC) experimental test rig which completed with the AAC system including the blower, evaporator, condenser, radiator, electric motor, compressor, alternator and equipped with the simulation room acting (equipped with internal heat load) as the passenger compartment. The electric motor operated as a car’s engine and will drive the compressor simultaneously to the alternator to recharge the battery. The tests have been performed by varying the motor speed; 1000, 2000 and 3000 rpm, temperature set-point; 21 and 230C, and internal heat loads; 0, 500, 700 and 1000 W. The results of the performance characteristics of the HCR indicate the encouraging enhancement of the AAC system compared to Hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant (HFC-R134a).