A THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF A VAPOR COMPRESSION SYSTEM ON ENVIRONMENTAL AND THERMODYNAMIC BASIS

Most of ships worldwide currently use as working agent hydrofluorocarbon R134a (HFC134a) in direct expansion refrigeration systems. International concern forces shipping sector to use refrigerants with low value of GWP (Global Warming Potential), an index comparing the climate impact of an emission of a greenhouse gas relative to that of emitting the same mass of carbon dioxide. The widespread refrigerant on board the ships, R134a, has a 100-year GWP=1300, while its possible alternative, the hydrofluorocarbon R152a (HFC-152a) has a GWP=140. Starting from the environmental benefit shown by R152a, a thermodynamic comparison between R134a and R152a is made in this paper. Results will indicate the opportunity of the substitution.