Performance of hydrocarbon mixture in a direct expansion solar assisted heat pump system

The energy performance of a direct expansion solar assisted heat pump system, working with a hydrocarbon mixture (HCM) of R290/R1270, 70:30 (by mass ratio) was investigated. The experiments were carried out at a metrological condition existing near Calicut, India. The experimental system mainly consists of a compressor, condenser, thermostatic expansion valve and evaporator collector. A system simulation technique was used for modelling the system. The experimental results obtained are compared with simulation output of the system working with R22 and a mixture of R290/R1270. The selected alternative working fluid mixture showed better energy performance ratio about 5.8% higher. The parametric analysis of the system working with R22 and a mixture of R290/R1270 is investigated with the help of an established system simulation model. The effect of an evaporator (solar collector) area and solar insolation are found to be the significant influencing parameters on the system performance. Moreover, the new hydrocarbon mixture is found to be a good energy efficient and environmental friendly working fluid to phase out R22 in the solar assisted heat pump systems.