Study on Low-GWP Refrigerant and their performance in Modern HVAC System

The global HVAC&R industry is transitioning to low-GWP (Global Warming Potential) refrigerants due to stringent environmental regulations and climate change mitigation efforts. This study evaluates the thermodynamic performance, safety, and economic viability of next-generation refrigerants, including hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), natural refrigerants (CO₂, ammonia, hydrocarbons), and blended solutions, as alternatives to high-GWP HFCs. Experimental data reveal that HFOs like R-1234yf (GWP = 1) exhibit comparable COP to HFCs but with 5–8% lower cooling capacity, while natural refrigerants such as R-290 (propane) achieve 20% higher COP but require stringent flammability controls. CO₂ (R-744) operates efficiently in transcritical cycles but faces challenges in high ambient temperatures (>35°C). The study highlights critical trade-offs between environmental benefits, system performance, and safety, providing actionable insights for adopting low-GWP refrigerants in residential, commercial, and industrial HVAC applications.