Modelling of Thermodynamic and Transport Properties of R452B Refrigerant with Low GWP

Abstract

Accurate and reliable estimation of the thermodynamic and transport properties of refrigerants is of paramount importance for the effective design and optimization of refrigeration cycles. In the context of growing environmental concerns, there is a pressing need to transition towards more environmentally benign refrigeration systems and applications. This imperative has driven the search for alternative refrigerants with reduced environmental impact. The refrigerant R452B has emerged as a promising candidate, particularly as a suitable replacement for R410A, due to its favorable thermodynamic characteristics and significantly lower Global Warming Potential (GWP). This research addresses the critical need for precise property data by developing mathematical models for key thermodynamic and transport properties of the R452B refrigerant. Specifically, the study focuses on modelling enthalpy, entropy, specific volume, thermal conductivity, viscosity, and thermal diffusivity. These properties are fundamental to understanding the behavior of the refrigerant within refrigeration systems and are essential for accurate system design and performance prediction. To achieve this modelling objective, the genetic expression programming (GEP) methodology, a powerful evolutionary algorithm capable of automatically generating complex mathematical expressions, was employed. GEP was selected for its ability to discover intricate relationships between variables and to produce explicit equations that can be readily implemented. The accuracy and reliability of the developed GEP models were rigorously evaluated. The coefficient of determination (R²) for the predicted thermodynamic and transport properties across a range of temperatures was found to be between 97% and 99%. This high degree of accuracy demonstrates the robustness and predictive power of the generated equations. The strong correlation between the model predictions and the actual property values indicates that these equations are sufficiently sensitive and accurate to be used with confidence in engineering calculations and simulations. The newly developed mathematical models offer a valuable tool for engineers and researchers working with R452B. These models provide a means to accurately estimate the thermodynamic and transport properties of this refrigerant without the need for complex and time-consuming experimental measurements or computationally intensive simulations. By providing dependable equations, this study facilitates more efficient and accurate design, analysis, and optimization of refrigeration systems utilizing the R452B refrigerant.

Keywords

R452B / Low GWP / Thermodynamic properties / Transport properties / Modelling / Genetic programming

Author Contributions

T.K. contributed to conceptualization, methodology, simulation, data curation, writing—original draft, and visualization. A.Ş.Ş. was involved in data curation, writing—review and editing, and supervision.

Ethics Statement

All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards.

Informed Consent Statement

Consent was obtained from all individual participants included in the study.

Data Availability Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, upon reasonable request.

Funding

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

Declaration of Competing Interest

The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.

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