SELECTION OF LOW GWP REFRIGERANT FOR HEAT PUMP BY ASSESSING THE LIFE CYCLE CLIMATE PERFORMANCE (LCCP)
With the growing concern over global warming and increasing contribution of refrigeration and heat pump systems to climate change, it is necessary to mitigate the greenhouse gases emissions from refrigeration and heat pump system. To evaluate the environmental impact of heat pump system over its entire life cycle, the Life Cycle Climate Performance (LCCP) has been used. Current study presents the LCCP of 30 kW capacity air/water heat pump system, designed for retrofitting of heating systems in European building sector applications. The analysis is performed for selection of low GWP refrigerants with GWP values not greater than 150 (including R152a, R1234yf, R290, R1270 and others). The results are compared with the results of R410A, which is used as a reference refrigerant. In addition to the LCCP evaluation, thermophysical properties are taken into account in the process of refrigerant selection. As there is no perfect refrigerant, the advantages and disadvantages of different refrigerants are discussed. Based on the results of this study, one refrigerant is suggested to be used.