17 May 2024
Dian Morfi Nasution, S. T., M. T.
Global warming has caused a domino effect on the massive use of air conditioning machines. Especially in urban areas, air conditioning machines have contributed 60–70% of the total electricity consumption of buildings in Indonesia. This affects coal consumption as the basic material for power generation, which will undoubtedly increase air pollution through combustion. An appropriate solution is needed that can be applied effectively and en masse in order to use electricity.
Dian Morfi Nasution (Universitas Sumatera Utara, Indonesia), Muhammad Idris (Universitas Medan Area, Indonesia), Nugroho Agung Pambudi (Universitas Negeri Sebelas Maret, Indonesia), and Weriono (Sekolah Tinggi Teknologi Pekanbaru), a group of researchers with a background in mechanical engineering, answered this challenge with their findings. They explored the effect of using a liquid-suction heat exchanger (LSHX) and R290 refrigerant on energy efficiency, power consumption, coefficient of performance (COP), and heat exchanger effectiveness in a room air conditioning system.
Dian Morfi explained that R290 is propane, one type of hydrocarbon refrigerant. It is used as an environmentally friendly alternative to replace refrigerants that are more harmful to the environment, such as HFCs (Hydrofluorocarbons) and CFCs (Chlorofluorocarbons). Using R290 can help reduce the potential for ozone layer depletion and global warming. “R290 refrigerant has been recognized as an alternative material to support energy efficiency. We tried to find a formulation of using R290 with LSHX to maximize the use of environmentally friendly air conditioners,” said Dian Morfi.
They used a split-type Room Air Conditioner (RAC) with 395 W input power and R22 initial refrigerant, assembled with LSHX and R290. Experiments were conducted on two system conditions, with six tests each. Performance parameters such as temperature, pressure, power consumption, and heat exchanger efficiency were measured to find the most appropriate formulation.
This study showed the results of energy savings of up to 27.69% with the use of LSHX and R290 compared to the standard RAC. Meanwhile, systems using a combination of LSHX and R290 refrigerant can experience up to 38.29% improvement in COP. The results show that the advantages of LSHX and R290 bring new hope, reducing potential ozone degradation and global warming impacts while still delivering superior performance.“The results are quite encouraging. Using LSHX and R290 provides advantages in improving the energy efficiency of standard RAC systems. The use of R290 refrigerant helps reduce the negative environmental impacts associated with conventional refrigerants such as HFCs and CFCs,” explains Dian Morfi.
This research underscores the environmental impact of refrigerant use, which is becoming essential in today’s era of environmental transformation. Dian Morfi hopes that applying the results of this research is an opportunity to open a new face for the air conditioning machine industry as a concrete step to emphasize commitment to energy efficiency and environmental sustainability efforts.
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