Characterisation and thermal performance of a R290 transport refrigeration unit with charge amount in South Africa.

The transport of perishable goods mainly foodstuffs, requires refrigeration and insulated vehicles, especially countries with high ambient temperatures have a growing demand for efficient and safe refrigerated transport. Refrigerated transport plays an paramount roles in direct and indirect reduction of greenhouse gases emission. Currently, the available technologies for transport refrigeration systems in South Africa are inefficient units using refrigerants with high global warming potential (GWP) and having high leakage rates. The Transport Refrigeration Project sponsored by GIZ aims to improve the overall performance of transport refrigeration in South Africa: Efficient transport refrigeration systems for small and large trucks have been developed using the low-GWP hydrocarbon refrigerant R290. During the project, the thermal performance of R290 were tested and compared to the R404A for a refrigeration unit when the charge amount varies. The results indicate that the charge amount is dramatically reduced meanwhile the refrigeration capacity and performance are still maintained at an equivalent or higher level, investigation results also shows the opportunity for further performance improvement.