New refrigerant options for R404A replacement in truck refrigeration systems.

R404A is largely used in refrigerated transportation systems. Given the relatively high refrigerant leakage rates of transportation systems and the relatively high 100-year GWP (3943) of R404A, it is increasingly under scrutiny. Furthermore, containment measures are included in the recent European Union F-Gas regulation 517/2014. In this paper a thermodynamic screening of single-component refrigerants, such as HFCs, HFOs, HCs, CO2, and their binary blends are considered in an ideal vapour compression refrigeration cycle operating with application temperatures appropriate for truck refrigeration systems. Based on the thermodynamic screening, the three promising options, in terms of Coefficient of Performance (COP) and of Volumetric Cooling Capacity (VCC), are selected for further analysis using an advanced simulation model in order to compare their performances with R404A in a typical European truck refrigeration system. The estimated COP and VCC are compared and strategies for improving the energetic performance of the refrigeration system are outlined.