Applications Tests of Energy Efficient, Environmentally Friendly Refrigerants

Abstract

This paper describes performance demonstrations of two members of the Ikon® family of safe, environmentally friendly, high performance substitute refrigerants for replacement of R-12 and R-134a in manufacturing and facilities operations. Preliminary development efforts for Ikon® C, an energy efficient R-22 replacement, will also be described. The Ikon® refrigerants are nonflammable, non-ozone-depleting, have low global warming, relatively low toxicity, are thermally stable, and are compatible with most common refrigeration system materials of construction. This paper presents (1) results of performance demonstration of Ikon® B in an instrumented spare of the Space Shuttle Cabin cooling system at NASA KSC; (2) results from performance demonstration of Ikon® A and Ikon® B in a domestic refrigerator; and (3) a brief update on the development status of lkon® C including predicted capacities and energy efficiencies of candidates. Results confirm the 10-20% increased energy efficiency of the refrigerants, due to greater volumetric capacity.