Experimental Investigation on Indirect Heat Pump System Performance using R290 Refrigerant for Automotive Application

A ban on Per- and Polyfluorinated Substances (PFAS) has enforced automobile companies to find alternatives to current R1234yf refrigerant. One such natural substitute, R290 (propane), is becoming popular with automotive manufacturers and suppliers due to its high performance and efficiency. However, due to its high flammability, R290 is not allowed in the cabin evaporator/condenser in order to ensure the safety of the driver and passenger. This requires the design of a novel indirect Heat Flux Management System (HFMS) with coolant as a working fluid to transfer heating to cabin and powertrain cooling components. The design of the heat pump system confines flammable R290 refrigerant to a hermitic compact box to avoid leakages. This paper aims to investigate the performance and efficiency of a new R290 refrigerant-based indirect heat pump system. The system is tested on a test bench, and the results are compared to an indirect heat pump system with R1234yf refrigerant. The study and results are used to check the feasibility of introducing R290 refrigerant as a potential alternative to PFAS refrigerant in automotive systems and related domains.