PropacControl

The project is a continuation of PROPAC which reached the goal of 3.5 kW cooling capacity and COP2> 3.5 for a split air conditioner with less than 150 g of the natural, environmentally friendly but flammable refrigerant propane. Systems with less than 150 g of propane are considered safe in terms of flammability risks according to international standards.

Experience from PROPAC shows that more research is needed before the technology can be applied for future product development. The basic questions that the PROPAC CONTROL project must answer consider control and monitoring of a system in which the refrigerant flow (13 g/s) is very large in relation to the low refrigerant charge. It is a new, unexplored area in refrigeration technology to manage the potential rapid maldistribution of the refrigerant which may harm components, initiate oscillations and reduce efficiency. This project shall develop and evaluate strategies for control that address these problems.