Combining molecular modelling approaches for a holistic thermophysical characterisation of fluorinated refrigerant blends

After Montreal Protocol, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) appeared to be a permanent solution for replacing previous ozone-depleting substances. However, their utilisation has now progressively decreased following the Kigali Amendment application in 2016 due to their high global warming potential (GWP). Un...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Jovell, Daniel, Alonso, Gerard, Gamallo, Pablo, González Olmos, Rafael, Quinteros-Lama, Héctor, Llovell, Felix
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2025
País:España
Institución:Universitat Ramon Llull (URL)
Repositorio:DAU Arxiu Digital de la Universitat Ramon Llull
OAI Identifier:oai:dau.url.edu:20.500.14342/5290
Acceso en línea:http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.14342/5290
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2025.03.026
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:Fluorinated refrigerants
Molecular dynamics
Soft-SAFT EOS
Phase equilibria
Surface tension
Viscosity
Dinàmica molecular
Tensió superficial
Viscositat
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544
Descripción
Sumario:After Montreal Protocol, hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) appeared to be a permanent solution for replacing previous ozone-depleting substances. However, their utilisation has now progressively decreased following the Kigali Amendment application in 2016 due to their high global warming potential (GWP). Unsaturated HFCs, such as hydrofluoroolefins (HFOs), are considered feasible alternatives due to their high reaction rates and low atmospheric lifetimes, resulting in very low GWP. However, available data on their physicochemical behaviour still needs to be improved, even with the recent increase in the amount of new experimental data for these systems. In this direction, computational tools provide a quick pathway to screen their properties and complete the information obtained from experimental work. In this contribution, two different molecular modelling tools, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and the soft-SAFT equation of state (EOS), are combined to compute the coexistence densities, vapour pressure, heat capacity, interfacial tension, and dynamic viscosity of several refrigerant blends based on 3rd and 4th generation compounds, in order to provide a thermodynamic analysis of the properties of these mixtures, addressing them for drop-in replacement purposes. Results from MD are compared with REFPROP data and those from soft-SAFT, where the capacities of both modelling methods are addressed. In general, quantitative agreement is achieved using the two approaches, offering a framework to screen these properties for new mixtures.