Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Dimethyl ether (DME) or designated as RE170 is an environmentally friendly refrigerant that has the potential to replace R134a due to the similar working pressure and temperature. However, studies concerning the use of DME as a working fluid in refrigeration or air conditioning systems are limited, and most of them are simulation studies. In this paper, a comparison between DME and R134a has been carried out through simulations to determine the performance of both refrigerants. The simulation was carried out at an evaporation temperature range of -15 to +5°C and a condensation temperature of 35 to 55°C in an air conditioner with a 1 hp compressor. The results show that in terms of cooling capacity DME has advantages at low temperatures and high condensation temperatures. In terms of power consumption, DME is better in all ranges of evaporating and condensing temperatures with a maximum saving reaches 9.8%. Meanwhile, in terms of overall performance, systems with DME have a higher COP. The maximum improvement in COP with DME reached 12.8% at an evaporation temperature of -15°C and a condensation temperature of 55°C. Therefore, in terms of thermodynamics, DME is suitable for the substitution of R134a in refrigeration and air conditioning applications.
Institution: Politeknik Negeri Bandung
Language: English
Subfield: Mechanical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4410334011