QINGDAO TIANYICOOL CO., LTD with Xi'an Jiaotong University to Research R290 Environmental Refrigeration Technology and Promote the Green Transformation of Commercial Cold Storage

Based on the global trend of refrigerant substitution, QINGDAO TIANYICOOL CO., LTD and the Institute of Refrigeration and Low Temperature Engineering at Xi'an Jiaotong University jointly developed R290 natural refrigeration technology to replace the traditional high GWP refrigerant R404A (GWP=3922) with R290 (GWP=3). Through innovative design of small-diameter heat exchangers (pipe diameter<9.52mm), the refrigerant charge of the equipment was reduced from 300g to below 150g, achieving a breakthrough in both environmental performance and cost-effectiveness.

This technology strictly responds to the phasing out requirements of HFC refrigerants under the Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol, and adopts flow path optimization design to address the flammability issue of R290. Through simulation and experimental verification, it has been found that the condenser of the 1P medium temperature machine adopts the 2-2-3-12 flow path, and the evaporator adopts the 3-3-5-12 flow path. With a low temperature pulling speed as fast as 0.7 hours, the compressor efficiency is increased by 12%, the material cost is reduced by 20%, and the COP is better than similar products.

In the cooperation, the Xi'an Jiaotong University team provided theoretical simulation and flow path analysis, while QINGDAO TIANYICOOL CO., LTD was responsible for engineering verification and product optimization, building a "theory experiment design" closed-loop R&D system. The project not only overcame the flow and heat transfer difficulties of R290 in small-diameter heat exchangers, but also cultivated a group of composite talents with both scientific research and engineering capabilities. The person in charge stated that this achievement provides a standardized reference for the development of similar products and will be expanded to scenarios such as low-temperature cold storage in the future.

In the future, refrigeration equipment equipped with R290 environmentally friendly refrigerant will be widely used in commercial cold chain and agricultural product storage fields. QINGDAO TIANYICOOL CO., LTD sincerely invites partners to jointly promote green transformation.