Experimental study and correlation of critical parameters for three binary mixtures containing R290 and hydrofluoroolefins

Abstract

The mixtures of R290 (propane) and R1234yf (2,3,3,3-tetrafluoroprop-1-ene), R1243zf (3,3,3-trifluoropropene), or R1234ze(E) (trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene) could be potential alternatives for high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). Obtaining the critical parameters of mixtures is crucial for establishing thermodynamic models, evaluating the highest operating temperature of refrigerants, determining the phase envelope, and confirming the starting point of the Widom line. However, few studies have been made on their critical properties. In this work, the critical properties of three binary systems containing R290 + R1234yf / R1243zf / R1234ze(E) are obtained experimentally with a metal-bellows volume apparatus. The critical state is judged by direct visual observation of critical opalescence and the recurrence of the vapor-liquid phase interface. The extended total uncertainties for the mole fraction, critical pressure, critical temperature, and critical density were below 0.004, 21 kPa, 50 mK, and 0.6 % (k = 2, 0.95 confidence coefficient), respectively. Experimentally obtained critical data are correlated by the Modified Wilson method and the Redlich–Kister method. The critical parameters of the R290 + R1234yf, R290 + R1243zf, and R290 + R1234ze(E) mixtures are predicted using the Correlated Modified Wilson (CMW) method, He et al.’s method, and the Modified Extended Chueh–Prausnitz (MECP) method. The correlated curve and predicted outcomes are employed for comparison with this work's experimental results. Meanwhile, the critical parameters data obtained experimentally are contrasted with the value of REFPROP 10.0 and other open literature. The fitting and prediction curves somewhat agree with the experimental results.