Publications
Showing 69 results for Author: Mingkan Zhang
Aug, 2026
Conference Paper
Next Generation Refrigerants for Domestic Heat Pump Water Heaters
To select next generation refrigerants and phase out R-134a, we conducted extensive drop-in tests of multiple new refrigerants. For laboratory investigations, we performed drop-in UEF (uniform energy factor) and FHR (first hour rating) tests on two heat pump water heaters (HPWHs), one uses a 220V compressor and 40-gallon water tank, and the other uses a 120V compressor and…
Apr, 2026
Journal
On the validity and limitations of 1D model for heat and mass transfer performance evaluation in a multilayer binder-free desiccant dehumidifier: isothermal dehumidification with internal cooling
Efficient humidity control is essential for maintaining indoor thermal comfort, yet conventional vapor-compression-based dehumidifiers are energy-intensive. Employing separate sensible and latent cooling through desiccant-coated heat exchangers (DCHEs) combined with evaporative coolers offers energy savings of up to 80 % compared to conventional systems. However, the dehum…
Mar, 2026
Conference Paper
Investigation of low GWP Flammable Refrigerant Leak from Rooftop Units
One of the recent global trends in the air conditioning industry is to replace the high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants such as R410A and R134A with alternative refrigerants that have lower GWP. However, most of these alternative refrigerants are classified as slightly flammable (classified by ASHRAE as A2L) which impose a potential fire risk. Therefore, resear…
Mar, 2026
Conference Paper
A Modeling Based Design of Polymer Manifolds for Heat Exchangers with Reduced Maldistribution
Mar, 2026
Conference Paper
A Modeling Study on the R290 Leaking Assessment of Commercial Refrigeration Equipment
Sep, 2024
Conference Paper
A Dynamic Model of Refrigerator with Thermal Energy Storage for Demand Flexibility
A refrigerator is an essential appliance for both commercial and residential applications. Thermal (Cold) energy storage can effectively reduce the carbon emission from refrigerators. This preliminary study investigated the demand flexibility of a domestic refrigerator using thermal (cold) energy storage through dynamic modeling and controls. The models include both fresh…
Aug, 2024
Conference Paper
Benchmark Testing of Two Residential Refrigerators Using R-600a
Household refrigerators provide a convenient and safe means of food preservation and storage. More than 100 million refrigerators are used in US homes, resulting in significant primary energy consumption and carbon emissions. As a greenhouse gas with a 100-year global warming potential of 1,430, R-134a has been banned in new US domestic refrigerators and freezers since 202…
Jul, 2024
Journal
A Modeling-Based Flammable Risk Treatment of Refrigerant Leakage from a Commercial R-290 Refrigeration Machine
Because of serious concerns about global warming, manufacturers have started phasing out high global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants in commercial refrigeration equipment (e.g., R-134a). As a potential replacement, propane (R-290) is an environmentally friendly refrigerant for commercial refrigeration equipment because its GWP is only three. However, propane is flamma…