Higashi, Yukihiro

Materials / Transport / Heat

Low GWP Refrigerants, Thermodynamic Properties for Refrigerants, Measurement of Vapor-Liquid Critical Point

Research Professor

Research Thrust : Research Center for Next Generation Refrigerant Properties
E-mail :
Website : https://i2cner.kyushu-u.ac.jp/~next-rp/

Research Outline

Development of low GWP refrigerant blend

Precise measurement of unknown thermophysical properties (PVT properties, saturated vapor pressure, vapor-liquid equilibrium, etc.) of new refrigerant blends with low global warming potential (GWP).

Accurate measurements of thermodynamic properties of refrigerant blends

Based on the measured thermodynamic properties, their equations of state and correlations are formulated to produce a user-friendly software package.

Direct measurements of the vapor-liquid critical point of fluids

The vapor-liquid critical point, which is the most fundamental thermophysical properties of fluids, is necessary to formulate equations of state and correlations and is determined experimentally by direct observation of meniscus disappearance with high precision.

Research Methods and Facilities

High-precision thermophysical property measurement of low-GWP refrigerant blends

Special measurement equipment is required to accurately measure the thermodynamic properties of refrigerants, which are high-pressure fluids. Our research center, NEXT-RP, is equipped with the vapor-liquid critical point measurement apparatus, the vapor-liquid equilibrium measurement apparatus, and the PVT property measurement apparatus that can also measure saturated vapor pressure. By using these devices, it is possible to measure thermophysical properties that will become international standards in a short period.