Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Potential of MWCNT/R134a nanorefrigerant on performance and energy consumption of vapor compression cycle: a domestic application

  • Technical Paper
  • Published:
Journal of the Brazilian Society of Mechanical Sciences and Engineering Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The experimental work presented here investigates the compressor energy consumption and performance parameters of a mass charged with R134a refrigerant, enhanced with distinct fractions of multi-wall carbon nanotubes (MWCNT) particles in a domestic vapor compression refrigeration cycle. Performance parameters examined at steady state included: compressor characteristics on suction–discharge ports (i.e., pressure and temperature), mean compressor energy consumption, performance coefficient and an evaporator cabin temperature. A mixture (called nanolubricant) of MWCNT and mineral oil was first synthesized using two-step method and then integrated with base fluid to prepare nanorefrigerants. The experimental results showed a maximum reduction in mean compressor energy consumption of about 31% using MWCNT-based nanolubricants at a mass fraction of about 0.5%. The estimated cooling performance was enhanced by 9% using MWCNT-based nanorefrigerant. The least discharge temperature about 55 °C was noticed with 140 g mass charge of R134a using 0.5% MWCNT fraction which is slightly 2 °C low compared to the pure R134a. The evaporator cabin temperature for R134a using 0.5% MWCNT particle fraction was improved about 13%. The experimental results showed that tested nanorefrigerant can be more efficient than R134a in domestic refrigeration cycle.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4
Fig. 5
Fig. 6
Fig. 7
Fig. 8

Similar content being viewed by others

Abbreviations

COP:

Coefficient of performance

MWCNT:

Multi-walled carbon nanotubes

CNT:

Carbon nanotubes

HFC:

Hydroflourocarbon

VCR:

Vapor compression refrigeration

SEM:

Scanning electron microscope

XRD:

X-ray diffraction

T:

Compressor temperature

P:

Compressor pressure

Ø:

Volume fraction

%:

Percentage

\({\rho }_{L}\) :

Density of lubricant

\({\rho }_{p}\) :

Density of nanoparticles

\({m}_{L}\) :

Mass of lubricant

\({m}_{p}\) :

Mass of nanoparticles

nm:

Nanometer

g:

Gram

suc:

Suction

disch:

Discharge

cond:

Condenser

evap:

Evaporator

References

  1. Abdel-Hadi E-H, Taher SH, Torki AHM, Hamad SS (2011) Heat transfer analysis of vapor compression system using nano CuO R134a, Proc. of Int. Conf on Advanced Materials Engineering 15:80–84

    Google Scholar 

  2. Adelekan DS, Ohunakin OS, Babarinde TO, Odunfa MK, Leramo RO, Oyedepo SO, Badejo DC (2017) Experimental performance of LPG refrigerant charges with varied concentration of TiO2 nano-lubricants in a domestic refrigerator. Case Studies in Thermal Engineering 9:55–61

    Article  Google Scholar 

  3. Agarwal T, Kumar M and Gautam P K. (2014). Cost-Effective COP Enhancement of a Domestic Air Cooled Refrigerator using R-134a Refrigerant. International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering, 4 (11).

  4. Akhavan-Behabadi MA, Sadoughi MK, Darzi M, Fakoor-Pakdaman M (2015) Experimental study on heat transfer characteristics of R600a/POE/CuO nano-refrigerant flow condensation. Exp Thermal Fluid Science 66:46–52

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Alawi OA, Sidik NA (2015) Applications of nanorefrigerant and nanolubricants in refrigeration, air-conditioning and heat pump systems: A review. Int Commun Heat Mass Transfer 68(9):1–7

    Google Scholar 

  6. Azmi WH, Sharif MZ, Yusof TM, Mamat R, Redhwan AA (2017) Potential of nanorefrigerant and nanolubricant on energy saving in refrigeration system–A review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 69:415–428

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Babarinde, T. O., Akinlabi, S. A., Madyira, D. M., Ekundayo, F. M. (2020) Comparative study of energy performance of R600a/TiO2 and R600a/MWCNT nanolubricants in a vapor compression refrigeration system. Int. J. on Energy for a Clean Environment. 21.

  8. Babarinde and Taiwo O. (2018) Comparative analysis of the exergetic performance of a household refrigerator using R134a and R600a. International Journal of Energy for a Clean Environment 19(1–2):37–48

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Bhattad A, Sarkar J, Ghosh P (2018) Improving the performance of refrigeration systems by using nanofluids: a comprehensive review. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 82(3):3656–3669

    Article  Google Scholar 

  10. Bi S, Guo K, Liu Z, Wu J (2011) Performance of a domestic refrigerator using TiO2-R600a nano-refrigerant as working fluid. Energy Conservation Management 52(1):733–737

    Article  Google Scholar 

  11. Bi, S. S., Shi, L., and Zhang, L. L. (2008) Application of nanoparticles in domestic refrigerators, Applied Thermal Engineering. 28 (14–15), 1834–1843.

  12. Bobbo S, Fedele L, Fabrizio M, Barison S, Battiston S, Pagura C (2010) Influence of nanoparticles dispersion in POE oils on lubricity and R134a solubility. Int J Refrigeration 33(6):1180–1186

    Article  Google Scholar 

  13. Chen Q, Yan G, Yu J (2017) Performance analysis of an ejector enhanced refrigeration cycle with R290/R600a for application in domestic refrigerator/freezers. Appl Therm Eng 25(120):581–592

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. L. Cremaschi, T. Wong, A.A.M. Bigi. (2014) Thermodynamic and Heat Transfer Properties of Al2O3nanolubricants. Proc. of 15th Int. Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Conf. Purdue e-Pubs, Purdue University. 1–10. https://docs.lib.purdue.edu/iracc/1500/.

  15. Dubey AM (2020) Modified vapor absorption refrigeration cycles. Int J Ambient Energy 20:1–7

    Google Scholar 

  16. Elakhdar M, Tashtoush BM, Nehdi E, Kairouani L (2018) Thermodynamic analysis of a novel ejector enhanced vapor compression refrigeration (EEVCR) cycle. Energy 15(163):1217–1230

    Article  Google Scholar 

  17. Henderson K, Park YG, Liu L, Jacobi AM (2010) Flow-boiling heat transfer of R-134a-based nanofluids in a horizontal tube. Int J Heat Mass Transf 53(5–6):944–951

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Hussain T, Singh AK, Mittal A, AshishVerma, and ZafarAlam. (2020) Performance evaluation of vapor compression refrigeration system by varying air flow rates in air-cooled and evaporative cooled condensers. International Journal of Energy for a Clean Environment 21(1):1–13

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Jiang W, Ding G, Peng H (2009) Measurement and model on thermal conductivities of carbon nanotube nano-refrigerants. Int J Therm Science 48(6):1108–1115

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Jiang W, Ding G, Peng H (2009) Measurement and model on thermal conductivities of carbon nanotube nanorefrigerants. Int J Thermal Science 48(6):1108–1115

    Article  Google Scholar 

  21. Jwo CS, Jeng LY, Teng TP, Chang H (2009) Effects of nanolubricant on performance of hydrocarbon refrigerant system. Journal of Vacuum Science & Technology B: Microelectronics and Nanometer Structures Processing 27(3):1473–1477

    Article  Google Scholar 

  22. Kedzierski MA (2012) Effect of diamond nanolubricant on R134a pool boiling. Heat Transfer Journal 134(5):051001–051008

    Article  Google Scholar 

  23. Kim SG, Ro ST, Kim MS (2002) Experimental investigation of the performance of R22, R407C and R410A in several capillary tubes for air-conditioners. Int J of Refrigeration 25:521–531

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Kuehl SJ, Goldschmidt VW (1990) Steady flows of R-22 through capillary tubes: test data. ASHRAE Trans 96(1):719–728

    Google Scholar 

  25. Kumar DS, Elansezhian R (2014) ZnO nanorefrigerant in R152a refrigeration system for energy conservation and green environment. Front Mech Eng 9(1):75–80

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Kumar R, Singh J (2017) Effect of ZnO nanoparticles in R290/R600a (50/50) based vapour compression refrigeration system added via lubricant oil on compressor suction and discharge characteristics. Heat Mass Transf 53(5):1579–1587

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Kumar R, Singh J, Kundal P (2018) Effect of CuO nanolubricant on compressor characteristics and performance of LPG based refrigeration cycle: experimental investigation. Heat Mass Transf 54(5):1405–1413

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Mahbubul IM, Fadhilah S, A., Saidur, R., Leong, K.Y., Amalina, M.A. (2013) Thermophysical properties and heat transfer performance of Al2O3/R-134a nano-refrigerants. International Journal of Heat Mass Transfer 57(1):100–108

    Article  Google Scholar 

  29. Mahbubul IM, Saidur R, Amalina MA (2013) Thermal conductivity, viscosity and density of R141b refrigerant based nanofluid, Proc. of 5th BSME Int. Conf on Thermal Engineering 56:310–315

    Google Scholar 

  30. Mahbubul IM, Saidur R, Amalina MA (2013) Heat transfer and pressure drop characteristics of Al2O3-R141b nanorefrigerant in horizontal smooth circular tube, Proc. of 5th BSME Int. Conf on Thermal Engineering 56:323–329

    Google Scholar 

  31. Naphon P, Thongkum D, Assadamongkol P (2009) Heat pipe efficiency enhancement with refrigerant–nanoparticles mixtures. Energy Conversation Management 50(3):772–776

    Article  Google Scholar 

  32. Park KJ, Jung D (2007) Boiling heat transfer enhancement with carbon nanotubes for refrigerants used in building air-conditioning. Energy Building 39(9):1061–1064

    Article  Google Scholar 

  33. Peng H, Ding G, Hu H, Jiang W (2010) Influence of carbon nanotubes on nucleate pool boiling heat transfer characteristics of refrigerant-oil mixture. Int J Therm Science 49(12):2428–2438

    Article  Google Scholar 

  34. Peng H, Ding G, Hu H, Jiang W (2011) Effect of nanoparticle size on nucleate pool boiling heat transfer of refrigerant/oil mixture with nanoparticles. International J Heat Mass Transfer 54(9–10):1839–1850

    Article  Google Scholar 

  35. Peng H, Ding G, Hu H, Jiang W, Zhuang D, Wang K (2010) Nucleate pool boiling heat transfer characteristics of refrigerant/oil mixture with diamond nanoparticles. Int J Refrigeration 33(2):347–358

    Article  Google Scholar 

  36. Peng H, Ding G, Jiang W, Hu H, Gao Y (2009) Measurement and correlation of frictional pressure drop of refrigerant-based nanofluid flow boiling inside a horizontal smooth tube. Int J Refrigeration 32(7):1756–1764

    Article  Google Scholar 

  37. Punia SS, Singh J (2015) An experimental study of the flow of LPG as refrigerant inside an adiabatic helical coiled capillary tube in vapour compression refrigeration system. Heat Mass Transf 51(11):1571–1577

    Article  Google Scholar 

  38. Sabareesh RK, Gobinath N, Sajith V, Das S, Sobhan CB (2012) Application of TiO2 nanoparticles as a lubricant-additive for vapor compression refrigeration systems–An experimental investigation. Int J Refrigeration 35(7):1989–1996

    Article  Google Scholar 

  39. Schultz R, Cole R (1979) Uncertainty analysis in boiling nucleation. AICHE Symposium Series, USA 75(189):32–39

    Google Scholar 

  40. Sharif MZ, Azmi WH, Mamat R, Shaiful AI (2018) Mechanism for improvement in refrigeration system performance by using nanorefrigerants and nanolubricants–A review. Int Commun Heat Mass Transfer 92:56–63

    Article  Google Scholar 

  41. Sheikholeslami M, Ganji DD (2016) Heat transfer enhancement in an air to water heat exchanger with discontinuous helical turbulators; experimental and numerical studies. Energy 116(1):341–352

    Article  Google Scholar 

  42. Shengshan B, Lin SH (2007) Experimental investigation of a refrigerator with a nanorefrigerant. Journal of Tsinghua University (Science and Technology) 11:1–6

    Google Scholar 

  43. Sunny S, Jayesh S, Group CI. (2015) To improve cop of domestic refrigerator with the help of water cooling condenser. International Journal of Innovative Research in Science, Engineering and Technology, 4 (3).

  44. Tang X, Zhao YH, Diao and Y.H. (2014) Experimental investigation of the nucleate pool boiling heat transfer characteristics of δ-Al2O3-R141b nanofluids on a horizontal plate. Exp Therm Fluid Science 52:88–96

    Article  Google Scholar 

  45. Trisaksri V, Wongwises S (2009) Nucleate pool boiling heat transfer of TiO2–R141b nanofluids. Int J Heat Mass Transfer 52(5–6):1582–1588

    Article  Google Scholar 

  46. Wang R, Wu Q, Wu Y (2010) Use of nanoparticles to make mineral oil lubricants feasible for use in a residential air conditioner employing hydro-fluoro carbons refrigerants. Energy Building 42(11):2111–2117

    Article  Google Scholar 

  47. Xing M, Wang R, Yu J (2014) Application of fullerene C60 nano oil for performance enhancement of domestic refrigerator compressors. Int J Refrigeration 35:398–403

    Article  Google Scholar 

  48. Yusof TM, Arshad AM, Suziyana MD, Chui LG, Basrawi MF (2015) Experimental study of a domestic refrigerator with POE-Al2O3 nanolubricant. Int J Automotive and Mechanical Engineering 11:2243–2252

    Article  Google Scholar 

  49. Zhou G, Zhang Y (2006) Numerical and experimental investigations on the performance of coiled adiabatic capillary tube. Applied Thermal Eng 26:1106–1114

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

The authors thankfully acknowledge the financial support received from the program TEQIP-III (NITJ/TEQIP-III/7778) of Dr B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, India.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dr B R Ambedkar National Institute of Technology, Jalandhar, India

    Dwesh K. Singh, Sanjay Kumar, Satish Kumar & Ravinder Kumar

Authors
  1. Dwesh K. Singh
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Sanjay Kumar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Satish Kumar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Ravinder Kumar
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Dwesh K. Singh.

Additional information

Technical Editor: Ahmad Arabkoohsar.

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

This article has been selected for a Topical Issue of this journal on Nanoparticles and Passive-Enhancement Methods in Energy.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Singh, D.K., Kumar, S., Kumar, S. et al. Potential of MWCNT/R134a nanorefrigerant on performance and energy consumption of vapor compression cycle: a domestic application. J Braz. Soc. Mech. Sci. Eng. 43, 540 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40430-021-03240-w

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40430-021-03240-w

Keywords

Search

Navigation