scholarly journals Energy and Thermal Conductivity Assessment of Dimethyl-Ether and its Azeotropic Mixtures as Alternative Low Global Warming Potential Refrigerants in a Refrigeration System

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 12-28
Author(s):  
Bukola Olalekan Bolaji ◽  
Olatunde Ajani Oyelaran ◽  
Israel Olutunji Abiala ◽  
Tunde Oluwatoyin Ogundana ◽  
Semiu Taiwo Amosun

Abstract Substituting Hydrofluorocarbons with natural refrigerants in domestic refrigerators will significantly reduce the direct contributions of fluorinated gases to global warming which will be of great environmental benefit. In this study, the performances of dimethyl-ether (RE170) and its azeotropic mixtures (R510A and R511A) in a refrigeration system were assessed theoretically and compare with that of conventional refrigerant. The study revealed that the three investigated alternative refrigerants exhibited significantly good heat transfer characteristics, low pressure ratio, high latent heat in the liquid phase which resulted in their high thermal conductivity and Volumetric Cooling Capacity (VCC). The thermal conductivity of the refrigerants reduces while the evaporating temperature rises and the value obtained for RE170 was the highest among the four refrigerants studied. The Coefficient of Performance (COP) for RE170, R510A and R511A were higher than that of R134a by 6.20, 10.06 and 3.02 % respectively while their power consumptions per ton of refrigeration were lower than that of R134a by 6.99, 11.04 and 1.47 % respectively. In conclusion, dimethyl-ether and its azeotropic mixtures performed better than R134a in that they have higher thermal conductivity, refrigerating effect, VCC, COP, lower power consumption per ton of refrigeration and hence, they can be considered as suitable replacements for R134a in domestic refrigerator.

2016 ◽  
Vol 37 (4) ◽  
pp. 55-72
Author(s):  
Shubham Mishra ◽  
Jahar Sarkar

AbstractPerformance assessment of ejector-expansion vapor compression refrigeration system with eco-friendly R134a alternative refrigerants (R152a, R1234yf, R600a, R600, R290, R161, R32, and propylene) is presented for air-conditioning application. Ejector has been modeled by considering experimental data based correlations of component efficiencies to take care of all irreversibilities. Ejector area ratio has been optimized based on maximum coefficient of performance (COP) for typical air-conditioner operating temperatures. Selected refrigerants have been compared based on area ratio, pressure lift ratio, entrainment ratio, COP, COP improvement and volumetric cooling capacity. Effects of normal boiling point and critical point on the performances have been studied as well. Using ejector as an expansion device, maximum improvement in COP is noted in R1234yf (10.1%), which reduces the COP deviation with R134a (4.5% less in basic cycle and 2.5% less in ejector cycle). Hence, R1234yf seems to be best alternative for ejector expansion system due to its mild flammability and comparable volumetric capacity and cooling COP. refrigerant R161 is superior to R134a in terms of both COP and volumetric cooling capacity, although may be restricted for low capacity application due to its flammability.


Energies ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 12 (24) ◽  
pp. 4792 ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinwen Chen ◽  
Zhaohua Li ◽  
Yi Zhao ◽  
Hanying Jiang ◽  
Kun Liang ◽  
...  

Increasing number of refrigeration units has led to an increase of CO2 emissions and the destruction of the ozone layer. Using low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants, improving the efficiency of vapour compression refrigeration (VCR) units, and minimising refrigerant leakages can reduce the global warming effect. Investigating the refrigerant distribution under varied operating conditions can provide a deeper understanding of refrigerant charge optimization. This study proposed a model of refrigerant mass distribution in a prototype oil-free VCR system using a linear compressor with variable strokes and R134a. The absence of the oil lubricant allows the adoption of compact heat exchangers, such as micro-channels, so that the total refrigerant charge can be reduced significantly. The predicted total refrigerant charge has a Mean Absolute Percentage Error (MAPE) of 3.7%. The simulation results indicate that refrigerant distributed in the condenser is most sensitive to operating conditions and total refrigerant charges. The refrigerant accumulated in the condenser is 6.8% higher at a total refrigerant charge of 0.33 kg than that of 0.22 kg. For a total refrigerant charge of 0.33 kg, 72.1% of the total refrigerant can accumulate in the condenser. At a fixed pressure ratio, the refrigerant as a two-phase form in the condenser decreases slightly with the increase of compressor strokes, resulting in a larger mass flow rate, thus cooling capacity. The present model can be adapted for optimization of a refrigeration unit and its components.


2014 ◽  
Vol 984-985 ◽  
pp. 1174-1179
Author(s):  
N. Austin ◽  
P.M. Diaz ◽  
D.S. Manoj Abraham ◽  
N. Kanthavelkumaran

Study on environment friendly mixed refrigerant to replace R134a in vapour compression refrigeration (VCR) System. The mixed refrigerants investigated are propane (R290), butane (R600), isobutene (R600a) and R134a. Even though the ozone depletion potentials of R134a relative to CFC-11 are very low; the global warming potentials are extremely high and also expensive. For this reason, the production and use of R134a will be terminated in the near future. Hydrocarbons are free from ozone depletion potential and have negligible global warming potential. The results showed that, mixed refrigerant with charge of 80 g satisfy the required freezer air temperature when R134a with a charge of 110 g is used as refrigerant. The actual COP of refrigerator using mixed refrigerant was almost nearer that of the system using R134a as refrigerant. The coefficient of performance of the vapour compression refrigeration system using mixed refrigerant MR-3 [R134a/R290/ R600a/ R600 (20/35/40/5)] is having very close value with R134a and the Global warming potential of MR-3 is negligible when compared with R134a. Hence the mixed refrigerant MR-3 is chosen as an environmental friendly alternate refrigerant to R134a. The exergy analysis of the vapour compression refrigeration system using R134a and all the above mixtures are investigated. The effect of evaporator temperature on exergy efficiency and exergy destruction ratio of the system are experimentally studied. The exergy defect in the compressor, condenser, expansion device and evaporator are also obtained. Key words: R134a, Mixed refrigerant, Chlorofluorocarbons, Propane, Butane, Isobutene, REFPROP, COP, ODP, GWP, Exergy, VCR System.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 5557-5559

In this work experiment is performed by using titanium oxide (Tio2) nanoparticles at three different nanoaparticles containing lubricants 0.2g/l,0.4g/l as well as 0.6g/l . An experiment was performed by dispersing titanium oxide (Tio2) nanoparticles and the variables such as compressor work, Coefficient of performance (C.O.P) and refrigeration has been analysed.The experiment was conducted with R134a refrigerant under steady state conditions.Inclusion of Tio2 nanoparticles improved the coefficient as well as cooling capacity of presentation and the compressor work is get reduced.


Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (18) ◽  
pp. 5991
Author(s):  
Christian J. L. Hermes ◽  
Joel Boeng ◽  
Diogo L. da Silva ◽  
Fernando T. Knabben ◽  
Andrew D. Sommers

Modern refrigerators are equipped with fan-supplied evaporators often tailor-made to mitigate the impacts of frost accretion, not only in terms of frost blocking, which depletes the cooling capacity and therefore the refrigerator coefficient of performance (COP), but also to allow optimal defrosting, thereby avoiding the undesired consequences of condensate retention and additional thermal loads. Evaporator design for frosting conditions can be done either empirically through trial-and-error approaches or using simulation models suitable to predict the distribution of the frost mass along the finned coil. Albeit the former is mandatory for robustness verification prior to product approval, it has been advocated that the latter speeds up the design process and reduces the costs of the engineering undertaking. Therefore, this article is aimed at summarizing the required foundations for the design of efficient evaporators and defrosting systems with minimized performance impacts due to frosting. The thermodynamics, and the heat and mass transfer principles involved in the frost nucleation, growth, and densification phenomena are presented. The thermophysical properties of frost, such as density and thermal conductivity, are discussed, and their relationship with refrigeration operating conditions are established. A first-principles model is presented to predict the growth of the frost layer on the evaporator surface as a function of geometric and operating conditions. The relation between the microscopic properties of frost and their macroscopic effects on the evaporator thermo-hydraulic performance is established and confirmed with experimental evidence. Furthermore, different defrost strategies are compared, and the concept of optimal defrost is formulated. Finally, the results are used to analyze the efficiency of the defrost operation based on the net cooling capacity of the refrigeration system for different duty cycles and evaporator geometries.


Author(s):  
B. S. Bibin ◽  
Edison Gundabattini

The creation of new age refrigerants might be the answer to the issue of an Earth-wide rise in temperature. Hence, while choosing new refrigerants a careful process is required. The general effect of any refrigerant substance on global warming, energy efficiency, ozone depletion, cost-effectiveness, chemical stability, and safety ought to be assessed. This paper sums up the experimental and numerical investigations directed with the globally accepted R1234yf refrigerant. The paper’s principal points are to assess the capability of the hydro-fluoro-olefin (HFO) refrigerant mainly R1234yf utilized in the refrigeration system (vapor compression systems, domestic refrigeration system) and to explore its utilization as an eco-friendly refrigerant. In the vapor compression refrigeration system, the cooling capacity and coefficient of performance of R1234yf are found to be less, 9% and 11%, respectively compared to that of R134a. But the power consumption of the system with R1234yf increased between 1.6% and 6.7% when compared to R134a. This paper likewise assists with recognizing the gap in the past research works and explores the possibilities for additional works.


Author(s):  
I. N. Grace ◽  
S. A. Tassou

The impact of refrigeration systems on the environment can be reduced by (a) the use of alternative refrigerants which are less harmful to the environment and (b) the optimization of systems and control strategies to deliver increased levels of energy efficiency. Mathematical modelling offers the opportunity to test the performance of systems under different operating conditions and with alternative refrigerants. Dynamic models allow comparison of both transient and steady state behaviour and this is of particular importance for liquid chillers since these systems can operate under transient conditions for long periods. This paper covers the development of a general dynamic model for the simulation of liquid chillers. Brief descriptions of the system component models are given, including a semihermetic reciprocating compressor and thermostatic expansion valve as well as a shell-and-tube evaporator and condenser. The paper demonstrates the application of the model to simulate the performance of a liquid chiller retrofitted with a range of alternative refrigerants. The performance of the system is determined in terms of cooling capacity, power consumption and coefficient of performance for a range of different operating conditions. The relative performance of each refrigerant is discussed and the preferred alternative identified for typical applications.


2020 ◽  
Vol 39 (3) ◽  
pp. 776-784
Author(s):  
T.S. Mogaji ◽  
A. Awolala ◽  
O.Z. Ayodeji ◽  
P.B. Mogaji ◽  
D.E. Philip

This study focused on development of an improved vapour compression refrigeration system (IVCR system). Dedicated mechanical subcooling cycle is employed in attaining the developed IVCR system. The system is composed of two cycles cascade refrigeration system working with R134a. It consists of a rectangular shape with total storage space of 0.582 m3, made of galvanized mild steel and internally insulated with 0.05 m polystyrene foam. Tests under a wide range operating temperature conditions were carried out on the developed IVCR system. Performance evaluation of the system was characterized in terms of cooling capacity and coefficient of performance (COP). Experimental results showed that the COP of the subcooled system improved better than that of the main system from 18.0% to about 33.5% over an evaporating temperature range of -10 to 30oC. It can be concluded that the use of dedicated sub cooling cycle in VCR system is more efficient and suitable for the betterment of thermal system performance. Keywords: Vapour compression Refrigeration system, Coefficient of performance, dedicated subcooled system, Condensation temperature, Evaporation temperature.


2019 ◽  
Vol 969 ◽  
pp. 199-204
Author(s):  
Shaik Mohammad Hasheer ◽  
Kolla Srinivas

Now a days R134a can be used in domestic refrigerators and in air conditioning of automobiles. As per Kyoto protocol the usage of R134a is restricted due to their higher GWP value. The GWP value of this refrigerant is around 1430. So in this article, thermodynamic analysis of HFC-152a, HFO refrigerants-1234ze(E) and 1234yf was done in a household refrigeration system as direct substitute to HFC-134a.The performance of the household refrigerator was compared in terms of outlet temperature of the compressor, volumetric cooling capacity (VCC), refrigeration effect, work done by the compressor and coefficient of performance (COP). The entire analysis is carried out at various operating conditions of condenser and evaporator temperatures i.e. condensation temperature of 25°C,35°C & 45°C and evaporating temperatures ranging between −20°C to 10°C.From the theoretical results, it can be concluded that R1234yf can be used as a direct substitute to R134a.


2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (03) ◽  
pp. 1850021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Swapnil Dubey ◽  
Alison Subiantoro

Thermal systems of buildings in the tropics are highly energy intensive. In this study, a novel integrated solar photovoltaic–thermal–refrigeration (PVTR) system used to produce hot water and air-conditioning in the tropical climate conditions of Singapore was analyzed. A dynamic simulation model was formulated for the analysis. Mathematical models were developed for the PV sandwich attached with a solar flat plate collector and for the main components of the refrigeration system. Thorough investigation of the electrical and thermal performances of the system were conducted through the analysis of coefficient of performance (COP), cooling capacity, water temperature and heat capacity in water heater, photovoltaic (PV) module temperature and PV efficiency. The results show that attractive electrical and thermal performance can be achieved with a maximum annual cooling COP of 9.8 and a heating COP of 11.3. The PV efficiency and power saving were 14% and 53%, respectively. The annual cooling, heating and PV energy produced were 9.7, 15.6 and 1.6[Formula: see text]MWh, respectively. The financial payback period of the system was 3.2 years and greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction annually was 12.6 tons of CO2 equivalents (tCO2e).


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