Thermodynamic Analysis of a Single-Stage Vapor Compression Refrigeration System Mixing Al203 as the Nanoparticle and R134a as the Base Fluid

Abstract

To predict the highest potential conversion efficiency, thermodynamic analysis is done. It involves transfer of heat and work into and out of the system while varying pressure, temperature and other state variables within the system. This study conducted a thermodynamic analysis of a single stage vapour compression refrigeration system using nano-refrigerant as its working fluid. The nano refrigerant used in the system was the mixture of Al₂O₃ as the nano-particle and R-134a as the base fluid. Engineering Equation Solver (EES) was adapted to calculate the values of the thermodynamic parameters for the analysis. A VCR system unit (TPS-3950 with TPS-3951 & TPS-3952) using R134a refrigerant was used for comparison and validation of the system’s performance. At different working temperatures, performance parameters including COP, exergy destruction, exergy efficiency and sustainability index were investigated. The results obtained showed that at evaporating temperature of 253°K and condensing temperature of 312°K, systems COP increased by 17%, the Exergy efficiency increased by 77.01%, Comparing the nano refrigerant to the conventional refrigerant, the sustainability index dropped by 6.57% and the total energy destruction decreased by 81.82%. The COP and sustainability index for both refrigerants were shown to rise with increasing evaporating temperature and fall with growing condensing temperature, while the exergy destruction rose with rising condensing temperature and fell with rising evaporating temperature. It was also observed that the COP and the sustainability index decreased with increasing concentration from 0.15 wt% to 1.5 wt% by 0.224% for the COP and 0.0122% but the exergy destruction increased by 0.0388% with the rising concentration.