Analysis of a refrigeration system using carbon nanotubes (CNTs) lubricant and a combination of R290/R600 refrigerants

Abstract

A combination of R290/R600 refrigerants with low global warming and zero ozone-depleting potential refrigerant was tested with a based lubricant and CNTs nanolubricant in a refrigeration system to improve its performance efficiency and minimise the environmental impact of refrigerants and energy demand by refrigeration systems. CNTs-nanolubricant, an alternative lubricant for the refrigeration system, was made by dispersing CNTs in the based lubricant. By connecting measuring devices at each system component, temperatures and pressures were determined. The experiment’s measured outputs were used to determine the system’s performance. When compared to a 290/600 in the based lubricant, CNTs nanolubricant showed a reduction in work input ranging from 39.8%, a shorter pulldown time, a lower evaporator temperature, an increased coefficient of performance (COP), and a higher cooling capacity of 9.1%. Therefore, the lubricant made of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) presents a viable substitute for based lubricant in a vapour compression system.