CuO-nano based Biodegradable Refrigeration Oil in R134a Refrigeration Systems for Energy Conservation and Green Environment

Abstract

The present study experimentally investigated the reliability and performance of a vapour compression refrigeration system with CuO nano based biodegradable refrigeration oil. The pentaerythritol ester biodegradable refrigeration oil (PE) is blended with synthetic refrigeration oil (ISO 68 grade-POE oil) in the fraction of 50% by volume. Nanolubricant was synthesized on the basis of the concept of the nanofliuds, which was prepared by mixing CuO nanoparticles with pentaerythritol ester based biodegradable refrigeration oil blend (PE50). The concentration of nano CuO ranges in the order of 0.1% to 0.3% by weight with particle size of 40 nm to prepare CuO nano biodegradable refrigeration oil. An experimental test rig is designed and fabricated indigenously to carry out the investigations. The results indicated that CuO nano-based biodegradable refrigeration oil works normally and safely in the system. The compressor power consumption was reduced by 5.02% with the use of 0.3% CuO nano biodegradable refrigeration oil. The PE50 with 0.3% CuO nano has a considerable rise in coefficient of performance (COP) of about 45%. Hence CuO nano-based biodegradable refrigeration oil in refrigeration system considerably reduces the energy consumption and increases the COP of the refrigeration system.