Experimental investigation and parameter analysis of LPG refrigeration system using Taguchi method

Abstract

In this research work, an attempt has been made to study the liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as an alternative refrigerant to eliminate the global warming potential causes many dangerous impacts on the environment by conventional refrigerants. An LPG refrigeration experimental setup has been fabricated using different lengths of capillary tubes, pressure regulator, evaporator, LPG supply unit, and gas burner. Initially, the parameters working ranges have been confirmed by conducting Exploratory experiments. The evaporator temperature is considered as response parameter which gives the proportionate changes of coefficient of performance. The effects of selected input parameters on evaporated temperature have been investigated. The capillary tube internal diameter, length of capillary tube and system operating time has been selected as input parameters. It was observed from literature survey that there was very few systematic experimentation and statistical analysis were only performed. Thus, L27 Taguchi’s design of experiment has been employed to conduct experiments and to identify the significant process parameters. The confirmation test has been conducted to validate the predicted result from the Taguchi method. It was observed that the evaporator temperature has been increased by increasing time of operation and coil diameter of capillary tube. However, the effect on inner diameter is directly proportionate to output response.