Abstract
In this article, the performance of a domestic refrigerator employing isobutane and graphite nanolubricants as working fluids is investigated experimentally. The character of graphite nanoparticles and the nanolubricant was observed through scanning electron microscope, Fourier-transform infrared spectrometer, and dynamic light scattering. It is confirmed that the surface-modified graphite nanoparticles steadily suspend in the form of clusters for a long period of time. The application of the graphite nanolubricants with mass fractions of 0%, 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.5% to domestic refrigerator was examined by a refrigerator test system according to the National Standard of China (GB/T 8059.1-4). The results showed that graphite nanolubricants work normally and safely in the refrigerator. There were certain reductions on pull-down time, discharge pressure, discharge temperature, suction pressure, and shell compressor temperature. In addition, power consumption of the refrigerator decreased 4.55% using graphite nanolubricant with a mass fraction of 0.1%, while the on-time rate also decreased as well as the pressure rate. Each test lasts for 15 days; the energy saving effect is stable.
Highlights
In this research, the application of different kinds of nanoparticles as lubricant additives has been investigated in many fields.[1,2,3,4] Nanolubricant, which was prepared by dispersing nanoparticles in lubricant, performed better than base fluid when using in refrigeration compressor
The pull-down time reduces about 11.96%, 15.22%, 14.67%, and 10.87% for using nanolubricant with a mass fractions of 0.05%, 0.1%, 0.2%, and 0.5%, respectively, compared to pure lubricant
The pull-down time of fresh food compartment shows the same trend that using of graphite nanolubricant can speed up the cooling rate of the refrigerator
Summary
The application of different kinds of nanoparticles as lubricant additives has been investigated in many fields.[1,2,3,4] Nanolubricant, which was prepared by dispersing nanoparticles in lubricant, performed better than base fluid when using in refrigeration compressor. The prepared graphite nanolubricants could meet application needs for performance tests of the domestic refrigerator. The schematic diagram and photograph of performance tests apparatus for refrigerator are shown in Figure 2(a) and (b), respectively It consists of a testing environment chamber, controlling system of temperature and humidity, domestic refrigerator, and data collection and processing system.
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