Performance analysis of ice plant using R134a/POE blended with MWCNTs nano-refrigerant–An experimental approach

Abstract

Ice plant is used for producing ice at a large scale from water filled in standard cans placed inside rectangular tanks filled with brine solution. Ice plant works on the vapour compression refrigeration (VCR) cycle, the researchers are focusing on minimizing compressor work and improving the cycle's performance by introducing nanoparticles with higher thermophysical properties. In this experimental investigation, the performance analysis of the test rig of an ice plant using varied masses of 0.05 g, 0.10 g, 0.15 g, 0.20 g, and 0.25 g of multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs), dispersed in 250 ml polyolester (POE) oil charged with masses 175 g, 200 g, and 225 g of tetrafluoro ethane (R134a) refrigerants is carried out separately. REFPROP 9.1 software is used to obtain the properties of refrigerants. The evaluated parameters are pull-down time, cooling capacity, coefficient of performance (COP), Compressor work input, economic analysis, pressure ratio, thermal conductivity, absolute viscosity, and density. It is observed that in comparison to the pure refrigerant, the refrigerator's pull-down time and compressor work are reduced by 17.9% and 21.46%, whereas, COP and cooling capacity improved by 40.09% and 11.29% for 225 g mass of R134a with 250 ml POE respectively. In addition, thermal conductivity, density, and absolute viscosity improved at both the suction side and discharge side of the compressor.