Performance evaluation of Vapour Compression Refrigeration system using eco friendly refrigerants in primary circuit and nanofluid (Water-nano particles based) in secondary circuit

Abstract

This paper describes thermal modeling of Vapor Compression Refrigeration System using R134a in primary circuit and AL2O3-Water based nanofluids in secondary circuit. The model uses information of the secondary fluids input conditions geometric characteristics of the system, size of nanoparticles and the compressor speed to predict the secondary fluids output temperatures, the operating pressures, the compressor power consumption and the system overall energy performance. Such an analysis can be conveniently useful to compare the thermal performance of different nano particles (Cu, Al2o3, Tio2 and CuO) based nano fluid as a secondary fluid in a Vapor Compression Refrigeration System. The influence of input variables on the output of the system is presented. Such a model can also be used to design various Components viz. Evaporator, Compressor, Condenser and Throttle Valve for Vapor Compression Refrigeration Systems for any desired cooling capacity. The use of nanofluids as a secondary fluid in vapour compression refrigeration systems was studied and computational simulation program was developed to solve the non linear equations of the system model. Simulation results have shown that for the same geometric characteristics of the system performance increased from 17% to 20% by application of nanofluid as a secondary fluid in VCS.