Performance of an Iso-Butane Driven Domestic refrigerator infused with various concentrations of Graphene based Nanolubricants

Abstract

In this work, the performance of a slightly modified domestic refrigerator infused with various concentrations (0, 0.2, 0.4 and 0.6 g/L) of graphene based nanolubricants and selected mass charges (40, 50, 60 and 70g) of R600a refrigerant was studied. The steady state energetic performance of the domestic refrigerator was evaluated with test parameters including cabinet temperature, compressor power consumption, power per ton of refrigeration (PPTR) and coefficient of performance (COP). Findings showed that the lowest compressor power consumption and cabinet temperature observed within the system were 65 W and -12°C when infused with either 40g and 0 g/L or 60g and 0.2 g/L nanofluid mixtures. In addition, the utilization of 60 g and 0.2 g/L mixtures gave the highest PPTR value of 5.22 while the maximum COP value of 0.76 was seen with 70 g and 0 g/L respectively. In conclusion, the application of graphene based nanolubricants within the system significantly improved the performance.