Performance evaluation of VCR system using hydrocarbon mixture as a working medium with diffuser and nozzle

Abstract

In today's world, refrigeration systems have shown significant applications in both industrial and domestic sectors. The majority of the domestic sector refrigerators work on vapour compression system. The leakages of widely used hydro fluorocarbon refrigerants from refrigerator show a severe impact on the environment like global warming, ozone depletion, etc. In order to overcome these problems, eco-friendly refrigerants like hydrocarbons, their Mixtures, etc. are to be used in place of HFCs. in this experiment, the HC Mixture of both R600a and R290 is used. HC refrigerant has negligible GWP (0-3) and zero ODP. In the domestic refrigerator, the power requirement to compressor increases with an increase in compression load. The Diffuser reduces the mechanical work required for the compressor by providing extra work to the refrigerant and nozzle enhances the Refrigeration effect by providing an increase in velocity to the refrigerant. Experiments are conducted to analyse the performance.