Effect of h-BN solid nanolubricant on the performance of R134a–polyolester oil-based vapour compression refrigeration system

Abstract

The interest in the use of hexagonal boron nitride (h-BN) nanoparticles as solid nanolubricant for R134a–polyolester oil-based vapour compression refrigeration system was arisen because of its self-lubricating property, thermal and chemical stability. The present investigation analyzes the consequence of different volume concentrations of h-BN solid nanolubricant in the polyolester oil-based lubricant, on its density, viscosity and tribological aspects, as well as on the coefficient of performance of a vapour compression refrigeration system using R134a (1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane) refrigerant as the working fluid. Different samples of nanolubricants were prepared based on the volume percentage of h-BN nanoparticles using magnetic stir, low-intensity ultrasonic bath and high-intensity ultrasonic stirrer method. The tribological test results reveal that there is a momentous enhancement in antifriction behaviour in the nanolubricant compared to base polyolester oil. The nanolubricant containing 3 vol% h-BN nanoparticles shows a sixty percentage improvement in the energy saving as compared to base POE oil system.