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DOI: https://doi.org/10.53555/nnmce.v2i3.359 Publication URL: http://nnpub.org/index.php/MCE/article/view/359
PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF VAPOUR COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION
SYSTEM BY USING R134A AND BLEND OF R290 AND R600A
Saurabh P. Kalambate1*, Rajaram N. Gawade2, Shailesh B. Khandekar3, Dasharath D. Jadhav4, Naveed M.H.
Bhatkar5
*1,2,3,4,5 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Mumbai University, India
*1kalambate456@gmail.com; 2gawade.rajaram04@gmail.com, 3shaileshbkhandekar@gmail.com;
4dasharathjadhav26@gmail.com; 5nvdbhtkr@gmail.com
*Corresponding Author: -
Email: kalambate456@gmail.com
Abstract: -
In present scenario, most of the industrial and domestic refrigerators working on vapour compression refrigeration cycle
are equipped with R134a as a refrigerant. R134a is having zero ozone depletion potential, but it has high global warming
potential of 1300.Hence there is need identified for alternative refrigerant to R134a. This research work is focused on
performance analysis of vapour compression refrigeration system with regard to COP, refrigerating effect, compressor
work for two refrigerants i.e., R134a and blend of R290 and R600a in the proportion of 60%+40% respectively as an
alternative refrigerant. Performance measure like compressor discharge temperature is also considered for analysis. The
results of blend of R290 and R600a are compared with halogenated hydrocarbon R134a. Trials are conducted for R134a
and blend of R290 and R600a. Results showed that COP for R134a refrigerant increases with decreases in evaporator
temperature and for blend of R290 and R600a it tries to remain constant. The maximum value of COP achieved for R134a
and blend R290and R600a are 3.11 and 4.09 respectively.
Keywords: - “Vapour Compression Refrigeration, R290, R600a, R134a, COP, refrigerating effect”
Journal of Advance Research in Mechanical and Civil Engineering (ISSN: 2208-2379)
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I INTRODUCTION
Considering today’s global environmental conditions, the ozone depleting potential (ODP) and Global warming potential
(GDP) is becoming key criteria in the development of new refrigerant. In addition to this, it is also necessary to see that
refrigerant gives maximum cooling effect in minimum power consumption. In present situation most of the refrigerating
devices used in domestic and industrial applications working on vapour compression refrigeration cycle are equipped with
R134a (Hydro fluorocarbon i.e., HFC) as a refrigerant. R134a is having zero ozone depletion potential but it has a high
global warming potential o 1300. Hence there is a need to identify alternative refrigerant for replacement of R134a.
Mohanraj et al. [4] investigate experimentally use of hydrocarbon refrigerant mixture (R290 and R600a by a weight ratio
of 45.2:54.8) as an alternative refrigerant to R134a in domestic refrigerator. The testing was carried out continuously
under different ambient temperature (24, 28, 32, 38 and 430C) and cycling test (ON/OFF) was carried at 320C ambient
temperature. The values of energy consumption for hydrocarbon mixture are shown low in the results. Macline-Cross [1]
shown that hydrocarbon refrigerant reduces energy consumption by 20% instead of halogenated refrigerants such as
R134a, R12. Fatouh et al. [3] had shown that performance of hydrocarbon such as propane (R290) and isobutene had
equal performance as that of R134a. Baskaran et al. [5] analyzed vapour compression refrigeration system with different
mixture of refrigerants such as R152a, R170, R600a, and R290 at various mass fractions. At condensation temperature at
500C and evaporator temperature between -300C and 100C the alternative refrigerants such as R152a, R290 at 29% and
71% respectively have slightly higher performance than R134a. Dongsoo Jung et al. [2] had reported that the mixture of
propane/isobutane at the mass fraction of 0.6 of propane has 3±4% higher energy efficiency and faster cooling rate than
R12.
The purpose of carrying out this research work is to characterize the performance of vapour compression refrigeration
cycle for refrigerants R134a and blend of R290 and R600a in the proportion of 60%+40% respectively as an alternative
refrigerant to replace R134a. Parameters considered for comparing the performance involves coefficient of performance
(COP), refrigerating effect, compressor work, compressor discharge temperature and volumetric cooling capacity (VCC).
In addition to this, the effect of different evaporator and condenser temperature on above mentioned performance
parameters is also reported for both the refrigerants.
II. Working of Vapor Compression Refrigeration System
The most commonly used refrigeration system in refrigerators is vapour compression refrigeration system. The working
fluid mentioned in the system is in the state of liquid and vapour. The requirement of the working fluid is that it should
readily evaporate and condense i.e. the fluid should change it’s state between vapour and liquid without leaving the system.
Fig. below shows the vapour compression refrigeration system. The main parts of the system are compressor, condenser,
expansion device, and evaporator.
Fig. 1 working of vapor compression refrigeration system [6]
The refrigerant enters the compressor at the low temperature and pressure and gets compressed. Then it is compressed
isentropically to attain higher temperature and pressure. Then this high temperature and pressure vapour enters the
condenser. There it is condensed and brought to low temperature but the pressure remains high. Here the state of the
refrigerant is changed from vapour to liquid. And this high pressure liquid flows towards the expansion device. In the
expansion device the pressure of the liquid refrigerant decreases and finally the refrigerant becomes of low temperature
and pressure. Then this refrigerant is passed through the evaporator where it absorbs the heat from the space, which is to
be cooled, and turns back to the vapour state. This refrigerant is sucked by the compressor and the cycle gets repeated.
Here refrigerant is cooled to low temperature than the atmosphere as to remove the heat from the region to be cooled and
maintain the region for the same temperature.
III. Experimental Setup
Fig. 2 Experimental Setup
Journal of Advance Research in Mechanical and Civil Engineering (ISSN: 2208-2379)
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For carrying out this research work, refrigeration test rig was designed and fabricated as shown in fig. 2. The test rig
consists of a compressor, air cooled condenser, thermostatic expansion valve (Capillary tube) and an evaporator. The
compressor used is a hermetically sealed reciprocating compressor. A serpentine coil finned tube air cooled heat exchanger
is used as condenser and is made up of copper. Condenser is cooled using fan. The evaporator is in the type of cylindrical
spiral coil shape and made up of the copper. The Bourdon tube pressure gauges are used to measure pressure at compressor
inlet and outlet. K type thermocouple is used to measure the temperature at various locations such as condenser inlet (T1),
condenser outlet (T2), evaporator inlet (T3) and evaporator outlet (T4). Energy meter is used to measure the power
consumption of the compressor. After carrying out leak testing of the test rig, refrigerant R134a was charged into the test
rig and trial was conducted. Then test rig was properly evacuated using vacuum pump, and blend of refrigerant R290 and
R600a was charged for conducting the trial.
IV. Results and Discussion
The main purpose of this research work is to compare the performance of vapour compression refrigeration system for
refrigerant R134a and blend of R290 and R600a as an alternative refrigerant. The testing was carried out on the vapour
compression refrigeration test rig for both the refrigerants. The performance measures such as coefficient of performance
(COP), Refrigerating effect and Compressor work are considered for analysis. The results of the tests conducted are plotted
and shown below:
A. Results of trial with R134a
Fig. 3 Evaporator temperature vs Refrigeration effect Fig. 4 Evaporator temperature vs Compressor work
Fig. 5 Evaporator temperature vs COP
Journal of Advance Research in Mechanical and Civil Engineering (ISSN: 2208-2379)
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Fig. 3, 4 and 5 shows variation of refrigerating effect, compressor work, COP against evaporator temperature respectively
for refrigerant R134a. From figures it is observed that, COP and refrigerating effect increases with decrease in evaporator
temperature and compressor work shows fluctuating trend with decrease in evaporator temperature. The maximum value
of COP achieved with refrigerant R134a is 3.11 at evaporator temperature -18 °C.
B. Results of trial with blend of R290 and R600a
Fig. 8 Evaporator temperature vs COP
Fig. 6, 7 and 8 shows variation of refrigerating effect, compressor work, COP against evaporator temperature respectively
for refrigerant as a blend of R290 and R600a. From figures it is observed that, COP tries to remain constant beyond -5
°C. Refrigerating effect decreases with decrease in evaporator temperature beyond -5 °C and compressor work shows
fluctuating trend with decrease in evaporator temperature. The maximum value of COP achieved with blend refrigerant
is 4.09 at evaporator temperature -2 °C. Blend refrigerant shows better performance in terms of COP than R134a
refrigerant.
V. Conclusion
The main focus of this research paper is to compare the performance of R134a and blend of R290 and R600a in the
proportion of 60%+40% respectively. From the Results it is concluded that,
• For evaporator temperature in the range of 0°C to -5°C the blend of R290 and R600a refrigerant shows better
performance in terms of COP.
• For the evaporator temperature beyond -5°C, refrigerant R134a shows better performance.
• Therefore, the blend of R290 and R600a can replace refrigerant R134a for the evaporator temperature ranging from 0°C
to -5°C.
Beyond -5°C temperatures, the performance of blend refrigerant is not satisfactory this can be attributed to variation in
the properties as well as high compression pressure required as compared to refrigerant R134a. Even though R134a has
higher Values of COP for lower evaporator temperature it has got harmful effects on the environment. Hence the use of
blend refrigerant is preferred with proper selection of compressor in order to have adequate compression pressures.
VI. References
[1] Maclaine-Cross.I.L (1997), “Why hydrocarbons save energy”, AIRAH Journal, June1997,Vol.51, pp.33-37.
[2] Dongsoo Jung, Chong-Bo Kim, Kilhong Song, Byoungjin Park (2000) “Testing of propane/isobutene mixture in
domestic Refrigerators”, International Journal of Refrigeration Vol.23 pp.517-527.
[3] Fatouh.M and El Kafafy.M (2006), “Assessment of propane/commercial isobutene mixtures as possible alternatives
to R-134a in domestic refrigerators”, Energy conversion and management, Vol.47, pp.2644-2658.
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[4] Mohanraj.M, Jayaraj.S, Muraleedharan.C and Chandrasekar.P (2009) “Experimental investigation of R290/R600a
mixture as an alternative to R-134a in a domestic refrigerator”, International Journal of Thermal Sciences Vol.48,
pp.1036–1042.
[5] Baskaran.A and Koshy Mathews.P (2012) “A Performance comparison of vapour compression refrigeration system
using various alternative refrigerants”, International Journal of Scientific and Engineering Research, Vol.3 No.10,
pp.1-
[6] P.Thangavel, Dr.P.Somasundaram, T.Sivakumar, C.Selva Kumar, G.Vetriselvan(2013) “Simulation Analysis of
Compression Refrigeration Cycle with Different Refrigerants” International Journal of Engineering and Innovative
Technology (IJEIT) Volume2, pp.127-130
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