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Research Article

Performance of a computerized refrigeration cycle test rig for varying concentrations of (CuO-Al2O3/MO) hybrid nano-lubricants and R600a refrigerant charges: an energetic and exergetic approach

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Pages 9975-9992 | Received 12 May 2023, Accepted 27 Jul 2023, Published online: 01 Aug 2023
 

ABSTRACT

This article examined the energetic and exergetic performance evaluations of a computerized refrigeration cycle test rig for different concentrations of (CuO-Al2O3/MO) hybrid nano-lubricants and R600a refrigerant mass charges. In this particular investigation, three different refrigerant mass charges of 80 g, 100 g, and 120 g were employed, together with four different hybrid nano-lubricant concentrations of 0.1 g/L, 0.2 g/L, 0.3 g/L, and 0.4 g/L. A number of significant parameters, including COP, compressor power consumption (W), refrigerator pull-down time (minutes), second law efficiency (%), and total exergy destruction (W) of mineral oil without nanoparticles and nano-doped mineral oil using (CuO/Al2O3) hybrid nanoparticles as the lubricant, were examined in the course of this investigation. The optimum condition is achieved at 0.2 g/L of (CuO-Al2O3/MO) with 100 g mass of R600a refrigerant. At optimal conditions (0.2 g/L concentration of hybrid nano-lubricant and 80 g refrigerant mass charge), compressor work and total exergy destruction are lowered by (2.20–23.53%) and (4.51–49.00%), respectively. It is also observed that at optimum condition COP and second law efficiency grew within the range of (0.93–28.97%) and (3.38 to 25.42%), respectively. In conclusion, the performance of the computerized refrigeration cycle test rig altered with (CuO-Al2O3/MO) hybrid nano-lubricant concentrations and R600a refrigerant charges.

Nomenclature

CuO=

copper oxide

Al2O3=

aluminum oxide

MO=

mineral oil

VCR=

vapor compression refrigeration

COP=

coefficient of performance

η2=

second law efficiency

s=

specific entropy

Te=

evaporator temperature

Tc=

condenser temperature

To=

ambient temperature

ΔSgen=

entropy generation

ΔSsys=

entropy change

Itotal=

total exergy destroyed

Wcomp=

input power or compressor work

XRD=

X-Ray diffraction

Acknowledgements

We are grateful to the Maulana Azad National Institute of Technology, Bhopal, for providing the resources required to complete this research

Disclosure statement

The authors state that they have no known financial or interpersonal conflicts that would have affected the research presented in this study.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Ankit Kumar

Ankit Kumar is a Ph.D scholar in mechanical engineering department at MANIT, Bhopal (INDIA). He works in the area of thermal engineering and refrigeration and air-conditioning.

Satish Pal Singh Rajput

Dr. Satish Pal Singh Rajput is a professor in mechanical engineering department at MANIT, Bhopal (INDIA). He works in the area of thermal engineering, refrigeration and air-conditioning, energy conversion cycles and human thermal comfort.

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