Journal of Engineering and Technology for Industrial Applications
ITEGAM-JETIA
Manaus, v.10 n.48, p. 80-85. July/August., 2024.
DOI: [Link] v10i48.1005
ISSN ONLINE: 2447-0228
RESEARCH ARTICLE OPEN ACCESS
EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF A NEW HYDROCARBON MIXTURE FOR
DOMESTIC REFRIGERATOR TO REPLACE R134A
Parashurama S1, *Anjappa S B2,D.K. Ramesha3
1Government Engineering College, Kushalnagar, Karnataka 571234, India.
2Viswam Engineering College, Madanapalle, AP, 517325, India.
3University of Visvesvaraya College of Engineering, Bengaluru, Karnataka 560001, India.
1 [Link] 2 [Link] 3 [Link]
Email: parashuramas@gmail.com1, *[Link]@gmail.com2, mechsvtm@gmail.com3.
ARTICLE INFO ABSTRACT
Article History In a domestic refrigerator with 4.49cc displacement compressors, the performance of R290
Received: December 23th, 2023 (48 by mass percent) and R600a (52 by mass percent) was examined experimentally. In our
Revised: July 08th, 2024 research, we employed a 210-litre refrigerator that was designed to run on R12 and had a
Accepted: July 08th, 2024 longer capillary. The amount of energy utilised, as well as the pressure and temperature at
Published: July 18th, 2024 crucial locations on the various refrigerated compartments and refrigerator circuit, are all
Keywords: monitored. With R290/R600a, we performed a scroll-down test and ice-making test.
R290, According to our findings, R290/R600a is the best contenders for re-placing R134a in terms
Scroll-Down time, of energy conservation. Because the amount of refrigerant utilised is so small, the
Power Consumption, flammability fac-tor can be overlooked.
R290/R600a,
ice-making time.
Copyright ©2024 by authors and Galileo Institute of Technology and Education of the Amazon (ITEGAM). This work is licensed
under the Creative Commons Attribution International License (CC BY 4.0).
I. INTRODUCTION Hydrocarbons have been recommended as a replacement
for conventional refrigerants in residential freezers by a number of
Food preservation and life-saving drugs, as well as indi- scientists. Propane's performance in small resi-dential refrigerators
vidual health and safety, rely on refrigeration technology. The was investigated by [1],[2]. the findings revealed that Propane is a
refrigeration technology is also use to provide well-being in suita-ble alternative to R12 that does not require any modifica-tions
industrial process and air conditioning system. The risk of CFCs, [1]. Investigated a household refrigerator that ran on Propane and
as well as the Montreal and Kyoto Pro-tocols, must be considered found that Propane performed better than R12. Experiments with
while evaluating future refrig-erants. Natural refrigerants and isobutene and propane these mixtures were conducted in home
hydrogenated chloro-fluorocarbons (HCFCs) are suitable refrigerator and the results showed the attained. Co-efficient of
substitutes. performance was more than that of R12. For [3], studied the use of
CFC-12 was outmoded when it was initially developed to propane in a 239 liter refrigerator, and it is found that the
the refrigerator pursuit and it was subsequently replaced by HFC- refrigerator uti-lised the least amount of energy per day while using
134a, an average refrigerant. HFC-134a on the other hand, must be Pro-pane. To replace Propane, a compressor with a smaller
phased out by 2020; it is critical to evaluate HFC-134a's prospects displacement is required due to the higher volumetric re-frigeration
and upgrade. Mineral lu-bricating oil with 0% ODP and a low capability. In prior work [4], used SRK EoS to look at the
GWP is suitable with hydrocarbon refrigerants. The most properties of an HC, and therefore the results are well within
significant disad-vantages of these refrigerants they are permissible limits. Computer modelling was wont to estimate the
inconsistent flam-mable. The hydrocarbon refrigerants have a perfor-mance of hydrocarbons as alternative refrigerants to ex-
higher latent heat vaporization then R12 and less density makes change R12 in average size residential freezers. The R270 and
them desirable low load applications in defiance of their flam- DME R270 and DME, also as R290 R1270 with a re-duced
mability. displacement compressor, were found to be suita-ble drop-in
Journal homepage: [Link]
One, Two and Three, ITEGAM-JETIA, Manaus, v.10 n.48, p. 80-85, July/August., 2024.
choices. Parashurama S et al. conducted a the-oretical and COP 1.84 1.99
experimental evaluation of the refrigerant R 290, which is a Discharge temperature (oC) 125 133
substitute for R12 with a smaller dis-placement compressor [5]. Isentropic index 1.124 1.137
Propane does not require any changes to the refrigera-tor's Capillary bore, d (m) 0.00066 0.00079
structure. Normal oil is miscible with all hydrocar-bons and has Capillary length, L (m) 4.178 4.3
good lubricating qualities. Another ad-vantage of hydro-carbons is Source: Authors, (2024).
that no damp air is intro-duced because to the favorable evaporator
pressure. According to [6]. The hydrocarbons in gas-eous and II. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP
liquid phases in on heat transfer properties, these phases are much The testing chamber has a small wooden chamber for air
higher than R12 and R134a. As a result from a heat transfer circulation. Temperature sensors, steam injecting nozzles, heater
standpoint, R290 is a viable al-ternative. R134a is presently as an
coils, and relative humidity sensor connected to a steam raiser
alternative to R12. It has a low energy efficiency, a high GWP, and
outside the chamber and split air conditioner to replicate the needed
is incompat-ible with mineral oil. As a result, the issue remains un-
solved, and it must be changed in compliance with F-gas weather conditions with the help of condenser heat rejection to the
regulations. [7],[8], used SRK EOS to estimate the thermodynamic testing chamber are also included. The experimental setup that was
characteristics of Fluroethers, HFs and HFCs and screened and developed is depicted in Figure
offered R270 and R152a as a alternatives to R134a an equivalent
compressor, also as R290, R161 and R1270 with lower
displacement com-pressor, also as R290, R161, and R1270 with
lower com-pressor displacement, also as R290, R161, and R1270
with lower compressor displacement. They also project-ed the
thermodynamic properties of several binary mixes of HFs and
HFCs using the SRK PSRK AND EOS mixing rules, performed
thermodynamic analysis, and offered them as alter-natives to
R134a [8]. In the present paper a new mixture R290 (48%)/R600a
(52%) is tested with a 4.49 cc hermetic compressor in an unaltered
refrigerator used for R12,
Table 1: Property data of HC and R290 for Te = -25OC &
Tk=55OC.
Refrigerant HC R290
NBP (OC) - -42.07
ODP 0 0.000
GWP 20 3
Evaporator pressure (bar) 1.4 2.02
Figure 1: Experimental Setup and Simulation Room Layout.
Critical temperature (K) 389.61 369.8
Source: Authors, (2024).
Critical pressure (bar) 139.33 42.5
Condenser pressure (bar) 14.22 19.07
Pressure ratio 13.29 10.71 1. Air condition unit
Latent heat (kJ/kg) 390.13 404.99 2. Humidification sensor
Specific volume (m3/kg) 0.4142 0.2913
3. LG Refrigerator
4. Heater
Source: Authors, (2024).
5. Testing room temperature
6. Thermocouple
Table 1 shows the computed refrigerant properties for the
7. ADAM Module
refrigerator design settings. Using the prediction method described
8. Analog to digital converter
in Reference [8], the thermodynamic character-istics of the
9. Power supply
R290/R600a mixture are calculated. The study's findings are
summarised in Table 2. For the R290/R600a (HC) system,
simulation was utilised to cal-culate features including Table 3: Details of Instrumentation.
refrigeration effect, pressure ra-tio, condenser heat rejection, mass Instrument Range Uncertainty
flow rate, compressor exit temperature, starting torque, and COP. Pressure gauges 0 to 10.34 ± 0.345bar
R290 operates better-quality with a higher coefficient of 0 to 20.69 bar 5 Psi
performance value and requires a smaller compressor and a lower Thermocouple - ± 0.1oC
mo-tor rating, according to the simulation results.
Digital thermomet -50 to 500oC ± 0.1 oC
er
Table 2: Results of Thermodynamic Analysis.
Refrigerant R290 HC Clamp meter 0 to 10 amps ±0.1 amps
Mass flow rate (kg/sec) (x104) 0.289 0.386
0 to 1000 V ± 1V
Compressor power input (W) 40.32 43.94
Condenser duty (W) 137.83 139.88 Source: Authors, (2024).
Piston displacement (cc) 2.43 4.6
Starting torque (N-m) 2.16 2.83
Page 81
One, Two and Three, ITEGAM-JETIA, Manaus, v.10 n.48, p. 80-85, July/August., 2024.
using a clamp on watt meter with a 0.01 KWh resolution.
Nitrogen and soap bubbles were used to conduct leakage tests. 65g
II.1 EXPERIMENTATION AND PERFORMANCE
of Refrigerant HC has been charged into the system. R290/R600a
ANALYSIS
tests were carried out with a 4.49cc displacement compressor with
Leakage tests, ice making test, Scroll-Down tests, and a 4.29m capillary length. After the Scroll-Down phase, the
Power Consumption tests are all administered in compliance system will run up 6 hours then placed within the refrigerator
with IS regulations [9]. As results of setting the thermostatic for the zero load performance test. After the Scroll-Down time,
knob to optimize the mean compartment temperature to the system was run ice making tests for up to three hours.
7 oC, power outage, failure to take care of the condition as After it had been pulled down, the ice making test for HC with
stated in Indian standards, and other factors, certain findings a length of 4.29 meter was extended for an additional 3 hours.
are destroyed. The discharge pressure, Temperatures is Ex-pediments are run until steady-state conditions are reached.
recorded using thermocouples at the condenser outlet, freezer The refrigerator it will run three months to verify the results
compartment, compressor inlet, evaporator outlet, and and for up to 6 hours after it had been pulled right down to
evaporator inlet. The second and third compartment. The achieve its steady state conditions.
electrical energy consumption of the compressor was measured
Table 4: Results of Experimentation.
Refrigerant R290 [5] HC
Capillary length (m) 5.95 3.0
Suction pressure 2.895 1.768
Discharge pressure 15.855 13.840
Discharge temperature (oC) 66.4 68.2
Pull down time (min) 111 110
Pull down energy Consumption (kWh/day) 0.1369 0.1833
Energy consumption (kWh/day) 1.329 1.4854
Ice making time (min) 160 151
COP act 1.74 1.72
η ref 55.81 41.2
I (W) 56.14 38.42
Q ext. 4.883 3.946
Q 5.82 35.94
Source: Authors, (2024).
III. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION condenser does not need to be a larger. The mass flow rate of R290
is much lower than R290/R600a, while the pressure ratio is much
Equations from Reference 4 are used to analyse and larger. As a result, the capillary must be lengthened. If an R12
compare performance parameters the table 2 lists the value of compressor is used to compress R290, there is no diffi-culty with
performance parameters for HC and R290. R290 appears to have starting torque [11]. R290/R600a is evaluated under the identical
a lower pressure ratio than R290/R600a, hinting that a lower operating conditions in this experi-ment utilizing a household
displacement com-pressor is required. The more boiling refrigerator [Link] [Link] 3 shows that the Scroll-
refrigerants R290 necessitates a smaller motor rating than Downtime for R290 is essentially comparable to R290/R600a, but
R290/R600a, as shown in Table 2. the ice making time is 5.96 percent longer, energy usage is 10.53
Table 2 shows due to the high pressure ratio the volu- percent lower, and the average discharge tempera-ture is 1.20C
metric efficiency of HC is slightly lower than that of R290. Using lower in compressor. Scroll down test, ice making test and
the aforesaid volumetric efficiencies, the displacement volumes of temperature profiles demonstrate that the refrigerator of R290 has
R290/R600a and R290 are de-termined. R290 requires less roughly identical capacity to the R290/R600a refrigerator, as
displacement than R290/R600a due to its larger volumetric illustrated in Figures 2 to 7. The temperature differences in the
refrigeration capacity. As shown in Table 2, R290 requires less freezer com-partment, first compartment, and second
dis-placement than R290/R600a. R290's discharge tempera-tures compartment are shown in Figures 2 to 7.
are lower than R290/ R600a's. The winding tem-perature rises as Because the refrigerator volumes are nearly identical,
the discharge temperature rises. Be-cause certain charge is Wong wises et al. [3] and Rasti et al. [12] can be com-pared to our
required for the hydrocarbon is very small and it is well under work. Table 5 demonstrates that when com-pared to R134a, the
safety regulations, specif-ically 55g there is no risk of fire. As a refrigerant R290 (48)/R600a (52) used the least amount of energy.
result, the R290 compressor runs smoothly [10]. The usage of a reduced displacement compressor in our test
According to the theoretical research, R290 has a greater resulted in a higher level of electricity savings.
COP than R290/R600a. Furthermore, the condenser's heat
released rate is lower than that of R290/R600a, im-plying that the
Page 82
One, Two and Three, ITEGAM-JETIA, Manaus, v.10 n.48, p. 80-85, July/August., 2024.
Table 5: Comparison of present study with literature.
[3] [12] Present Study
Refrigerant R290(60) R290(56)/
R134a R134a R290(48)/R600a
/R600a R600a
Temperature(°C) 25 25 32 32 43
Capacity(c)
239 - 238 - -
Charge(g) 120 60 - 105 65
Energy consumpt
1.43 1.41 1.628 1.541 1.485
ion (kW hr/day)
Source: Authors, (2024).
Temperature profile of refrigerants in freezing compartment during noload performance test
30
25
Temperature in degree centigrade
20
15
10
Elapsed time in minutes
0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450
-5
-10
-15
R290 HC
Figure 2: Variation in Temperatures of Freezer Compartment in Scroll-Down test.
Source: Authors, (2024).
Temperature profiles in upper compartment
30
Temperature in degree centigrade
25
20
15
10
0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450
Elapsed time in minutes
R290 HC
Figure 3: Variation in Temperatures of Upper Compart-ment in Scroll-Down test.
Page 83
One, Two and Three, ITEGAM-JETIA, Manaus, v.10 n.48, p. 80-85, July/August., 2024.
Source: Authors, (2024).
Temperature profiles in lower compartment
30
Temperature in degree centigrade
25
20
15
10
5
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450
Elapsed time in minutes
R290 HC
Figure 4: Variation in Temperatures of Lower Com-partment in Scroll-Down test.
Source: Authors, (2024).
Temperature profile of refrigerants in Freezer compartment during ice making test
30
25
Temperature in degree centigrade
20
15
10
0 Elapsed time in minutes
0 50 100 150 200 250 300
-5
-10
-15
R290 HC
Figure 5: Variation in Temperatures of Freezer Com-partment in Ice making test.
Source: Authors, (2024).
Temperature profiles in upper compartment
30
Temperature in degree centigrade
25
20
15
10
0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350 400 450
Elapsed time in minutes
R290 HC
Figure 6: Variation in Temperatures of Upper Compart-ment in Ice making test.
Page 84
One, Two and Three, ITEGAM-JETIA, Manaus, v.10 n.48, p. 80-85, July/August., 2024.
Source: Authors, (2024).
Temperature profile of refrigerants in lower compartment during Ice making test
30
Temperature in degree centigrade
25
20
15
10
5
0 50 100 150 200 250 300
R290 HC
Elapsed time in minutes
Figure 7: Variation in Temperatures of Lower Com-partment in Ice making test.
Source: Authors, (2024).
IV. CONCLUSIONS [2] Mustafa Ozsipahi, Haluk Anil Kose, Husnu Kerpicci, Hasan Gunes,
Experimental study of R290/R600a mixtures in vapor compression refrigeration
According to the theoretical research, R290 has a greater system, International Journal of Refrigeration, Volume 133, 2022, Pages 247-258,
ISSN 0140-7007, [Link]
COP than R290/R600a. In the case of R290, the heat re-jected in
the condenser is slightly lower, but the conden-ser size remains the [3] Wongwises, S. and Chimers, N. (2005). Experimental study of hydrocarbon
same. R290 has a lower mass flow rate than R290/R600a, but a mixtures to replace HFC-134a in a domestic refrigerator. Energy conversion and
higher pressure ratio. As a result, the capillary length must be management.46, 85-100. DOI: 10.1016/[Link].2004.02.011
raised. When com-pared to R290/R600a, propane consumed 10.53 [4] Parashurama, S., Ramesha, D.K. & Govinde gowda, M.S. (2019). Screening of
percent less energy. Propane's charge has decreased by 16.38 HFCs and Fluroethers as Alternatives to R134a Using SRK EoS. [Link],
percent, making it more cost effective to use. The capil-lary length Ser.C. [Link]
used in this study was 6 meters. Propane has a lower compressor
[5] Parashurama, S (2019). Experimental Investigation of the Use of Propane for
exit temperature than R290/R600a, which is a favorable thing. As Domestic Refrigerator with Lower Displacement Compressor, International Journal
a result, the compressor's life may be extended. R290 has of Heat and Technology. 37, 985-990. DOI: 10.18280/ijht.370407.
equivalent capacities to R290/R600a, according to pull-down and
ice-making experiments. [6] Anjappa S B, [Link] Sarathi, [Link], [Link], “Solar
Vaccine Refrigerator by using Phase Change Material”,(IJEAT) ISSN: 2249-8958
(Online), Volume-8 Issue-5, June 2019.
V. AUTHOR’S CONTRIBUTION
[7] Parashurama, S., Ramesha, D.K. & Govinde gowda M.S.(2018). Development
Conceptualization: Parashurama S and Anjappa S B. of alternative binary mixtures to replace hfc 134a in domestic refrigerator. Chemical
Methodology: Parashurama S and Anjappa S B. Engineering Transactions. 71, 1399-1404. DOI: 10.3303/CET1871234
Investigation: Parashurama S and Anjappa S B.
Discussion of results: Parashurama S and Anjappa S B. [8] Data Acquisition Users Guide, ADAM4000 Series User’s manual
Writing – Original Draft: Parashurama S and Anjappa S B. [9] Rasti, M., Hatamipou, M.S., Aghamiri, S.F., Tavakoli, M. (2012). Enhancement
Writing – Review and Editing: Parashurama S and Anjappa S B. of domestic refrigerator’s energy efficiency index using a hydrocarbon mixture
Resources: Parashurama S and Anjappa S B. [Link].45, 1807-1813.
Supervision: Parashurama S and Anjappa S B.
[10] IS: 14761979, Indian Standard Specification for Domestic Refrigerators
Approval of the final text: Parashurama S and Anjappa S B. (Mechanically operated). Bureau of Indian Standards, New Delhi (1986)
VI. ACKNOWLEDGMENTS [11] S. Parashurama, M. S. Govinde gowda, S.B. Anjappa, S. Ahamed Saleel C. and
S. A. Khan, (2020). Design and Performance Analysis of Ecofriendly Vapor
This work was done by Anjappa S B. etl. We are thank-ful Compression Micro-Refrigerator, Indian Journal of Environmental Protection. 40
to the authorities of Viswam Engineering College, Madanapalle, (3):276 -282.
Andhra Pradesh 517325, India, for provid-ing all facilities for [12] S. Parashurama, M. S. Govinde gowda, Vaibhav Jain and S. B. Anjappa,
completing this work. (2019). Indian Journal of Environmental Protection. 39 (12): 1119-1124.
VII. REFERENCES
[1] Mohammad Salman, Rajendran Prabakaran, Poongavanam Ganesh Kumar,
Dongchan Lee, Sung Chul Kim, Saturation flow boiling characteristics of R290
(propane) inside a brazed plate heat exchanger with offset strip fins, International
Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, Volume 202,2023,123778,ISSN 0017-
9310,[Link]
Page 85
