10 VIII August 2022

https://doi.org/10.22214/ijraset.2022.46501
 International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 7.538
Volume 10 Issue VIII Aug 2022- Available at www.ijraset.com

Effect of Capillary Tube Shapes on The

Performance of Vapour Compression Refrigeration
Cycle Using Nano-Refrigerant
Pankaj Dhiman1, Dushyant Kaistha2, Shabnam Dhiman3
1
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Himanchal Institute of Engineering and Techonology, Shahpur Kangra (176052), India
2, 3
Department of computer Engineering, Himanchal Institute of Engineering and Techonology, Shahpur Kangra (176052), India

Abstract: The main aim of this experimental study was to check the coefficient of performance on the Vapour Compression
Refrigeration System by changing the shape of the capillary tube and by changing the refrigerants. Investigated the effect of
Nano Refrigerant on the Coefficient Of Performance of Vapour Compressor Refrigeration Cycle. Compared the Coefficient Of
Performance on the basis of R-22 (Difluoro-Monochloro Methane (CHF2CL) or R-22) and Al2O3 Nano particles mixed R-
22.The shape of the capillary tubes and the refrigerants is altered to study its effect on the performance of vapour compression
refrigeration cycle. The shapes of Capillary tubes used were Serpentine Shape and Cubic Shape.

I. INTRODUCTION
The VCRC i.e. Vapor Compression Refrigeration Cycle is one of the most widely used cycle in the field of refrigeration and air–
conditioning. The major components of this system are compressor, condenser, expansion and evaporator, etc. Out of these
components the expansion device plays an important role. In vapor compression refrigeration system the capillary tubes used for the
expansion purpose are only used in the helical form. Capillary tubeis a copper tube of very small internal diameter is one of the
most commonly used throttling devices in the domestic refrigerators, air conditioning system, Water coolers and freezers. It is of
very long length coiled to several turns so it would occupy less space.

II. REFRIGERATION SYSTEM

Refrigeration is the purpose being to cool some product or space to the required temperature and it is the process of attaining and
maintaining a temperature lower that of the surroundings. Vapor compression refrigeration is the most widely used method for air-
conditioning of public houses, workplaces, private residences, hotels, hospitals, theaters, eateries and automobiles. It is also used in
large-scale warehouses for chilled or frozen storage of foods and meats, domestic and commercial refrigerators, refrigerated trucks
and railroad cars, and a host of other commercial and industrial services. Air Conditioning denotes the treatment of air so as to
control its temperature, moisture content, cleanliness and circulation, a process or products in the space.

Fig. 1:- Refrigeration System

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 International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 7.538
Volume 10 Issue VIII Aug 2022- Available at www.ijraset.com

III. PROCESS OF VAPOUR COMPRESSION CYCLE

The vapour compression refrigeration cycle is consists of four refrigeration processes, Compression, Condensation, Expansion and
Evaporation.

Fig. 2:-Simple Vapour Compression Cycle

A. Compression
The vapour refrigerant at low pressure p1 and temperature T1 is compressed isentropically to dry saturated vapour as shown by the
vertical line 1-2 on T-s diagram and by the curve 1-2 on P-h diagram. The pressure increases from p1 to p2and temperature from T1
to T2 respectively. The work done during isentropic compression per kg of refrigerant is given by
W= h2-h1
h1=enthalpy of vapour refrigerant at temperature T1, i.e. at suction of the compressor.
h2=enthalpy of the vapour refrigerant at temperature T2, ie at discharge of the compressor.

Fig.3:- P V and T S Diagram of Compression

A compressor is a mechanical device which rises the pressure of a gas by volume. Hermetically sealed compressor is use since
leakage of refrigerant is completely more compact and requires small space less noisy.

Fig.4:- Compressor
B. Condensation
The vapours are cooled at a constant pressure and changed the vapour into the liquid state. So heat is given to the condensing fluid.
The high pressure and temperature vapour refrigerant from the compressor is passed through the condenser where it is completely
condensed at constant pressure P2 and temperature T2, as shown by the horizontal line 2-3 on T-S and P-H diagram. The refrigerant,
while passing through the condenser gives its latent heat to the surrounding condensing medium

©IJRASET: All Rights are Reserved | SJ Impact Factor 7.538 | ISRA Journal Impact Factor 7.894 | 1741
 International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 7.538
Volume 10 Issue VIII Aug 2022- Available at www.ijraset.com

Condensers are heat exchanger. Function of condenser is to get ride absorbed previously and reliquefy the refrigerant. The vapour
refrigerant condenses a liquid at constant pressure.

Fig.5:- Condenser

C. Expansion
The liquid refrigerant from the condenser passed through the expansion device where it is throttled to lower pressure and at constant
enthalpy. The liquid refrigerant is partly vaporized at lower tempafter throttling. The liquid refrigerant at pressure P3=P2 and
temperature T3=T2 is expanded by a throttling process through the expansion valve to a low pressure P4=P1 and temperature T4=T1
as shown by the curve 3-4 on t-s diagram and by the vertical line 3-4 on P-H diagram. Some of the liquid refrigerant evaporates as it
passes through the expansion valve, but the larger portion is vaporized in the evaporator. No heat is absorbed or rejected by the
liquid refrigerant during the throttling process.

Fig.6:-Capillary Tube

D. Evaporation
In the evaporation the partly vaporized refrigerant completely evaporates at constant pressure by absorbing latent heat from the
space. The liquid vapour mixture of the refrigerant at pressure P4 =P1 and temperature T4= T1is evaporated and changed into vapour
refrigerant at constant pressure and temperature as shown by the horizontal line 4-1 on T-s and p-h diagram. During evaporation,
the liquid- vapour refrigerant absorbs its latent heat of vaporization from the medium (air, water or brine) which is to be cooled.
The liquid refrigerant from expansion enters into evaporator coil at a temperature below the temperature of evaporator. It extracts
heat from evaporator and coldness.

Fig.7:- Evaporator

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 International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 7.538
Volume 10 Issue VIII Aug 2022- Available at www.ijraset.com

IV. LITERATURE REVIEW

Soni et al. 2013 investigated the “Experimental Performance of Window Air Conditioner Using Alternative Refrigerants with
Different Configurations of Capillary Tube”. R-22, R-410Awas the refrigerants used in this experiment and capillary tube was used
in air conditioners with various refrigerants. Performance is carried out by using different type of capillary tubes (straight, twisted
and coiled) in different length and diameter. Various parameters like coefficient of performance (COP), cooling capacity, energy
efficiency ratio (EER) of the system were determined. If the diameter is smaller then the length is shorter and if the diameter is
larger then length is longer and all these factors enable the exit pressure from the capillary tube to be reduced corresponding with
the cooling requirements.
Patil A.S. and Patil A.M. 2013 study on a “Selection of Capillary Tube for Refrigeration System”. This study aims to select a best
capillary tube for a refrigeration system. The study is focused on the influence of geometrical parameters like tube length, diameter,
and coil pitch, number of twist and twisted angle on pressure drop and coefficient of performance (COP) of the system. The
parameters can be optimized using mathematical modeling, experimental methods and maintaining proper pressure between
condenser and evaporator.
Salim T.K. 2012 studied that “The Effect of the Capillary Tube Coil Number on the Refrigeration System Performance”. The
refrigerant is used in this experiment is (R134a) and capillary tube is straight and coil Capillary tube. All properties of the
refrigeration system are measured for various mass flow rate from (13 – 23 kg/hr) and capillary tube coil number (0-4) with
constant length (150 cm) and capillary diameter (2.5mm).Through this study, it was found that the best coil number in refrigeration
cycle at the lowest mass flow rate (31 Kg/hr) and at high mass flow rate (23 Kg/hr) is (coil number = 4), this will give the maximum
performance, cooling capacity and deepest theoretical compression power.
Akintunde M.A. 2008 investigated “The effects of various geometries of capillary tubes based on the coil diameters and lengths
alone”. The effects of pitches of helical and serpentine coiled capillary tubes on the performance of a vapor compression
refrigeration system were examined. Some capillary tubes of equal lengths (2.03 m) and changing pitches, coiled diameters and
serpentine elevations were used. The inlet and outlet pressure and temperature of the capillary tube were measured and used to
estimate the COP of the system. The pitch has no significant effect on the system performancein the case of helical coiled
geometries. The COP obtained was 0.9841 in the case of serpentine geometries for mass flow rates of helical and serpentine with
straight tubes, 0.9864 and 0.9996 for mass flow rates of serpentine and helical coiled tube respectively. This study examined the
performance of capillary tube geometries having R-134a as the working fluid.

V. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP
The experimental setup contains the compressor and valves that are shut off valves, rotameter by pass, expansion valve and tube
expansion valve capillary. The control unit includes the main switch and measuring instruments like voltage, amp, meters, energy
meters, pressure gauges, dial type thermometers and glass thermometers, pressure gauges.

Fig.8:- Installation of Pressure Guages

The two temperature gauges were installed in capillary tube line.After installation of pressure gauges, the 750 gm of refrigerant was
filled into the compressor.

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 International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 7.538
Volume 10 Issue VIII Aug 2022- Available at www.ijraset.com

Fig.9:- Installation of Refrigerant in Compressor

A. Input Parameters
Capillary
Capillary
Sr.No. Coil Refrigerant
Shape
Material
Aluminum
01. Serpentine R-22
tube
R-22 with
Aluminum Nano-
02. Cubic
tube particle
Al2O3

Aluminium Oxide
Nano Particle
(Al2O3)
Purity 99.8%
Particle Shape Spherical
Particle size
5-150 nm
range
Purchased Reinste Nano Venture
from Pvt. Ltd.
Table 1:- Input Parameters

B. Technical Specifications
Pressure at compressor 15 to 16 kgf/cm2 (220 psi
discharge guage)
Pressure at compressor 4.0 8to 5.08 kgf/cm2(60 psi
inlet guage)
Temperature at
800c
compressor discharge
Temperature at
220c
compressor inlet
Temperature at condenser
400c
outlet
Pressure at condenser
16 kgf/cm2
outlet
Refrigerant flow rate
2.2 kg/min
(rotameter)
Table 2:- Technical Specification

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 International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 7.538
Volume 10 Issue VIII Aug 2022- Available at www.ijraset.com

VI. OBSERVATION AND CALCULATION

AS 1=Aluminum Shape 1 (Serpentine)
AS 2=AluminumShape 2 (Cubic)

Observations for Refrigerant R22

Comp. Rota-
COMP.INLET Cond. Outlet Expen. Before Expen.After
Discharge meter
Shap Tem
TEM PRESS. Press. Press Press Tem Press Tem
e Temp p
P P1Kg/c P 2 Kg/c P3 kg/c kg/min Kg/c p Kg/c p
T20C T3 0
T10C m2 m 2
m 2
m 2 0
c m2 0
c
C
AS 1 30.9 2 57.2 11.5 33.3 11.9 0.4 10.2 32 1.2 20.8
AS2 31.2 2.1 71 11.7 34.7 11.8 0.4 10.5 32.2 1.5 20
Table 3:- Observation Table for Capillary Tube

For Nano particle Al2O3 with refrigerant R-22

Comp. Rota- Expen.
COMP.INLET Cond. Outlet Expen.After
Discharge meter Before
Shap Tem Tem
TEM PRESS. Press. Press Press Tem Press Tem
e p p
P P1Kg/c P2 Kg/c P3 kg/c kg/min Kg/c p Kg/c p
T2 0 T3 0
T10C m2 m 2
m 2
m2 0
c m2 0
c
C C
AS 1 31.6 3 83.2 16.2 38.1 16.3 0.5 14.8 33.8 2.4 23
AS2 31.5 3.1 86.3 16.1 38.3 16.2 0.5 15.1 34 2.4 19
Table 4:- Observation Table for Capillary Tube

A. Coiled Capillary Tube Calculation

Fig.10:-Serpentine Coil Capillary Tube

Fig.11:- Cubic Coil Capillary Tube

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 International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 7.538
Volume 10 Issue VIII Aug 2022- Available at www.ijraset.com

B. Co-efficient of Performance (COP)

Refrigerating Effect=h1-hf3
Compressor work done=h2-h1
Coefficient of Performance= Refrigerating Effect/ Compressor work done= h1-hf3/ h2-h1
h1 = Enthalpy of the refrigerant leaving the evaporator and incoming the compressor
h2 =Enthalpy of the refrigerant leaving the compressor and incoming the condenser
hf3=Enthalpy of the refrigerant leaving the condenser and incoming the expansion valve.

For Refrigerant R 22 enthalpy table:

Refrigeratio Compress
Sr. h1 h2 hf3
n Effect or work COP
No. (kJ/kg) (kJ/kg) (kJ/kg)
(h2-h1) (h2-hf3)
AS 1 235.65 260.11 76.04 24.46 159.61 6.53
AS 2 235.65 260.38 77.39 24.73 158.26 6.40
Table 5:- Refrigerant R 22

For Refrigerant with Al2O3 Nano-particle R 22 enthalpy table:

Refrigeration Compressor
Sr. h1 h2 hf3
Effect (h2- Work (h2- COP
No. (kJ/kg) (kJ/kg) (kJ/kg)
h1) hf3)
1 243.25 263 95.63 19.75 147.62 7.47
2 243.25 263.13 97.03 19.88 146.22 7.36
Table 6:- Refrigerant with Al2O3 Nano-particle R 22

VII. RESULT TABLE FOR CAPILLARY TUBE

COP for R 22
COP for Percentage
Shape with Al2O3
R 22 increase
Nano-particle
AS 1 6.53 7.47 14.395
AS 2 6.40 7.36 14.099
Table 7:- Result Table for Capillary Tube

8
7.5
7
Serpentine
6.5
Cubic
6
5.5
1 2
Graph 1:-Variation of Coefficient of Performance R-22 and Nano particle with R-22

VIII. RESULT ANALYSIS AND DISCUSSION

The measured parameters pressure (P) and temperature (T) was used to evaluate the coefficient of performance (COP). From the
resultant values of the coefficient of performance and the graphical representation for the serpentine and cubic coiled capillary, it
can be analyzed that with change in shape of the capillary tube the serpentine shape capillary tube gives better Coefficient of
Performance than the cubic shape due to the resistance occurs in cubic shape is more comparatively.

©IJRASET: All Rights are Reserved | SJ Impact Factor 7.538 | ISRA Journal Impact Factor 7.894 | 1746
 International Journal for Research in Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET)
ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value: 45.98; SJ Impact Factor: 7.538
Volume 10 Issue VIII Aug 2022- Available at www.ijraset.com

The Nano particle mixed with refrigerant enhances the thermal conductivity of the refrigerant and that by the rate of heat transfer
increase and ultimately enhances the coefficient of performance of the refrigeration system.

IX. CONCLUSION
This study investigated the coefficient of performance of refrigeration system on the basis of capillary tube shapes having R-22 as
the working fluid. It reaches the following conclusion:
1) AS 1 i.e. Serpentine shape capillary tube provides better flow of the refrigerant due to less resistance in flow and enhances the
Coefficient of Performance of the refrigeration system.
2) Cubic shape capillary tube offers more resistance to flow of refrigerant, so its pressure reduction is less comparatively.
3) Refrigerant having mixed Al2O3 Nano particle with R-22 gives better Coefficient of performance of the refrigeration system.
This is happens because the thermal conductivity property of Al2O3 Nano particle is high which increase the conductivity rate
of refrigerant and ultimately enhances the COP.
4) Nano particle Al2O3 enhances the refrigerating effect by R-22 by around 15% in case of serpentine shape capillary tube.

REFERENCES
[1] SONI, R. (2013) Experimental Performance of Window Air Conditioner Using Alternative Refrigerants with Different Configurations of Capillary Tube.
International Journal of Engineering Sciences & Research Technology.
[2] PATIL, A.S. and PATIL, A.M. (2013) Selection of Capillary Tube for Refrigeration System. International Journal of Engineering Inventions, 2, pp. 52-55.
[3] WANKHEDE, U.S. (2012) Selection of spiral capillary tube for refrigeration appliances. International Journal of Modern Engineering Research, 2(3), pp.
1430-1434.
[4] SALIM, K.TAMIR (2012) The Effect of the Capillary Tube Coil Number on the Refrigeration System Performance. Tikrit Journal of Engineering Sciences,
19..
[5] TARRAD, A.H (2008) A Numerical Analysis of Adiabatic Capillary Tube Performance in Vapor Compression Refrigeration Systems. The Iraqi Journal For
Mechanical And Material Engineering,8.

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