International Journal of Science, Engineering and TechnologyAuthors: Chittaranjan Beshra, Lalatendu Paul, Chinmaya Behera, Aman Anand, Bidyut Ranjan Rout, Amar Kumar Das
Abstract: This study presents a comparative performance analysis of a vapor compression refrigeration system using two different refrigerants: R134a and hydrocarbon refrigerants (R600a/R290). The experiment was conducted on a standard domestic refrigerator setup under identical environmental and operational conditions. Parameters such as coefficient of performance, refrigeration effect, and environmental impact were used to evaluate performance. The results showed that the hydrocarbon refrigerant demonstrated a significantly higher COP and refrigeration effect than R134a. This improved performance is attributed to the lower molecular weight and superior thermodynamic compatibility of hydrocarbons, which resulted in faster temperature pull-down and greater energy efficiency. The study also highlights the environmental advantages of hydrocarbons, including zero ozone depletion potential and negligible global warming potential, in contrast to R134a’s higher GWP of approximately 1430.Despite flammability concerns associated with hydrocarbons, their performance and environmental benefits suggest they are promising alternatives to conventional refrigerants for domestic refrigeration applications. The findings support the suitability of hydrocarbon refrigerants in simple VCR systems as energy-efficient, eco-friendly replacements for high-GWP refrigerants.
