Enhancing VCRS performance: A study of R134a and refrigerant blends with spiral condensers and series evaporators
Year 2025,
Volume: 11 Issue: 5, 1261 - 1275, 21.10.2025
Sourabh Kulkarni
Shriramshastri Chavali
Shruti Vedpathak
Abstract
The purpose of this work will be the improve the vapour compression refrigeration system, taking into account the usage of environmentally friendly refrigerants. This is important because the alternative solution for achieving a minimal invasion into the environment with maximum energy efficiency is urgently needed. The method used here, namely, system redesigns with spiral condensers and series evaporators, was validated using CoolPack software. Major outcomes are that the coefficient of performance is increased by 77% and power consumption is reduced by 19% when a spiral condenser is used instead of the conventional systems. The hydrocarbon blends of propane and isobutane were found to be possible substitutes for R134a, and using nanofluids of Al2O3 or ZnO was shown to increase the coefficient of performance up to 137%. The research does not only add a source of enhancing literature but also provides a practical framework for developing more sustainable and ef ficient refrigeration technologies.
References
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[3] Srithar K, Rajaseenivasan T, Arulmani M, Gnanavel R, Vivar M, Fuentes M. Energy recovery from a vapour compression refrigeration system using humidification dehumidification desalination. Desalination 2018;439:155–61. [Crossref]
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[5] Malwe PD, Shaikh J, Gawali BS. Exergy assessment of a multistage multi-evaporator vapour compression refrigeration system using eighteen refrigerants. Energy Reports 2022;8:153–62. [Crossref]
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[6] Kulkarni S, Chavali S, Dikshit S. A review on analysis of Vapour Compression Refrigeration System (VCRS) for its performance using different eco-friendly refrigerants and nanofluids. Mater Today Proc 2023;72:878–83. [Crossref]
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[7] Islam MA, Mitra S, Thu K, Saha BB. Study on thermodynamic and environmental effects of vapour compression refrigeration system employing first to next-generation popular refrigerants. Int J Refrig 2021;131:568–80. [Crossref]
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[8] Bolaji BO. Theoretical assessment of new low global warming potential refrigerant mixtures as eco-friendly alternatives in domestic refrigeration systems. Sci African 2020;10:e00632. [Crossref]
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[9] Selloum A, Trıkı Z, Engineering YC-J of T, 2021 undefined. Thermodynamic analysis of a solar-driven vapour compression refrigeration system using R1234ze for cooling applications in the Ghardaïa region (Southern Algeria). DergiparkOrgTrA Selloum, Z Trıkı, Y ChıbaJournal Therm Eng 2021•dergiparkOrgTr 2024;10:130–41. [Crossref]
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[10] Sánchez D, Andreu-Nácher A, Calleja-Anta D, Llopis R, Cabello R. Energy impact evaluation of different low-GWP alternatives to replace R134a in a beverage cooler. Experimental analysis and optimization for the pure refrigerants R152a, R1234yf, R290, R1270, R600a and R744. Energy Convers Manag 2022;256:115388.
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[11] Wu D, Hu B, Wang RZ. Vapor compression heat pumps with pure Low-GWP refrigerants. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 2021;138:110571. [Crossref]
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[12] Reddy DVR, Bhramara P, Govindarajulu K. Experimental Evaluation of the Effect of Refrigerant Charge and Capillary Tube Length on the Performance of Household Refrigerator with Different Configurations of R290 and R600a. Mater Today Proc 2018;5:11845–52. [Crossref]
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[13] Mohanraj M, Jayaraj S, Muraleedharan C, Chandrasekar P. Experimental investigation of R290/R600a mixture as an alternative to R134a in a domestic refrigerator. Int J Therm Sci 2009;48:1036–42. [Crossref]
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[14] de Paula CH, Duarte WM, Rocha TTM, de Oliveira RN, Mendes R de P, Maia AAT. Thermo-economic and environmental analysis of a small capacity vapour compression refrigeration system using R290, R1234yf, and R600a. Int J Refrig 2020;118:250–60. [Crossref]
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[15] Gill J, Singh J. Energy analysis of vapour compression refrigeration system using a mixture of R134a and LPG as a refrigerant. Int J Refrig 2017;84:287–99. [Crossref]
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[16] Logesh K, Baskar S, Md Azeemudeen M, Reddy BP, Jayanth GVSS. Analysis of Cascade Vapour Refrigeration System with Various Refrigerants. Mater Today Proc 2019;18:4659–64. [Crossref]
-
[17] Ozair Arshad M, Azam Q, Twaha Irfan Ahmad S, Khan F, Atif Wahid M. Analysis of vapour compression refrigeration system with R-12, R-134a and R-22: An exergy approach. Mater Today Proc 2021;46:6748–52. [Crossref]
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[18] Ajayi OO, Ukasoanya DE, Ogbonnaya M, Salawu EY, Okokpujie IP, Akinlabi SA, et al. Investigation of the Effect of R134a/Al2O3 –Nanofluid on the Performance of a Domestic Vapour Compression Refrigeration System. Procedia Manuf 2019;35:112–7. [Crossref]
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[19] Giménez-Prades P, Navarro-Esbrí J, Udroiu CM, Mota-Babiloni A. Influence of subcooling in R-449A supermarket refrigeration system and screening of refrigerant mixtures for its energetic and environmental improvement. Appl Therm Eng 2024;236:121787. [Crossref]
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[20] Said Z, Rahman SMA, Sohail MA, Bahman AM, Alim MA, Shaik S, et al. Nano-refrigerants and nano-lubricants in refrigeration: Synthesis, mechanisms, applications, and challenges. Appl Therm Eng 2023;233:121211. [Crossref]
-
[21] Sivaraman N, Vaidyanathan RM, Patel M, Markos M. Performance analysis of refrigerants with various expansion valves in vapour compression refrigeration and air-conditioning system. Mater Today Proc 2021;45:2465–9. [Crossref]
-
[22] Garg I, Bajpai V. To Study Various Performance Parameters of a Vapor Compression Refrigeration System with Two Evaporators using R-134(a). J Basic Appl Eng Res n.d.;5:268–71.
-
[23] Subramanian S, Joswa Lazaras IP, Srinivasan S, Sundaresan D, Balakrishnan SK. Performance analysis of fin tube evaporator using various refrigerants. Therm Sci 2020;24:609–12. [Crossref]
-
[24] Goyal A, Sherwani AF. Optimization of energetic performance and payback period of organic Rankine cycle integrated vapour compression refrigeration system based on exergy, economic, and environmental criteria. J Therm Eng 2023;9:648–58. [Crossref]
-
[25] Chen X, Liang K, Li Z, Zhao Y, Xu J, Jiang H. Experimental assessment of alternative low global warming potential refrigerants for automotive air conditioners application. Case
Stud Therm Eng 2020;22:100800.
-
[26] Ozsipahi M, Kose HA, Kerpicci H, Gunes H. Experimental study of R290/R600a mixtures in vapour compression refrigeration system. Int J Refrig 2022;133:247–58. [Crossref]
-
[27] Dhumane R, Ling J, Aute V, Radermacher R. Performance comparison of low GWP refrigerants for a miniature vapour compression system integrated with enhanced phase change material. Appl Therm Eng 2021;182:116160. [Crossref]
-
[28] Prasad US, Mishra RS, Das RK. Experimental studies of vapour compression refrigeration system with eco-Friendly primary refrigerant and brine mixed with nanoparticles as secondary refrigerant. Mater Today Proc 2021;45:3857–9. [Crossref]
-
[29] Yogesh Joshi, Dinesh Zanwar, Sandeep Joshi. Performance investigation of vapour compression refrigeration system using R134a and R600a refrigerants and Al2O3 nanoparticle-based suspension. Mater Today Proc 2021;44:1511–9. [Crossref]
-
[30] Gardenghi ÁR, Lacerda JF, Tibiriçá CB, Cabezas-Gómez L. Numerical and experimental study of the transient behaviour of a domestic vapour compression refrigeration system – Influence of refrigerant charge and ambient temperature. Appl Therm Eng 2021;190:116728. [Crossref]
-
[31] Vandaarkuzhali S, Xavier JF, Ramadoss R, Jayaseelan V, Sudhakar K. Energy performance of R22 blended with nanofluids in the refrigeration system. J Optoelectron Biomed Mater 2021;13:33–44. [Crossref]
Year 2025,
Volume: 11 Issue: 5, 1261 - 1275, 21.10.2025
Sourabh Kulkarni
Shriramshastri Chavali
Shruti Vedpathak
References
-
[1] Wongwises S, Chimres N. Experimental study of hydrocarbon mixtures to replace HFC-134a in a domestic refrigerator. Energy Convers Manag 2005;46:85–100. [Crossref]
-
[2] MM. Performance Improvement of VCRS Using Waste Heat Recovery Method. Int J Emerg Trends Eng Res 2020;8:1964–71. [Crossref]
-
[3] Srithar K, Rajaseenivasan T, Arulmani M, Gnanavel R, Vivar M, Fuentes M. Energy recovery from a vapour compression refrigeration system using humidification dehumidification desalination. Desalination 2018;439:155–61. [Crossref]
-
[4] Thangavel P, Somasundaram P, Sivakumar T, Kumar CS, Vetriselvan G. Simulation analysis of compression refrigeration cycle with different refrigerants. Int J Eng Innov Technol
2013;2:127–31.
-
[5] Malwe PD, Shaikh J, Gawali BS. Exergy assessment of a multistage multi-evaporator vapour compression refrigeration system using eighteen refrigerants. Energy Reports 2022;8:153–62. [Crossref]
-
[6] Kulkarni S, Chavali S, Dikshit S. A review on analysis of Vapour Compression Refrigeration System (VCRS) for its performance using different eco-friendly refrigerants and nanofluids. Mater Today Proc 2023;72:878–83. [Crossref]
-
[7] Islam MA, Mitra S, Thu K, Saha BB. Study on thermodynamic and environmental effects of vapour compression refrigeration system employing first to next-generation popular refrigerants. Int J Refrig 2021;131:568–80. [Crossref]
-
[8] Bolaji BO. Theoretical assessment of new low global warming potential refrigerant mixtures as eco-friendly alternatives in domestic refrigeration systems. Sci African 2020;10:e00632. [Crossref]
-
[9] Selloum A, Trıkı Z, Engineering YC-J of T, 2021 undefined. Thermodynamic analysis of a solar-driven vapour compression refrigeration system using R1234ze for cooling applications in the Ghardaïa region (Southern Algeria). DergiparkOrgTrA Selloum, Z Trıkı, Y ChıbaJournal Therm Eng 2021•dergiparkOrgTr 2024;10:130–41. [Crossref]
-
[10] Sánchez D, Andreu-Nácher A, Calleja-Anta D, Llopis R, Cabello R. Energy impact evaluation of different low-GWP alternatives to replace R134a in a beverage cooler. Experimental analysis and optimization for the pure refrigerants R152a, R1234yf, R290, R1270, R600a and R744. Energy Convers Manag 2022;256:115388.
-
[11] Wu D, Hu B, Wang RZ. Vapor compression heat pumps with pure Low-GWP refrigerants. Renew Sustain Energy Rev 2021;138:110571. [Crossref]
-
[12] Reddy DVR, Bhramara P, Govindarajulu K. Experimental Evaluation of the Effect of Refrigerant Charge and Capillary Tube Length on the Performance of Household Refrigerator with Different Configurations of R290 and R600a. Mater Today Proc 2018;5:11845–52. [Crossref]
-
[13] Mohanraj M, Jayaraj S, Muraleedharan C, Chandrasekar P. Experimental investigation of R290/R600a mixture as an alternative to R134a in a domestic refrigerator. Int J Therm Sci 2009;48:1036–42. [Crossref]
-
[14] de Paula CH, Duarte WM, Rocha TTM, de Oliveira RN, Mendes R de P, Maia AAT. Thermo-economic and environmental analysis of a small capacity vapour compression refrigeration system using R290, R1234yf, and R600a. Int J Refrig 2020;118:250–60. [Crossref]
-
[15] Gill J, Singh J. Energy analysis of vapour compression refrigeration system using a mixture of R134a and LPG as a refrigerant. Int J Refrig 2017;84:287–99. [Crossref]
-
[16] Logesh K, Baskar S, Md Azeemudeen M, Reddy BP, Jayanth GVSS. Analysis of Cascade Vapour Refrigeration System with Various Refrigerants. Mater Today Proc 2019;18:4659–64. [Crossref]
-
[17] Ozair Arshad M, Azam Q, Twaha Irfan Ahmad S, Khan F, Atif Wahid M. Analysis of vapour compression refrigeration system with R-12, R-134a and R-22: An exergy approach. Mater Today Proc 2021;46:6748–52. [Crossref]
-
[18] Ajayi OO, Ukasoanya DE, Ogbonnaya M, Salawu EY, Okokpujie IP, Akinlabi SA, et al. Investigation of the Effect of R134a/Al2O3 –Nanofluid on the Performance of a Domestic Vapour Compression Refrigeration System. Procedia Manuf 2019;35:112–7. [Crossref]
-
[19] Giménez-Prades P, Navarro-Esbrí J, Udroiu CM, Mota-Babiloni A. Influence of subcooling in R-449A supermarket refrigeration system and screening of refrigerant mixtures for its energetic and environmental improvement. Appl Therm Eng 2024;236:121787. [Crossref]
-
[20] Said Z, Rahman SMA, Sohail MA, Bahman AM, Alim MA, Shaik S, et al. Nano-refrigerants and nano-lubricants in refrigeration: Synthesis, mechanisms, applications, and challenges. Appl Therm Eng 2023;233:121211. [Crossref]
-
[21] Sivaraman N, Vaidyanathan RM, Patel M, Markos M. Performance analysis of refrigerants with various expansion valves in vapour compression refrigeration and air-conditioning system. Mater Today Proc 2021;45:2465–9. [Crossref]
-
[22] Garg I, Bajpai V. To Study Various Performance Parameters of a Vapor Compression Refrigeration System with Two Evaporators using R-134(a). J Basic Appl Eng Res n.d.;5:268–71.
-
[23] Subramanian S, Joswa Lazaras IP, Srinivasan S, Sundaresan D, Balakrishnan SK. Performance analysis of fin tube evaporator using various refrigerants. Therm Sci 2020;24:609–12. [Crossref]
-
[24] Goyal A, Sherwani AF. Optimization of energetic performance and payback period of organic Rankine cycle integrated vapour compression refrigeration system based on exergy, economic, and environmental criteria. J Therm Eng 2023;9:648–58. [Crossref]
-
[25] Chen X, Liang K, Li Z, Zhao Y, Xu J, Jiang H. Experimental assessment of alternative low global warming potential refrigerants for automotive air conditioners application. Case
Stud Therm Eng 2020;22:100800.
-
[26] Ozsipahi M, Kose HA, Kerpicci H, Gunes H. Experimental study of R290/R600a mixtures in vapour compression refrigeration system. Int J Refrig 2022;133:247–58. [Crossref]
-
[27] Dhumane R, Ling J, Aute V, Radermacher R. Performance comparison of low GWP refrigerants for a miniature vapour compression system integrated with enhanced phase change material. Appl Therm Eng 2021;182:116160. [Crossref]
-
[28] Prasad US, Mishra RS, Das RK. Experimental studies of vapour compression refrigeration system with eco-Friendly primary refrigerant and brine mixed with nanoparticles as secondary refrigerant. Mater Today Proc 2021;45:3857–9. [Crossref]
-
[29] Yogesh Joshi, Dinesh Zanwar, Sandeep Joshi. Performance investigation of vapour compression refrigeration system using R134a and R600a refrigerants and Al2O3 nanoparticle-based suspension. Mater Today Proc 2021;44:1511–9. [Crossref]
-
[30] Gardenghi ÁR, Lacerda JF, Tibiriçá CB, Cabezas-Gómez L. Numerical and experimental study of the transient behaviour of a domestic vapour compression refrigeration system – Influence of refrigerant charge and ambient temperature. Appl Therm Eng 2021;190:116728. [Crossref]
-
[31] Vandaarkuzhali S, Xavier JF, Ramadoss R, Jayaseelan V, Sudhakar K. Energy performance of R22 blended with nanofluids in the refrigeration system. J Optoelectron Biomed Mater 2021;13:33–44. [Crossref]