Research Article

Parametric Analysis of Vapor Compression Refrigeration Cycle Performances Using Nanoparticle-Enhanced Refrigerants

Volume: 28 Number: 3 September 1, 2025

Parametric Analysis of Vapor Compression Refrigeration Cycle Performances Using Nanoparticle-Enhanced Refrigerants

Abstract

This work presents a techno-economic investigation of a vapor compression refrigeration system enhanced with Al2O3 nanoparticles. Two base refrigerants, R134a and R1234yf, along with their corresponding nanorefrigerants, were examined with nanoparticle mass fractions ranging between 0.1% and 0.5%. A MATLAB code linked with the REFPROP database was developed and employed to assess the influence of incorporating nanoparticles on the cycle performances. In addition to providing a comparative assessment between pure and nanoparticle-enhanced refrigerants, the study proposes an integrated thermodynamic and economic optimization approach for nanorefrigerated systems. Results showed that introducing 0.1% Al2O3 into R134a increased the coefficient of performance by up to 2.1% (from 4.28 to 4.37), whereas for R1234yf, the COP rose by 1.7% (from 4.08 to 4.15). Increasing the nanoparticle mass fraction to 0.5% resulted in total COP improvements of up to 4% for both refrigerants. Compressor discharge temperature decreased by approximately 0.7 K for R134a and 0.45 K for R1234yf at 0.1% nanoparticle concentration, contributing to a reduction in compressor power consumption. Economically, the compressor represents approximately 67.6% of the total system investment cost, followed by the condenser at 18.4%, and the evaporator at 13.9%. Moreover, the incorporation of nanoparticles reduced the thermal load on the condenser by about 2%, enhancing overall system energy efficiency. Notably, R1234yf + Al2O3 offers both a low global warming potential (GWP < 1) and competitive performance compared to R134a (GWP ≈ 1300), presenting a promising environmentally friendly alternative for next-generation refrigeration systems.

Keywords

References

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Details

Primary Language

English

Subjects

Energy Systems Engineering (Other)

Journal Section

Research Article

Early Pub Date

July 9, 2025

Publication Date

September 1, 2025

Submission Date

March 4, 2025

Acceptance Date

July 6, 2025

Published in Issue

Year 2025 Volume: 28 Number: 3

APA
Redjeb, Y. (2025). Parametric Analysis of Vapor Compression Refrigeration Cycle Performances Using Nanoparticle-Enhanced Refrigerants. International Journal of Thermodynamics, 28(3), 152-161. https://doi.org/10.5541/ijot.1650628
AMA
1.Redjeb Y. Parametric Analysis of Vapor Compression Refrigeration Cycle Performances Using Nanoparticle-Enhanced Refrigerants. International Journal of Thermodynamics. 2025;28(3):152-161. doi:10.5541/ijot.1650628
Chicago
Redjeb, Youcef. 2025. “Parametric Analysis of Vapor Compression Refrigeration Cycle Performances Using Nanoparticle-Enhanced Refrigerants”. International Journal of Thermodynamics 28 (3): 152-61. https://doi.org/10.5541/ijot.1650628.
EndNote
Redjeb Y (September 1, 2025) Parametric Analysis of Vapor Compression Refrigeration Cycle Performances Using Nanoparticle-Enhanced Refrigerants. International Journal of Thermodynamics 28 3 152–161.
IEEE
[1]Y. Redjeb, “Parametric Analysis of Vapor Compression Refrigeration Cycle Performances Using Nanoparticle-Enhanced Refrigerants”, International Journal of Thermodynamics, vol. 28, no. 3, pp. 152–161, Sept. 2025, doi: 10.5541/ijot.1650628.
ISNAD
Redjeb, Youcef. “Parametric Analysis of Vapor Compression Refrigeration Cycle Performances Using Nanoparticle-Enhanced Refrigerants”. International Journal of Thermodynamics 28/3 (September 1, 2025): 152-161. https://doi.org/10.5541/ijot.1650628.
JAMA
1.Redjeb Y. Parametric Analysis of Vapor Compression Refrigeration Cycle Performances Using Nanoparticle-Enhanced Refrigerants. International Journal of Thermodynamics. 2025;28:152–161.
MLA
Redjeb, Youcef. “Parametric Analysis of Vapor Compression Refrigeration Cycle Performances Using Nanoparticle-Enhanced Refrigerants”. International Journal of Thermodynamics, vol. 28, no. 3, Sept. 2025, pp. 152-61, doi:10.5541/ijot.1650628.
Vancouver
1.Youcef Redjeb. Parametric Analysis of Vapor Compression Refrigeration Cycle Performances Using Nanoparticle-Enhanced Refrigerants. International Journal of Thermodynamics. 2025 Sep. 1;28(3):152-61. doi:10.5541/ijot.1650628

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