EXPERIMENTAL ANALYSIS OF CAPILLARY TUBE AND THERMOSTATIC EXPANSION VALVE IN DOMESTIC REFRIGERATOR USING ECO FRIENDLY REFRIGERANT

Thermal Engineering

The objective of this experimental work is to evaluate the performance of capillary tube and Thermostatic expansion valve suitable for expansion device in domestic refrigerator as well as compare the performance of different refrigerants (R134a, R290 and R600a). In this research work we have analysis various refrigerants used in the refrigeration cycle which affect the environment, and our effort is to reduce the effect of global warming by using suitable refrigerants. R134a is used in vapor compression refrigeration system having zero ozone depletion potential (ODP) and almost good thermodynamic properties, but it has a high Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 1300. Therefore it is going to be banned very shortly for environmental safety. Hydrocarbon refrigerants mainly propane, butane and isobutene are proposed as an environment friendly refrigerants. So we have used the blend refrigerant of R134a and R-290 (90/10 %) which are environmental friendly, having low GWP, zero ODP and also having better efficiency as compare to conventional refrigerants In this research work 40% (200g) of R-600a is more efficient on capillary tube while the efficiency is decrease by 20% on thermostatic expansion valve. the blend refrigerant of R-134a and R-290 (90/10 %) give better performance on both devices, the Coefficient of performance is increase by 25.8% on Thermostatic expansion valve and 22.5% on capillary tube. Thermostatic expansion valve is found to produce controlled degree of superheat of refrigerant and higher efficiency than capillary tubes across the entire range of operating conditions.

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