Evaluating Refrigerant Purity Characteristics: An Experimental Approach to Assess Impact on Vapor-Compression Refrigeration System Performance

Abstract

This study embarks on a comprehensive exploration of the influence exerted by refrigerant purity characteristics on vapor-compression refrigeration systems performance. The investigation particularly delves into the effects on domestic applications, such as chest freezers. Deviations from the ideal refrigerant characteristics, as stipulated by the AHRI-700 standard, can provoke detrimental repercussions, including augmented power consumption and diminished coefficient of performance. In this empirical analysis, three R134a refrigerant samples, each with varying degrees of conformity to the AHRI-700 standard, were scrutinized. Sample 1 with superior characteristics, sample 2 with medium characteristics, while sample 3 with substandard characteristics. The samples were subjected to identical ambient conditions within a 145-liter chest freezer operating at a temperature of 32℃. The findings unequivocally underscored a correlation between refrigerant purity and system performance. Sample 1, with optimal characteristics, demonstrated superior performance, consuming less power (120.7 W) and delivering a higher coefficient of performance (2.33) in comparison to sample 2 (138 W, 2.07) and sample 3 (147 W, 1.93). These results emphatically emphasize the necessity of stringent refrigerant selection, predicated on purity characteristics, to best performance of vapor-compression refrigeration systems.