Performance Assessment of Using Thermoelectric Generators for Waste Heat Recovery from Vapor Compression Refrigeration Systems

This article reports on an experimental analysis and performance assessment of using thermoelectric generators (TEGs) for waste heat recovery from residential vapor compression refrigeration systems. The analysis shows that there is a good opportunity for waste heat recovery using TEGs by de-superheating refrigerant after the compressor. Design and manufacturing of a de-superheater unit consisting of a tube and plate heat exchanger and thermoelectric generator modules (HE-TEGs) have been performed and integrated in an experimental test rig of R134a refrigeration cycle. Experimental assessment of the performance parameters, as compared to the basic refrigeration system, reveals that the overall coefficient of performance (COP) using HE-TEGs desuperheater unit increases by values ranging from 17% to 32% depending on the condenser and evaporator loads. Exergy analysis shows that the enhancement is attributed to reduction in the exergy destruction in the condenser and compressor due to lower values of condenser pressure and pressure ratio of the compressor. The output power of the HE-TEGs unit is found to be sufficient for driving the TEGs heat sinks air cooling fan, thus providing a passive de-superheating system without an additional external source of electricity. Further enhancement of the refrigeration cycle performance can be achieved by installation of additional HE-TEGs units.

A Review of Literature on Various Techniques of COP Improvement in Vapor Compression Refrigeration System

This review paper is a study on various methods of performance improvement in domestic refrigeration systems, based on the vapor compression refrigeration VCRS cycle. Here air-cooled, water-cooled, fog cooled, evaporatively cooled condensers and nano-fluid lubricant /coolant methods their working and efficiency are reviewed, compared, analyzed and presented. The paper inspects the work done by different researchers for the maximization of heat loss from condenser & compressor and bringing about necessary modifications to reduce the overall power consumption of domestic refrigerators by improving Coefficient of Performance (COP). Numerous works have been done on improving the heat dissipation capacity of condenser but using nano-fluid in lubricant base as refrigerant and in the compressor shell as coolant is a new technology. Nano-fluid increase heat transfer due the high conductivity nano particles. It has been observed that water cooled condensers and compressors with nano-lubricants/coolants give the best performance improvements but they suit better for big or large refrigeration systems like centralized air conditioning systems or cold storage warehousing, whereas air cooled and evaporative condensers are optimal for small scale or low power appliances like domestic refrigerators, water coolers or split air conditioners to reduce overall power consumption by increasing the COP. Keywords: Refrigeration system, COP improvement, Condenser, Water mist, Evaporative cooling, Nano-fluid coolant, VCRS cycle.

An experimental investigation of the saturated vapor pressure of solutions proL pane in compressor oils in the presence of fullerene C60 in oil

An investigation of the saturated vapor pressure for the solutions of propane in the two type of industrial compressor oils ProEco®RF22S and RENISO SP46, also as in oil ProEco®RF22S containing fullerene C60 6.837·10-4kg·kg-1is presented in this paper. The measurement of the saturated vapor pressure was conducted using a static method in a temperature range (273…333) K and thepropanemass fraction (0.11…0.595) kg·kg-1. An analysis revealed that the expanded uncertainties of the measured saturated vapor pressure do not exceed 0.0419·105Pafor solutionpropane/ProEco®RF22S,0.0716·105Pa for solution propane /RENISO SP46, and 0.0095·105Pa for solution propane/ProEco®RF22 Scontaining C60.The temperature and concentration dependences of the saturated vapor pressure for the object of study have been discussed. The excess of saturated vapor pressure for the solution of propane in oil ProEco®RF22S over the pressure of the solution of propane in oil RENISO SP46 reaches 1.5 105 Pa at a temperature of 330 K and propane fractionof 0.1 kg·kg-1. This effect decreases with temperature decreasing and propane fraction increasing.It was proven that the additive of the fullerene C60 increase the saturated vapor pressure of the solution propane/ProEco® RF22S up to 0.4·105Pa at low temperature and low propane mass fraction insolution. The results obtained proved the expediency of the introduction in the industry the solution of propane/compressor oil ProEco® RF22Scontaining the fullerene C60 as working fluid of vapor compression refrigeration system. The ability of C60additive in oil to increase the saturated vapor pressure of considered working fluid will contribute to increasing the energy efficiency of refrigeration systems.