EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION OF CONICAL COMPRESSOR WITH VAPOUR COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION SYSTEM USING HYDROCARBON AS A REFRIGERANT

This paper presents experimental analysis of newly designed conical rotary compressor prototype with refrigerant R134a and two hydrocarbon mixtures of propane and isobutane in varying proportion. The experimental tests are carried out for maximum pressure ratio and maximum cooling capacity. Compressor tests are also conducted for varying pressure ratios. For each test, the refrigerant mass flow rate, electrical power consumption, and the suction and discharge temperature and pressure are recorded. Using the experimental data, the compressor volumetric and isentropic efficiencies and the corresponding COP are calculated. The volumetric efficiency ranges from 44% to 78% and the isentropic efficiency varies from 59% to 80%. The maximum pressure ratio achieved is 4.9.The cooling capacity for maximum pressure ratio is observed as 240 w for R134a, 630 w for mixture of R290 and R600a in the ratio of 50:50 and 632 w for R436a (composed of R290 and R600a in the ratio of 56:44 by weight). Because of its small size and less weight, it can potentially be used in a vapor compression refrigeration system for cooling applications