Experimental Investigation of the Performance of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Refrigerant in a Vapour Compression Refrigeration System

Abstract

In this work, the performance of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG), which has zero ozone depleting potential and very low global warming potential, was investigated as working fluid in the vapour compression refrigerating system as a possible alternative. The LPG used for the study consist the mixture of propane and butane in the ratio 60/40% by mass. An experimental refrigerator was developed as test rig and the rig was charged with 50g of LPG. Tests were carried out at various ambient temperatures, producing average ambient temperatures ranging from 27.5 to 33.5℃. A steadystate process design and operational analysis simulation software, SIMSCI/PROII, was used to determine the enthalpy values for LPG refrigerant. The values obtained were then used to calculate important performance parameters. The results showed that as the ambient temperature increases, the coefficient of performance (COP), and the refrigeration capacity decreases, but the compressor power input increases. The average compressor power consumption of LPG was 12.5% lower than that of R134a, while the average refrigeration capacity and COP of LPG were 4.2% and 11.16% higher, respectively, than those of R134a. Finally, the results showed that, the system performed better with LPG than R134a. Therefore, LPG refrigerant can be successfully adopted.