Simulation and Comparison of the Performance of Refrigerant Fluids in Single Stage Vapour Compression Refrigeration System

This paper presents reports on simulation and comparative analysis of single stage vapour compression refrigeration system performance for comparison of refrigerant fluids. A mathematical model was devised by applying the concept of energy balance in the thermodynamic cycle to the components of the vapour compression refrigeration system. The developed model implemented in MATLAB [1] software was used to compare the performance of the system using Hydrocarbons, R134a and ammonia as refrigerants in place of refrigerants 12 and 22. Simulation data was generated over a wide range of evaporation and condensation temperatures of −25 to 15ºC and 30 to 60ºC respectively for the selected working fluids considered in this study to observe the performance of the system in terms of refrigerating effect, coefficient of performance (COP) and overall efficiency of the system. In the present study, close match of COP and the system overall efficiency values for R134a, R290 and R600a are observed with that of R12 and R22 counterparts under the similar operating conditions. Moreover, among the refrigerants simulated in the system under the similar operating conditions, the system with the use of ammonia yields highest COPs and are of up to 6.3 and 7.5% increment compared with those of R12 and R22 respectively. It can be concluded that R134a, R290, R600a and ammonia may act as substitutes for R12 and R22 without affecting the energy efficiency of vapour compression refrigeration system, provided the safety issues are addressed in terms of manufacturing, handling, storage and servicing so as to prevent flammability and corrosive/toxic natures of both hydrocarbons and ammonia refrigerants respectively, thus helping to solve the ozone depletion potential (ODP) and global warming potential (GWP) problems regarding environmental issues.