DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVE AZEOTROPE REFRIGERANT

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DESIGN AND ANALYSIS OF ALTERNATIVE AZEOTROPE REFRIGERANT
Siddheshwar Bukkanure1, Gurunath Kumbhar2, Omkar Bendgude3, Vaishnav Ingole4,
Dr. Shilratan Bansode5
1234Student, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Walchand Institute of Technology, Solapur, Maharashtra, India
5Professor, Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Walchand Institute of Technology, Solapur, Maharashtra, India
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Abstract –This work explores a theoretical investigation of
an alternative eco-friendly refrigerant for R600a with a
better Coefficient of Performance (COP), reduced Global
Warming Potential (GWP). This study has been carried out
using various refrigerant like R134a, R290, R1234yf, R170,
R600a which were grouped together for deriving various
refrigerant mixture pair with different mass proportion in
REFPROP software. In this work liquid phase temperature
(NBP) at 1 bar pressure has been considered for various
pairs out of which the pair with lowest liquid phase
temperature has been taken into consideration for p-h
diagram from which COP has been calculated. GWP of the
same pair has been calculated by their mass proportion and
individual GWP. After calculation refrigerant mixture
composing of R290/R170/R600a in the ratio of 16/60/24 by
mass fraction which gives better performance than R600a.
Key Words: Refrigerants, R290, R600a, R170, Coefficient
of Performance, Global Warming Potential,
1. INTRODUCTION
Refrigeration is an important aspect used for both domestic
and commercial food management. The first modern fridge
was created in the late 1800’s for food preservation and
food service world. Later, this has further been advanced by
new technology which has seen a current production of
more than 1 billion refrigerators around the world. Most of
the refrigerants used today are highly polluting and ozone
depleting in nature. Hence for that there is a need to replace
ozone depleting chemicals with environment friendly
substances like Hydro Fluro Olefins (HFOs) and other such
refrigerants.
1.1 Objective
 To find a new azeotrope refrigerant.
 To find azeotrope blend which will be more efficient
and has a good performance than any of the
refrigerants used in the present study. i.e., R290,
R600a, R170.
 To find the azeotrope blend which will be having low
GWP value than any of the refrigerants used in the
present study.
2. METHODOLOGY
2.1Selecting refrigerant for mixture:
We have randomly selected refrigerants these refrigerants
R290, R600a, R1234yf, R134a and R170.And classified them
into different groups for making mixture.
2.2 Classifying refrigerants into different groups:
Group 1 (R290/R600a)
Group 2 (R290/R170/R600a)
Group 3 (R600a/R1234yf)
Group 4 (R290/R134a)
Group 5 (R290/R600a/R134a)
2.3 Finding liquid phase temperature:
After the classification of the reference into different groups
we have calculated liquid phase temperature at 1 bar for
each of the pair mentioned above with the help of refprop
software. Now the pair giving the lowest liquid fast
temperature is considered for further calculation and
evaluation. following are the results that are drawn from
performing above steps.
Group 1 (R290/R600a):
Group Proportion Liquid Phase
Temperature
R290/R600a 50:50 -33.11
R290/R600a 40:60 -30.366
R290/R600a 30:70 -27. 141
R290/R600a 20:80 -23.258
R290/R600a 10:90 -18.417
R290/R600a 00:100 -12.085
International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 09 Issue: 06 | June 2022 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072

Group 2 (R290/R170/R600a):
Temperature
R290/R170/R600a 22:23:55 -66.852
R290/R170/R600a 28:30:42 -71.562
R290/R170/R600a 31:29:40 -70.946
R290/R170/R600a 36:36:28 -74.454
R290/R170/R600a 20:60:20 -82.417
R290/R170/R600a 16:60:24 -82.547
Group 3 (R600a/R1234yf):
Temperature
R600a/R1234yf 50:50 -18.99
R600a/R1234yf 70:30 -15.856
R600a/R1234yf 90:10 -13.235
R600a/R1234yf 40:60 -20.785
R600a/R1234yf 20:80 -24.905
R600a/R1234yf 00:100 -29.785
Group 4 (R290/R134a):
Temperature
R290/R134a 100:00 -42.412
R290/R134a 80:20 -45.21
R290/R134a 60:40 -46.321
R290/R134a 40:60 -46.417
R290/R134a 20:80 -46.52
R290/R134a 00:100 -26.361
Group 5 (R290/R600a/R134a):
Temperature
R290/R600a/R134a 50:48:02 -33.266
R290/R600a/R134a 50:30:20 -41.641
R290/R600a/R134a 50:00:50 -46.394
R290/R600a/R134a 25:25:50 -40.102
R290/R600a/R134a 30:32:38 -39.897
R290/R600a/R134a 36:36:28 -39.953
2.2 Calculations of COP:
The calculation of COP was carried out by plotting the pH
graph with the help of refprop software. The plot was then
printed on paper. After printing off this plot on the paper
the lines h1-h2, h2-h3, h3-h4 were drawn and by applying
the following formula the COP was calculated. The line h2-
h3 was drawn parallel to temperature line with
temperature approximately equal to 37°C. h3-h4 is vertical
straight line as h3 = h4.
COP= 𝑄L / Wnet= h1 – h4 / h2 – h1
where,
QL = heat absorbed by the evaporator in refrigerant.
Wnet = work input to the compressor.
h1 = the refrigerant specific enthalpy at the outlet of the
evaporator.
h2 = refrigerant specific enthalpy at the outlet of the
compressor.
h3 = refrigerant specific enthalpy at the outlet of the
condenser.
h4= the refrigerant specific enthalpy at the inlet of the
evaporator.
2.2.1 Theoretical calculation of COP R290:
Figure 1. Pressure vs. enthalpy plot: propane
From the above graph we got the values of enthalpies as
follows:
h1 = 525 kJ/kg
h2 = 650 kJ/kg
h3 = h4 = 305 kJ/kg
(COP)th = (h1 – h4)/ (h2 – h1)
= (525 – 305)/ (650 – 525)
= 220/125
(COP)th = 1.76

2.2.2 Theoretical calculation of COP R600a:
Figure 2 Pressure vs. enthalpy plot: isobutane
follows:
h1 = 537.5 kJ/kg
h2 = 625 kJ/kg
h3 = h4 = 325 kJ/kg
(COP)th = (h1 – h4)/ (h2 – h1)
= (537.5 – 325)/ (625 – 537.5)
= 212.5/87.5
(COP)th = 2.43
2.2.3 Theoretical calculation of COP & GWP of
R290/R600a/R170:
Figure 3. Pressure vs. enthalpy plot: propane/
isobutene /ethane
follows:
h1 = 537.5
h2 = 625
h3 = h4 = 287.5
(COP)th = (h1 – h4)/ (h2 – h1)
= (537.5 – 287.5)/ (625 – 537.5)
= 250/87.5
(COP)th = 2.85
2.3 Calculation of GWP:
Values of GWPof refrigerants R290, R600a and R170 were
taken from Internet.
GWP of R290 = 4
GWP of R600a = 5
GWP of R170 = 6
and the theoretical calculation of GWP of the mixture giving
us the lowest liquid phase temperature was calculated by
following formula.
GWP of Blend = (Proportion by % mass of component A) x
(GWP of A) +(Proportion by % mass of component B) x
(GWP of B) + (Proportion by % mass of component C) x
(GWP of C)
GWP of R170/R600a/R290 = 0.24*6 + 0.60*5+0.16*4
= 4.6
2.4 comparing COP and GWP of refrigerants:
2.4.1 Comparing COP’s:
COP of R290 = 1.76
COP of R600a = 2.43
COP of R290/R600a/R170 = 2.85
Now, comparing the theoretical COP of above refrigerants
with the obtained theoretical COP of the azeotropic
mixture. We get,
COP of R170/R600a/R290 > COP of R600a > COP of R290.
From above expression it can be concluded that the
azeotropic blend of R170/R600a/R290 in proportion
16:60:24 by masscan be use as replacement for R290 and
R600a as far as the COP is concerned.
2.4.2 Comparing GWP’s:
GWP of R290 = 4
GWP of R600a = 5
GWP of R170 = 6
GWP Of R170/R600a/R290 = 4.6

Now, Comparing the theoretical GWP of above refrigerants
with the obtained theoretical GWP of the azeotropic
mixture. We get,
GWP of R170/R600a/R290 < GWP of R600a < GWP of R170
Lower GWP refrigerant will be more environmentally
friendly. Thus, from above expression it can be concluded
that the azeotropic blend of R170/R600a/R290 in
proportion 16:60:24 by mass can be use as replacement for
R170 and R600a as far as the GWP is concerned.
3. RESULTS
Following are the results are drawn from the above
calculations.
1. Lowest liquid phase temperature at 1 bar for each
refrigerant pair is as follows:
Table -1: Liquid phase temperature
Sr
No.
Temperature
1 R290/ R600a 48:52 -32.594
2 R290/ R170/ R600a 16:60:24 -82.547
3 R600a/R1234yf 05:95 -28.495
4 R290/ R134a 16:84 -46.559
5 R290/R600a/ R134a 50:04:46 -45.538
2. The theoretical values of COP of R290, R600a and the
azeotrope mixture of R290/ R170/ R600a are as
follows:
Table -2: Coefficient of performance
Sr No. Group COP
1 R290 1.76
2 R600a 2.43
3 R290/ R170/ R600a 2.85
3. The theoretical values of GWP of R290, R600a and the
azeotrope mixture of R290/ R170/ R600a are as
follows:
Table -3: Global warming potential
Sr. No. Group GWP
1. R290 4
2. R600a 5
3. R170 6
4. R170/R600a/R290 4.6
4. CONCLUSION
Following are the conclusions that can be drawn from the
above results.
1. Pair R290/ R170/ R600a in proportion 16:60:24 by
mass which produces lowest liquid phase temperature
of -82.547 at 1 bar pressure.
2. COP of R290/ R170/ R600a is 2.85 which is better than
COP of R290 (1.76) and R600a (2.43).
3. GWP of R290/ R170/ R600a is 4.6 which is better than
GWP of R170 (6) and R600a (5).
4. From above conclusions we can conclude that
azeotrope mixture of R290/ R170/ R600a in
proportion 16:60:24 by mass can be used as alternate
refrigerant for R600a.
5. ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
Extremely grateful to Dr. V. A. Athavale, Principal, Walchand
Institute of Technology, Solapur for providing us best
facilities and atmosphere for the creative work guidance
and encouragement.
Thankful to Dr. P. R. Kulkarni, Head of Department of
Mechanical Engineering for providing us with best facilities
for the work guidance. Deeply indebted to Walchand
Institute of Technology, Solapur and all staff member for
extending their cooperation during our project.
We would like to take this opportunity to express our
gratitude towards our project guide Dr. S. S. Bansode,
Walchand Institute of Technology, Solapur. Sincerely thank
our parents and friends, for their constant guidance and
help at every stage of preparation of this project.
We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those
who have helped us, directly or indirectly, in completing
this project.
REFERENCES
[1] B.A. Akash, S.A. Said, Assessment of LPG as a possible
alternative to R-12 in domestic refrigerator, Energy
Conversion Management 44 (2003) 381–388.
[2] D.S. Jung, C.-B. Kim, K. Song, B.J. Park, Testing of
propane/isobutane mixture in domestic
refrigerators, Int. J. Refrig. 23 (2000) 517–527.
[3] S. Wongwises, N. Chimres, Experimental study of
hydrocarbon mixtures to replace HFC134a in

domestic refrigerators, Energy Conservation and
Management 46 (2005) 85–100.
[4] Hammad, M.A., Alsaad, M.A., The use of hydrocarbon
mixtures as refrigerants in domestic refrigerators.
Applied Thermal Engineering vol19.
[5] N. P. Garland, M. Hadfield, "Environmental
implications of hydrocarbon refrigerantsapplied to
the hermetic compressor", Material and Design
Journal, vol26.
[6] Values of GWP
(http://www.homeenergy.org/show/blog/id/1254/n
av/blog)

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