IJSRD - International Journal for Scientific Research & Development| Vol.

8, Issue 11, 2021 | ISSN (online): 2321-0613

Review Study on Low Cost Refrigerator by Using LPG as Refrigerant

Shiv Prasad1 Shalini Chauhan2
1
Student 2Assistant Professor
1,2
Department of Mechanical Engineering
1,2
Dev Bhoomi Institute of Technology, Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India
Abstract— Supply of continuous electricity is still not
available in several areas of the country and the world and II. LITERATURE REVIEW
refrigerator consuming more electricity. So we need an A. Baskaran & P. Koshy Mathews [1] have performance
alternative refrigerant for refrigeration. Domestic refrigerator Comparison of Vapour Compression Refrigeration System
consume approximately 17500 tons traditional refrigerants Using Eco Friendly Refrigerants of Low Global Warming
such as Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and Hydrofluorocarbon Potential. R600a performance have a slightly higher (COP)
(HFC) every year which contribute to very high Ozone than R134a for the condensation temperature of 50 C⁰ and
Depletion Potential (ODP) and Global Warming Potential evaporating temperatures ranging between -30 C⁰ and10⁰.
(GWP). Hence LPG as refrigerant can be a better alternative. Bilal A. Akash, Saleem A Said [2] conduct
LPG comprises of 24.4% propane, 56.4% butane and 17.2% performance tests on the performance of liquefied petroleum
isobutane. The LPG for refrigeration purpose can be eco-
gas (LPG) as a possible substitute for R12 in domestic
friendly and it has no ozone depeletion potential (ODP). This refrigerators. The refrigerator which is initially designed to
paper deal with the study of refrigeration with LPG as a work with R12 is used to conduct the experiment for LPG
refrigerant, the properties of LPG and its compression with (30% propane, 55% n-butane and 15% isobutane). Cooling
the other refrigerant. capacities were obtained and they were in the order of about
Keywords: LPG Refrigerant, Refrigerating Effect,
three to fourfold higher for LPG than those for R12.
Temperature Effect, ODP, COP
R. W. James & J. F. Missenden [3] perform
Implications of using propane in domestic refrigerators are
I. INTRODUCTION examined in relation consumption, compressor costs,
The term ‘refrigeration’ in a broad sense used for the process availability, to energy lubrication, environmental factors and
of removing heat from a substance. It also includes the safety propane is an attractive and environmentally friendly
process of reducing and maintaining the temperature of alternative to CFCs used currently.
the body below the general temperature of the surrounding. N. Austin, Dr.P. Senthil Kumar, N, (2012) [4] have
According to the Government of India, the refrigerator is performed experiments on house hold refrigerator designed
the 3rd heaviest consumer of power among household to work with R134a. The recital of the refrigerator using
application. It is one of the appliances that is running 365 days mixed refrigerant was investigated and compared with the
in year. In earlier days, ethyl chloride was used as a performance of refrigerator when R-134a was used as
refrigerant which soon gave way to ammonia as early as refrigerant. The energy consumption of the refrigerator
in 1875. At about the same time, sulphur dioxide in 1874, during experiment with mixed refrigerant and R-134a was
methyl chloride in 1878 and carbon dioxide in 1881, found measured. The outcome shows the permanent running and
application as refrigerant. During 1910-30 many new cycling results showed that R134a with a charge of 100 g or
refrigerants, such as N2O3, CH4, C2H6, C2H4, C3H8 were mixed refrigerant with charge of 80 mg or more satisfy the
employed for medium and low temperature refrigeration. A required freezer air temperature of −12 °C. The lowest
great break through occur in the field of refrigeration electric energy consumption was achieved using mixed
with the development of freons. Freon are a series of refrigerant with heat level is less than -15oC. This mixture
fluorinated hydrocarbon, generally known as achieved higher volumetric cooling capacity and lower
fluorocarbons, derived from methane, ethane, etc., as bases. freezer air temperature compared to R134a. And actual COP
Presently, the most commonly used organic refrigerant are of mixed refrigerant refrigerator was higher than that of
the choloro-fluro derivatives of CH4 and C2H6. But all R134a by about 7.6%. From the experiment it was
these refrigerants are highly costly and have high power conclude the every mode of mixed refrigerant yields
consumption rate and high globe l warming higher COP than HFC-134a. And the mixed refrigerant in
potential(ODP). Therefore LPG is better alternative domestic refrigerator the freezer temperature lower than
refrigerant instead of these refrigerant. The working principle that of R134a. And when the evaporator temperature
of LPG refrigeration system is during the conversion of LPG increases, COP will be increase and the condenser
into gaseous form the expansion process will be take place. temperature will decreases, COP will also increases.
Due to this expansion in LPG gas the pressure will drops. And NARALE P.D. (2017) [5] has perform comparison
the volume will be increase this will be result into dropped in between LPG refrigeration system and CFC-22 refrigeration
temperature and we get cooling effect hence LPG acts as system. And detect various waste in domestic refrigeration
refrigerant. Therefore LPG is expected to result in system. They also compare the performance of LPG
comparable product efficiencies based on its properties and refrigeration system and domestic refrigeration system.
characteristics.

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 Review Study on Low Cost Refrigerator by Using LPG as Refrigerant
(IJSRD/Vol. 8/Issue 11/2021/064)

capillary tube. High pressure LPG is converted in low

pressure at capillary tube with enthalpy remain constant.

V. CONCLUSION
From this above paper we conclude that LPG is better
alternative refrigerant and eco-friendly than other
refrigerant. It is studied that the evaporator temperature
reached -20oC with COP value of 6.4 and an ambient
temperature of 30oC. This system is cheaper in initial as
well as running cost. It does not require any external
energy sources to run the system and no moving part in
the system so maintenance is also very low. This LPG
refrigeration system has wide scale application in hotel
industries, chemical industries, where LPG consumption is
Fig. 1: Experimental setup of LPG refrigeration system [6]
at higher level. The COP range of LPG refrigeration
[Vishwadipsinh J.et.al 2013]
system is between 6 to 13 and it is better than other
Vishwadipsinh J.[6] Ghariya has perform an domestic refrigerator.
experimental study on LPG refrigerator system and conculde
that propane is an attractive and environmentally friendly
REFERENCES
alternative to CFCs used currently. COP of LPG
refrigerator was higher than of R134a by about 7.6%. [1] A. Baskaran & P. Koshy Mathews. A Performance
A.S. Raut, U.S.Wankkhede[7], have worked on Comparison of Vapour Compression Refrigeration
selection of capillary tube for Retrofittring in Refrigeration System using Eco-friendly Refrigerant of low Global
application and try to use of alternative refrigerant play an Warming Potential. ISSN 2250-3153, Vol.2, Issue 9,
important role in forming problems such as globel warming September 2012.
and ozone depilation. The coefficient of performance of [2] Bilal A. Akash, Salem A. Said. Assessment of LPG as
refrigeration application improve in case of retrofitting the a possible alternative to R-12 in domestic
capillary tube. It is possible to obtain effective size of refrigerators. Vol.44, Issue 3, Pages 381-388, February
capillary tube by using mathematical techniques and by 2003.
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condenser and evaporator. domestic refrigerators, Institute of Environmental
M. Rasti, M.S.Hatamipour, S.F. Aghamiri, M. Engineering Borough Road, South Bank Polytechnic,
Tavakoli[8] have investigate on Enhancement of domestic London, SE1 0AA, UK, Vol.15, Issue2, Pages 95-100.
refrigerators energy efficiency index using hydrocarbon Received 10 July 1990, Revised 8 October 1991.
mixture refrigerant, and showed that R436A (admixture of [4] N. Austin, Dr.P.Senthil Kumar (2012). Thermodynamic
R290 and R600a with a mass ratio of 56/44) in a 238 L single Optimization of Household Refrigerator Using Propane
evaporator domestic refrigerator without any modification in – butane as Mixed Refrigerant. ISSN: 2248-9622, Vol.2,
refrigeration. Issue 6, Pages 268-271, December 2012.
[5] Narela P.D (2017). Design and Analysis of Domestic
III. CONSTRUCTION OF THE LPG REFRIGERATOR Refrigerator using LPG Cylinder. ISSN: 2454-7875,
Vol. 3, Isuue-4, April 2017.
We have made the one box of the plywood. The size of
[6] Vishwadipsinh J.et.al (2013), Thermodynamically
refrigerator is 405mm*350mm*400mm. The evaporator is evaluation of LPG Refrigerator; A Literature Review
fitted in the box inside. Inside the refrigerator, we also put ISSN: 2278-0181, Vol.2, Issue 12, December- 2013
the thermo-coal sheet, because of the cold air cannot [7] A.S. Raut a, U.S. Wankhede b. Selection of Capillary
transfer from inside to outside of refrigerator. The
Tubes for Retrofitting in Refrigeration Application a
experimental setup of LPG refrigeration system is shown in
M. Tech. 3rd Semester Heat Power Engineering –
fig.1.
Student, Digdoh hills, Nagpur- 440016, Maharashtra
The gas tank is connected by pipes to the capillary State, India.
tube. The capillary tube is fitted with evaporator. The [8] M. Rasti a, M.S.Hatamipour a, S.F. Aghamiri a, M.
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gas circulation pipe. When two pressure is put between
of Isfahan, Isfahan, Islamic Republic of Iran bR&D
capillary tube and gas tank, and another is put the end
Dept., Entekhab Industrial Group, Isfahan, Islamic
of the evaporator.
Republic of Iran.
IV. WORKING OF LPG REFRIGERATOR
The basic idea behind LPG refrigeration is to use the
evaporation of a LPG to absorb heat. LPG is stored under
high pressure in LPG cylinder. When the regulator of gas
cylinder is opened then high pressure LPG passes in gas
pipe. This LPG is going by high pressure gas pipe in

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