ABSTRACT
Supply of continuous electricity is still not available in several areas of the country and in
the world. At such places, this work will be helpful for refrigeration of food, medicines, etc.
The LPG is cheaper and possesses an environmental friendly nature with no ozone depletion
potential (ODP) and no global warming potential (GDP). It is usually used for cooking
purposes.
The refrigerator being used here is designed to work on LPG. The refrigerator will work
efficiently when LPG used as a refrigerant instead of R134a. Usually LPG is used as a fuel for
cooking in home, restaurants, hotels, etc., and the combustion products of LPG are CO2 and
H2O.
In this project we will design and analyze a refrigerator using LPG as refrigerant. LPG is
available in cylinders at high pressure. When this high pressure LPG is passed through the
capillary tube of small internal diameter, the pressure of LPG is dropped due to expansion and
phase change of LPG occurs in an isoenthalpic or isenthalpic process. Due to phase change from
liquid to gas, latent heat is gained by the liquid refrigerant and the temperature drops. In this way
LPG can produce refrigerating effect for a confined space.
CONTENTS
1. Introduction
2. Literature survey
3. Objectives
4. Project methodology
5. Expected results
6. Future Plan to carry out the project
7. References
INTRODUCTION
Due to the huge demand of electricity over the world, we think of recovering the energy
which is already spent but not being utilized further, to overcome this crisis with less investment.
The climatic change and global warming demand accessible and affordable cooling systems in
the form of refrigerators and air conditioners. Annually Billions of dollars are spent in serving
this purpose. Hence forth, we suggest COST FREE Cooling Systems. Although government
agencies are not able to continuously supply a major portion of electricity in both the urban as
well as in rural areas. Still the people in these regions require refrigeration for a variety of
socially relevant purposes such as a cold storage or storing medical supplies and domestic
kitchens this project has the novelty of using LPG instead of electricity for refrigeration. This
solution is convenient for refrigeration in regions having scares in electricity.
The term ‘refrigeration’ in a broad sense is used for the process of removing heat (i.e.
cooling) from a substance. It also includes the process of reducing and maintaining the
temperature of a body below the general temperature of its surroundings. In other words, the
refrigeration means a continued extraction of heat from a body, whose temperature is already
below the temperature of its surroundings. For example, if some space (say in cold storage) is to
be kept at -2 ᵒC, we must continuously extract heat which flows into it due to leakage through the
walls and also the heat, which is brought into it with the articles stored after the temperature is
one reduced to -2 ºC. Thus in a refrigerator, heat is virtually being pumped from a lower
temperature to a higher temperature. The refrigeration system is known to the man, since the
middle nineteenth century. The scientist, of the time, developed a few stray machines to achieve
some pleasure. But it paved the way by inviting the attention of scientist for proper studied and
research.
They were able to build a reasonably reliable machine by the end of nineteenth century
for the refrigeration jobs. But with the advent of efficient rotary compressors and gas turbines,
the science of refrigeration reached its present height. Hebrews, Greeks, and Romans places
large amounts of snow into storage pits dug into the ground and insulated with wood and straw.
The ancient Egyptians filled earthen jars with boiled water and put them their roofs, thus
exposing the jars to the night’s cool air. In India, evaporating cooling was employed.
When a liquid vaporizes rapidly, it expands quickly. The rising modules of vapor
abruptly increase their kinetic energy and this increase is drawn from the intermediate
surroundings of the vapor. These surroundings are therefore cooled. The intermediate stage in
the history of cooling foods was to add chemicals like sodium nitrate or potassium nitrate to
water causing the temperature to fall. Cooling wine via above method was recorded in 1550.
According to the second law thermodynamics, this process can only be performed with the
supply of some external work. It is thus obvious, that supply of power (say electrical motor) is
regularly required to drive a refrigerator. The substance which work in a heat pump to extract
heat from a cold body and to deliver it to a hot body is called “refrigerant”.
When we think about refrigerator we only remember refrigeration in kitchen, but
actually it is divided in types in which each type having their own type of functioning. One
which used I industrial purpose is called industrial refrigerator, which is used as food processing,
chemical processing, and cold storage. Industrial refrigeration, which frequently uses ammonia
refrigeration to maintain temperature, is necessary for computer, foodstuffs, blood vaccines, and
quite a few other goods that must maintain a constant and steady temperature at all times.
It works on the principle that during the conversion of LPG into gaseous form, expansion
of LPG takes place. Due to this expansion there is a pressure drop and increase in volume of
LPG that results in the drop of temperature and a refrigerating effect is produced. This
refrigerating effect can be used for cooling purposes. So this work provides refrigeration for
socially relevant needs as well as replaces global warming creator refrigerants. While going
through the literature review in LPG refrigeration system, Conventional VCR (Vapour
Compression Refrigeration System) uses LPG as refrigerant and produced the refrigerating
effect. But in our proposed very simple type of refrigeration system in which the high pressure
LPG is passing through a capillary tube and expands. After expansion the phase of LPG is
changed and converted from liquid to gas and then it passes through the evaporator where it
absorbs the heat and produces the refrigerating effect. After evaporator it passes through the gas
burner where it burns.
LITERATURE SURVEY
1. A.Baskaran & P.Koshy Mathews
A performance comparison of vapour compression refrigeration system using eco-friendly
refrigerant of low global warming potential VCR system with the new R290/R600a refrigerant
mixture as a substitute refrigerant for CFC12 and HFC 134a. The refrigerant R290/R600a had a
refrigerating capacity 28.6% to 87.2% higher than that of R134a.
2. A.Baskaran & P.Koshy Mathews
A performance comparison of vapour compression refrigeration system using eco- friendly
refrigerants of low global warming potential. R600a performance have a slightly higher than
coefficient (COP) R134a for the condensation temperature of 50 C⁰ and evaporating
temperatures ranging between -30 C⁰ and10⁰C.Hence, The coefficient performance (COP) of
this mixture was up to 5.7% higher.
3. M. Mohanraj
Have studied experimentally the drop in substitute for R134a with the environment friendly,
energy efficient hydrocarbon (HC) mixture which consists of 45% HC290 and 55% R600a at
various mass charges of 50g, 70g and 90g in domestic refrigerator. The experiments were carried
out in 165 liters domestic refrigerator using R134a with POE oil as lubricant. The discharge
temperatures of HC mixtures are found to be lower than R134a by 13.76%, 6.42% and 3.66% for
50g, 70g and 90g respectively. The power consumption of HC mixture at 50g and 70g are lower
by 10.2% and 5.1% respectively and 90g shows higher power consumption by 1.01%. The
percentage reduction in pull down time is 18.36%, 21.76% and 28.57% for 50, 70 and 90g mass
charges respectively when compared to R134a. The HC mixture because of its high energy
efficiency will also reduce the indirect global warming. In conclusion HC mixture of 70g is
found to be an effective alternative to R134a in 165 liters domestic refrigerator.
4. B.O.Bolaji
Have experimental study of R152a/R32 to replace R134a in a domestic refrigerator and found
out that COP obtained by R152a is 4.7% higher than that of R134a. COP of R32 is 8.5% lower
than that of R134a and propane is an attractive and environmentally friendly alternative to CFCs
used currently used.
5. R.W.James and J.F.Missenden
Have use of propane in domestic refrigerators and conclude that he implications of using propane
in domestic refrigerators are examined in relation consumption, compressor costs, availability, to
energy lubrication, environmental factors and safety propane is an attractive and environmentally
friendly alternative to CFCs used currently.
6. Bilal . A. Akash
Has conducted performance tests on the performance of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as a
possible substitute for R12 in domestic refrigerators. The refrigerator which is initially designed
to work with R12 is used to conduct the experiment for LPG (30% propane, 55% n-butane and
15% isobutane). Various mass charges of 50, 80 and 100g of LPG were used during the
experimentation.LPG compares very well to R12. The COP was higher for all mass charges at
evaporator temperatures lower than −15˚C. Overall, it was found that at 80g charge, LPG had the
best results when used in this refrigerator. The condenser was kept at a constant temperature of
47˚C.
Cooling capacities were obtained and they were in the order of about three to fourfold higher for
LPG than those for R12
OBJECTIVES
The Objectives of this project are as follows:
1) To identify the form of residual waste in traditional refrigeration system.
2) Compare the important characteristics between LPG refrigeration system and traditional
refrigeration system.`
3) To distinguish between the current existing refrigerator cost and estimated cost of LPG
refrigerator.
4) The performance of existing refrigerator and LPG refrigerator is to be compared.
PROJECT METHODOLOGY
The basic idea behind LPG refrigerator is to use the LPG to absorb heat. The simple mechanism
of the
LPG is stored in the LPG cylinder under high pressure. When the gas tank of regulators is
opened then high pressure LPG passes through the high pressure pipe. This LPG is going by high
pressure gas pipe to capillary tube.
High pressure LPG is converted in low pressure at capillary tube with enthalpy remains
constant.
After capillary tube, low pressure LPG is passed through the evaporator. LPG is converted into
low pressure and temperature vapor from and passes the evaporator which absorbs heat from the
chamber. Thus the chamber becomes cool down. Thus we can achieve cooling effect in
refrigerator.
After passing through the evaporator low pressure LPG is passed through the pipe to burner.
And we can use the low pressure of LPG in burning processes.
EXPECTED RESULTS
Use of LPG as a refrigerant may improve the overall efficiency.
The ozone depletion potential (ODP) of LPG is zero and global warming potential
(GWP)should be found out and may be less compare to other refrigerant.
A part from environment friendly, use of LPG also gives us lot of cost advantages.
There may be 60% reduction in weight of the system due to higher density of LPG.
This fridge works when electricity is off.
Will design parts effectively silent in operation.
Running cost is zero
Eliminates the compressor and condenser
FUTURE PLAN TO CARRY OUT THE PROJECT
Refrigeration needs a big setup and requires a large space. By using domestic
refrigeration we will get it in low cost and also less space. The use of refrigerants causing the
ozone layer thus LPGs are used for refrigeration. With minimum cost more people will get the
usage of this product. LPGs are used all over the country so modifying them a bit we can have
the domestic refrigeration.
REFERENCES
1. Zainal Zakaria and Zulaikha Shahrun “ The possibility of using liquefied petroleum gas
in domestic refrigeration system” International Journal of Research and Reviews in
Applied Science(IJRRAS), December 2011, Volume9
2. Vaibhav Sapat, Jitendra Patil, Laxmikant Borse, Priyanka Khutwal ”Performance
Analysis of Domestic Refrigerator Using LPG” International Journal for Research in
Applied Science & Engineering Technology (IJRASET) ISSN: 2321-9653; IC Value:
45.98; SJ Impact Factor:6.887 Volume 5 Issue XII December 2017
3. A Textbook of Refrigeration And Air Conditioning By R.S. Khurmi, S. Chand
Publication
4. Text book of refrigeration and air conditioning by Arora and Domkundwar
