ABSTRACT

This work investigates the result of an experimental study carried out to

determine the performance of domestic refrigerator when a propane-butane mixture is
liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) which is locally available and comprises 24.4%
propane, 56.4% butane and 17.2% isobutene which is very from company to
company. The LPG is cheaper and possesses an environmental friendly nature with no
ozone depletion potential (ODP). It is used in world for cooking purposes. The various
methods of refrigeration on the basis of standard refrigerant discussed. He refrigerator
used in the present study is of medium size with a gross capacity of 125 litre and is
designed to work on LPG. The performance parameters investigated is the
refrigeration effect in certain time. The refrigerator worked efficiently when LPG was
used as refrigerant instead of CFC 12. The evaporator temperature reached -5 ºC with
and an ambient temperature of 12 ºC. Also from the experiment which done in
atmospheric condition, we can predict the optimum value of cooling effect with the
suitable operating condition of regulating valve and capillary tube of the system. The
results of the present work indicate the successful use of this propane-butane mixture
as an alternative refrigerant to CFC 12 in domestic refrigerant.

1
CHAPTER 1:- REFRIGERATION

1.1 INTRODUCTION

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. According to second law of
thermodynamics, this process can only be performed with the aid of some external
work. It is thus obvious, that supply of power (say electrical motor) is regularly
required to drive a refrigerator. Theoretically, the refrigerator is a reversed heat
engine, or a heat pump which pumps heat from cold body and delivers to a hot body.
The substance which works in a heat pump to extract heat from a cold body and to
deliver it to a hot body is called refrigerant.

When people hear the word refrigeration they immediately think of the
refrigerator in their kitchen. However there are actually quite a few different kinds of
refrigeration out three and they each have their own methods of functioning. One
particular type of refrigeration is industrial refrigeration. This type of refrigeration is
typically used for cold storage, food processing, and chemical processing.

The equipment is very large and made of industrial stainless steel. Industrial
refrigeration, which frequently uses ammonia refrigeration to maintain temperature, is

2
necessary for computer, foodstuffs, blood, vaccines, and quite a few other goods that
must maintain a constant and steady temperature at all times. Temperatures that are
too high or too low may spoil certain goods or ruin them. As a result industrial
refrigeration is especially important maintaining temperature is as well. Since
temperature is so important into industrial refrigeration companies offering this
service must pay attention at all times to the temperature of the industrial refrigerators.

1.2 HISTORY OF REFRIGERATION

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 studies
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 placed 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 vaporises
rapidly, it expands quickly. The rising molecules of vapour abruptly increase heir
kinetic energy and this increase is drawn from the immediate surroundings of the
vapour. 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, as were the words “to refrigerate”.

3
 Cooling drinks came into vogue by 1600 in France. Instead of cooling water at
night, people rotate long-necked bottles in water in which saltpetre had been
dissolved. This solution could be used to produce very low temperature and to make
ice. By the end of the 17th century, iced liquors and frozen juices were popular in
French society.

The first known artificial refrigeration was demonstrated by William Cullen at

the University of Glasow in 1748.

Beginning in the 1840, refrigerated cars were used to transport milk and butter.
By 1860, refrigerated transport was limited to mostly seafood and dairy products. The
refrigerated railroad car was patented by J.B.Sutherland of Detroit, Michigan in 1867.
He designed an insulated car with ice bunkers in each end. Air came in on the top,
passed through the bunkers, and circulated through the car by gravity, controlled by
the use of hanging flaps that created differences in air temperature.

Brewing was the first activity in the northern states to use mechanical
refrigeration extensively, beginning with an absorption machine used by S.
Liebmann’s Sons Brewing Company in Brooklyn, New York in 1870.
commercial refrigeration was primarily directed at breweries in the 1870 and 1891,
nearly every brewery was equipped with refrigerating machines.

Natural ice supply became an industry unto itself. By 1879, there were 35
commercial ice plants in America, more than 200 a decade later, and 2,000 by 1909.
No pond was safe from scraping for ice production, not even Thoreau’s Walden Pond,
where 1,000 tons of ice was extracted each day in 1847.

However, as time went on, ice, as a refrigeration agent, became health problem.
Says Bern Nagengast, co-author of Heat and Cold: Mastering the Great Indoors
(published by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-conditioning
Engineers), “Good sources were harder and harder to find. By the 1890’s, natural ice
became a problem because of

4
pollution and sewage dumping.” Signs of a problem were first evident in the brewing
industry. Soon the meatpacking and dairy industries followed with their complaints.
Refrigeration technology provided the solution: ice, mechanically manufactured,
giving birth to mechanical refrigeration.

Carl (Paul Gottfried) von Linde in 1895 set up a large scale plant for the
production of liquid air. Six years later he developed a method for separating pure
liquid oxygen from liquid air that resulted in widespread industrial conversion to
processes utilizing oxygen (e.g. in steel manufacture).

1.3 TYPES OF REFRIGERATION

The difference types of refrigeration systems are given below.

1.3.1 Cyclic Refrigeration

In the cyclic process of refrigeration the heat is removed from the low
temperature reservoir and is thrown to high temperature. As per the second law of
thermodynamics the natural flow of heat is from the high temperature to low
temperature reservoir. In the cyclic refrigeration process since the flow of heat is
reversed, the external work has to be done on the system. The cyclic process of
refrigeration is also reverse of the thermodynamic power cycle or Carnot cycle in
which the heat flows from high temperature reservoir to low temperature reservoir;
hence the cycle of refrigeration is also called as Reversed Carnot Cycle.

There are two types of cyclic process of refrigeration:

» Vapour cycle and

5
» Gas cycle.

The vapour cycle is classified into

» Vapour compression cycle and

» vapour absorption cycle.

1.3.1.1 Vapour Compression Cycle

In a vapour compression system, an evaporator and a gas-liquid separator are

received in a common casing, so that the gas-liquid separator and the evaporator are
placed close to each other. Thus, it is possible to limit heart absorption of the liquid
phase refrigerant from the atmosphere to reduce the heat loss upon discharge of the
refrigerant from the gas-liquid separator. Also, it is possible to reduce pressure loss in
refrigerant passage between the gas-liquid separator and the evaporator

1.3.1.2 Vapour Absorption Cycle

Before the development of the vapour compression system of refrigeration,

vapour absorption system was very widely used. The vapour compression system
replaced vapour absorption system because it has high coefficient performance (COP).
The vapour absorption system requires very less amount of electricity but large
amount of heat; hence it can be used very

effectively in industries where very large stocks of excessive stem are available. In
such cases there is not only effective utilization of steam, but also lots of savings in
electricity costs.

1.3.1.3 Gas Cycle

Just as the vapour are used for cooling in the vapour compression cycle and
vapour absorption cycle, the gas is used cooling in gas refrigeration cycle. When the
gas is throttled from very high pressure to lower pressure in throttling valve, its

6
temperature reduces suddenly while its enthalpy remains constant. This principle is in
gas refrigeration system.

In the system instead of using Freon or ammonia as the refrigerant, the gas is
used as the refrigerant. Throughout the cycle there are no phase changes of the gas,
which are observed in the liquid refrigerant. Air is the most commonly used gas, also
called as refrigerant in this case, in the gas refrigeration cycles.

1.3.2 Non Cyclic Refrigeration

In these methods, refrigeration can be accomplished by melting ice or by dry

ice. These methods are used for small-scale refrigeration such as in laboratories and
workshops, or in portable coolers.

1.3.3 Thermoelectric Refrigeration

A refrigeration effect can also be achieved without using any moving parts by
simply passing a small current through a closed circuit made up of two dissimilar
materials. This effect is called Peltier effect, and a refrigerator that works on this
principle is called a thermoelectric refrigerator.

7
 Fig : 1.1 Thermoelectric refrigeration

Under steady-state operating conditions, heat will be transferred from the refrigerated
space to the cold junction. The other junction will be at a temperature above the
ambient, and heat will be transferred from the junction to the surrpundings.

1.3.4 Magnetic Refrigeration

Magnetic refrigeration is a cooling technology based on the magneto caloric

effect. This technique can be used to attain extremely low temperatures (well below
1K), as well as the ranges used in common refrigerators, depending on the design of
the system.

8
1.3.5 Other Methods

Other methods of refrigeration include the air cycle machine used in aircraft; the
vortex tube used for spot cooling, when compressed air is available; and thermo
acoustic refrigeration using sound waves in a pressurised gas to drive heat transfer and
heat exchange.

1.4 UNITS OF REFRIGERATION

Domestic and commercial refrigerators may be rated in kj/s, or Btu/h of cooling.

Commercial refrigerators in the US are in tons of refrigeration, but elsewhere in kw.
One ton of refrigeration capacity can freeze one short ton of water at 0 ºC (32 ºF) in 24
hours.

Latent heat of ice (i.e. heat of fusion) = 333.55 kj/kg

≈ 144 Btu/lb

One short ton = 2000lb

Heat extracted = (2000)*(144)/24 hr = 288000 Btu/24 hr

= 12000 Btu/hr
= 200 Btu/min

1 tonne of refrigeration = 200 Btu/min

= 3.517 kj/s
= 3.517 kw

9
 The practical unit of refrigeration is expressed in terms of ‘tonne of refrigeration’
(briefly written as TR). A tonne of refrigeration is defined as the amount of
refrigeration effect produced by the uniform melting of one tonne (1000 kg) of ice

from and 0 ºC in 24 hours. Since the latent heat of ice is 335 kj/kg, therefore one
tonne of refrigeration,

1 TR = 1000 * 335 kj in 24 hours

= (1000) * (335) / (24) * (60)
= 232.6 kj/min

In actual practice, one tonne of refrigeration is taken as equivalent to 210 kj/min

or 3.5 kw (i.e. 3.5 kj/s).

1.5 COEFFICIENT OF PERFORMANCE OF A REFRIGERATOR

The coefficient of performance (briefly written as C.O.P.)

is the ratio of heat extracted in the refrigerator to the work done on the refrigerant. It is
also known as theoretical coefficient of performance. Mathematically,

Theoretically C.O.P. = Q/W

Where Q = Amount of heat extracted in the

refrigerator ( or the amount of
refrigeration effect produced, or
the capacity of a refrigerator), and
W = Amount of work done.

1.6 Application

1.6.1 Food processing, preservation and distribution

10
 1. Storage of Raw Fruits and Vegetables
2. Fish
3. Meat and poultry
4. Dairy Products

(a). Ice cream

(b). Butter
(c). Cheese
(d). Buttermilk

5. Beverages
6. Candy
7. Processing and distribution of frozen food

1.6.2 Chemical and process industries

1. Separating of gases
2. Condensation of gases
3. Dehumidification of Air
4. Storage as liquid at low pressure
5. Cooling for preservation

1.6.3 Special application of refrigeration

1. Cold Treatment of Metals

2. Medical
3. Ice Skating Rinks
4. Construction

11
5. Desalination of water
6. Ice manufacturer

It is also widely used for the cooling of storage chambers in which perishable
food, drinks and medicines are stored. The refrigeration also has wide
applications in sub-marine ships, rockets and aircrafts.

12
CHAPTER 2 :- REFRIGERATION PROCESS

2.1 REFRIGERATOR

Refrigerator keep things cold because of the nature of the heat. Thermodynamics
essentially starts that if a cold object is placed to a next to a hot object, the cold object
will become warmer and the hot object will become cooler. A refrigerator does not
cool items by lowering their original temperature; instead, an evaporating gas called a
refrigerant draws heat away, leaving the surrounding area much colder. Refrigerators
and air conditioners both work on the principle of cooling through evaporation.

Fig 2.1 : Refrigerator

13
 A refrigerator consists of two storage compartment – one for frozen items and
the other for items requiring refrigeration but no freezing. These compartment are
surrounded by a series of heat-exchanging pipes. Near the bottom of the refrigerator
unit is a heavy metal device called a compressor. The compressor is powered by an
electric motor. More heat-exchanging pipes are coiled behind the refrigerator.
Running through the entire system is pure ammonia, which evaporates at -27 ºF. this
system is closed, which means nothing is lost or added while it is operating. Because
liquid ammonia is a powerful chemical, a leaking refrigerator should be repaired or
replaced immediately.

The refrigeration process begins with the compressor. Ammonia compressed

until it becomes very hot from the increased pressure. This heated gas flows through
the coils behind the refrigerator, which allows excess heat to be released into the
surrounding air. This is why users sometimes fill warm air circulating around the
fridge. Eventually the ammonia cools down to the point where it become a liquid. This
liquid form of ammonia is then forced through a device called an expansion valve or
capillary tube. Essentially, the expansion valve has a small opening or the capillary
tube has a very small diameter of copper tube that the liquid ammonia is turned into a
very cold, fast-moving mist, evaporating as it travels through the coils in the freezer.

As the evaporating ammonia gas absorbs more heat, its temperature rises.
Coils surroundings the lower refrigerator compartment are not as compact. The cool
ammonia still draws heat from the warmer objects in the fridge, but not as much as the
freezer section. The ammonia gas is drawn back into the compressor, where the entire
cycle of pressurization, cooling and evaporation begins anew.

2.2 REFRIGERATION CYCLE

14
 The refrigeration cycle uses a fluid, a called a refrigerant, to move heat from
one place to other. We will begin with the cool, liquid refrigerant entering the indoor
coil, operating as the evaporating during cooling. As the name implies, refrigerant in
the evaporator “evaporator”. Upon entering the evaporator, the liquid refrigerant’s
temperature is between 40 and 50 ºF and without changing its temperature, it absorbs
heat as it changes state from a liquid to a vapour. The heat comes from the warm,
moist room air blown across the evaporator coil. As it passes over the cool coil, it
gives up some of its heat and moisture may condense from it. The cooler, drier room
air is re-circulated by a blower into the space to be cooled.

The vapour refrigerant now moves into the compressor, which is basically a
pump that raises the pressure so it will move through the system. The increased
pressure from the compressor causes the temperature of the refrigerant to rise. As it
leaves the compressor, the refrigerant is a hot vapour, roughly 120 to 140 º F.

It now flows into the refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger, operating as the condenser
during the cooling. As it condenses, it gives up heat to the loop, which is circulated by
a pump

Fig 2.2 : Refrigeration Cycle

15
 As the refrigerant leaves the condenser, it is cooler, but still under pressure
provided by the compressor. It then reaches the expansion valve or capillary tube.
That the high pressure refrigerant to “flash” through becoming a lower pressure,
cooled liquid. When pressure is reduced, as with spraying an aerosol can or a fire
extinguisher, it cools. The cycle is complete as the cool, liquid refrigerant re-enters
evaporator to pick up room heat.

2.3 HOW REFRIGERATOR WORKS

In the summertime, have you ever gotten out of a swimming pool and then felt
very cold standing in the sun? that’s because the water on your skin is evaporating.
The air carries off the water vapour, and with it being taken away from your skin.

This is similar to what happens inside older refrigerators. Instead of eater,

through, the refrigerator uses chemicals to do the cooling.

There are two things that need to be known for refrigeration.

1. A gas cools on expansion.

2. When you have two things that are difference temperature that touch or
are near each other, the hotter surface cools and the colder surface warms
up. This is a law of physics called the Second Law of Thermodynamics.

16
2.4 TYPES OF DOMESTIC REFRIGERATOR

There are two types of domestic refrigerator.

1. Single door fresh food refrigerator
2. Double-door refrigerator-freezer

Most domestic refrigerator are of two types – either a single door fresh food
refrigerator or a two-door refrigerator-freezer combination, with the freezer
compartment on the top portion of the cabinet, or a vertically split cabinet (side-by-
side), with the freezer compartment on the left side of the cabinet. They are
completely self-contained units and are easy to install. Most refrigerators use R-22
refrigerant, normally maintaining temperatures of 0 ºF in the freezer compartment and
about 35 ºF to 45 ºF in the refrigerator compartment.

There are some pictures of different types of refrigerators as shown.

Fig 2.3 : Single Door Fig 2.4 : Single Door

Refrigerator Refrigerator

17
Fig 2.5 : Single Door
Refrigerator

Fig 2.6 : Double Door Refrigerator

18
2.5 TEMPERATURTE ZONE AND RATING

Some refrigerators are now divided into four zones to store different types of
food:

» -18 ºC (0 ºF) (freezer)

» 0 ºC (32 ºF) (meats)
» 5 ºC (49 ºF) (refrigerator)
» 10 ºC (50 ºF) (vegetables)

The capacity of a refrigerator is measured in either litres or cubic feet (US).

Typically the volume of a combined fridge-freezer is split to 100 litres (3.53 cubic
feet) for the freezer and 140 litres (4.94 cubic feet) for the refrigerator, although these
values are highly variable.

Temperature settings for refrigerator and freezer compartments are often given
arbitrary numbers (for example, 1 through 9, warmest to coldest) by manufacturers,
but generally 2 to 8 ºC (36 to 46 ºF) is idle for the refrigerator compartment and -18 ºC
(0 ºF) for the freezer. Some refrigerators require a certain external temperature 16 ºC
(60 ºF) to run properly. Thus can be an issue when placing a refrigerator in an
unfinished area such as a garage.

2.6 REFRIGERANT

Refrigeration application Short description Typical HFCs

used

19
Domestic Refrigeration Appliances used for keeping food in HFC-134a
dwelling units.
Commercial Holding and displaying frozen and fresh R 404A, R 507,
Refrigeration food in retail outlets HFC-234a
Food processing and cold Equipment to preserve, process and store R410A,
storage food from its source to the wholesale R407C,R 507,
and cooling HFC-134a

Industrial Refrigeration Large equipment, typically 25 kW to 30 HFC-134a, R-

MW, used for chemical processing, cold 404A, R-507
storage, food processing and district
heating and cooling
Transport refrigeration Equipment to preserve and store goods, R410A, R407C,
primarily foodstuffs, during transport by HFC-134A
road, rail, air and sea

2.7 VAPOUR COMPRESSION CYCLE

2.7.1 Introduction

The vapour compression cycle is the mostly widely used method of refrigeration in
the modern application. Your household refrigerator, water cooler, deep freezer, air-
conditioner etc, all run on vapour compression cycle. The cycle is called as vapour
compression cycle, because the vapours of refrigerant are compressed in the
compressor of the system to develop the cooling effect.

2.7.2 Working
Here are the various process of vapour compression cycle (refer the figure).

20
 (1) Compression: The vapours of refrigerants enter the compressor and get
compressed to high pressure and high temperature. During this process the
entropy of the refrigerant ideally remains constant and it leaves in
superheated state.

(2) Condensation: The superheated refrigerant then enters the condenser

where it is cooled either by air or water due to which its temperature
reduces, but pressure remains constant and it gets converted into liquid
state.

(3) Expansion: The liquid refrigerant then enters the expansion valve or
throttling valve or capillary tube when sudden expansion of the refrigerant
occurs, due to which its temperature and pressure falls down. The
refrigerant leaves expansion valve or capillary tube in partially liquid state
and partially in gaseous state.

(4) Evaporation or cooling: The partially liquid and partially gaseous

refrigerant at very low temperature enters the evaporator where the
substance to be cooled is kept. It is here where the refrigeration effect is
produced. The refrigerants absorbs the heat from tge substance to be
cooled and gets converted into vapour state.

Fig 2.7 : Simple VCR System T-S diagram of VCR System

21
 Fig 2.8 : P-V diagram of VCR System

2.7.3 Advantages

» Capable of large refrigerating loads at lower initial

purchase and operating cost.
» Very efficient
» Very compact system for small to very large heat loads.
» Cycle can be reversed for heat pump operation.
2.7.4 Disadvantages

22
 » Parts can wear out.
» Noise.
» Potential refrigerant leaks.
» Operates in limited orientation.

2.7.5 Application

» Household refrigerator,
» Air-conditioners,
» Water coolers,
» Ice and Ice cream maker,
» Deep freezers,
» Large industrial refrigeration and
» Air-conditioning systems,

2.8 VAPOUR ABSORPTION CYCLE

2.8.1 Introduction

The various processes of the vapour absorption cycle are similar to the one in
vapour compression cycle, only the method of compression of the refrigerant is
different. In vapour absorption system ammonia is used as the refrigerant, which has
very high affinity to dissolve in water. Here are various processes of vapour
absorption cycle;
2.8.2 Working

23
 (1) Compression or absorption of the refrigerant: in vapour absorption
system there is no traditional compressor, instead there is absorber. The absorber
consists of water, as a absorbent, in which the refrigerant, ammonia, dissolves.
This mixture of water and ammonia is then pumped and heated thus increase in
temperature and pressure of the ammonia occurs. Ammonia leaves the absorber at
high pressure and high temperature. Some work has to be provided to the pump
and heating is carried out by the steam. The amount of electricity required by the
pump is much lesser than that required by the compressor hence there is lots of
saving of electricity, however, the additional source of heat in the form of steam
has to be provided.

(2) Condensation: The refrigerant at pressure and temperature then enters

condenser where it is cooled by water and its temperature and pressure reduces.

(3) Expansion: Thereafter the expansion of refrigerant occurs in throttling

valve or capillary tube due to which the temperature and pressure of the ammonia
refrigerant reduces drastically and suddenly.

(4) Evaporation: Finally the refrigerant enters the evaporator where it produces
the cooling effect. It leaves the evaporator in vapour state and then enters
absorber, where it is absorbed by absorbent, water and compressed by the pump.
This process repeats again and cycle continues.

There are different types absorbents like water and lithium bromide that
can be used with refrigerant ammonia. These systems are called water absorption
system.

24
2.8.3 Advantages

» No moving parts.
» No vibration or noise on small system.
» Small systems can operate without electricity using only
heat, large systems require power for chemical pumps.
» Can make use of waste heat.

Fig 2.9 : Vapour Absorption System

25
2.8.4 Disadvantages

» Potential refrigerant leaks.

» Operates under limited vibration and orientations.
» Complicated and difficult to service and repair.
» Stalls in a hot ambient
» Very bulky.
» Poor efficiency.

26
CHAPTER 3 :- LPG REFRIGERATION

3.1 INTRODUCTION

In India, more than 80% of the domestic refrigerator utilize HFC 134a as
refrigerant, due to its excellent thermodynamic and thermo physical properties. But,
HFC 134a has a high global warming potential (GWP) of 1300. There is a need of
assess various refrigerant option considering the existing refrigerators in the field and
for the future market.

CFC’s are principally destroyed by ultraviolet radiations in the stratosphere; the

chlorine released in the high stratosphere catalyzes the decomposition of ozone to
oxygen; and ultraviolet radiations penetrates to lower altitudes. Credible calculations
of the magnitude of the effect (Hoffman 1987) and his team predicted 3% global
ozone emissions of 700 thousand tonnes/year after a hundred years. The ozone impact
of car air conditioners also can not be ignored. Hydrofluorocarbons (HFC’s) can be
thought of as a replacement, but unfortunately the radiation properties of HFC’s like
R-134a make them powerful global warming agents. HFC 134a and the HC blend
have been reported to be substitutes for CFC 12, but they have their own drawbacks in
energy efficiency, flammability and serviceability aspects of the systems. HFC 134a is
not miscible with mineral oil, and hence, polyol ester oil is recommended, which is
highly hygroscopic in nature. This hygroscopicity demands stringent service practices,
which otherwise results in moisture entry into the system.

Thus, hydrocarbon refrigerants; particularly LPG serves as the best contender to

replace CFC’s from domestic refrigerator as well as car air conditioners.

27
 LPG consists mainly of propane (R-290) and butane (R-600), and LPG is
available as a side product in local refineries. In Cuba for already several decades
LPG is used as a drop-in refrigerant. LPG mixtures have composition of a commercial
LPG mixture suitable as ‘drop-in’ replacement for R-12 was calculated crudely as
64% propane and 36% butane by mass. Liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) of 60%
propane and 40% commercial butane has been tested as a drop-in suitable for R 134a
in a single evaporator domestic refrigerator with a total volume of 10 ft3.

The revival of LPG refrigerants in domestic and small commercial application in

a happy accident (Vidal 1992). Engineers had known since the 1920’s that LPG
refrigerants performed well and in the 1980s refrigerators manufacturers again tested
them (Kuijpers et al. 1988). Fear of a flammability campaign from the chemical
industry deterred any manufacture.

In march 1989, the Institute of Hygiene in Dortmund Germany needed a new

cold storage room. The young idealistic director, Dr Harry Rosin, could not consider
using a CFC refrigerant and so tried propane and iso butane.

Greenpeace Australia imported a Foron refrigerator in February 1993 and in

December 1993 Email Ltd, Australia’s largest appliance manufacturer, displayed
prototype LPG refrigerators. In 1994, German manufacturer announced one by one
their intention of switch to LPG refrigerants.

OZ Technology Inc, a start up company in Idaho, introduced OZ-12 a mixture

of commercial propane and butane in 1992. they sold over 50,000 170 g cans the first
summer. The Mobile Air-Conditioning Society made flammability hazard claims
including ‘a bomb in the passenger compartment’ (Keebler 1993, MACS 1993). The
US EPA refused to approve OZ-12 on flammability grounds. OZ then introduced
another LPG refrigerant HC-12a, which has already sold over 100,000 cans. The US
EPA may not approve this either but OZ’s petition (OZ 1994) is convincing,
comprehensive and technically sound especially on safety. Calor released Care 30 in
June 1994. Care 30 is a high purity mixture of R-290 and R-600a and is a drop- in

28
replacement for R-12 and R 134a. it has been very successful in vehicle refrigeration
and air-conditioning.

3.2 PROPERTIES

» Colourless.
» Odourless. (It’s normal to odorise LPG by adding an
odorant prior to supply to the user, to aid the detection
of any leaks).
» Flammable.
» Heavier than air.
» Approximately half the weight of water.
» Non toxic but can cause asphyxiation.
» LPG expands upon release and 1 litre of liquid will form approximately 250 litres
of vapour.

A good mixture : LPG is mainly Propane (C3H8), Butane (C4H10) or a mix of

Propane/Butane. Since LPG has such a simple chemical structure, it is among the
cleanest of any alternative fuel.

Boiling point : LPG’s boiling point ranges from -42 ºC to 0 ºC depending on its
mixture percentage of Butane and Propane.

Combustion : The combustion of LPG produces carbon dioxide (CO2) and water
vapour but sufficient air must be available. Inadequate appliances flueing or
ventilation can result in the production of carbon monoxide which can be toxic.

29
Vapour pressure : LPG is a stored as a liquid under pressure. It is almost colourless
and its weight is approximately half that of an equivalent volume of water. The
pressure inside a closed container in which LPG is stored is equal to the vapour
pressure of the liquid and corresponds to its temperature.

Ignition temperature : The temperature required to ignite LPG in air is around 500
ºC.

Calorific value : The calorific value of LPG is about 2.5 times higher than that of
main gas so more heat is produced from the same volume of gas.

Toxicity : LPG is a colourless, odourless and non-toxic gas. It is supplied

commercially with an added odorant to assist detection by smell.

LPG is an excellent solvent of petroleum and rubber product and is generally

non-corrosive to steel and copper alloys.

Safety : LPG is just as safe as any other fuel. In fact, it is safer than most fuels
because neither LPG itself nor the end products that are produced by burning LPG in a
suitable appliance, are poisonous to inhale. Since LPG cannot burn without air, there
can never be a ‘Flash-back’ into the cylinder.

You can feel safe with LPG as the most through precaution are taken to
ensure your safety. All you have to do is to handle it correctly whilst adhering to the
simple instructions provided.

30
3.3 APPLICATION

Application of LPG as refrigerant that divides in two categories:

1. Processes that uses LPG

2. Industries that uses LPG

3.3.1 Processes that use LPG

LPG’s high calorific value makes it a key gas for:

» Heating appliances :- used because of its case of

combustion, portability and clean burning characteristics
and compatibility with almost all water and space heating
appliances. The best product depends the climate.

» Propane :- suitable for use in all conditions. It is the only

LPG product suitable for cold climates (such as the UK and
Canada) because of its low boiling point of -43.6 ºF
(-42 ºC).

» Butane :- suitable for use in hot climate only because of its

higher boiling point of 22.9 ºF (-5 ºC).

» Propane/Butane mixtures :- suitable for use in moderate

climates

» Cooking :- preferred to electricity by professional chefs.

31
» Oxy-Fuel application :- LPG performs well in large-scale
oxy-fuel burner application.

LPG’s clean burning characteristics make it a good gas for:

» Transport fuel :- for forklift and other trucks that operate

inside warehouses and factories because it provides no
noxious exhaust gases and give more power than batteries.
LPG is also increasingly used as a clean automotive fuel in
countries with serious air pollution problems.

» propane and butane’s low boiling points also give them good closed cycle
refrigerants characteristics (similar to Freon’s).

3.3.2 Industries that use LPG

LPG’s calorific and clean-burning characteristics are used across many industries such
as:

» Automotive :- as a forklift truck fuel and in some countries as a private car or

public transport fuel.

» Hospitality and Leisure :- as a heating and cooking gas in restaurant, cafes and
mobile catering vans.

» Agriculture :- for crop drying, heating greenhouses and animal sheds and for
flame weeding and pest control.

32
» Construction :- LPG’s portability allow its use for general space heating to enable
work on projects during winter months, and for road heating in bitumen replacement
work.

» Chemicals and petrochemicals :- LPG surplus is used as feedstock when prices

are low.

3.4 THE LPG REFRIGERATION CYCLE

(1). LPG Gas Cylinder:

From the LPG gas cylinder, LPG flows through the pipe and reaches to the capillary
tube. LPG gas pressure is approximate 80-100 psi.

(2). Capillary Tube:

As the capillary tube, capillary tube downs the pressure up to less then 1 psi.

(3). Evaporator:

In the evaporator LPG is converted into the vapour from with low pressure. After
passing through the evaporator low pressure and temperature LPG vapour absorbs
heat from the chamber system.

(4). Gas Burner:

33
After performing the cooling effect, low pressure LPG gas goes into the burner where
the burns.

3.5 PARTS OF REFRIGERATORS

3.5.1 LPG Gas Cylinder

LPG is Liquefied Petroleum Gas. This is general description of Propane (C3H8) and
Butane (C4H10), either stored separately or together as a mix.
This is because these gases can be liquefied at a normal temperature by
application of a moderate pressure increases, or at normal pressure by
application of LPG using refrigeration. LPG is used as a fuel for

domestic, industrial, horticultural, agricultural, cooking, heating and

drying processes. LPG can be used as an automotive fuel or as
propellant for aerosol, in addition to other specialist applications. LPG
can also be used to provide lighting
through the use of pressure lanterns.

34
3.5.2 Capillary Tube

The capillary tube is the commonly used throttling device in the domestic
refrigeration.

The capillary tube is a copper tube of very small internal diameter. It is

of very long length and it is coiled to several turns so that it
would occupy less space. The internal diameter of the capillary tube
used for the refrigeration applications varies from 0.5 to 2.28 mm
(0.020 to 0.09 inch). The capillary tube is shown in picture. When
the refrigerant enters in the capillary tube, its pressure drops down suddenly due to
very small diameter. The decrease in pressure of the refrigerant through the capillary
depends on the diameter of capillary and the length of capillary. Smaller is the
diameter and more is the length of capillary more is the drop in pressure of the
refrigerant as it passes through it.

35
3.5.3 Evaporator

The evaporators are another important parts of the refrigeration systems. It through the
evaporators that the cooling effect is produced in the refrigeration system.

It is in the evaporators when the actual cooling effect takes place in the
refrigeration systems. For many people the evaporator is the main part of the
refrigeration system, consider other part as less useful. The evaporators are heat
exchanger surface that transfer the heat from the substance to be cooled to the
refrigerant, thus removing the heat from the from the substance. The
evaporators are used for wide variety of diverse application in
refrigeration and hence the available in wide variety of shape, sizes and

36
designs. They are also classified in different manner depending on the method of
feeding the refrigerant, construction of the evaporator, direction of air circulation
around the evaporator, application and also the refrigerant control.

In the domestic refrigerators the evaporators are commonly known as freezers since
the ice is made in these compartment.

In the evaporators the refrigerant enters at very low pressure and temperature
after passing through the capillary tube. This refrigerant absorbs the heat from
the substance that is to be cooled so the refrigerant gets heated while the substance
gets cooled. Even after cooling the substance the temperature of the refrigerant
leaving the evaporator is less than the substance.

In the large refrigeration plants the evaporator is used for chilling water. In such
cases shell and tube type of heat exchanger are used as the evaporators. In such plants
the evaporators are classified as:

(1). Dry expansion type of evaporators

(2). Flooded type of the evaporators

The evaporators are classified based on the construction as:

(1). Bare tube evaporators

(2). Plate surface evaporators
(3). Finned evaporators
(4). Shell and tube evaporator
(5). Shell and coiled evaporator, and
(6). Tube-in-tube evaporator

The evaporators are classified based on mode of heat transfer

(1). Natural convection evaporator, and

(2). Forced convection evaporator

37
The evaporators are classified based on operating conditions

(1). Frosting evaporator,

(2). Non-frosting evaporator, and
(3). Defrosting evaporator

3.5.4 Pressure gauges

Many techniques have been developed for the measurement of pressure and
vacuums. Instruments used to measure pressure are called pressure gauges or vacuum
gauges.

A manometer could also referring to a pressure measuring instrument, usually

limited to measuring pressures near to atmospheric. The term manometer
is often used to refer specifically to liquid column hydrostatic instruments.

Stainless steel pressure gauge

38
Catering to the requirements of to power and allied Industry, we offer quality
array of stainless steel, weatherproof pressure gauges. Renowned for offering
resistance in corrosive environments and modes, these find wide application in power
generation, pollution control equipment, chemicals and petrochemicals and
also exploration. These gauges are available in 63mm, 100mm, and 150mm sizes and
can be customized as per client.

Bourdon gauge

A Bourdon gauge uses a coiled tube, which, as it expands due to pressure increases
cases a rotation of an arm connected to the tube.

39
In 1849 the Bourdon tube pressure gauge was patented in France by Eugene
Bourdon. The pressure sensing element is a closed coiled tube connected
to the chamber or pipe in while the pressure is to be sensed. As the gauge
pressure increases the tube will tend to uncoil, while a reduced gauge pressure
will patented France by Eugene Bourdon.

The pressure sensing el cause the tube to coil more tightly. This motion is
transferred through a linkage to a gear train connected to an indicating needle. The
needle in presented in front of a card face inscribed with the pressure indications
associated with particular needle deflections. In a barometer, the Bourdon tube is
sealed at both ends and the absolute pressure of the ambient atmosphere is sensed.
Differentials Bourdon gauges use two Bourdon tubes and a mechanical linkage that
compares the readings.

3.5.5 High Pressure pipes

The range of high pressure pipes covers most application where there is a
requirement to transfer gas at high pressure. They consist of a steel pipe with a
steel ball fitted to both ends. Two swivelling connection nipples press
these balls against the seating of the connecting hole and thus sealing
against gas leakage.

40
» Wide range of pipes.
» All pipes are pressure tested to 100 M Pa (14,500 psi) over
recommended working pressure.

3.6 CONSTRUCTION OF THE LPG REFRIGERATOR

The LPG refrigerator shown in figure. We make the one box of the plywood. The
plywood sheet size is 12mm for used the LPG refrigerator. The size of the refrigerator
is 724*457*381 mm3. The evaporator is fitted on the upper portion of box inside.
Inside the refrigerator, we also put the thermo-coal sheet, because of the cold air can
not the transfer from inside to outside of refrigerator.

Fig 3.1 :- Construction of the LPG refrigerator

The schematically diagram of the LPG refrigeration system is shown in next page.
The gas tank is connect by pipes to the capillary tube. The capillary tube is fitted with
evaporator. The evaporator coiled end is connect to the stove by another gas
circulation pipe. When two pressure gauge is put between capillary tube and gas tank,
and another is put the end of the evaporator.

41
3.7 WORKING LPG REFRIGERATOR

The basic idea behind LPG refrigeration is to use the evaporation of a LPG to
absorb heat. The simple mechanism of the LPG refrigeration working is shown in
figure.

Fig 3.2 Working of LPG Refrigerator

» LPG is stored in the LPG cylinder under high pressure.
When the gas tank of regulators is opened then high
pressure LPG passes in gas pipe. This LPG is going by
high pressure gas pipe in 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

evaporator. LPG is converted into low pressure and
temperature vapour from and passing through the

42
 evaporator which absorbs heat from the chamber. Thus
the camber becomes cools down. Thus we can achieve
cooling effect in refrigerator.

» After passing through the evaporator low pressure LPG

is passed through pipe by burner. And we can uses the
low pressure of LPG is burning processes.

3.8 CAUSES AND PRECAUTION

» Explosion in space Any refrigerant with vapour pressure above ambient can
flash to a larger volume. The potential increase in volume is greater if combustion of
lubricant or refrigerant occurs. Explosion venting may be necessary to limit pressure
rise to what the space can safely withstand. 2 kPa can blow window glass off a
building.

» Fire Combustible lubricant and refrigerant must be discharged safely outside a

building when a fire occurs especially it the heat of combustion exceeds 200 MJ.

» Asphyxiation or poisoning All refrigerants except air and oxygen are

asphyxiations. Ventilation must prevent serious injury or death on a sudden total
release of refrigerants. The quantity of ventilation necessary varies greatly between
refrigerants.

» Flying metal System must comply with piping and pressure vessels codes.

» Corrosion or chemical reaction LPG refrigerants are non-reactive and chemically

stable at refrigeration temperature.

43
» Chemical or cold burns Accidental contact between skin and cold metal must be
prevented by insulation. Accidental releases of liquid refrigerant must drain safely.

3.9 ADVANTAGE OF LPG

The advantages of LPG are as follows :

» Clean burning.
» Effects of corrosions are greatly reduced.
» Instantly control the flame temperature.
» Avoids scaling and decarburising of parts.
» Environmentally friendly fuel, with minimal sulphur
content and sulphur-free emissions.
» Very high efficiency with direct firing system instant heat
for faster warm-up and cool-down.
» LPG is easily liquefied and stored in pressure containers. It
can be easily transported in cylinder or tanks.

44
CHAPTER 4:- ANALYSIS OF LPG REFRIGERATOR

» Size of Refrigerator :-724*457*381 mm3

» Atmospheric temperature :- 40 ºC
» Initial water temperature :- 35 ºC
» Inlet pressure of LPG :-80 psi
» Outlet pressure of LPG :- less than 1psi

4.1 :- OBSERVATION TABLE AND CHART

The experiment of this project was done on May 15, 2010 at 1.45p.m. and reading
were taken under ten minute’s interval which are under as follow:

Time Pressure Inlet Outlet Water Freezer Chamber

in Temp. Temp. Temp. Temp. Temp.
bar (ºC) (ºC) (ºC) (ºC) (ºC)

10 6.7 0.2 10 30.0 1.0 37.9

10 6.4 0.01 8.2 24.2 -1.1 33.8
10 6.8 -0.09 7.6 19.7 -2.0 29.4
10 6.7 -0.90 5.2 15.8 -4.1 25.5
10 6.6 -1.25 4.1 11.2 -6.0 23.1
10 6.7 -2.20 3.1 8.3 -6.9 19.9
10 6.7 -3.74 2.2 5.1 -7.5 17.9
10 6.8 -4.90 1.8 3.2 -7.9 15.7
10 6.6 -5.90 1.1 1.02 -8.9 14.2
10 6.7 -7.10 0.5 0.30 -9.3 10.3
Chart no. 4.1 :- Freezer Temperature Vs Time Period

X axes : Time Period in minute.

45
Y axes : Freezer surface temperature in ºC.

0
0 20 40

-2

-4

-6
Chart No. 4.2 :- Water Temperature Vs Time Period

X axes : Water temperature in ºC.

Y axes : Time Period in minute.

-8
46
 35

30

25

20
Chart No 4.3 :- Chamber Temperature Vs Time Period

X axes : Time Period in minute.

Y axes : Chamber Temperature in ºC.

15 47
 40

35

30

25

4.2 ADVANTAGES
20
» The cooling capacity of LPG is 10% higher than R-12
and the vapour pressure is appropriate.
» LPG is naturally occurring and non-toxic.

15 48
» Use of LPG as a refrigerant also improves the overall
efficiency by 10 to 20%.
» The ozone depletion potential (ODP) of LPG is 0 and
Global warming potential (GWP) is 8 which is
Significantly negligible as compared to other
refrigerant.
» Apart from environment friendly, use of also LPG gives
us lot of cost advantages.
» LPG does not form acids and thereby eliminates the
problem with blocked capillaries.
» There is 60% reduction in weight of the system due to
higher density of LPG.
» The fridge works when electricity off.
» It is efficient to save fuel.
» No pollution
» The units are effectively silent in operation.
» Running cost is zero.
» Eliminates the compressor and condenser.

4.3 DISADVANTAGES

» LPG is explosive in nature.

» Do not maintain constant pressure in LPG cylinder.

49
 » Put the LPG cylinder is inverted position.
» After the refrigeration processes, the exhaust of LPG is
burn into burner. Because of the exhausted vapour LPG
can not converted again liquid phase , because the this
process is very costly.
» The prevention of leakage of the LPG is the major problem in LPG
refrigeration system. Because of the LPG is highly flammable.

CHAPTER 5 :- CONCLUSION OF LPG

REFRIGERATION

50
5.1 CONCLUSION

After performing this project “LPG Refrigeration”, we conclude that refrigeration

effect is produced with the use of LPG.

From observation table, we conclude that, the regulating valve is fully open that,
we achieve the chamber temperature down from 38ºC to 10ºC in a 100 minute. We
achieve the evaporator temperature down from 1ºC to -9.3ºC in a same time interval.

We put the water in one plastic bottle in the evaporator. The initial temperature of
water is 35 ºC. From observation table, we conclude that, the condition of regulating
valve is fully opened, the same time period we achieve the temperature of water is
0.30 ºC.

We also conclude that, the capillary tube is maximum pressure of gas cylinder is
reduces the less then of 1 psi. The capillary tube is more suitable throttling device in
LPG refrigeration system.

This system is cheaper in initial as well as running cost. It does not require an
external energy sources to run the system and no moving part in the system so
maintenance is also very low.

We also conclude that, we try the burnt to the exhaust LPG, the pressure of exhaust
gas is less than 1 psi, the small flame produce by the burner.

This system most suitable for hotel, industries, refinery, chemical industries
where consumption of LPG is very high.

Picture of Project

51
BIBLIOGRAPHY

» http://www.hychill.com.au/pdf/pasolpgr.pdf

52
» www.e-lpg.com
» http://www.google.com/g
» www.dynatempintl.com
» www.lpgforyou.com
» http://www.brighthub.com/engineering/mechanical.aspx
» http://coolingdevice.net/4.html
» http://howstuffworks.com/refrigerator.htm
» http://www.google.com/gwt/x?site
» www.indiamart.com
» “A Textbook of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning” by R.S.KHURMI &
J.K.GUPTA
» “Performance and safety of LPG Refrigerant ”, The Univercity of New South
Wales, Australia.
» “Applications of Refrigeration & Air Conditioning”, Lesson 3, Version 1 ME, IIT
Kharagpur 1
» “A Textbook of Thermal Engineering”, By R.S.KHURMI & J.K.GUPTA
» Arora, C.P, “Refrigeration & Air Conditioning”, Tata Mc-Graw Hill Company
Limited, New Delhi.

53