Hydrocarbons as Alternate Refrigerants to Replace R134a in Domestic Refrigerators

The thermodynamic properties of hydrocarbons namely Propane, Cyclopropane, Propene, Methyl acetylene, Propadiene and Dimethyether as alternatives to replace R134a have been predicted using SRK EOS. The values of vapour pressure, liquid specific volume, vapour specific volume, liquid enthalpy, vapour enthalpy, liquid entropy, vapour entropy have been estimated over the temperature range from -250 degrees C to +550 degrees C. Simulation of 89W domestic refrigerator is carried out using ten state point vapour compression cycle. The theoretical performances of the hydrocarbons have been comparatively assessed using standard refrigeration parameters. According to our results, Propane, Propene are appropriate and recommended as alternatives of R134a with lower displacement compressor and Cyclopropane as direct substitute. Also implications with respect to material and lubricant oil compatibility, heat transfer characteristics are discussed.