Enhancing Vapour Compression Refrigeration Performance: A Comprehensive Review of Nanolubricants, Nanorefrigerants and Hybrid Nanofluids
J. Environ. Nanotechnol., Volume 14, No 2 (June 2025) pp. 69-81
Abstract
The overview of nanolubricants, nanorefrigerants and hybrid nanofluids is presented in this review study along with its significance in improving the performance of vapour compression refrigeration systems. Nanolubricants, nano refrigerants and hybrid nanofluids have recently proved extraordinary potential to improve performance by dispersing nanoparticles in base fluids and lubricants. A comprehensive analysis is done to determine how hybrid nanofluids, nanorefrigerants and nanolubricants affect energy conservation. This review highlights the critical role of nanolubricants, nanorefrigerants and hybrid nanofluids in achieving superior performance, reduced energy consumption and enhanced refrigeration effects in vapour compression refrigeration systems. Application of nanoparticles in refrigerants, lubricating oil and dispersion of hybrid nanofluids in refrigeration system are discussed and summarized. The challenges and possibilities for future research are identified which will lead to innovative techniques.
Full Text
Reference
Adelekan, D. S., Ohunakin, O. S., Gill, J., Atiba, O. E., Okokpujie, I. P. and Atayero, A. A., Experimental Investigation of a Vapour Compression Refrigeration System with 15 nm TiO2-R600a Nano-Refrigerant as the Working Fluid, Procedia Manuf., 35, 1222–1227(2019a).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2019.06.079
Adelekan, D. S., Ohunakin, O. S., Gill, J., Atiba, O. E., Okokpujie, I. P. and Atayero, A. A., Performance of a Domestic Refrigerator infused with Safe Charge of R600a refrigerant and various concentrations of TiO2 nanolubricants, Procedia Manuf., 35, 1158-1164(2019b).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2019.06.071
Aktas, M., Dalkilic, A. S., Celen, A., Cebi, A., Mahian, O. and Wongwises, S., A Theoretical Comparative Study on Nanorefrigerant Performance in a Single-Stage Vapor-Compression Refrigeration Cycle, Adv MechEng,7(1),138725(2015).
https://doi.org/10.1155/2014/138725
Alawi, O. A., Sidik, N. A. C. and Kherbeet, A. S., Measurements and correlations of frictional pressure drop of TiO2/R123 flow boiling inside a horizontal smooth tube, Int. Commun. Heat Mass Transf., 6142–48(2015a).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icheatmasstransfer.2014.12.006a
Alawi, O. A., Sidik, N. A. C. and Kherbeet, A. S., Nanorefrigerant effects in heat transfer performance and energy consumption reduction: A review, Int. Commun. Heat Mass Transf., 69, 76–83(2015b).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icheatmasstransfer.2015.10.009
Alawi, O. A., Sidik, N. A. C. and Mohammed, H. A., A comprehensive review of fundamentals, preparation and applications of nanorefrigerants, Int. Commun. HeatMassTransf.,54,81–95(2014).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icheatmasstransfer.2014.03.001
Anish, M., Senthil, K. G., Beemkumar, N., Kanimozhi, B. and Arunkumar, T., Performance study of a domestic refrigerator using CuO/Al2O3 -R22 nanorefrigerant as a working fluid, Int. J. Ambient Energy,41(2),152–156(2020).
https://doi.org/10.1080/01430750.2018.1451376
Azmi, W. H., Sharif, M. Z., Yusof, T. M., Mamat, R. and Redhwan, A.A.M., Potential of nanorefrigerant and nanolubricant on energy saving in refrigeration system – A review, Renew. Sustain. Energy Rev., 69, 415–428(2017).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.11.207
Babarinde, T. O., Akinlabi, S. A. and Madyira, D. M., Energy performance evaluation of R600a/MWCNT-nanolubricant as a drop-in replacement for R134a in household refrigerator system, Energy Rep., 6, 639–647(2020a).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2019.11.132
Babarinde, T. O., Akinlabi, S. A., Madyira, D. M. and Ekundayo, F. M., Enhancing the energy efficiency of vapour compression refrigerator system using R600a with graphene nanolubricant, Energy Rep., 6, 61–10(2020b).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egyr.2019.11.031
Babarinde, T. O., Madyira, D. M., Mashinini, P. M. and Marangwanda, G. T., Performance of multi-walled CNTs suspended with hydrocarbon refrigerant (R600a) and lubricating oil in vapour compression refrigeration system, Fuel Commun., 10, 100036(2022).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jfueco.2021.100036
Bhat, M. W., Vyas, G., Jaffri, A. J. and Dondapati, R. S., Investigation on the thermophysical properties of Al2O3, Cu and SiC based Nano-refrigerants, Mater TodayProc.,5(14),27820–27827(2018).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2018.10.018
Bi, S., Guo, K., Liu, Z., and Wu, J., Performance of a domestic refrigerator using TiO2-R600a nano-refrigerant as working fluid, Energy Convers. Manag.,52(1),733–737(2011).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2010.07.052
Celen, A., Alican, Ç., Melih, A., Omid, M., Ahmet, S. D. S. W., A review of nanorefrigerants: Flow characteristics and applications, Int. J. Refrig., 44, 125-140(2014).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2014.05.009
Damola, S., Adelekan, Olayinka, S. O., Taiwo, O., Babarinde, M. K., Odunfa, R. O., Leramo, S. O. O. and Damilola, C. B., Experimental performance of LPG refrigerant charges with varied concentration of TiO2 nano- lubricants in a domestic refrigerator, Case Stud. Therm.Eng.,9,55–61(2016).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.csite.2016.12.002
Ding, G., Peng, H., Jiang, W., and Gao, Y., The migration characteristics of nanoparticles in the pool boiling process of nanorefrigerant and nanorefrigerant–oil mixture, Int. J. Refrig., 32(1), 114–123(2009).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2008.08.007
Esfe, M. H., Dalir, R., Bakhtiari, R. and Afrand, M., Simultaneous effects of multi-walled carbon nanotubes and copper oxide nanoparticles on the rheological behavior of cooling oil: Application for refrigeration systems, Int. J. Refrig., 104, 123–133(2019).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2018.11.036
Gill, J., Singh, J., Ohunakin, O. S., and Adelekan, D. S., Artificial neural network approach for irreversibility performance analysis of domestic refrigerator by utilizing LPG with TiO2 –lubricant as replacement of R134a, Int. J. Refrig., 89, 159–176(2018).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2018.02.025
Hamid, K. A., Azmi, W. H., Nabil, M. F., Mamat, R. and Sharma, K.V., Experimental investigation of thermal conductivity and dynamic viscosity on nanoparticle mixture ratios of TiO2-SiO2 nanofluids, Int. J. Heat MassTransf.,116,1143–1152(2018).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2017.09.087
Haque, M. E., Bakar, R. A., Kadirgama, K., Noor, M. M. and Shakaib, M., Performance of a domestic refrigerator using nanoparticles-based polyolester oil lubricant, J. Mech. Eng. Sci., 10(1), 1778-1791(2016).
https://doi.org/10.15282/jmes.10.1.2016.3.0171
Hemmat, E. M., Alirezaie, A. and Rejvani, M., An applicable study on the thermal conductivity of SWCNT-MgO hybrid nanofluid and price-performance analysis for energy management, Appl. Therm.Eng.,111,1202–1210(2017).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2016.09.091
Henderson, K., Park, Y. -G., Liu, L. and Jacobi, A. M., Flow-boiling heat transfer of R-134a-based nanofluids in a horizontal tube, Int. J. Heat Mass Transf.,53(5–6),944–951(2010).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2009.11.026
Jaffri, A. J., Dondapati, R. S., Bhat, M.W. and Vyas, G., Investigation on Thermo-Physical Properties of Mixed Nano-Refrigerant with CuO based nanoparticles, Mater. Today Proc., 5(14), 27795–27800(2018).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2018.10.015
Jatinder, G., Ohunakin, O. S., Adelekan, D. S., Atiba, O. E., Daniel, A. B., Singh, J. and Atayero, A. A., Performance of a domestic refrigerator using selected hydrocarbon working fluids and TiO2–MO nanolubricant,Appl.Therm. Eng., 160, 114004(2019).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2019.114004
Javadi, F. S. and Saidur, R., Energetic, economic and environmental impacts of using nanorefrigerant in domestic refrigerators in Malaysia, Energy Convers. Manag.,73,335–339(2013).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2013.05.013
Jiang, W., Ding, G. and Peng, H., Measurement and model on thermal conductivities of carbon nanotube nanorefrigerants, Int. J. Therm. Sci., 48(6), 1108–1115(2009).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijthermalsci.2008.11.012
Krishna, S. R., Gobinath, N., Sajith, V., Das, S. and Sobhan, C. B., Application of TiO2 nanoparticles as a lubricant-additive for vapor compression refrigeration systems – An experimental investigation, Int. J. Refrig., 35(7), 1989–1996(2012).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2012.07.002
Kuljeet, S. and Kundan, L, An Investigation into the Performance of a Nanorefrigerant (R134a + Al2O3) Based Refrigeration System, Int. J. Res. Mech. Eng. Technol., 4(2), 158-161(2014).
Kumar, R., Sridhar, K., Narasimha, M., Heat transfer enhancement in domestic refrigerator using R600a/mineral oil/nano- Al2O3 as working fluid, Int. J. Compu. Eng. Res., 3(4), 42-50(2013).
Kumaresan, V., Velraj, R. and Das, S. K., Convective heat transfer characteristics of secondary refrigerant based CNT nanofluids in a tubular heat exchanger, Int. J. Refrig., 35(8), 2287–2296(2012).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2012.08.009
Lee, K., Hwang, Y., Cheong, S., Kwon, L., Kim, S. and Lee, J., Performance evaluation of nano-lubricants of fullerene nanoparticles in refrigeration mineral oil, Curr.Appl.Phys.,9(2),e128–e131(2009).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cap.2008.12.054
Lou, J., Zhang, H. and Wang, R., Experimental investigation of graphite nanolubricant used in a domestic refrigerator, Adv. Mech. Eng., 7(2), 1687814015571011(2015).
https://doi.org/10.1177/1687814015571011
Mahbubul, I. M., Fadhilah, S. A., Saidur, R., Leong, K. Y. and Amalina, M. A., Thermophysical properties and heat transfer performance of Al2O3/R-134a nanorefrigerants, Int. J. Heat Mass Transf., 57(1), 100–108(2013a).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2012.10.007
Mahbubul, I. M., Saadah, A., Saidur, R., Khairul, M. A. and Kamyar, A., Thermal performance analysis of Al2O3/R-134a nanorefrigerant, Int. J. Heat Mass Transf.,85,1034–1040(2015).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2015.02.038
Mahbubul, I. M., Saidur, R. and Amalina, M. A., Heat Transfer and Pressure Drop Characteristics of Al2O3-R141b Nanorefrigerant in Horizontal Smooth Circular Tube, Procedia. Eng., 56, 323–329(2013b).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.proeng.2013.03.126
Marcucci, P. D. F., Da Silva, L.R.R., Hernandez Mendoza, O.S., and Bandarra Filho, E.P., Experimental study on thermal and tribological performance of diamond nanolubricants applied to a refrigeration system using R32, Int J Heat Mass Transf,152,119493(2020).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijheatmasstransfer.2020.119493
Marcucci, P. D. F., Da Silva, L. R. R., Schneider, P. S. and Bandarra Filho, E. P., Performance evaluation of diamond nanolubricants applied to a refrigeration system, Int. J. Refrig., 100, 104–112(2019).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2018.12.009
Nabil, M. F., Azmi, W. H., Abdul Hamid, K., Mamat, R. and Hagos, F. Y., An experimental study on the thermal conductivity and dynamic viscosity of TiO2-SiO2 nanofluids in water: Ethylene glycol mixture, Int. Commun. Heat Mass Transf., 86, 181–189(2017a).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icheatmasstransfer.2017.05.024
Nabil, M. F., Azmi, W. H., Hamid, K. A., Zawawi, N. N. M., Priyandoko, G. and Mamat, R., Thermo-physical properties of hybrid nanofluids and hybrid nanolubricants: A comprehensive review on performance, Int. Commun. Heat Mass Transf., 83, 30–39(2017b).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icheatmasstransfer.2017.03.008
Nair, V., Parekh, A. D., and Tailor, P. R., Experimental investigation of a vapour compression refrigeration system using R134a/Nano-oil mixture, Int. J. Refrig., 112,21–36(2020).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2019.12.009
Narayanasarma, S. and Kuzhiveli, B.T., Evaluation of the properties of POE/SiO2 nanolubricant for an energy-efficient refrigeration system – An experimental assessment, Powder Technol, 356, 1029–1044(2019).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2019.09.024
Ndoye, F. T., Schalbart, P., Leducq, D. and Alvarez, G., Numerical study of energy performance of nanofluids used in secondary loops of refrigeration systems, Int. J.Refrig.,52,122–132(2015).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2014.10.011
Ohunakin, O. S., Adelekan, D. S., Babarinde, T. O., Leramo, R. O., Abam, F. I. and Diarra, C. D., Experimental investigation of TiO2-, SiO2- and Al2O3-lubricants for a domestic refrigerator system using LPG as working fluid, Appl. Therm. Eng., 127, 1469–1477(2017).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2017.08.153
Ohunakin, O. S., Adelekan, D. S., Gill, J., Atayero, A. A., Atiba, O. E., Okokpujie, I. P. and Abam, F. I., Performance of a hydrocarbon driven domestic refrigerator based on varying concentration of SiO2 nano-lubricant, Int. J. Refrig., 94, 59–70(2018).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2018.07.022
Oluseyi, O. A., Daniel E. U., Mercy, O., Enesi, Y. S., Imhade, P. O., Stephan, A. A., Esther, T. A. and Felicia, T. O., Investigation of the Effect of R134a / Al2O3 – Nanofluid on the Performance of a Domestic Vapour Compression Refrigeration System, Procedia Manuf.,35,112–117(2019).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.promfg.2019.05.012
Padmanabhan, V. M. V. and Palanisamy, S., The use of TiO2 nanoparticles to reduce refrigerator ir-reversibility, Energy Convers. Manag., 59, 122–132(2012).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2012.03.002
Peng, H., Ding, G., Jiang, W., Hu, H. and Gao, Y., Measurement and correlation of frictional pressure drop of refrigerant-based nanofluid flow boiling inside a horizontal smooth tube, Int. J. Refrig., 32(7), 1756–1764(2009).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2009.06.005
Redhwan, A. A. M., Azmi, W. H., Sharif, M. Z. and Mamat, R., Development of nanorefrigerants for various types of refrigerant based: A comprehensive review on performance, Int. Commun. Heat Mass Transf.,76,285-293(2016).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icheatmasstransfer.2016.06.007
Santhana, K. R., Arulprakasajothi, M., Logesh, K., Dilip Raja, N. and Rajendra, M., Analysis and Feasibilty of Nano-Lubricant in Vapour Compression Refrigeration System, Mater. Today Proc., 5(9), 20580–20587(2018).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.matpr.2018.06.437
Sanukrishna, S. S., Muhammed, S., Maneesh, M. M. and Jose, P., Effect of SiO2 nanoparticles on the heat transfer characteristics of refrigerant and tribological behaviour of lubricant, Powder Technol., 356, 39–49(2019).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.powtec.2019.07.083
Sendil K., D. and Elansezhia, R., Experimental Study on Al2O3 -R134a nanorefrigerant in refrigeration System, Int. J. Modern Eng. Res., 2(5), 3927-3929(2012).
Sharif, M. Z., Azmi, W. H., Mamat, R. and Shaiful, A. I. M., Mechanism for improvement in refrigeration system performance by using nanorefrigerants and nanolubricants-A review, Int. Commun. Heat Mass Transf.,92,56–63(2018).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.icheatmasstransfer.2018.02.012
Subramani, N., Aswin, Mohan., J. and Prakash, M. Performance studies on a vapour compression refrigeration system using nano-lubricant, Int. J. Innov. Res. Sci. Eng. Technol., 2(1), 552-530(2013).
Sunder, L. S, Sharma, K. V., Manoj, K. S., Sousa, A. C. M., Hybrid nanofluids preparation, thermal properties, heat transfer and friction factor– A review, Renewable Sustainable Energy Rev., 68(1), 185-98 (2017).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.09.108
Vasconcelos, A. A., Cárdenas Gómez, A. O., Bandarra Filho, E. P. and Parise, J. A. R., Experimental evaluation of SWCNT-water nanofluid as a secondary fluid in a refrigeration system, Appl. Therm.Eng.,111,1487–1492(2017).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2016.06.126
Vijayan, D. S. and Senthilkumar, A., Advanced vapour compression refrigeration system dispersed with hybrid Nanolubricants: ANN-Based approach, Therm. Sci. Eng. Prog., 53, 102779(2024).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.tsep.2024.102779
Yang, S., Cui, X., Zhou, Y. and Chen, C., Study on the effect of graphene nanosheets refrigerant oil on domestic refrigerator performance, Int. J. Refrig., 110,187-195(2020).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2019.11.008
Yee, R. P. and Hermes, C. J. L., A thermodynamic study of water-based nanosuspensions as secondary heat transfer fluids in refrigeration systems, Int. J. Refrig., 89,104–111(2018).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2018.02.023
Zawawi, N. N. M., Azmi, W. H., Redhwan, A. A. M., Sharif, M. Z. and Samykano, M., Experimental investigation on thermo-physical properties of metal oxide composite nanolubricants, Int. J. Refrig., 8911-21(2018).
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2018.01.015
Zawawi, N. N. M., Azmi, W. H., Redhwan, A. A. M., Sharif, M. Z. and Sharma, K.V., Thermo-physical properties of Al2O3-SiO2/PAG composite nanolubricant for refrigeration system, Int. J. Refrig., 801-10(2017).
