Assessment of LPG as a possible alternative to R-12 in domestic refrigerators

In this paper, experimental results on the performance of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) as a possible substitute for refrigerant R-12 in domestic refrigerators are presented. LPG is obtained from the local market with the composition of about 30% propane, 55% n-butane and 15% iso-butane by mass fraction. The domestic refrigerator used was designed to work on R-12. Various mass charges of 50, 80 and 100 g of LPG were used during this study. The results show that LPG compares very well to R-12. For example, the coefficient of performance was higher for all mass charges at evaporator temperatures lower than -15 degreesC. Overall, it was found that a mass charge of 80 g of LPG had the best results when used in this refrigerator. The condenser was kept at a constant temperature of 47 degreesC. Cooling capacities were obtained. They were in the order of about three- to fourfold higher for LPG than those for R-12. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.