Performance evaluation of sorption compressor based J-T refrigerator using R134a and mixture refrigerants as working fluids

The idea of adsorption based refrigerator was conceived in the year 1961 by Vickers. The present work reports development of a sorption compressor based J-T refrigerator with R134a alone as a working fluid and a three component mixture of R134a, Ethane and Methane. Commercially available activated carbon, obtained from coconut shell, is used as an adsorbent. The reported compressor is a four cell structure and uses isenthalpic expansion of R134a for cooling purpose. A lowest temperature of −8°C is obtained giving 5 W of refrigeration effect for R134a. The work is further extended to study the effect of various parameters like adsorption-desorption cycle time, heater power input and capillary tube length on the low temperature obtained from the refrigerator. Experiments are then carried out using a three component mixed refrigerant, a low temperature of −54°C at no load is achieved. Also a continuous trouble-free operation is observed.