| Summary: | This paper presents the performance of a minibar domestic refrigerator operating with and without nanoparticles of alumina oxide, Al2O3. The Al2O3 nanoparticles were
mixed with polyolester (POE) lubricant to form nano-lubricant at 0.2% concentration by
volume and were prepared via a two-step method. The nano-lubricant was introduced into the refrigerator at different refrigerant charges ranging from 36 to 44 psi. The
evaluation was carried out by determining the general performance in terms of refrigeration capacity (QL), compressor work, coefficient of performance (COP), and the
power and energy consumption of the system working with both lubricants, POE-Al2O3 and POE. The refrigerator attained its optimum operating level at 42 psi for both. It also
worked normally and safely with POE-Al2O3 lubricant during the experiment. The
performance of the refrigerator operating with POE-Al2O3 was improved compared with
the system working with POE in terms of energy consumption and COP. The energy
consumption of the refrigeration system with POE-Al2O3 at optimum refrigerant charge
was the minimum and maximum COP of 321 Wh and 2.67. The highest percentage of
energy consumption reduction was 2.1% at the optimum refrigerant charge. Thus, the
addition of Al2O3 nanoparticles to the base fluid (POE) gave better performance and
reduction of power consumption.
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