This paper represents review with the issue of CFC substitution in small reciprocating compressor for domestic appliance. Most of early effort CFC phase out has been led to HFCs, HCs and their mixture. Performance of reciprocating compressor is increased by using different eco-friendly refrigerants. Performance in term of compressor capacity, compression ratio, volumetric efficiency, isentropic efficiency, refrigeration capacity, compressor work is evaluated for the investigated refrigerant at various evaporating and condensing temperatures. The system performance increases as the evaporating temperature increases, but reduces as the condensing temperature increases. Eco-friendly refrigerant R-134a and R-152a have thermodynamics performance similar to R-12 and also 152a offers the best desirable environmental requirements, Zero ozone depleting potential and very low global warming potential (GWP) while HCs has no ODP and negligible GWP than CFCs/HCFCs and better miscibility with mineral oil and POE.
Keyword: Reciprocating compressor, eco-friendly refrigerant, lubricating oil
Article published in International Journal of Thermal Technologies, Vol.2, No.2 (June 2012)