Thermodynamic Analysis of Single-Stage Vapour Compression Refrigeration System in Nigeria Using Natural Refrigerants

Abstract

Refrigeration systems play a critical role in various sectors of Nigeria’s economy, particularly in food preservation, healthcare, and industrial processes. However, the use of conventional synthetic refrigerants, which contribute significantly to global warming and ozone depletion, poses environmental challenges. This study presents a thermodynamic analysis of single-stage vapor compression refrigeration systems in Nigeria, focusing on the use of natural refrigerants as eco-friendly alternatives to identify eco-friendly refrigerant alternatives for Nigeria’s climate. This study conducts a thermodynamic analysis of single-stage vapor compression refrigeration systems in Nigeria, evaluating natural refrigerants such as ammonia (R-717), propane (R-290), and isobutane (R-600a) as alternatives to synthetic refrigerants that contribute to global warming and ozone depletion. Using Engineering Equation Solver (EES) software, the study assesses the impact of varying operational conditions on the coefficient of performance (COP) for each refrigerant The effect in the variation of five operating parameters of refrigeration system such as Condensing Temperature (TC), Evaporating Temperature (TE), Subcooling Temperature (TSub), Superheating Temperature (TSup) and refrigerant mass flow rate ( ) on the Coefficient of Performance (COP) of are R-600a, R-600, R-717 and R-290 refrigeration systems were investigated and performance comparison was made to get the most suitable replacement for the older systems. The results showed that R-717 yields the highest coefficient of performance of 3.858 when evaporating temperature (TE) is 0oC while R-290 (Propane) gave the lowest Coefficient of Performance of 3.555 when evaporating Tempearture (TE) is 0 o­­C. The results showed that as TC increases from 30 oC to 80 oC, COP decreased for all the four refrigerants. As TE decreases, COP reduced, also COP increased as TSub increases from 0 oC to 20 oC. COP of R-717 is consistently higher than that of the other three natural refrigerants. Findings reveal that R-717 yields the highest COP under Nigerian climatic conditions, positioning it as a promising, eco-friendly replacement. This research supports efforts to adopt sustainable refrigerants in Nigeria, contributing to climate goals and guiding policy and industry stakeholders in selecting efficient refrigerants for high-temperature regions.