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Performance improvement in mobile air conditioning system using Al2O3/PAG nanolubricant

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Abstract

This paper presents the investigation of Al2O3/PAG nanolubricant performance for a compact vehicle mobile air conditioning (MAC) system. The Al2O3/PAG nanolubricant in this study is prepared by using two-step preparation method and stabilized using 4-Step UV–Vis Spectral Absorbency Analysis. An enhancement in the coefficient of performance (COP), reduction in compressor work, and enhancement in the cooling capacity of MAC employing Al2O3/PAG nanolubricant are recorded up to 31%, 26% and 32%, respectively, for 0.010% volume concentration. The current MAC performance is compared with MAC employing SiO2/PAG nanolubricant from previous study. The comparison shows that the Al2O3/PAG nanolubricant has better performance in term of cooling capacity, compressor work, and COP at an average of 6%, 8%, and 33%, respectively. Therefore, the finding from this study suggests Al2O3/PAG nanolubricant with a volume concentration of 0.010% as an optimum and best performance nanolubricant for MAC systems.

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Abbreviations

ANOVA:

Analysis of variance

ASHRAE:

American society of heating, refrigerating and air conditioning engineers

COP:

Coefficient of performance

C p :

Specific heat for water at 303 to 313 K

TEM:

Transmission electron microscopy

MAC:

Mobile air conditioning

m :

Mass (kg)

\(\dot{m}\) :

Water mass flow rate

\(\dot{m}_{\text{r}}\) :

Refrigerant mass flow rate

MO:

Mineral oil

m RC :

Initial refrigerant charge (g)

n :

Number of population

PAG:

Polyalkylene glycol

\(q_{\text{L}}\) :

Heat absorb, kJ kg−1

\(\dot{Q}_{\text{L}}\) :

Cooling capacity (kW) at refrigerant side

\(\dot{Q}_{\text{w}}\) :

Cooling capacity of (kW) from the calorimetric bath calculation

rpm:

Revolution per minute

RSE:

Relative standard error (%)

S err :

Standard error

SAE:

Society of automotive engineers

SS:

Sum of squares

T :

Temperature, K

T in :

Average temperature for water inlet

T out :

Average temperature for water outlet

TXV:

Thermostatic expansion valve

TEM:

Transmission electron microscopy

VCRS:

Vapor compression refrigeration cycle

w in :

Compressor work, kJ kg−1

\(\phi\) :

Volume concentration (%)

\(\phi_{\text{o}}\) :

Initial concentration

\(\phi_{\text{r}}\) :

Concentration ratio

\(\rho\) :

Density (kg m−3)

\(\sigma\) :

Standard deviation for sample

L :

Lubricant

P :

Nanoparticle

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Acknowledgements

The authors are grateful to the Universiti Malaysia Pahang (www.ump.edu.my) for financial supports given under RDU1603110. This research also supported by UMP Flagship Research Grant under RDU172204. The authors also thank to the research team from Automotive Engineering Centre (EAC) and Advanced Automotive Liquids Laboratory (A2LL), who provided insight and expertise that greatly assisted in the present research work.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Mechanical Engineering, Universiti Malaysia Pahang, 26600, Pekan, Pahang, Malaysia

    A. A. M. Redhwan, W. H. Azmi, M. Z. Sharif & M. Samykano

  2. Faculty of Bioengineering and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Kelantan, Locked Bag 100, 17600, Jeli, Kelantan, Malaysia

    R. Mamat

  3. Faculty of Manufacturing Engineering Technology, TATI University College, 24000, Kemaman, Terengganu, Malaysia

    A. A. M. Redhwan

  4. Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

    G. Najafi

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  1. A. A. M. Redhwan
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Correspondence to W. H. Azmi.

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Redhwan, A.A.M., Azmi, W.H., Sharif, M.Z. et al. Performance improvement in mobile air conditioning system using Al2O3/PAG nanolubricant. J Therm Anal Calorim 135, 1299–1310 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-018-7656-2

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