Thermodynamic Analysis of R152a and Dimethylether Refrigerant Mixtures in Refrigeration System

R-134a is currently used as the refrigerant in refrigerator replacing the ozone depleting refrigerant R-12. Although R134a has no Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP), it has a relatively larger Global Warming Potential (GWP) of 1300. In an effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, R-152a (difluoroethane) (GWP 130) and Hydrocarbons (GWP 20) are being considered as a replacement for R-134a. HC blend has a zero ODP and a negligible GWP. The only drawback of HC blend is the temperature glide. The drawbacks of using R-152a and HC blend with respect to GWP and temperature glide can be overcome by the refrigerant DME. The present paper presents the results of a thermodynamic study of new eco-friendly refrigerant blends of R-152a and DME. It was carried out for a single-stage vapor compression refrigeration system. These new refrigerants are generally azeotropic. Some of these new mixtures have better thermodynamic properties than those of pure R-152a. RefProp software has been used to determine the thermodynamic properties of the refrigerant blends. In this analysis, experimental validation of the new refrigerant mixture (60% DME + 40% R-152a) is carried out in domestic refrigerator. The results are better than those of R-152a and R-134a.