Performance Analysis of Pure Iron Nanofluid-Based Refrigerants in Cooling Applications

In the present work, the thermal efficiency of pure iron-based nanofluids has been explored as a possible refrigerant in refrigeration applications. Pure iron nanoparticles were prepared via chemical reduction technique and suspended in a typical base fluid to achieve stable nanofluids of different concentrations (0.05–0.5 wt%). Detailed characterization through methods like XRD, TEM, and DLS was carried out to identify nanoparticle structure, crystalline nature, and size distribution. Thermophysical properties of the nanofluids such as thermal conductivity, viscosity, and specific heat were measured and analyzed experimentally. The performance of the nanofluid refrigerants was tested in a modified vapor compression refrigeration system. Results showed considerable improvement in the COP of the system with thermal conductivity improvements of up to 18% and little negative impact on viscosity. These studies indicate that pure iron nanofluids can be used as effective and ecologically friendly substitutes for conventional refrigerants, providing enhanced heat transfer for emerging technologies in cooling.