Performance Enhancement of a Vapor Compression Refrigeration System Using Al2O3, CuO, and Their Hybrid Nanoparticles

This study presents a comparative analysis of the performance of a vapor compression refrigeration (VCR) system enhanced with Al2O3, CuO, and hybrid Al2O3-CuO nanoparticles, each introduced at a fixed mass fraction of 1%. The objective is to evaluate the influence of different nanoparticle formulations on key performance metrics, including the coefficient of performance (COP), compressor work, and Carnot efficiency. The nanoparticles are dispersed within a secondary cooling loop and tested under steady-state operating conditions. Thermodynamic parameters are recorded for each configuration, and calculations are performed to determine the actual COP and energy input. Results show that Al2O3 nanoparticles enhance the COP by 22.99% and reduce compressor work by 21.65%. CuO nanoparticles achieve an even greater improvement, with a 60.73% increase in COP, thereby demonstrating superior thermal performance. Notably, the hybrid Al2O3-CuO nanoparticles exhibit a synergistic effect, delivering the most significant performance gains, including a reduction in compressor work of up to 30.4%. These findings highlight the potential of hybrid nanoparticles to enhance the energy efficiency and operational reliability of refrigeration systems. This work contributes to the advancement of nano-enhanced thermal systems and provides a foundation for future development of environmentally friendly, high-efficiency cooling technologies.