The present article experimentally examines the application of ZnO nanoparticles in refrigeration cycle. Nanoparticles overcome the energy consumption issue by improving the compressor lubrication characteristics. In this study, the ZnO nanolubricant is proposed as a promising lubricant to improve the lubrication characteristics of domestic refrigerator compressors. Effect on compressor suction-discharge characteristics as well as energy consumption of refrigeration cycle has been observed using ZnO nanoparticles with pure refrigerant (Liquid Petroleum Gas). The physics involved behind the communication of nanoparticles with base refrigerant has been more clarified by performing tribological tests (i.e., measurement of viscosity and friction coefficient) of compressor lubricant for dissimilar fractions of nanoparticles. Thermal conductivity test on lubricant with distinct fractions of nanoparticles has also been conducted. The results showed that ZnO nanoparticles additive in mineral oil increases the viscosity which leads to a significant reduction in friction coefficient inside the compressor piston cylinder assembly which leads to a significant improvement in compressor energy consumption. The friction coefficient of nanolubricant with fraction of 0.7 g/L are about 11.1–25% lower than that of base lubricant. The compressor energy consumption was saved about 0.44–10% for employing ZnO nanolubricant with a mass fraction about 0.1 g/L to 0.7 g/L. Thermal conductivity was significantly enhanced (about 41%) using ZnO nanoparticles in mineral oil. The results of the present study assure better, effective and suitable performance of LPG as alternative refrigerant in refrigeration cycles.

本文通过实验研究了ZnO纳米颗粒在制冷循环中的应用。纳米颗粒通过改善压缩机的润滑特性克服了能耗问题。在这项研究中，ZnO纳米润滑剂被认为是改善家用冰箱压缩机润滑特性的有前途的润滑剂。使用具有纯制冷剂（液化石油气）的ZnO纳米颗粒，已观察到对压缩机吸气排放特性以及制冷循环能耗的影响。通过对不同纳米颗粒级分的压缩机润滑剂进行摩擦学测试（即，粘度和摩擦系数的测量），可以使纳米颗粒与基础制冷剂之间的连通所涉及的物理学更加清晰。还对具有不同比例的纳米颗粒的润滑剂进行了导热系数测试。结果表明，矿物油中的ZnO纳米粒子添加剂会增加粘度，从而导致压缩机活塞缸组件内部的摩擦系数显着降低，从而显着改善压缩机能耗。分数为0.7 g / L的纳米润滑剂的摩擦系数比基础润滑剂低约11.1–25％。使用质量分数约为0.1 g / L至0.7 g / L的ZnO纳米润滑剂，可以节省压缩机能耗约0.44–10％。在矿物油中使用ZnO纳米颗粒可显着提高热导率（约41％）。本研究的结果确保更好，