Experimental investigation on the effect of geometrical configuration of suction and discharge tube across the sub-units of propane-based vapor compression air-conditioning unit

Researchers across the globe are looking forward to find alternative solutions from the perspective of environmental impact and sustainability relative to conventional refrigerants. In this regard, propane appears to be a feasible choice. This work experimentally investigates the propane-based vapor compression system for the air-conditioning. The performance of the modified cycle employing propane has been investigated under various operating conditions (geometrical configuration of suction and discharge tubes across cycle sub-units). For a given range of temperature at evaporator outlet, coefficient of performance (COP) varies between 3.2–4.4 (finned spiral tube) as compared to 2.6–3.4 (bend tube) and 2.6–3.0 (spiral tube). Notably, the arrangement of a straight tube at the suction line and a finned spiral tube at the discharge line provides the lowest COP (4.36), whereas the arrangement that is precisely the opposite, yields highest COP (4.94). Furthermore, from the perspective of HVAC industry this study demonstrates that fins added to the suction line will improve performance and may increase the overall cooling performance of the set-up.