Experimental investigation of Fe3O4 nano-oil and outdoor temperature effects on a 5-ton R22 vapor compression chiller performance

Abstract Nanofluids have demonstrated significant potential to improve the efficiency of heat transfer systems, particularly in refrigeration applications. This study experimentally investigates the effects of Fe3O4 nanoparticles (0.15% mass fraction) dispersed in POE RL32-3MAF compressor oil on the...

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Main Authors: Mahdi Mohseni, Amir Hossein Fathollahi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-07-01
Series:Scientific Reports
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07567-5
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author Mahdi Mohseni
Amir Hossein Fathollahi
author_facet Mahdi Mohseni
Amir Hossein Fathollahi
author_sort Mahdi Mohseni
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Nanofluids have demonstrated significant potential to improve the efficiency of heat transfer systems, particularly in refrigeration applications. This study experimentally investigates the effects of Fe3O4 nanoparticles (0.15% mass fraction) dispersed in POE RL32-3MAF compressor oil on the performance of a 5-ton R22 vapor compression chiller, alongside the impact of outdoor temperature variations (33–39 °C). System parameters were monitored at four critical points in the refrigeration cycle (evaporator outlet, compressor outlet, condenser outlet, and expansion valve outlet) under both nanofluid-enhanced and base oil conditions. Key findings reveal that the nanolubricant enhances cooling capacity by 5% and improves the coefficient of performance (COP) by 2% on average, despite a marginal 3% increase in compressor power consumption. Outdoor temperature exhibited a pronounced influence, with each 2 °C rise reducing COP by approximately 10%. Furthermore, the compressor’s electrical input power consistently exceeded its thermodynamic power by 10%, with the discrepancy intensifying at higher ambient temperatures. These results highlight the dual role of nanolubricants in boosting system efficiency while mitigating performance degradation under thermal load variations.
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spelling doaj-art-4712c8a8809b49c58e291b6296b3110b2025-08-20T03:37:31ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-07-0115111810.1038/s41598-025-07567-5Experimental investigation of Fe3O4 nano-oil and outdoor temperature effects on a 5-ton R22 vapor compression chiller performanceMahdi Mohseni0Amir Hossein Fathollahi1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Qom University of TechnologyDepartment of Mechanical Engineering, Qom University of TechnologyAbstract Nanofluids have demonstrated significant potential to improve the efficiency of heat transfer systems, particularly in refrigeration applications. This study experimentally investigates the effects of Fe3O4 nanoparticles (0.15% mass fraction) dispersed in POE RL32-3MAF compressor oil on the performance of a 5-ton R22 vapor compression chiller, alongside the impact of outdoor temperature variations (33–39 °C). System parameters were monitored at four critical points in the refrigeration cycle (evaporator outlet, compressor outlet, condenser outlet, and expansion valve outlet) under both nanofluid-enhanced and base oil conditions. Key findings reveal that the nanolubricant enhances cooling capacity by 5% and improves the coefficient of performance (COP) by 2% on average, despite a marginal 3% increase in compressor power consumption. Outdoor temperature exhibited a pronounced influence, with each 2 °C rise reducing COP by approximately 10%. Furthermore, the compressor’s electrical input power consistently exceeded its thermodynamic power by 10%, with the discrepancy intensifying at higher ambient temperatures. These results highlight the dual role of nanolubricants in boosting system efficiency while mitigating performance degradation under thermal load variations.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07567-5Mini compression chillerOutdoor temperatureNanolubricantExperimental studyCOP
spellingShingle Mahdi Mohseni
Amir Hossein Fathollahi
Experimental investigation of Fe3O4 nano-oil and outdoor temperature effects on a 5-ton R22 vapor compression chiller performance
Scientific Reports
Mini compression chiller
Outdoor temperature
Nanolubricant
Experimental study
COP
title Experimental investigation of Fe3O4 nano-oil and outdoor temperature effects on a 5-ton R22 vapor compression chiller performance
title_full Experimental investigation of Fe3O4 nano-oil and outdoor temperature effects on a 5-ton R22 vapor compression chiller performance
title_fullStr Experimental investigation of Fe3O4 nano-oil and outdoor temperature effects on a 5-ton R22 vapor compression chiller performance
title_full_unstemmed Experimental investigation of Fe3O4 nano-oil and outdoor temperature effects on a 5-ton R22 vapor compression chiller performance
title_short Experimental investigation of Fe3O4 nano-oil and outdoor temperature effects on a 5-ton R22 vapor compression chiller performance
title_sort experimental investigation of fe3o4 nano oil and outdoor temperature effects on a 5 ton r22 vapor compression chiller performance
topic Mini compression chiller
Outdoor temperature
Nanolubricant
Experimental study
COP
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-07567-5
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AT amirhosseinfathollahi experimentalinvestigationoffe3o4nanooilandoutdoortemperatureeffectsona5tonr22vaporcompressionchillerperformance