Thermal Performance Enhancement of Ice Plants Using Nano particles Mixed with POE

The ice plant employs the vapor compression refrigeration (VCR) cycle to produce large-scale ice by filling standard water cans and submerging them in rectangular brine-filled tanks. This study focuses on optimizing cycle performance and minimizing compressor input through the integration of nanoparticles with superior thermal conductivity. Specifically, performance analysis is conducted by introducing varying concentrations of multiwalled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) (0.2 g/L, 0.3 g/L, 0.4 g/L, and 0.5 g/L) uniformly dispersed in 200 mL of polyolester (POE) lubricating oil, coupled with 150 g, 175 g, and 200 g of R134a refrigerant in separate experiments. Utilizing REFPROP 10.0 for precise refrigerant property determination, critical parameters such as pull-down time, freezing capacity, compressor work, and coefficient of performance (COP) are evaluated. Results reveal that, for 200 g of R134a with 200 mL of POE, the addition of MWCNTs significantly reduces pull-down time and compressor input by 16.32% and 19.25%, respectively, compared to the baseline with pure refrigerant. Furthermore, the system demonstrates notable enhancements, with cooling capacity increasing by 11.72% and COP improving by 25.41%, showcasing the substantial potential of nanoparticle augmentation in ice plant efficiency.