Thermodynamic non-equilibrium flow of R600a at the outlet of a condenser of a vapor compression refrigeration cycle.

To keep in tandem with modern technologies, food storage became easier with domestic refrigerators. In domestic refrigerators, refrigerant phase behavior can be a fundamental problem especially in nonequilibrium conditions. In the refrigeration cycles for better cooling capacity and performance, condenser outlet refrigerant condition should be subcooled. In this study, an experimental apparatus of a refrigeration cycle with R600a as a refrigerant assembled. Also, experimental apparatus equipped with several
thermocouples, pressure instruments, ultrasonic device and transparent tube at the subcooled region to visualize the refrigerant state and calculating the void fraction. According to temperature and pressure results at condenser outlet, the refrigerant state should be subcooled but experimental results observed two-phase state. To recognize the thermodynamic state for R600a, a new alternative equation suggested defining the refrigerant enthalpy based on the void fraction. Also, for validation this equation, some experiments were conducted in the various operating conditions of the refrigeration system.