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Energy Performance Evaluation of a Refrigeration System under Synthesized Biodegradable Material Enhancement
Authors:
Olanrewaju Solomon Banjo1
, Zhongjie Huan1
,
Solomzi Ngalonkulu1
1Department of Mechanical and Mechatronics Engineering, Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria 0183, South Africa
Received: 27 March 2026
Revised: 22 July 2026
Accepted: 5 August 2026
Published: 23 September 2026
Abstract:
This study investigates the impact of optimizing refrigeration systems using an environmentally friendly refrigerant, isobutane (R600a), which has a low global warming potential (GWP) and zero ozone depletion potential (ODP), coupled with bio-nanofluid. The utilization of this natural refrigerant, combined with a bio-nanofluid developed from agricultural produce, introduces the innovative concept of this study and has the potential to enhance the global market. The incorporation of synthesized biodegradable waste significantly enhances the performance characteristics, including the coefficient of performance (COP), reduced compressor energy consumption, and improved refrigerating effect (RE). Bio-nanoparticles from mango peels (MP) and mango leaves (ML) were extracted using aluminium sulphate (Al₂(SO₄)₃) as the inorganic salt, and experimental examination was achieved with 0.1, 0.5, and 1.0% volume concentrations of the bio-nanofluid. The vapour compression refrigeration system (VCRS) performance was evaluated under an ambient temperature value of 26 °C. The results indicate that the system’s performance operating with a 0.5% volume concentration of aluminium oxide (Al₂O₃) nanoparticles from MP improved significantly compared to the base fluid, with 62% COP enhancement and 17.6% reduction in energy consumption. The lowest evaporator temperature of -23 °C was attained in 120 min.
Keywords:
Nanofluid, GWP, Energy consumption, COP, ODP, Bionanoparticle
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© 2026 by the authors. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License (CC BY-NC 4.0)
Volume 11
Number 3
September 2026
Last Edition
Volume 11
Number 3
September 2026
How to Cite
O.S. Banjo, Z. Huan, S. Ngalonkulu, Energy Performance Evaluation of a Refrigeration System Under Synthesized Biodegradable Material Enhancement. Applied Engineering Letters, 11(3), 2026: 143-153.
https://doi.org/10.46793/aeletters.2026.11.3.3
More Citation Formats
Banjo, O.S., Huan, Z., & Ngalonkulu, S. (2026). Energy Performance Evaluation of a Refrigeration System Under Synthesized Biodegradable Material Enhancement. Applied Engineering Letters, 11(3), 143-153.
https://doi.org/10.46793/aeletters.2026.11.3.3
Banjo, Olanrewaju Solomon, et al. “Energy Performance Evaluation of a Refrigeration System Under Synthesized Biodegradable Material Enhancement.“ Applied Engineering Letters, vol. 11, no. 3, 2026, 143-153.
https://doi.org/10.46793/aeletters.2026.11.3.3
Banjo, Olanrewaju Solomon, Zhongjie Huan, and Solomzi Ngalonkulu. 2026. “Energy Performance Evaluation of a Refrigeration System Under Synthesized Biodegradable Material Enhancement.“ Applied Engineering Letters, 11 (3): 143-153.
https://doi.org/10.46793/aeletters.2026.11.3.3
Banjo, O.S., Huan, Z., and Ngalonkulu, S. (2026). Energy Performance Evaluation of a Refrigeration System Under Synthesized Biodegradable Material Enhancement. Applied Engineering Letters, 11(3), pp. 143-153.
doi: 10.46793/aeletters.2026.11.3.3.