Vapor–liquid equilibrium measurements and assessments of fluoroethane + N,N-dimethylformamide and fluoroethane + dimethylether diethylene glycol systems for the hybrid refrigeration cycle

• VLE data of R161 + DMF/DMEDEG systems were measured between 293.15 K and 353.15 K.
• All the experimental data were correlated by NRTL activity coefficient model.
• Hybrid refrigeration cycle was evaluated based on R161 + DMF and R161 + DMEDEG.
• R161 + DMEDEG was selected as a better option for hybrid refrigeration cycle.

This study aimed to develop novel working pairs for the hybrid refrigeration cycle. To this end, the vapor–liquid equilibrium data of fluoroethane (R161) + N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) and R161 + dimethylether diethylene glycol (DMEDEG) systems were obtained from 293.15 K to 353.15 K. Experimental data were correlated using the nonrandom two-liquid (NRTL) activity coefficient model. The average relative pressure deviations are 1.33% and 1.45%, and the maximum relative pressure deviations are 3.68% and 3.90%, respectively. Experimental results show that the two binary mixtures exhibit negative deviations from Raoult's law. Finally, the performance of R161 + DMF, R161 + DMEDEG, and R134a + DMF systems were simulated and evaluated based on the hybrid refrigeration cycle. Results show that both R161 + DMF and R161 + DMEDEG systems are potential working pairs for the hybrid refrigeration cycle, and the R161 + DMEDEG system is better.