Performance of MoFe2O4–NiFe2O4/Fullerene-added nano-oil applied in the domestic refrigerator compressors

• The preparation method for MoFe2O4–NiFe2O4 nano-oil and MoFe2O4–NiFe2O4-Fullerene(C60–C70) nano-oil are described.
• The different preparation approaches produce nano-oil with different tribological properties.
• The effect of the nano-oils on the performance of refrigerator compressors depends on the refrigerant.
• Use of the appropriate preparation approach for nano-oil for the compressor can improve the performance of refrigerators.

In this work, two kinds of mineral based nano-oils were prepared and their lubricant properties tested. These nano-oils were used in a domestic refrigerator compressor and the performance of the refrigeratizon system was measured. It was found that the performance of the refrigerator compressor depends on the working fluid used in the compressor. When the working fluid R134a is used in the compressor, the two kinds of mineral based nano-oil behave similarly. However, the coefficient of performance is improved if R600a is used in the refrigerator compressor. The MoFe2O4–NiFe2O4 nano-oil(No.1) makes the biggest impact on the refrigeration performance for a compressor using R600a as the working fluid. In this case, the COP is increased by 5.33%. These results suggest that it may be possible to enhance the energy efficiency and reliability of refrigerators using nano-oil as long as the appropriate preparation approach for the nano-oil is selected.