Review of Utilization of Alternative Energy for Refrigeration

Year : 2026 | Volume : 13 | Issue : 02 | Page : 25 35
By

Pravin Petkar,

Amar Kawale,

Praful Date,

Bhojraj Kale,

Sanjay Sajjanwar,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jhulelal Institute of Technology, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
  2. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jhulelal Institute of Technology, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
  3. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jhulelal Institute of Technology, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
  4. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jhulelal Institute of Technology, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
  5. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Jhulelal Institute of Technology, Nagpur, Maharashtra, India

Abstract

Refrigeration plays a vital role in modern life, with approximately 4.5 million refrigerators used worldwide each year. Most of these systems rely on conventional refrigerants such as R-12 and R-22. These chemicals create serious environmental effects such as they deplete the ozone layer and fuel climate change, largely because of their extremely high ozone depletion potential (ODP) and global warming potential (GWP). Growing environmental concerns and strict international regulations have made it essential to explore alternative refrigerants and sustainable refrigeration technologies. To address these issues, researchers are focusing on eco-friendly refrigerants that provide effective cooling performance while minimizing environmental impact. In addition to refrigerant substitution, the use of alternative energy sources and innovative refrigeration techniques has gained considerable attention. Technologies such as thermoelectric refrigeration, magnetic refrigeration, solar absorption systems, vortex tube refrigeration, and pulse tube refrigeration offer promising solutions. These systems operate without harmful refrigerants or significantly reduce their usage, making them environmentally sustainable, to avoid such problem it is necessary to use some alternative refrigerant which is eco friendly and which gives performance for refrigeration process with least effective cost. It also found that there are alternative source of energy which will use for refrigeration process, By using alternative source like thermoelectric, magnetic, solar absorption, vortex tube, pulse tube, refrigeration process can be done with effective performance and avoid the above said problem. This paper aims to focus on a thorough look at refrigeration’s history, spotlighting how it has evolved from conventional systems to cutting-edge, sustainable technologies It also examines various alternative energy-based refrigeration methods, their working principles, advantages, limitations, and potential applications. The study emphasizes the importance of adopting eco-friendly refrigeration technologies to achieve energy efficiency, environmental protection, and cost-effectiveness. Such advancements are crucial for developing sustainable cooling solutions to meet future global demands.

Keywords: Conventional refrigerant, eco-friendly, alternative refrigerant, global warming, environmental, sustainable

[This article belongs to Journal of Refrigeration, Air conditioning, Heating and ventilation ]

How to cite this article: Pravin Petkar, Amar Kawale, Praful Date, Bhojraj Kale, Sanjay Sajjanwar. Review of Utilization of Alternative Energy for Refrigeration. Journal of Refrigeration, Air conditioning, Heating and ventilation. 2026; 13(02):25-35.
How to cite this URL: Pravin Petkar, Amar Kawale, Praful Date, Bhojraj Kale, Sanjay Sajjanwar. Review of Utilization of Alternative Energy for Refrigeration. Journal of Refrigeration, Air conditioning, Heating and ventilation. 2026; 13(02):25-35. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jorachv/article=2026/view=261322

References

1. Pearson SF. Refrigeration past, present and future. Star Refrigeration.
2. United Nations Environment Programme. Report of the Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pump Technology Options Committee. 2002.
3. International Institute of Refrigeration. Fluorocarbon and global warming. 12th informatory note of the IIR. July 1997.
4. Lommers CA. AC & R industry refrigerant selection guide. January 2003.
5. United Nations Environment Programme. Montreal Protocol on substances that deplete the ozone layer: final act. New York: United Nations Environment Programme; 1987.
6. Rachidi T, Bernatchou A, Charia ML, Loutfi H. New fluids as substitute refrigerants of R-12. Sol Energy Mater Sol Cells. 1997.
7. Lorentzen G. The use of natural refrigerants: a complete solution to the CFC/HFC predicament. Int J Refrig. 1995.
8. Jung D, Kim CB, Lim BH. Testing of a hydrocarbon mixture in domestic refrigerators. ASHRAE Trans. 1996.
9. Ranque GJ. Experiments on expansion in a vortex tube with simultaneous exhaust of hot and cold air. Bull Bi-Mens Soc Fr Phys. 1933.
10. Hilsch R. The use of expansion of gases in centrifugal cooling process. Rev Sci Instrum. 1947.
11. Hartnett JP, Eckert ERG. Experimental study of velocity and temperature distribution in high velocity vortex type of flow. Trans ASME. 1957.
12. Rott N. Damped and thermally driven acoustic oscillations in wide and narrow tubes. Z Angew
Math Phys. 1967.
13. Rott N. Thermally driven acoustic oscillations, part III: second-order heat flux. Z Angew Math Phys. 1975.
14. Rott N. Thermoacoustics. Adv Appl Mech. 1980.
15. Yazaki T, Tominaga A, Narahara Y. Experiments on thermally driven acoustic oscillations of gaseous helium. J Low Temp Phys. 1980.
16. Rayleigh L. The explanation of certain acoustical phenomena. Nature. 1878.
17. Feldman KT. Review of the literature on Sondhauss thermoacoustic phenomena. J Sound Vib. 1968.
18. Zinn B. Pulsating combustion. In: Weinberg FJ, editor. Advanced combustion methods. London: Academic Press; 1986.
19. Hofler T, Wheatley JC, Swift GW, Migliori A. Acoustic cooling engine. US Patent No. 4,722,201. 1988.
20. Gifford WE, Longsworth RC. Pulse tube refrigeration progress. Adv Cryog Eng. 1965.
21. Mikulin EL, Tarasov AA, Shkrebyonock MP. Low-temperature expansion pulse tubes. Adv Cryog Eng. 1984.
22. Radebaugh R. A review of pulse tube refrigeration. Adv Cryog Eng. 1990;35:1191-1205.
23. Gschneidner K, Pecharsky V, Zimm C. Magnetic cooling for appliances. In: International Appliance Technical Conference Proceedings; 1999 May. p. 144.
24. Gschneidner K, Pecharsky V. The giant magnetocaloric effect in Gd5(SixGe1-x)4 materials for magnetic refrigeration. In: Advances in cryogenic engineering. New York (NY): Plenum Press; 1998.
25. Butler G, Gigiel A, Russell S. Heating and cooling of buildings with air cycles. In: Proceedings of the Institute of Refrigeration; 2000.
26. Gigiel A, Russell S, Butler DG. Air conditioning system in building using air cycle technique: design and application guide. London: CRC Ltd; 2001.
27. Butler D. Life after CFCs and HFCs. In: CIBSE National Conference; 2001.
28. Miner SM. An appraisal of ammonia as an alternative refrigerant in light of CFC and GWP situation. International Institute of Ammonia Refrigeration Technical Paper. 1992.
29. Building Research Establishment. Ammonia refrigerant in buildings: minimizing the hazards. BRE Information Paper IP 18/00. July 2000.
30. ACRI. Guideline for use of hydrocarbon refrigeration in static refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Carshalton: ACRI Board; 2001.
31. Meyer A. The success of hydrocarbons in domestic refrigeration: energy efficiency and environmentally friendly. International Institute of Refrigeration Commission. 1993.
32. Liu Z, Haider I. Test result of hydrocarbon mixture in domestic refrigeration. 2005.


Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 13
Issue 02
Received 20/03/2026
Accepted 01/06/2026
Published 22/06/2026
Publication Time 94 Days


Login

My IP

PlumX Metrics

Support