A DIY enthusiast built a test rig to evaluate the performance of different refrigerants (R600/N-Butane, R134a, R290/propane) and capillary tube diameters in vapor-compression refrigeration systems. The rig measures coefficient of performance (COP) across these variables, also covering compressor selection and oil type. Testing with R134a and butane yielded a COP of 2.0–2.5. The project is designed to be replicable by hobbyists using salvaged components.
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