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Go to Editorial ManagerA household refrigerator represents an essential device for all houses nowadays. The electric energy consumed by the refrigerator and the fluctuation of the temperature inside the fresh food cabin is the main two problems affecting its performance. Incorporating phase change material (PCM) inside the refrigerator is one of the solutions for the previous mentioned problems. In the present study, a water PCM is added to the cabinet of 220-litters double door refrigerator. The PCM (0.5 ml of water) is added at three different locations, touch the front of the evaporator part inside the cabin, touch the rear of the evaporator part in the cabin, and far away from the evaporator part inside the cabin. The location of the PCM determines how much energy is released and stored from the evaporator. The use of phase change material (PCM) touch to the evaporator increases the rate of heat transfer due to the conduction method being used throughout the whole heat transfer process from the evaporator to the phase change material (PCM), which raises the refrigeration system's COP (coefficient of performance). The experimental test period is 24 hours for each day. Firstly, the refrigerator is tested without using PCM, and the power consumption, the temperatures at different points for the refrigerator, suction pressure, discharge pressure, the ambient temperature, and the time on period and time off period of the compressor are measured. Secondly, for same testing period all previous parameters are measured with using PCM at different locations inside the refrigerator. The results show that, adding the PCM (water) behind the evaporator led to increase the COP by 21.97%, increase the compressor off time by 73 minutes, reduction in power consumption of 14.4%, decrease of exergy losses of the system by 8% and temperature fluctuation reduced inside the fresh food cabin, that enhance the quality of stored food. Adding the PCM front the evaporator improve the previous parameters but less than that of the first case. The third location, adding the PCM far away from the evaporator has no improvement on the refrigerator's performance.
This study presents both experimental and theoretical investigations of an absorption refrigeration system using environmentally friendly working fluids, specifically the acetone–zinc bromide (Acetone/ZnBr₂) pair. The system was designed to operate under outdoor climatic conditions in Hilla City, Iraq, utilizing hot water as the heat source. Performance evaluation was carried out under various operating conditions, including changes in heat source, absorber, condenser, and evaporator temperatures. Experimental testing was conducted during September 2019. The results indicated that the coefficient of performance (COP) of the absorption cooling system ranged from 0.13 to 0.487, with an evaporator temperature drop of approximately 16 °C. Condensation and absorption temperatures remained below 41 °C, while the maximum driving water temperature reached 80 °C. A steady-state theoretical model was developed using the Engineering Equation Solver (EES) program, applying mass and energy balance equations to predict operating parameters such as temperature, pressure, and COP. Model predictions showed good agreement with the experimental measurements. Furthermore, the results confirmed that generator temperature has a significant influence on overall system performance.
The thermal performance of an absorption refrigeration system powered by solar pond heat was studied, simulated, and evaluated under the climatic conditions of Basra, Iraq. The simulation used MATLAB to solve the heat and mass transfer equations within the three layers of the solar pond (assuming NaCl as the salinity gradient medium) and linked them via a heat exchanger to the absorption refrigeration system to determine the temperatures supplied to the absorption cycle. The absorption cooling system operates on a lithium bromide-water pair and contains an internal heat exchanger between the generator and absorber with an assumed efficiency of 80%. The simulation was conducted over several months of the year, from March to October, and daily climatic variables such as solar radiation and ambient temperature specific to Basra were considered, allowing the system's performance to be evaluated under realistic climatic conditions. The objective was to evaluate the coefficient of performance (COP) of absorption refrigeration systems and demonstrate the feasibility of using solar ponds as a sustainable heat source for cooling in hot regions. The study demonstrated the feasibility of operating an absorption refrigeration system using the thermal energy stored in the lower layer of the solar pond, while maintaining good thermal stability in that layer throughout the day, especially in areas with high solar radiation, such as Basra. The simulation model was developed entirely in MATLAB using fundamental physical equations that describe each component of the solar pond and absorption refrigeration system, without relying on pre-existing components or tables. This provides greater modeling flexibility and a deeper understanding of system behavior under hot climate conditions.
This paper explores the significance of energy conservation in the context of rising energy consumption and its impact on economic growth. With a focus on cooling systems, particularly evaporative condenser technology, the study aims to investigate its fundamentals, operating principles, and theoretical aspects. The paper delves into the various types of condensers used in cooling systems, emphasizing the role of evaporative condensers in enhancing heat transfer efficiency. The operating principles of evaporative condensers are detailed, considering factors such as air and water flow rates, wet bulb temperatures, and heat transfer coefficients. Theoretical models and mathematical approaches for evaluating evaporative condenser performance are also reviewed. The research includes an extensive review of existing literature on evaporative condenser technology, covering refrigeration models, HVAC systems, and various experimental studies. Theoretical models are discussed, highlighting the challenges in accurately modeling evaporative condenser behavior. The paper also presents achievements and advancements in research, including experiments that demonstrate the positive impact of evaporative cooling on air-cooled condenser systems. Various case studies and experimental validations showcase the potential energy savings and improved performance achieved through the incorporation of evaporative condensers in cooling systems. By switching from an air-cooled to an evaporatively-cooled condenser, one can reduce electricity consumption by 58%, according to research. This alternate condenser type improves performance by 113.4% at from 3 to 3000 kW of cooling power.