ISSN 2319-8885

Vol.05,Issue.31
October-2016,
Pages:6400-6405
www.ijsetr.com

Development and Evaluation of Solar Based Vapour Compression

Refrigeration System
N.VEERASWAMY1, M.L.R.CHAITANYA LAHARI2, DR.P.H.V.SHESHA TALPA SAI3
1
PG Scholar, Dept of Mechanical Engineering, MRCET, Maisammaguda, Dhulapally, Rangareddy(Dt), TS, India.
2
Assistant Professor, Dept of Mechanical Engineering, MRCET, Maisammaguda, Dhulapally, Rangareddy(Dt), TS, India.
3
Professor, Dept of Mechanical Engineering, MRCET, Maisammaguda, Dhulapally, Rangareddy(Dt), TS, India.

Abstract: Refrigerator is a common home appliance used to maintain a compact place at temperature lower than the
atmospheric temperature. In case of conventional refrigerator, the refrigerant goes directly to the compressor from the
evaporator. But in this work the refrigerant is passing through the band heater before entering into compressor. The solar
operated band heater heats the liquid vapour and converts it totally into super heated vapour thereby increasing the mass flo w
rate and refrigerating effect. In this work includes the testing of refrigerants R-22 and R-134a in order to calculate coefficient of
performance for solar refrigeration system. The refrigerants are separately filled in the refrigerator and COP is calculated at
different loads, without and with heating the refrigerant before compression. By heating the refrigerant, for R-22 the COP is
increased by 21%, refrigerating effect is increased by 20%, and mass flow rate is increased by 16%. For R-134a the COP is
increased by 20%, refrigerating effect is increased by 20%, and mass flow rate is increased by 10%. This heating process is
carried out by solar energy.

Keywords: Refrigeration System, Photovoltaic Panel, Battery, Refrigerants, Band Heater, Performance Characteristics.

I. INTRODUCTION VCRS are R-12, R-22, R-134a, R-154a, R-410a, R-600a etc.
Refrigeration is a process of moving heat from one The refrigerant used in this system does not leave, but is
location to another in controlled conditions. Refrigeration has circulated throughout the system alternately condensing and
many applications like house hold refrigerators, industrial evaporating. In evaporating, the refrigerant absorbs its latent
freezers, cryogenics, air conditioning etc. There are different heat from the cold chamber. While condensing, it gives out
types of refrigeration systems among them Vapour its latent heat to the atmospheric air. The vapour compression
Compression Refrigeration System (VCRS) is one of the refrigeration system is, therefore a latent heat pump. In this
widely used type. It consists of four components compressor, work improvement of COP and refrigerating effect is done by
condenser, expansion valve and evaporator which are shown increasing the mass flow rate of refrigerant. This is done by
in following diagram. heating the refrigerant before entering into the compressor.
For this work domestic refrigerant of 165 lit is used and a
modification in the set up is done by placing the band heater
between the evaporator and compressor which heats the
refrigerant at the inlet to compressor. The band heater is
heated by solar energy by using 100 watts solar PV panel.
The solar energy is absorbed from sun is used to charge
battery and supplied to band heater. For each refrigerant the
temperatures at different points like temperature at inlet to
compressor, condenser, expansion valve, evaporator and
band heater are noted done for with heating and without
heating and there COP’s is calculated by using refrigeration
tables.
II. HISTORY
The basis of modern refrigeration is the ability of liquids to
Fig1. Vapour compression refrigeration cycle. absorb enormous quantities of heat as they boil and
evaporate. Professor William Cullen of University of
In this VCRS the suitable working substance, termed as Edinburgh demonstrated this in 1755 by placing some water
refrigerant is used. The most commonly used refrigerants in in thermal contact with ether under a receiver of a vacuum

Copyright @ 2016 IJSETR. All rights reserved.

 N.VEERASWAMY, M.L.R.CHAITANYA LAHARI, DR.P.H.V.SHESHA TALPA SAI
pump. The evaporation rate of ether increased due to the Gross volume- 165 litres
vacuum pump and water could be frozen. This process Type- Direct cool
involves two thermodynamic concepts, the vapour pressure
and the latent heat. A liquid is in thermal equilibrium with its Refrigerant:
own vapour at a pressure called the saturation pressure, (i) R-22
which depends on the temperature alone. If the pressure is Company – Value
increased for example in a pressure cooker, the water boils at Purity – 98.7% min
higher temperature. The second concept is that the Moisture – 9 ppm max
evaporation of liquid requires latent heat during evaporation. Acidity – 1.5 ppm max
If latent heat is extracted from the liquid, the liquid gets Vapour residue – 100 ppm max
cooled. The temperature of ether will remain constant as long Non-condensable gas – 1.63 % max
as the vacuum pump maintains a pressure equal to saturation Chemical name– Chloro Difluoromethame (CHCLF2)
pressure at the desired temperature. This requires the removal Use-For automotive air conditioners
of all the vapors formed due to vaporization. If a lower
temperature is desired, then a lower saturation pressure will (ii) R-134a
have to be maintained by the vacuum pump. The component Company – Value
of the modern day refrigeration system where cooling is Purity – 99.9% min
produced by this method is called evaporator. If this process Moisture – 10 ppm max
of cooling is to be made continuous the vapours have to be Acidity – 1 ppm max
recycled by condensation to the liquid state. The Vapour residue – 100 ppm max
condensation process requires heat rejection to the Non-condensable gas – 1.5% max
surroundings. It can be condensed at atmospheric Chemical name – TERA FLUORO
temperature by increasing its pressure. ETHANE (C2H2F4)
Use-For automotive air conditioners
The process of condensation was learned in the second half
of eighteenth century. U.F. Clouet and G. Monge liquefied Band heater (Heat exchanger):
SO2 in 1780 while Van Marum and Van Troostwijk liquefied DC band heater
NH3 in 1787. Hence, a compressor is required to maintain a Power- 12v
high pressure so that the evaporating vapours can condense at Wattage- 150 watts
a temperature greater than that of the surroundings. The man Dimensions- width: 70mm
responsible for making a practical vapor compression Diameter: 50mm
refrigeration system was James Harrisonwho took a patent in
1856 for a vapour compression system using ether, alcohol or Photo voltaic solar panel:
ammonia. Charles Tellierof France patented in 1864, Pmax- 100 watts
refrigeration system using dimethyl ether which has a normal Maximum Power Voltage- 18V
boiling point of −23.6°C. Enright had also developed a Maximum Power Current- 5 amps
similar system in 1876 in Buffalo N.Y. Franz Windhausen Ideal output: 500 watt hours per day
developed carbon dioxide (CO2) based vapour compression Weight – 7.5 kg
system in Germany in 1886. The carbon dioxide compressor Product dimensions- 47 x 1.4 x 21.3 inches
requires a pressure of about 80 atmospheres and therefore a
very heavy construction. Linde in 1882 and T.S.C. Lowe in Solar charge controller:
1887 tried similar systems in USA. The CO2 system is a very Company- Mangal Deep Solar System
safe system and was used in ship refrigeration until 1960s. Model No. - E1210L
Raoul Pictetused SO2(NBP -10°C) as refrigerant. Its lowest Technology – Analog
pressure was high enough to prevent the leakage of air into Topology - PWM
the system. Palmer used C2H5Cl in 1890 in a rotary Nominal voltage - 12V
compressor. He mixed it with C 2H5Br to reduce its Max battery charging voltage - 14.1 V
flammability. Edmund Copeland and Harry Edwards used Max input on battery terminals - 25 V
iso-butane in 1920 in small refrigerators. It disappeared by Nominal current - 08 A
1930 when it was replaced by CH3Cl. Dichloroethylene Max charging current - 10 A
(Dielene or Dieline) was used by Carrier in centrifugal Max input voltage on PV terminals - 25V
compressors in 1922-26 [5]. Load output disconnect (battery not healthy) - < 10.8V
Load output reconnect (battery healthy) - > 12.5V
III. EQUIPMENT AND WORKING SUBSTANCES USED
FOR EXPERIMENT, WITH THERE SPECIFICATION
Refrigerator: Battery:
Company- Godrej Company- Exide
Appliance- Refrigerator Lead acid battery
Model- Cold Gold Voltage- 12v
Power- 220v/50Hz Current- 60Ah

International Journal of Scientific Engineering and Technology Research

Volume.05, IssueNo.31, October-2016, Pages: 6400-6405
 Development and Evaluation of Solar Based Vapour Compression Refrigeration System
Digital Temperature Indicator: 2. For cycle with heating:
Temperature range - 50°C~ +80°C
Temperature display resolution: 0.1
Temperature measurement accuracy: ±1°C
Long probe line: 1 meter moulded case probe

IV. EXPERIMENTAL SETUP

Fig4. T-S & p-h diagram of VCRS with heating.

For normal cycle without fixing the band heater the

temperature of refrigerant at the exit of compressor,
condenser, evaporator and expansion valve are noted. For the
modified cycle with fixing the band heater the temperature of
Fig2. band heater is also taken additional to them for both R-22 and
R-134a, with the reference of above T-s and p-h diagrams
Fig2 shows experimental set up of solar refrigeration and by using refrigerating tables of each refrigerant we can
system, arrangement has rectangular frame construction in find,
power
that various connections of the circuit have been setup. It  Mass flow rate (m) =
h2−h1
includes control valves, energy meter, band heater, copper  Refrigeration Effect (R.E) = m*(h1-hf3)
coil and copper tubing additionally digital temperature sensor h1−hf 3 R.E
has been used for measurement of temperature at the required  COP = =
h2−h1 Win
locations of the experimental setup. Mainly heat exchanger is
fixed in between evaporator and compressor which is V. RESULT AND DISCUSSION
externally powered using solar based arrangement which A. For R-22 Refrigerant:
consist of PV panel, Battery and Charge controller. Here we Table1. Comparison of COP
are only concentrating on inlet temperature of compressor. Load COP COP %
In a modified cycle, refrigerant coming out of evaporator is (in liters) (without (with increase in COP
heating) heating) 𝐂𝟐−𝐂𝟏
allowed to pass through the heat exchanger by regulating the ( )*100
𝐂𝟏
C1 C2
control valve and finally entering the compressor and in case 1 3.55 4.36 22.82
of conventional cycle as usual after evaporator the refrigerant 2 3.53 4.24 20.11
goes directly into the compressor by closing the control 3 3.54 4.25 20.06
valves positioned before and after the heat exchanger. Hence
we are maintaining inlet temperature of the compressor by Table2. Comparison of refrigerating effect
heating the refrigerant with the help of band heater before
inlet to compressor. By adopting this we are getting
maximum C.O.P. and good cooling effect.

A. Calculations
1. For cycle without heating:

Table3. Comparison of Mass flow

Fig3. T-s & p-h diagram of VCRS without heating.

International Journal of Scientific Engineering and Technology Research
Volume.05, IssueNo.31, October-2016, Pages: 6400-6405
 N.VEERASWAMY, M.L.R.CHAITANYA LAHARI, DR.P.H.V.SHESHA TALPA SAI
B. For R-134a Refrigerant: 2. Comparison of refrigerant effect with and without
Table4. Comparison of COP heating

Table5. Comparison of refrigerating effect

Table6. Comparison of Mass flow

Fig6. Comparison of Load vs. refrigerating effect.

As shown in the above figure for R-22 refrigerant the

refrigerating effect increases when the refrigerant is heated
before entering in to the compressor

3. Comparison of Mass flow with and without heating

From the comparison tables above it can be observed that
the refrigerating effect, mass flow rate and COP increase
with heating the refrigerant before entering into the
compressor.

Graphs and Figures:

The important variable affecting the refrigeration system is
inlet temperature of compressor. Change in inlet
temperatures results in change of coefficient of
performance and refrigeration effect. The graphs and figures
for solar based refrigeration system are given below for two
refrigerants.

C. For R-22 Refrigerant

1. Comparison of Load vs. COP Fig7. Comparison of Load vs. Mass flow.

As shown in the above figure for R-22 refrigerant the mass

flow rate increases when the refrigerant is heated before
entering in to the compressor.

D. FOR R-134a Refrigerant:

1. Comparison of Load vs. COP

Fig5. Load vs. Coefficient of performance.

As shown in the above graph for R-22 refrigerant the

coefficient of performance increases when the refrigerant is
heated before entering in to the compressor. Fig8. Load vs. Coefficient of performance.
International Journal of Scientific Engineering and Technology Research
Volume.05, IssueNo.31, October-2016, Pages: 6400-6405
 Development and Evaluation of Solar Based Vapour Compression Refrigeration System
As shown in the above graph for R-134a refrigerant the As shown in the above graph for R-22 and R-134a
coefficient of performance increases when the refrigerant is refrigerants the coefficient of performance increases when
heated before entering in to the compressor. the refrigerants are heated before entering in to the
compressor.
2. Comparison of refrigerant effect with and without VI. CONCLUSION
heating The following conclusions are drawn based on this work.
1. A solar based refrigerator was developed and tested
successfully. It works as similar to the conventional
system.
2. The solar PV based system generates power based on the
intensity of the solar radiation. From the field trails, we
observe that the maximum solar energy can be obtained
during the afternoon (between 12.00 Noon to 1.00 PM).
3. From the comparison of the performance of the solar
refrigerator, we observed that system works without any
difficulties. Hence, solar energy will be a suitable
replacement for the conventional electrical power.
Fig9. Comparison of Load vs. refrigerating effect. 4. The cooling load significantly affects the performance of
the solar based systems. As the cooling load increases
As shown in the above figure for R-134a refrigerant the the performance of the system also increases up to
refrigerating effect increases when the refrigerant is heated optimum cooling load.
before entering in to the compressor. 5. The heating of the refrigerant using solar energy, before
entering to the compressor, significantly increases the
3. Comparison of mass flow with and without heating mass flow rate. Hence, it increases the COP and
refrigerating effect. From this we conclude that the solar
based refrigerator will be better replacement for the
conventional systems.
6. The refrigerant R-134a is the best replacement for R-22
refrigerant because it gives nearly equal COP at same
loads and it is zero ozone depletion refrigerant compared
to R-22.

Scope for Future Work:

The scopes for future work are
1. The effect of alternative refrigerant and blend of
refrigerants on the performance of the refrigerator and
shall be studied.
2. Simulation work shall be carried out to study the
Fig10. Comparison of Load vs. mass flow rate. performance of the solar based refrigerator.
3. A new evaporator system shall be developed and tested
As shown in the above figure for R-134a refrigerant the for solar based applications.
mass flow rate increases when the refrigerant is heated before 4. The effect of process variables on the performance of the
entering in to the compressor. refrigerator and shall be studied.
4. Comparison of COP’s of R-22 and R-134a refrigerants VII. REFERENCES
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International Journal of Scientific Engineering and Technology Research

Volume.05, IssueNo.31, October-2016, Pages: 6400-6405