Cooling Load Analysis of a Household Refrigeration System: Evaluating the Impact of Compressor Efficiency
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.38032/scse.2025.3.156Keywords:
Cooling Load, Compressor, Performance Evaluation, Power Consumption, Safety FactorAbstract
This research explores the cooling load and compressor performance in a R600a-based household refrigeration system, focusing on energy efficiency and thermal optimization. A refrigerator with two compartments was studied, which combines the thermodynamic model and experimental evaluation to assess the cooling demand and compressor work. The total cooling load, including transmission, product, and infiltration loads, accounted for 70.087W. Freezer and refrigerator temperatures were recorded at -19.84°C and 4.06°C while energy consumed was 56–58W compared to the specified 100W with suction and discharge temperatures of 32 and 54°C. However, the 130W compressor was rated at 66 ⁓70W with suction and discharge temperatures of 38℃ and 63℃ respectively with marked inefficiencies. The selection of materials was of particular importance for the performance. High R-value polyurethane foam insulation was able to cut thermal conductivity by 50%, thus saving energy by lowering cooling loads. The overall thermal management was further improved by the use of cold-rolled steel panels and polystyrene liners, the latter ensuring high strength and excellent insulation. The calculations for product and infiltration loads showed how the cooling efficiency might be affected by the ambient conditions and the thermal characteristics of the stored items. The findings confirm that a 100 W compressor is the most optimal choice for domestic refrigerators for this model since it performs well with a duty cycle of 70%, providing cooling in an energy-efficient way. This study brings out the role of advanced insulation materials and compressor technologies that are efficient in reducing energy consumption. Future developments will revolve around the use of variable-speed compressors and energy recovery systems to better cope with fluctuating operational requirements, thus contributing to international energy conservation standards and the furtherance of sustainable refrigeration technologies.
Downloads
Downloads
Downloads
References
[1] Borges, B. N., Hermes, C. J. L., Gonçalves, J. M., and Melo, C., Transient simulation of household refrigerators: A semi-empirical quasi-steady approach, Applied Energy, vol. 88, no. 3, pp. 748–754, 2011.
[2] Björk, E., and Palm, B., Performance of a domestic refrigerator under influence of varied expansion device capacity, refrigerant charge and ambient temperature, International Journal of Refrigeration, vol. 29, no. 5, pp. 789–798, 2006.
[3] Gupta, J. K., and Ram Gopal, M., Modeling of hot-wall condensers for domestic refrigerators, International Journal of Refrigeration, vol. 31, no. 6, pp. 979–988, 2008.
[4] Haines, R. W. and Hittle, D., Control systems for heating, ventilating, and air conditioning, 6th Ed., Springer, 2006.
[5] Nicoletti, F., Azzarito, G., and Sylaj, D., Improving cooling efficiency in domestic refrigerators: A passive cooling system exploiting external air circulation, International Journal of Refrigeration, vol. 159, pp. 99–111, 2024.
[6] Tu, Y., Chen, L., Sun, F., and Wu, C., Optimization of cooling load and coefficient of performance for real regenerated air refrigerator, Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part E: Journal of Process Mechanical Engineering, vol. 220, no. 4, pp. 207–215, 2006.
[7] Elarem, R., Mellouli, S., Abhilash, E., and Jemni, A., Performance analysis of a household refrigerator integrating a PCM heat exchanger, Applied Thermal Engineering, vol. 125, pp. 1320–1333, 2017.
[8] Boban, L., Miše, D., Herceg, S., and Soldo, V., Application and design aspects of ground heat exchangers, Energies, vol. 14, p. 2134, 2021.
[9] Alawadhi, M., and Phelan, P. E., Review of Residential Air Conditioning Systems Operating under High Ambient Temperatures, Energies, vol. 15, no. 8, pp. 1-46, 2022.
[10] Yoo, M., Development of a Simulator for Household Refrigerator Using Equation-Based Optimization Control with Bayesian Calibration, Machines, vol. 12, no. 1, pp. 1-17, 2024.
[11] Acuña, P., Zhang, J., Yin, G. Z., Liu, X. Q., and Wang, D. Y., Bio-based rigid polyurethane foam from castor oil with excellent flame retardancy and high insulation capacity via cooperation with carbon-based materials, Journal of Materials Science, vol. 56, no. 3, pp. 2684–2701, 2021.
[12] Himeur, Y., Elnour, M., Fadli, F., Meskin, N., Petri, I., Rezgui, Y., and Bensaali, F., Next-generation energy systems for sustainable smart cities: Roles of transfer learning, Sustainable Cities and Society, vol. 85, p. 104059, 2022.
[13] Wiel, S., and McMahon, J. E., Energy-Efficiency Labels and Standards: A Guidebook for Appliances, Equipment, and Lighting, 2001.
[14] International Standard., IEC 60335-2-24, Household and similar electrical appliances - Safety - Part 2-24: Particular requirements for refrigerating appliances, ice-cream appliances, and ice-makers, 6th Ed., 2002-10.
[15] Dinc, Er, I. and Kano˘Glu, M., Refrigeration Systems and Applications, 3rd Ed., John Wiley & Sons, 2010.
[16] Orasugh, J. T., Botlhoko, O. J., Temane, L. T., and Ray, S. S., Progress in polymer nonwoven textile materials in electromagnetic interference shielding applications, Functional Composite Materials, vol. 5, no. 1, 2024.
[17] Brady, G. S., Clauser, H. R., and Vaccari, J. A., Materials Handbook: An Encyclopedia for Managers, Technical Professionals, Purchasing and Production Managers, Technicians, and Supervisors, 15th Ed., McGraw-Hill, 2002.
[18] Down, P. G., Heating and Cooling Load Calculations: International Series of Monographs in Heating, Ventilation, and Refrigeration. Elsevier, 2014.
[19] Zmeureanu, R. and Fazio, P., Thermal Performance of a Hollow Core Concrete Floor System for Passive Cooling, vol. 23, no. 3, pp. 243-252, 1988.
[20] Liu, X., Zhang, S., Cui, W., Zhang, H., Wu, R., Huang, J., Li, Z., Wang, X., Wu, J., and Yang, J., A Workflow Investigating the Information behind the Time-Series Energy Consumption Condition via Data Mining, Buildings, vol. 13, no. 9, 2023.
[21] EPA, Moisture Control Guidance for Building Design, Construction and Maintenance, Indoor Air Quality (IAQ), EPA 402-F-13053, EPA U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, 2013.
[22] Gonçalves, J. C., Costa, J. J., and Lopes, A. M. G., Analysis of the air infiltration through the doorway of a refrigerated room using different approaches, Applied Thermal Engineering, vol. 159, 2019.
[23] Kunita, H., Stochastic Flows and Stochastic Differential Equations. Department of Applied Science, Kyushu University. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 346 pages, 1990. ISBN: 0-521-35050-6.
[24] Wanbao-ACC, Investment Opportunity in the Household Compressors Industry. In Wanbao-ACC, 2021.
Published
Conference Proceedings Volume
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Md. Sohan Hossain, Dipayan Mondal, Md. Shamim Ahammed (Author)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
All the articles published by this journal are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
