https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0464-7656
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ABSTRACT
Environmental impacts of refrigerants and global renewable energy transition policies necessitated research on small-scale solar domestic refrigerators (SDRs) and their working fluids in order to address energy efficiency, flammability limits, and acceptable global warming potential. This study analyses the performance of an SDR operating with R290/R600a blend (CARE30), R1234yf, R1234yf/R134a blend (90:10), and CARE30/R1234yf/R134a blend (60:30:10) as R134a substitutes. In addition, a full year of daily meteorological data was analyzed to determine how solar intensity and air temperature affected performance metrics such as the solar co-efficient of performance (COP), PV array size, and compressor power for the selected refrigerants. The entire system was modeled using MATLAB, SAM-2022, and REFPROP-10.0 software. The experimental COP was used to validate the simulation. The seasonal ranges for the average solar COP and system COP were found to be 0.28 to 2.60 and 0.53 to 0.90, respectively. The PV energy generation and actual energy demand were 57.9–78.6 and 35.36–53.09 kWh/month, respectively, ensuring that the system can operate solely on solar energy. The weather data of the place, PV technologies, capacities of widely used SDRs, excess energy utilization, and economic parameters can be looked at for the successful implementation of the system.
Nomenclature
| µ | = | Dynamic viscosity (Pa s) |
| A | = | Area (m2) |
| b | = | bulk |
| C | = | Capillary |
| comp | = | Compressor |
| con | = | Contraction |
| cond | = | Condenser |
| cyl | = | cycle |
| D | = | Coil mean diameter (m) |
| d | = | discharge |
| evap | = | Evaporator |
| F | = | Empirical constant |
| f | = | fluid |
| fg | = | fluid-gas |
| G | = | Mass flux (kg m −2 s −1) |
| g | = | gas |
| GWP | = | Global Warming Potential |
| h | = | Specific enthalpy (J kg−1) |
| i | = | inlet |
| init | = | initial |
| L | = | Length (m) |
| l | = | liquid |
| ṁ | = | Mass flow rate (kg s−1) |
| Mo | = | Molecular weight (g kmol−1) |
| n | = | Polytropic index |
| Nu | = | Nusselt number |
| P | = | Pressure (kPa) |
| Pr | = | Prandtl number |
| PV | = | Photovoltaic |
| Q | = | Heat (J) |
| q | = | Heat flux (kW m−2) |
| R | = | Radius (m) |
| Ra | = | Rayliegh number |
| Re | = | Reynolds number |
| s | = | suction |
| t | = | time (s) |
| T | = | Temperature |
| V | = | Volume (m3) |
| W | = | Work (W) |
| w | = | wall |
| X | = | Refrigerant quality |
| = | Angular velocity (rad s−1) |
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Joseph Sekhar Santhappan
Dr. Joseph Sekhar Santhappan is presently working in the department of engineering at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS), Shinas, Oman. He has obtained his PhD and M.E. degrees in the field of thermal engineering from the College of Engineering Guindy, Anna University, Chennai, India, and his B.E. in mechanical engineering from the Govt. College of Technology in Coimbatore, India. He has more than three decades of experience in teaching, research, and administration at different institutions in India and overseas. Nine students received their PhDs from Chennai's Anna University while working under his supervision. He has examined hundreds of technical articles and authored more than 90 research papers in reputable international journals. His current research focuses on low-temperature PCM, CFD for thermal and energy systems, hybrid renewable energy systems, eco-friendly refrigeration technologies, and the techno-economic analysis of renewable energy applications. With funding from numerous government organizations like the AICTE, TRC, DST, and others, he has created numerous research-level experimental facilities and finished research projects in India and overseas. Besides being a resource person for several technical gatherings, webinars, short-term courses, seminars, and workshops, he has organized international conferences in the fields of energy and environment. He is currently a fellow of the Indian Institute of Engineers (FIE) and a member of the IET (UK), SAE, ISHRAE, and ISTE.
Saji Raveendran Padmavathy
Dr. Saji Raveendran Padmavathy is a highly accomplished academician with a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, an M.E. in Thermal Engineering, and a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering. With over a decade of teaching experience, he serves as an Associate Professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at Kongu Engineering College. His research focuses on diverse areas, including Refrigeration & Air-Conditioning, Phase Change Materials, and Solar Energy, resulting in numerous publications in prestigious SCI/SCIE and SCOPUS journals. Additionally, he contributes as a peer reviewer for international journals and holds recognition as an Anna University-approved supervisor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering. Overall, he has made substantial contributions to the realms of academia, research, and industry, demonstrating a profound dedication to the fields of Mechanical Engineering.
Murugan Paradesi Chockalingam
Dr. Murugan Paradesi Chockalingam holds a strong academic background with a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering, an M.E. in Energy Engineering, and a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering. With over 10 years of teaching experience, he is serving as an Associate Professor in the Department of Automobile Engineering at Kongu Engineering College. His research specialization encompasses various areas, such as CFD, Renewable Energy, Solar Drying, Battery Thermal Management, and Biomass Gasification, among others. He has an impressive research publication record, with numerous papers indexed in SCI/SCIE and SCOPUS journals. He also serves as a reviewer for international journals and are an Anna University-recognized supervisor for the Department of Automobile Engineering. Overall, he has made significant contributions to academia, research, and industry, showcasing a passion for teaching, research, and innovation in the field of Mechanical and Automobile Engineering.
Ahmed Said Ahmed Al-Shahri
Dr. Ahmed Said Ahmed Al-Shahri is currently the Assistant Vice Chancellor at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS) in Musandam, Oman. He also serves as the team leader for the engineering group responsible for setting up the university's new campus for research and education. He has held senior academic administration posts in Oman's higher education institutions for more than 15 years while also conducting research and teaching. He was responsible for setting up the UTAS's education and scientific research committees as well as the national committees addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Al-Shahri earned his PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Auckland in Auckland, New Zealand, as well as his MSc in Electrical Engineering with Power Electronics from the University of Bradford in Bradford, England, the UK, and his BSc in Power and Energy Engineering from Sultan Qaboos University in Oman. He has had numerous articles published in reputable journals and conferences, including IEEE and IEEE PES. Additionally, he has taken part in and given technical presentations at seminars and professional events. Besides being a senior member of IEEE, Dr. Al-Shahri is a senior member of IEEE PES (the IEEE Power and Energy Society) and IEEE RAS (the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society). Additionally, he is a member of the IEEE Young Professionals and IEEE Smart Grid communities.
Godwin Glivin
Dr. Ahmed Said Ahmed Al-Shahri is currently the Assistant Vice Chancellor at the University of Technology and Applied Sciences (UTAS) in Musandam, Oman. He also serves as the team leader for the engineering group responsible for setting up the university's new campus for research and education. He has held senior academic administration posts in Oman's higher education institutions for more than 15 years while also conducting research and teaching. He was responsible for setting up the UTAS's education and scientific research committees as well as the national committees addressing the COVID-19 pandemic. Dr. Al-Shahri earned his PhD in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Auckland in Auckland, New Zealand, as well as his MSc in Electrical Engineering with Power Electronics from the University of Bradford in Bradford, England, the UK, and his BSc in Power and Energy Engineering from Sultan Qaboos University in Oman. He has had numerous articles published in reputable journals and conferences, including IEEE and IEEE PES. Additionally, he has taken part in and given technical presentations at seminars and professional events. Besides being a senior member of IEEE, Dr. Al-Shahri is a senior member of IEEE PES (the IEEE Power and Energy Society) and IEEE RAS (the IEEE Robotics and Automation Society). Additionally, he is a member of the IEEE Young Professionals and IEEE Smart Grid communities.