Research

Engineering Sciences

Title :

Design And Development Of Energy Efficient Modified Refrigeration System Using Phase Change Material And Its CFD Analysis

Area of research :

Engineering Sciences

Focus area :

Mechanical Engineering

Principal Investigator :

Dr. Debasree Ghosh, Birla Institute Of Technology, Mesra, Jharkhand

Timeline Start Year :

2022

Timeline End Year :

2025

Contact info :

Equipments :

Details

Executive Summary :

The existing refrigerator or cooling system requires higher energy to work under peak load. It is also difficult to maintain the required or comfortable temperature during the power-off conditions. Literature shows that during power-off the use of PCM can be able to give the required cooling effect for some time. Therefore, the purpose is partially solved. In this proposal, we are proposing a hybrid refrigeration system in which the charging and the discharging mechanism will help for the continuous functioning of a PCM heat exchanger. The advantage of continuous running of the heat exchanger is that, as the output from the compressor passes through the outer side of the PCM heat exchanger the cooling of the refrigerant will fast due to heat absorption by PCM. In this process, PCM will melt or charged. On other hand, after passing through the expansion valve and evaporator refrigerant will again enter the compressor. Before entering the compressor, the outlet of the evaporator becomes superheated at peak load conditions. The superheated refrigerant requires higher work input to the compressor. Due to this additional work, the cooling effect also increases but it may not require for the system. The superheating of the refrigerant will be controlled by allowing the refrigerant to pass through the inner side of the PCM heat exchanger. Due to the low discharging or solidification temperature of PCM, the superheating of refrigerant will be decreased. This mechanism will not increase or maintained the compressor load at peak loading. The proposed design can produce a hybrid refrigeration system with improved COP. Experimental and numerical optimization are needed for introducing this novel mechanism for commercial or industrial use.

Total Budget (INR):

29,81,264

Organizations involved