Key
22553
Conference Year
2016
Keywords
refrigerator model, experimental validation, steady-state, transient, parametric studies
Abstract
The aim of the present work is to present a comprehensive validation of a numerical model to simulate vapor compression refrigeration systems at steady state and transient conditions. The model simulates both the refrigeration cycle itself and the refrigerated compartments network, based on a modular approach where each element of the system is solved independently by means of appropriate models, while the whole system is solved iteratively based on the links established between the elements. The methodology implemented to achieve the transient simulation of the whole system combines a steady-state approach for the refrigerating cycle loop with a transient approach for the refrigerated compartments loop. The model has already been tested numerically [1], and therefore, the focus of this work is to present a comprehensive validation of the model at both steady and transient conditions using experimental measurements found in the technical literature [2,3]. The refrigerating cycle includes appropriate numerical models for the main components, namely, hermetic compressor, wire-and-tube condenser, non-adiabatic capillary tube, plate evaporator, and low-pressure-side accumulator, while only one refrigerated chamber is considered. On the one hand, for steady state conditions, the relevant temperatures of the main elements are compared at different ambient temperatures and heat loads. On the other, for transient conditions, the evolution of the relevant temperatures during one on/off cycle are compared against the experimental data. In both cases similar trends, good qualitative results, are observed between the numerical predictions and the experimental data.  Finally, parametric studies to analyse the influence of different parameters and elements of the cycle are carried out in order to show the model potential. REFERENCES [1] N. Ablanque, C. Oliet, J. Rigola, O. Lehmkuhl, C.D. Pérez-Segarra,“Simulation of Household Refrigerators with a Flexible Numerical Tool, International Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Conference at Purdue, Purdue, IN, USA, 2014. [2] Erik Björk, Björn Palm,“Refrigerant Mass Charge Distribution in a Domestic Refrigerator. Part I: Transient Conditions, Applied Thermal Engineering 26, pp 829-837, 2006. [3] Erik Björk, Björn Palm,“Refrigerant Mass Charge Distribution in a Domestic Refrigerator. Part II: Steady State Conditions, Applied Thermal Engineering 26, pp 866-871, 2006.