Evaluation analysis of a developed solar refrigerator using conventional refrigerant for rural and medical applications

Abstract

Abstract This paper study the performance evaluation of a refrigeration system that operates on solar energy as alternative source of power to enhance the refrigerating effect, coefficient of performance (COP), preservation of perishable items and short time drug such as vaccine, to remote communities and parts of the urban settlement around the developing nations where there is no access to modern electrical source. The system was made from locally sourced materials using a conventional refrigerant HFC134a as working fluid to improve thermal efficiency and stability of the vapour compression refrigeration system. The COP of the system was enhanced by 8.67% when working with solar and with energy reduction of 2.38% respectively. In case the weather is cloudy or during the night hour when the energy generation is low, the refrigerator can work on battery for an average of 12 hours if fully charge during the day to avoid idle time of the refrigeration system.