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Application of phase-change materials to domestic refrigerators.

Author(s) : MARQUES C., DAVIES G., MAIDMENT G., et al.

Summary

The paper investigates the performance improvement provided by a phase change material associated with the evaporator in a domestic refrigerator. The heat release and storage rate of encapsulated ice, used as the thermal energy storage material, has been investigated numerically. The mathematical model for phase change is based on the enthalpy method and the governing equations were discretized on a fixed grid using the finite difference method. The influence of PCM thickness, ambient temperature (20, 25, 30 and 43°C) and evaporating temperature (-15 and -10°C) have been investigated. The results showed that the melting and freezing time increased proportionally with PCM thickness. The refrigerator autonomy was reduced by 47% when the ambient temperature was increased from 20 to 43°C and the freezing time increased by 27% when the evaporating temperature was reduced from -10 to -15°C. Overall, the model provides a useful tool for evaluating the design and operation of a thermal storage refrigerator.

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Pages: 2010-5

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Details

  • Original title: Application of phase-change materials to domestic refrigerators.
  • Record ID : 2010-1476
  • Languages: English
  • Source: 9th Conference on Phase-Change Materials and Slurries for Refrigeration and Air Conditioning. Proceedings: Sofia, Bulgaria, September 29-October 1, 2010.
  • Publication date: 2010/09/01

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