Experimental investigation of a new defrosting technique for sustainable refrigeration system

Abstract

Defrosting can have a detrimental impact on the functioning of regularly used refrigeration systems. The primary objective of this study is to enhance the cooling efficiency by resolving the defrost process, which impacts the cooling performance due to the heat received from the system. A new solar PVT-assisted system, which includes a cold chamber, was created and tested for this specific purpose. Furthermore, a sophisticated automation scenario has been devised to function in five distinct modes, ensuring the successful execution of the defrost process. Two experiments, Experiment 1 and Experiment 2, were conducted. The average coefficient of performance (COP) and exergy values obtained were 2.29 and 2.25, and 25.74 % and 24.45 %, respectively. The maximum temperature change measured in the cold room during defrosting was 2 C-degrees. In Experiment 1, the PVT collector produced a total energy of 2.85 kWh; Experiment 2 generated 2.79 kWh. Consequently, the defrosting procedure was effectively executed by directing hot air into the chilly chamber using the proposed sustainable method. This system is highly recommended because of its innovative defrosting mechanism, which guarantees optimal solar energy utilization.