International Journal of Engineering Research And Management (IJERM)

ISSN : 2349- 2058, Volume-02, Issue-02, February 2015

Modeling & Analysis of a Compact Dynamic Model for

Household Vapour Compression Refrigerated Systems
G. Maruthi Prasad Yadav, H.Ranganna, Supriya

 The refrigerator replaced the icebox, which was a common

Abstract— The work of heat transport is traditionally household domestic device for approximately a century and a
driven by mechanical work, but can also be driven by half prior. For this reason, a refrigerator is from time to time
heat, magnetism, electricity, laser, or other means. Vapor referred to as an icebox in American practice.
compression refrigeration system used in domestic Refrigeration is the process of maintain temperature in a
refrigerators and air conditioners are typical examples of space lower than the environment. In this process heat is
steady-state refrigeration systems. Steady-state detached from the source at low temperature & terrified out to
refrigeration systems in which the cooling effect is the source at higher temperature. Refrigeration is the process
continuous, the refrigerant flow is steady and in one of heat transfer against the natural flow of heat. This is from
direction. In this work a compact model of house hold far above the ground temperature to near to the ground
refrigerator ismodeled in 3D modeling software Pro/ temperature. This heat is passed by a fluid, usually Freon gas.
Engineer wild fire 5. The refrigeration system consists of
Condenser, Evaporator, Compressor and expansion II. HOUSEHOLD REFRIGERATION
valve. The refrigerant used mostly nowadays is
In both developed and developing economies Household
HFC-134a.
refrigeration is a main stream. While some other product
Thermal analysis is done on the main parts of the types do exist, the vast bulk of goods use single phase mains
refrigeration system using ANSYS-14. In this project
Power and a Refrigeration system (compressor, evaporator,
work HFC-134a is replaced with HCFC, HFC-152A, and
and condenser) that uses the vapor compression cycle as a
404R. The commonly used material for condenser is
means of cooling an insulated dresser. Safe storage and
copper, in this project work it is replaced with aluminum
preservation of food and drink for Human consumption is
alloy 6061 and aluminum. Thermal analysis is done on the
primary purpose in the household refrigeration products. For
condenser, compressor and evaporator by changing the
that temperature inside household refrigeration products
materials and refrigerants.
should be controlled with in a particular Range – this is the
most important energy checkup delivered by these devices.
Index Terms— Condenser, Refrigerant, Thermal
There are two fundamental models on the market: these are
gradient
automatic defrost products (also called frost free which
regularly used forced air) and manual defrost products (also
called direct cooling Products) . There are a variety of sizes
I. INTRODUCTION
(from as little as 30 liters to as great as 800 liters) and a Range
A refrigerator (colloquially fridge) is a common household of product configurations (e.g. vertical Vs chest, single door/
appliance that consists of a thermally insulated compartment two doors/ multi door, Freezer situated on
and a heat pump (mechanical, electronic, or chemical) that summit/underneath/side). While there are not actually
transfers heat from the inside of the fridge to its external primary product design differences at a universal level, they
environment so that the inside of the fridge is cooled to a are physically powerful local variations in occurrence of exact
temperature below the ambient temperature of the room. defrost types, sizes and configurations.
Refrigeration is an vital food storage space practice in Household refrigeration is a universal service and there is
developed countries. Lower temperatures in a confine volume important global trade. Refrigerators are one of the minority
lower the replica rate of bacteria, so the refrigerator reduces appliances that remain “on” constantly and as such put away a
the rate of spoilage. significant amount of electricity during regular utilize.
A refrigerator maintains a temperature a small Usually series from 100 to 1000 KWh or more per annum
number of degrees above the freezing point of water. Most Electricity is consumed for refrigerators, depending on the
favorable temperature range for unpreserved food storage is 3 design, size, features, efficiency and situation of use.
to 5 °C (37 to 41 °F). A similar instrument that maintains a Refrigerators are broadly synchronized for energy utilization
temperature below the freezing point of water is called a around the globe under programs
freezer.
III. COMPONENTS OF REFRIGERATOR
Manuscript received Feb 21, 2015 Refrigerators contain a variety of parts. Freon gas flow
G. Maruthi Prasad Yadav, Associate Professor, Mechanical
Engineering Dept, St Johns College of Engg & Technology, Yemmiganur, through these parts & undergoes number of phase transitions.
Kurnool The stream of this gas through a range of parts of the
H.Ranganna, Associate Professor, Mechanical Engineering Dept, St refrigeration system is called a refrigeration cycle.
Johns College of Engg & Technology, Yemmiganur, Kurnool 1) Compressor: Compressor is the major part of the
Supriya, PG Student, Mechanical Engineering Dept, St Johns College of
Engg & Technology, Yemmiganur, Kurnool
refrigeration system. The power required for transmitting heat

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 Modeling & Analysis of a Compact Dynamic Model for Household Vapour Compression Refrigerated Systems

from low temperature space to high temperature space is such as HCFCs (R-22, used in most homes today)
given here. When Freon gas flows through a compressor it and HFCs (R-134a, used in most cars) have replaced most
compressed highly i.e. pressure and its temperature also CFC use. HCFCs in turn are being phased out under
becomes very elevated. When it discharges the compressor, the Montreal Protocol and modified by hydro fluorocarbons
Freon gets modified into the gaseous state. (HFCs), such as R-410A, these refrigerants lack chlorine
2) Condenser: via condenser all the heat the Freon has molecule. However, CFCs, HCFCs, and HFCs all have
absorbed from the material at low temperature is rejected to grater global warming potential.
the environment. For household refrigerators, the condenser Modified refrigerants are at present the subject of study, such
frequently a copper coil is uncovered to the atmosphere. as supercritical carbon dioxide, known as R-744. These have
When Freon flow though this coil it gives up its heat related efficiencies compared to existing CFC and HFC based
incompletely to the atmospheric or surrounding air and its compounds, and have many orders of magnitude lesser global
temperature decreases, but its pressure is constant. Water warming potential.
cooled condensers are used in case of the larger refrigerators. A simple vapor compression refrigeration system consists of
3) Expansion valve: When the high pressure and low the following equipments:
temperature Freon flow through expansion valve its pressure Compressor ii) Condenser iii) Expansion valve iv)
decreases rapidly and along with it its temperature also Evaporator.
decreases rapidly and significantly. A thin copper tube is used
as the expansion valve in the household refrigerator. Freon V. MODEL OF REFERIGERATION SYSTEM PARTS
discharges through the expansion valve are in part in liquid Modeling is done using Pro-E as follows.
state and in part in gaseous state. Compressor
4) Evaporator: The freezer section of the refrigerator is the
evaporator which is in the type of various coils of copper or
aluminum tubing. In evaporator the foods or the substances
which are to be cooled originally at higher temperature are
kept for cooling. When the low temperature and low pressure
Freon flows through the evaporator, evaporator chills the
space where we want to cool the food products and food items
placed there. It receives the heat from the products to be
chilled and so its temperature increases as does its pressure. It
discharges the evaporator or freezer in the vapor state and
then passes into the compressor where the cycle is going on.
2d drawing of Compressor
The refrigeration cycle of the Freon keeps on repeating for an
indefinite period till your refrigerator is operated. Since the
Freon vapor is compressed in this cycle, it is also called as
Vapor Compression Cycle.

IV. REFRIGERANTS
Haloalkane refrigerants family has the trade name of "Freon".
These refrigerants manufactured by Dew Point and some
other companies. Due to their greater stability and safety Condenser
properties These refrigerants were such as energy labeling
and/or Minimum Energy Performance Standards (MEPS)
frequently used: they were nonflammable at atmospheric
temperature and atmospheric pressure, nor clearly toxic as
were the fluids they replaced, such as sulfur dioxide.
Haloalkanes are also an order(s) of magnitude grater
expensive than petroleum resultant flammable alkanes of
same or improved cooling performance. Unluckily, chlorine-
and fluorine-contained refrigerants reach the top of the 2D drawing
atmosphere when they run away. In the stratosphere layer,
CFCs break up due to UV radiation, producing their chlorine
free particles. Through chain reactions these chlorine free
radicals act as catalysts in the crash of ozone. One CFC
particle can cause thousands of ozone particles to break down.
It was caused to major damage to the ozone layer. This
damage shields the Earth's surface from the Sun's strong UV
radiation, and has been shown to causes to greater percentage
of skin cancer. The remaining chlorine molecule working as a
Evaporator
catalyst until and unless it forming binding with another
particle, forming a constant molecule. CFC refrigerants in
common but retreating usage consist of R-11 and R-12.
Modified refrigerants with decreasing ozone depletion effect

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 International Journal of Engineering Research And Management (IJERM)
ISSN : 2349- 2058, Volume-02, Issue-02, February 2015

Young’s modules (Ex), Must be distinct for a static

analysis. If we plan to apply inertia loads (such as gravity) we
define mass properties such as density (DENS). In the same
way if we plan to concern thermal loads (temperatures); we
define coefficient of thermal expansion.
Obtaining the Solution
In this method we classify the analysis type and
options, apply loads and initial conditions the finite element
solution. This has three phases:
 Pre processor phase.
2D drawing  Solution phase.
 Post processor phase.
Pre-Processor
Pre processor has been improved so that the
similar program is obtainable on micro, mini, super mini and
main frame computer system to other. Pre processor is an
interactive model builder to prepare FE (finite element)
model and input data. The solution phase uses the input data
developed by the pre processor, and dies the solution
according to the problem definition. It creates input files to
ANSYS finite element analysis software enables engineers to the temperature, etc., on the screen in the type of contours.
perform the following tasks. The following section describes various capabilities and
1. Build computer models or transfer CAD models of features of the pre-processor.
structures, products, components or system. Mesh Generation
2. Apply operating loads or other design performance In finite element analysis the fundamental
conditions. concept is to evaluate the structure, which is an assemblage of
3. Study physical responses, such as stress levels, separate pieces called elements, which are joined together at a
temperature distributions, or the impact of finite number of points called nodes. Loading boundary
electromagnetic fields. conditions are applied to these elements and nodes. A
4. Optimize a design early in development process to arrangement of these elements is known as mesh.
reduce production costs. Finite Element Generation
5. Do prototypes testing in environment where it The most amount of time in finite element is spent
otherwise would be objectionable or impracticable. on generating elements and nodal data. Pre processor allows
6. The main purpose of finite element analysis is to the user to create node elements automatically simultaneously
inspect how a structure or component take actions to allowing control over size and number of elements. These are
certain loading conditions. a variety of types of elements that can be marked or generated
on a range of geometric entities. The elements created by a
VI. PROCEDURE FOR ANSYS ANALYSIS range of automatic element generation capabilities of pre
Static analysis is used to determine the displacements, processor can be inspected by element characteristic that may
stresses, strains and forces in structures or components due to require to be established before the finite element analysis for
loads that do not induce significant inertia and damping connectivity, distortion index etc.,
effects. Steady loading in response conditions are imagined. Normally, regular mesh generating capabilities of
The kinds of loading that can be functional in a static analysis pre processor are used, rather than essential the nodes
contain externally applied pressures and forces, steady state independently. If required nodes can be defined easily by
inertial forces such as gravity or rotational velocity imposed defining the allocations or by translating the existing nodes.
(non zero) displacements, temperature (for thermal strain). Also, one can plot, delete or search nodes. Some features for
This analysis can be either linear or non linear. In our present node are given below:
work we are going to regard as linear statistic analysis. Material Definitions
The method for static analysis consists of these main steps: All elements are distinct by nodes, which have
 Building the model only their position defined. In the case of plate and shell
 Obtaining the solution. elements, there is no sign of thickness. The thickness can be
 Reviewing the results. given as element property. Property tables for a particular
Building the Model property set 1-D have to be input. Various types of elements
In this method, we spell out the job name and have different properties for e.g.
analysis title use PREP7 to define the element real constraints. Beams: cross-sectional area, moment of inertia etc.
element types, material properties and the model geometry Shells: thickness;
element types both non linear and linear structural elements Springs: stiffness;
are permissible The ANSYS elements library have in excess Solids: none
of 80 different element types. A exclusive number and prefix The user also desires to define material properties of the
identify each element type. Example; BEAM94, PLANE71, elements. For linear static analysis, modulus of elasticity and
SOLID96 and PIPE16. Poisson ratio require to be provided. For heat transfer
Material properties coefficient of thermal expansion, densities etc. are necessary.

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 Modeling & Analysis of a Compact Dynamic Model for Household Vapour Compression Refrigerated Systems

They can be specified elements by the material property set

1D.
Solution
The solution phase interacts with the solution of
the problem regarding to the problem definitions. All the dull
work of formulating and assembling of matrices are finished
by the computer, and finally displacements and stress values
are given as output. Some of the capabilities ANSYS are THERMAL ANALYSIS OF CONDENSER
linear static analysis, transient dynamic analysis etc. R404 REFRIGERANT & ALUMINUM
Post Processor Thermal conductivity=210w/mk
It is a powerful user-friendly post processing Specific heat=900J/Kg.k
program. Using interactive color graphics; it has Density=269Kg/m3
wide-ranging scheming features for displaying consequences Loads>define loads>apply>thermal>temperature>select
obtained from the finite element analysis. One image of temperature area>ok>enter temperature value>313k>ok
analysis results (i.e., results in a visual form) can frequently Convection>on areas>select convection area>enter film
expose in seconds what would obtain an engineer hour to coeffieicent value=0.09w/m2
asses from a numerical output, saying a tabular form. The Bulk temperature value=303k
engineer may also see significant aspects of the results that Solution>solve>current Ls>ok
could be simply missed in a stack of numerical data. Thermal gradient>vector sum thermal gradient>ok
Employing state of the art picture improvement
techniques, services viewing of:
 Contours of stresses, displacements, temperatures
etc.,
 Deform geometric plots
o Animated deformed shapes
o Time history plots
o Hidden line plot
o Solid sectioning
o Light source shaded plot Heat flux>vector sum heat flux>ok
o Boundary line plot etc.,
The entire ranges of post processing option are various types
of analysis can be accessed through the command / menu
mode there by giving the user added flexibility and
convenience.
Vonmisses Stresses
Before discussing the theory of von misses stresses, it is
necessary to know about the maximum distortion energy
theory. According to this theory, yielding will occur
whenever the distortion energy in the similar volume when
uni-axially stressed to the yield strength. R404 REFRIGERANT & AL ALLOY 6061
The stress is known by a special name, because it represents Thermal conductivity=151w/mk
the whole stress developed in the body. The ideal names are Specific heat=873J/Kg.k
the effective stress and the Von misses stress, after DR. R. Density=28100Kg/m3
Von Misses, who contributed to the theory. The von misses’ Solution>solve>current Ls>ok
stress can be used to signify the whole stress developed in the Thermal gradient>vector sum thermal gradient>ok
body. The superior way of testing the strength of a member is
to analyze Von Misses stresses and evaluate with the stress of
the material.
After modeling the same is imported to ANSYS.
Imported model

Heat flux>vector sum heat flux>ok

Meshing>mesh tool>smart sizes on> mesh>ok

Meshed model

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 International Journal of Engineering Research And Management (IJERM)
ISSN : 2349- 2058, Volume-02, Issue-02, February 2015

Imported model
HFC-134A & ALUMINUM
Thermal conductivity=210w/mk
Specific heat=900J/Kg.k
Density=269Kg/m3
Loads>define loads>apply>thermal>temperature>select
temperature area>ok>enter temperature value>313k>ok
Convection>on areas>select convection area>enter film
coeffieicent value=0.055w/m2
Bulk temperature value=303k
Solution>solve>current Ls>ok
Thermal gradient>vector sum thermal Meshing>mesh tool>smart sizes on> mesh>ok

Meshed model

gradient>ok
Heat flux>vector sum heat flux>ok

THERMAL ANALYSIS OF COMPRESSOR

R404 REFRIGERANT & ALUMINUM
Thermal gradient>vector sum thermal gradient>ok

HFC-134A & ALUMINUM ALLOY 6061

Thermal conductivity=151w/mk
Specific heat=873J/Kg.k
Density=28100Kg/m3
Solution>solve>current Ls>ok
Thermal gradient>vector sum thermal gradient>ok
Heat flux>vector sum heat flux>ok

Heat flux>vector sum heat flux>ok

R404 & ALUMINUM ALLOY 6061
Thermal gradient

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Modeling & Analysis of a Compact Dynamic Model for Household Vapour Compression Refrigerated Systems

Heat flux Imported model

REFRIGERANT HFC-134A & Al Meshed model

Thermal gradient

THERMAL ANALYSIS OF EVAPORATOR

404R REFRIGERANT & ALUMINUM
Heat flux Thermal gradient

Heat flux
REFRIGERANT - HFC-134A
ALUMINUM ALLOY 6061
Thermal gradient

R404 & ALUMINUM ALLOY 6061

Thermal gradient

Heat flux

Heat flux

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 International Journal of Engineering Research And Management (IJERM)
ISSN : 2349- 2058, Volume-02, Issue-02, February 2015

Heat flux 0.82

1.115 0.798 0.814
(W/mm2) 1
AL Thermal
3.96
All gradient 7.09 3.882 3.938
4
oy (K/mm)
606 Heat flux 0.59
1.488 0.586 0.594
1 (W/mm2) 8
Thermal
3.77
CO gradient 6.344 3.587 3.711
HFC-134A &ALUMINUM 1
PP (K/mm)
Thermal gradient ER Heat flux 1.45
(W/mm2) 2.442 1 1.381 1.428
COMPRESSOR
Performa
MT nce R-40 HFC- HFC-
HCFC
RL paramete 4 134A 152A
r
Thermal
gradient 18.63 24.35 21.62 23.33
Heat flux AL (K/mm)
Heat flux
3.913 5.112 4.54 4.899
(W/mm2)
AL Thermal
AL gradient 20.48 26.17 23.44 25.17
LO (K/mm)
Y
Heat flux
606 3.092 3.951 3.539 3.8
(W/mm2)
1
Thermal
CO gradient 15.62 21.01 18.47 20.04
PP (K/mm)
R134A &ALUMINUM ALLOY ER Heat flux
Thermal gradient 6.014 8.088 7.109 7.716
(W/mm2)

EVAPORATOR
Perfroma
MT nce HCF HFC- HFC-
404R
RL paramete C 134A 152A
r
Thermal
25.6 35.03 32.29 34.12
gradient
76 2 9 3
Heat flux AL (K/mm)
Heat flux 5.39
7.356 6.782 7.165
(W/mm2) 2
Al Thermal
28.5 36.39 34.22 35.68
All gradient
96 7 7 5
oy (K/mm)
606 Heat flux 4.31
5.496 5.168 5.388
1 (W/mm2) 8
Thermal
19.7 27.68 30.21
gradient 31.54
Cop 12 9 8
VII. RESULTS (K/mm)
per
Heat flux 7.58 12.14 11.63
CONDENSER 10.66
(W/mm2) 91 3 4
Perfroman
MT HFC- HFC-
ce HCFC R404
RL 134A 152A CONCLUSIONS
parameter From the modeling of household vapor compression
Thermal refrigerated system by using 3D software Pro/Engineer and
3.91
AL gradient 7.384 3.803 3.878 thermal analysis by ansys, the following conclusions were
4
(K/mm) made.

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 Modeling & Analysis of a Compact Dynamic Model for Household Vapour Compression Refrigerated Systems

In the present work a compact model of household

refrigerator is modeled using 3D Pro/Engineer. The REFERENCES
refrigerated system consists of condenser, evaporator, [1] Recent Developments on Domestic Refrigerator-A
compressor and expansion value. The refrigerant used mostly Review by Abhishek Tiwar
now a days is HFC-134a. [2] Energy Efficiency improvements in Household
. The present existing refrigerant is HFC-134a and the Refrigeration cooling systems by ERIK BJÖRK
material used in making of compressor, condenser and [3] Experimental Investigation of A Domestic
evaporator is copper. In the present work the existing Refrigerator Having Water-Cooled Condenser
refrigerant is replaced with HCFC, HFC-152a, R-404.Where Using Various Compressor Oils by Sreejith K
as material is replaced with aluminum alloy 6061 and [4] Akash, B.A., Said, S.A., 2003. Assessment of LPG as
aluminum. a possible alternative to R-12 in domestic
In this project the modeling is done for compressor, refrigerator. Energy Conversion Management 44,
condenser, evaporator using various materials and various 381–388.
refrigerants conducted thermal analysis on compressor, [5] Andrew gigiel safety testing of domestic refrigerators
condenser and evaporator using the materials of copper, using flammable refrigerants university of Bristol
aluminum, aluminum alloy 6061 using refrigerants UK
HCFC,404R,HFC-134a,HFC-152a. [6] Arora, C.P., 2000. Refrigeration and Air
In this project work Pro/Engineer is used for the modeling of Conditioning, 2nd edition. Tata McGraw Hill
components and Ansys is used for the thermal analysis .In this publishing company limited, New Delhi.
thesis a compact model of house hold refrigerator, B.O.Bolaji, University of agriculture, Nigeria.
refrigeration system is designed and modeled in 3D modeling [7] Calm, J.M., 2006. Comparative efficiencies and
software Pro/Engineer. The refrigeration system consists of implications for greenhouse gas emissions.
condenser, evaporator, compressor and expansion valve. The [8] Calm, J.M., Hourahan, G.C., 2001. Refrigerant data
refrigerant used most nowadays is HFC-134a. summery.
From the results it is observed that the thermal gradient and [9] Calm, J.M., Hourahan, G.C., 2001. Refrigerant data
Heat flux are higher for the refrigerant HCFC compared to summery. Engineering Systems 18, 74–88.
404R, HFC 134a and HFC-152a. But HCFC leads to high
pollution compared to remaining three refrigerants. So in
connection to the eco friendly refrigerant HCFC is not
preferable and only best is selected among remaining
refrigerants.
The thermal gradient is higher for 404R refrigerant than
HFC-134a and HFC-152a for all the components i. e
condenser, compressor and evaporator.
Heat flux is more for copper than other materials. The density
of copper is 0.00000794.Hence the more density causes the
components weights increases.
 The thermal gradient of condenser for R-404 using
aluminum -6061 is 1.298% more than aluminum.
 The thermal gradient of compressor for R-404 using
aluminum-6061 is 6.966% more than aluminum.
 The thermal gradient of evaporator for R-404 using
aluminum -6061 is 3.751% more than aluminum.
 The average thermal gradient of condenser,
compressor, and evaporator for R-404 using
aluminum-6061 is 4.005% more than aluminum.
 The heat flux of condenser for R-404 using aluminum
is 27.162% more than aluminum-6061.
 The heat flux of compressor for R-404 using
aluminum is 22.711% more than aluminum-6061.
 The heat flux of evaporator for R-404 using aluminum
is 25.293% more than aluminum-6061.
 The average heat flux of condenser, compressor,
evaporator for R-404 using aluminum is 25.05533%
more than aluminum-6061.
 When comparing both aluminum and aluminum
alloy-6061 it is observed that thermal flux is
84.015% more for aluminum than aluminum-6061.
 By observing analysis results the refrigerant using
404R and the material aluminum is better.

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