PEFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT OF DOMESTIC REFRIGERATOR USING PHASE CHANGE MATERIALS MIXED WITH NANO FLUID

Abstract

This paper investigates about the performance enhancement of domestic refrigerator using phase change materials(PCM) mixed with Nano fluids inside the evaporator. A u shaped PCM box is used to contain the PCM mixed with Nano fluid around the evaporator. The box is made of aluminium sheet as it is a good conductor of thermal energy. This system has been tested with water and NaCl solution mixed with 1 and 2% of Copper oxide (CuO) Nanofluid. Nano fluid enhance the ability of PCM to store more thermal energy. It has been found that during the operation of compressor the PCM mixture was cooled first by conduction process as it is very close to the evaporator. Then PCM mixture exchanges energy with the load in the refrigerator cabin. The stored thermal energy in PCM mixture was yielded to the refrigerator cell during off cycle and allows several hours of continuous operation without power supply. It has been observed that the performance of domestic refrigerator has improved by 19-78 %. The experimental studies with water and NaCl mixed with CuO Nanofluid has confirmed that there was an 78 % increase in the coefficient of performance and compressor off time also increased.