Thermoeconomic design and optimization of frost-free refrigerators

An optimization methodology aiming at energy and cost savings in frost-free refrigerators is advanced. A steady-state simulation model was devised and its predictions for energy consumption were compared with experimental data obtained elsewhere, with differences not exceeding a +/- 9% error band. The model was used to find out the evaporator air flow rate, the number of evaporator and condenser fins, the compressor size and efficiency, and the insulation thicknesses of both fresh- and frozen-food compartments which yield the minimum energy consumption when the total cost is constrained. The optimization led to a refrigeration system with energy consumption 18% lower than that observed for the baseline system without any cost penalty. The system performance for four different compressors, including a high efficiency, a large capacity and a variable-speed one, was also analyzed. For the refrigerator under analysis, it was found that, to ensure an economically feasible design, the variable-speed compressor should not cost 26% more than a single-speed one with the same piston displacement. (C) 2012 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.