Projects / Mechanical / Project 21

Domestic Refrigerator Performance Test: COP and Energy Use

Approx. component budget: Rs. 5,000 - 9,000

Objective

Measure pull-down time, running time, energy use and approximate COP of a refrigerator by cooling a known water load, at different loads and door-opening patterns.

What you will build

Surface temperature sensors on the compressor, condenser, evaporator inlet and cabinet, plus an energy meter and a data logger, fitted to an ordinary domestic or mini refrigerator. The refrigerant circuit is never opened.

Results you can expect

• Cabinet temperature vs time
• Pull-down time
• Energy per day
• COP at different water loads
• Effect of door openings and room temperature

What you will learn

The vapour compression cycle in a real machine, COP, energy measurement and how loading and ambient conditions change efficiency.

Tools and notes

Arduino + temperature sensors, plug-in energy meter, Excel. Do not touch or open the refrigerant lines, and keep sensor wires away from the hot condenser.

Resume points from this project

• Built and tested Domestic Refrigerator Performance Test: COP and Energy Use; objective: measure pull-down time, running time, energy use and approximate COP of a refrigerator by cooling a known water load, at different loads and door-opening patterns.
• Measured and analysed cabinet temperature vs time and pull-down time; wrote the report and presented the results in a viva. Add your own numbers: [x].

Replace [x] with your own measured results. Write only what you really did.

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