Work

Study on Energy Efficiency of an Off-Grid Vending Machine with Compact Heat Exchangers and Low GWP Refrigerant Powered by Solar Energy

Year: 2022

Type: article

Abstract: The purpose of this research is to design an energy-efficient off-grid vending machine that has a refrigeration system powered by an environmentally friendly refrigerant. The paper presents details from the equipment’s design phase in terms of the resistance structure, photovoltaic panels area dimensioning, but also in terms of the necessary cooling load to be provided by the refrigeration system. The refrigerant chosen was R290 following a comparative analysis, which showed that it has an efficiency 6.6% higher than R134a. During the monitoring periods, the outdoors temperature varied between −4–28 °C, the relative humidity between 22–100% and yet only a slight indoor temperature variation of ±1.5 °C compared to the set value was recorded. The battery module managed to store enough energy from the photovoltaic panels to keep the vending machine functional through three consecutive days with adverse environmental conditions, as evidenced by the low variation of indoor temperature

Source: Energies

DOI: 10.3390/en15124433

Authors: Răzvan Calotă, Mihai Savaniu, Alina Girip, Ilinca Năstase, Matei Răzvan Georgescu, Oana Tonciu

Institution: Technical University of Civil Engineering of Bucharest

Language: English

Topic: Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technologies

Subfield: Mechanical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Affordable and clean energy, Industry, innovation and infrastructure, Climate action, Responsible consumption and production

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,303