Simulation of Household Refrigerators with a Flexible Numerical Tool

Abstract

This work presents a flexible numerical platform to simulate a whole household refrigeration unit taking into account both the refrigeration cycle itself and the refrigerated compartments network. The methodology implemented to achieve the transient simulation of the whole system combines a transient-state approach for the refrigerated chambers network and a steady-state approach for the refrigerant loop. The latter includes the simulation of a capillary-tube/suction-line heat exchanger (to prevent liquid refrigerant from entering into the compressor), and the simulation of a receiver (to store excess refrigerant in its liquid state). In addition, the global system resolution includes two significant features, namely, a specific numerical method to predict the system dynamics when the compressor is switched off, and a control system to regulate the compartments inner temperatures by modifying a damper position (open/closed) and/or the compressor state (on/off). In this work, the major numerical aspects of the platform are briefly described. Furthermore, an illustrative numerical simulation of a household refrigerator including most of the model features is shown in order to see the model potential.