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Simulation study on refrigeration performance under frost condition in a R404A refrigerator truck type

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Abstract

The formation of frost causes a decrease in the heat exchanger performance because of increased thermal resistance. In this study, the performance of a refrigeration system in a refrigerator truck with frost growth was determined and the performance characteristics were analyzed considering the indoor and outdoor temperature, outdoor air velocity, and compressor rotating speed. As a result, under frost growth conditions, refrigeration capacity was decreased by 30.4% when the operating time passed by 3 hours which had a blocking ratio of 40.1%. In addition, the mass flow rate was decreased, but the pressure ratio was increased with an increase in frost thickness, leading to a decrease in the refrigeration capacity and COP. The maximum system COP was found at a compressor rotating speed of 1500 rpm: 2.30 and 1.86 for a blocking ratio of 0% and 40.1%, respectively. It gradually decreased over 1500 rpm.

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Abbreviations

de:

equivalent diameter

D:

diameter, m

Dc :

displacement, m

Fr:

Froude number

h:

enthalpy, kJ/kg

k:

conductivity

\(\dot m\) :

flow rate, kg/s

N:

compressor rotating speed, rpm

P:

pressure, kPa

Q:

cooling capacity, kW

Sp :

piston stroke length, m

Tf :

frost layer surface temperature, K

W:

compressor work

We:

weber number

x:

quality

Xtt :

martinelli parameter

η :

isentropic efficiency

ρ″:

″/″

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Correspondence to H. H. Cho.

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Kim, S.H., Kim, T.J., Shin, Y.C. et al. Simulation study on refrigeration performance under frost condition in a R404A refrigerator truck type. Int.J Automot. Technol. 16, 387–397 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12239-015-0040-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12239-015-0040-3

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