Performance and Sizing of Solar Driven dc Motor Vapor Compression Refrigerator with Thermal Storage in Hot Arid Remote Areas

In this study, an experimental investigation on performance of solar driven with direct current (DC) motor vapor compression refrigerator through indoor and outdoor tests with/without thermal storage and with/without loading is carried out in hot arid areas. The experimental setup main components are multi-crystalline Photovoltaic (PV) module, battery as a buffer for constant 12 V DC and 50 liter portable refrigerator with/without PCM thermal energy storage. In addition, a theoretical model is established to evaluate the refrigerator performance when operated under different environmental conditions of the design point. Thereafter the model is used to size a larger cooling capacity solar driven refrigerator. The results show that this system can be used in remote hot arid areas for refrigeration of post-harvest crops transportation activities. From outdoor results at PCM – full load condition, a COP of 1.22 is achieved and storage temperature of 5 °C is achieved at third day and 0 °C at sixth day.