Experimental study on household refrigerator with diffuser pipe

To reduce the energy consumption of household refrigerators, a better understanding of the flow passing through the ejectors (diffuser pipe) is needed. The refrigerator with diffuser pipe was constructed in this study and then compared with a refrigerator without an exhaust/suction-pressurized and energy-saving diffuser pipe. The energy consumption levels of the two refrigeration systems under various operating conditions were measured. Using the collected data, the flow characteristics through the diffuser pipe were clearly understood. Results showed that the energy consumption of the prototype refrigerator (Electrolux BCD-252T) was 0.575 kWh d−1, representing a reduction rate of 8.0%.

Research highlights► This paper has examined the application of diffuser refrigeration system. ► This diffuser refrigeration system is more attractive than ejector refrigeration cycles. ► The system with a suction diffuser has an 3.36% – 4.09% reduction in power consumption. ► The system with an exhaust diffuser has an 8.0% reduction in power consumption.