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

Author

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  • Răzvan Calotă

    (Department of Thermodynamic Sciences, Faculty of Building Services, Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest, 66 Pache Protopopescu Blvd., 020396 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Mihai Savaniu

    (Department of Thermodynamic Sciences, Faculty of Building Services, Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest, 66 Pache Protopopescu Blvd., 020396 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Alina Girip

    (Department of Thermodynamic Sciences, Faculty of Building Services, Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest, 66 Pache Protopopescu Blvd., 020396 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Ilinca Năstase

    (Department of Thermodynamic Sciences, Faculty of Building Services, Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest, 66 Pache Protopopescu Blvd., 020396 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Matei Răzvan Georgescu

    (Department of Thermodynamic Sciences, Faculty of Building Services, Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest, 66 Pache Protopopescu Blvd., 020396 Bucharest, Romania)

  • Oana Tonciu

    (Department of Thermodynamic Sciences, Faculty of Building Services, Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest, 66 Pache Protopopescu Blvd., 020396 Bucharest, Romania)

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

Suggested Citation

  • Răzvan Calotă & Mihai Savaniu & Alina Girip & Ilinca Năstase & Matei Răzvan Georgescu & Oana Tonciu, 2022. "Study on Energy Efficiency of an Off-Grid Vending Machine with Compact Heat Exchangers and Low GWP Refrigerant Powered by Solar Energy," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(12), pages 1-26, June.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:15:y:2022:i:12:p:4433-:d:841699
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Massaguer, E. & Massaguer, A. & Pujol, T. & Comamala, M. & Montoro, L. & Gonzalez, J.R., 2019. "Fuel economy analysis under a WLTP cycle on a mid-size vehicle equipped with a thermoelectric energy recovery system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 306-314.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ioan Mihail Savaniu & Alexandru-Polifron Chiriță & Oana Tonciu & Magdalena Culcea & Ancuta Neagu, 2023. "Neural-Network-Based Time Control for Microwave Oven Heating of Food Products Distributed by a Solar-Powered Vending Machine with Energy Management Considerations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(19), pages 1-22, October.
    2. Rocha, Thiago Torres Martins & Teggar, Mohamed & Trevizoli, Paulo Vinicius & de Oliveira, Raphael Nunes, 2023. "Potential of latent thermal energy storage for performance improvement in small-scale refrigeration units: A review," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 187(C).

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