Simulation and experimental study of phase change material in maintaining temperature of cold room
Student name: Mr Jnana Bhaskar Rao
Guide: Dr Som Mondal
Year of completion: 2018
Host Organisation: Centre of Excellence in Thermal Energy Storage, TERI School of Advanced Studies
Supervisor (Host Organisation): Mr Abhinav Bhaskar
Abstract: Refrigeration is a fundamental requirement for long term food
preservation (Cold Storage). Being highly dependent on ambient conditions, the
demand on any refrigeration system is highly non-uniform during the course of a
day. This erratic demand leads to high consumption and strain on the equipment.
One way to improve energy efficiency and increase the life of equipment is to
separate demand and supply with a large storage of cold thermal energy. PCM
based systems offer an excellent choice of storage medium. Water-ice
transformation is economically one of the cheapest and well studied in the
literature. Due to presence of intermediate heat exchangers and heat transfer
fluids there is a difference between the transformation temperature of ice and the
temperature of produce in the storage. In the present study, a design is proposed
that will allow for lower achievement of air temperatures by direct circulation of
air in the ice block. A prototype of a Vapor Compression Refrigeration system for
ice making was prepared. The ice formation pattern was studied and
modifications were made to the design for improving heat exchange. A rough
estimation of the load on the compressor system as a function of the freeze
fraction was also made. The experiments for actual ice circulation were not
completed but simulation studies were carried out which suggested that the cold
room air temperature would quickly achieve the ice transformation temperature.
Future work on this design could allow for maintaining localized temperatures
in the cold room that are virtually equal to the transformation temperature of the
PCM material.
