SOLAR REFRIGERATOR

SEMINAR REPORT

Submitted in partial fulfilment of

The requirements for the award of Diploma in Electrical and
Electronics Engineering
Under the board of Technical Education Govt. of Kerala
Submitted by:
ALBIN THOMAS (20033146)

SEMESTER V
Diploma in Electrical and Electronics Engineering
Guided by
MS. SUBIL ELIZABETH
Electrical and Electronics Engineering Department

DEPARTMENT OF ELECTRICAL AND ELECTRONICS ENGINEERING

SCMS COLLEGE OF POLYTECHINICS, VAIKKARA

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 SCMS COLLEGE OF POLYTECHNICS
VAIKKARA

CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that this seminar report entitled “SOLAR REFRIGERATOR” is a bonfied
record of the work done by, ALBIN THOMAS under our guidance towards partial fulfilment
of the requirements for the award of Diploma Electrical and Electronics Engineering, under the
board of Technical Education, govt. of Kerala during the year 2020-2022.

Guided By:
MS. SUBIL ELIZABETH
Electrical And Electronics Engineering
SCMS COLLEGE OF POLYTECHNICS
VAIKKARA

INTERNAL EXAMINER EXTERNALEXAMINER

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

As we complete this seminar work, we realize and recognize numerous hands that have helped
us in numerous ways, and we thank them all with our whole heart.
We would like to express our sincere gratitude and heartful indebtedness to
MS.SUBIL ELIZABETH (Lecturer, Electrical and Electronics Engineering), for his valuable
guidance and encouragement in pursing this seminar work.
We are highly indebted to MR.VISHNU R KAMMATH,(Class Tutor, Electrical and
Electronics Engineering) for supporting us all throughout the process
We also acknowledge our gratitude to other members of faculty in the department of Electrical
& Electronics Engineering and all our friends for their whole hearted co-operation and
encouragement.
Above all we are thankful to the god Almighty.

ALBIN THOMAS

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 ABSTRACT

In this topic iam going to discuss about the topic solar refrigerator. Solar refrigerator is a
machine which works with solar energy. Solar energy is proved to be an ideal source for low
temperature heating applications. Three known approaches that use solar energy to provide
refrigeration at temperature below 0 degree include photovoltaic ( PV ) operated refrigeration,
solar mechanical, and absorption refrigeration, both PV operated and solar mechanical cycles
rely on vapour compression refrigeration cycles where as absorption refrigeration uses thermal
energy as the primary input to the cycle. Among these three approaches, the photovoltaic
system is the most variable and appropriate means for small capacity portable system located
in areas not near conventional energy resources.

ALBIN THOMAS

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 CONTENTS

1. CHAPTER. 1
INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………...07

2. CHAPTER. 2
TYPES OF SOLAR REFRIGERATOR SYSTEM……………………….08

3. CHAPTER. 3
CONSTRUCTION ………………………………………………….……09

4. CHAPTER. 4
SCHEMATIC LAYOUT……………………………………………….....10

5. CHAPTER. 5
WORKING………………………………………………………………..11

6. CHAPTER. 6
ADVANTAGES…………………………………………………………..12

7. CHAPTER. 7
DISADVANTAGES……………………………………………………….13

8. CHAPTER. 8
APPLICATIONS …………………………………………………………..14

9. CHAPTER. 9
CONCLUSION…………………………………………………………….15

10. CHAPTER. 10
REFERENCE………………………………………………………………16

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 LIST OF FIGURES

Fig1.0 Schematic diagram …………………………………………………..…..10

Fig2.0 Pictures of solar refrigerator ……..……………………..……….……….11
Fig2.1 picture of solar refrigerator………………………………………..……..11

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 CHAPTER. 1
INTRODUCTION

Electricity generation is the leading cause of industrial air pollution in the country. Most of our
electricity comes from coal, nuclear, and other non-renewable power plants. Producing energy
from these resources takes a severe toll on our environment, polluting our air, land. Renewable
energy sources can be used to produce electricity with fewer environmental impacts. It is
possible to make electricity from renewable energy sources without producing CO2.
Renewable energy is energy derived from natural resources that replenish themselves over a
period of time without depleting the Earth’s resources. These resources also have the benefit
of being abundant, available in some capacity nearly everywhere, and they cause little, if any,
environmental damage. Energy from the sun, wind, and thermal energy stored in the Earth’s
crust are examples.

So this project is intended at the development of a solar based compressor free mini fridge.
This fridge will be suitable for cooling purposes meant for small objects and will have a
relatively small chilling time as compared to the normal refrigeration systems. Also for the
backup, this fridge will be attached to a dynamo based charging system which will maintain
the smooth operation of fridge in case of non-availability of solar power.
Refrigerator which runs on electricity provided by Solar Energy is known as solar refrigeration.
Solar-Powered refrigerators may be most commonly used in the future generation. Developing
the world to help mitigate poverty and climate change

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 CHAPTER. 2
TYPES OF SOLAR REFRIGERATION SYSTEM

 It consists mainly two types,

RECHARGEABLE

 It consists of a lead ion battery which stores charge for critical condition

NON – RECHARGEABLE

 It runs directly on the solar panel

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 CHAPTER. 3
CONSTRUCTION

The solar refrigerator consists of some important parts in its design. They are as
follows
 PV panel
 Dc motor
 Vapour compressor
 Thermal storage
 Condenser
 Electronic control

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 CHAPTER. 4
SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM

Fig 1.0 schematic diagram

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 CHAPTER. 5
WORKING

The process that makes the refrigeration possible is the conversion of sunlight into DC
electrical power, achieved by the PV panel .The DC electrical power drives the compressor to
circulate refrigerant through a vapor compression refrigeration loop that extracts heat from an
Insulated enclosure. This enclosure includes the thermal reservoir and a phase change
material.This material freezes as heat is extracted from the enclosure.This process effectively
creates an "ice pack." enabling temperature maintenance inside the enclosure in the absence
of sunlight. Proper sizing of the highly insulated cabinet , phase change thermal storage
variable speed compressor and the solar PV panel allow the refrigerator to stay cold all year
long.To optimize the conversion of solar power into stored thermal energy, a compressor
control method fully exploits the available energy

Fig 2.0 solar refrigerator Fig 2.1 solar refrigerator

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 CHAPTER. 6
ADVANTAGES

 Solar energy is the main source of energy that is utilized to run solar refrigerator.

 Significant amount of electrical power is saved and it also causes less pollution that
would have been added due to the use of power produced by the conventional power
plants.
 The solar energy is available in every part of the world and unlike fossil fuel and nuclear
power, it is a clean source of energy.
 Additional power from the solar collector can also be used for the other domestic
purposes.
 The solar refrigerators can be very useful where there is no continuous supply of
electricity or difficult to get conventional fuel.
 More importantly it is renewable in nature.

 Conventional refrigeration systems emit significant amount of gas which pollute the
environment.

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 CHAPTER. 7
DISADVANTAGES

 As solar radiation is not available throughout the day, power production is not
uniform. Again it depends on the intensity of the beam radiation.
 Even in the hottest regions on earth, the average solar radiation flux rarely exceeds
1 kWh/m2 and the maximum radiation flux over a day is about 6 kWh/m2.
 These are low values from the point of view of technological utilization.

 So, those refrigeration systems can be used in those places where those problems are
not present.

 To produce sufficient energy from solar system, it needs bigger collector.

 So, there is a need of bigger space for the collector which is another major
problem for using solar refrigeration system.

 Initial investment to develop such set up is also large.

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 CHAPTER. 8
APPLICATION

 Solar energy should be given a chance if we want to protect the environment.

 We own it to our children, our grandchildren and the generations to come.
 Refrigerators
 Freezers
 Ice-makers
 Coolers
 Building air-cooling systems

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 CHAPTER. 9
CONCLUSION

COP for solar refrigeration systems is low, better metrics, size, and cost. Complexity of solar
refrigeration systems requires more size, bulkiness Low operating costs do not outweigh high
initial investment. Advantage is that they don't rely on power grid (PV is most practical for
small scale).

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 CHAPTER. 10
REFERENCE

[1] Burton, A. 2007. Solar Thrill: Using the sun to cool vaccines. Environmental
Health Perspectives. 115(4): 208–211

[2] Brooke, C. (2009, Jan. 8) Amazing solar-powered fridge invented by British

student in a potting shed helps poverty-stricken Africans. Mail Online. Retrieved
January 30, 2009, from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-
1108343/Amazing-solar-powered-fridge-invented-British-student-potting-shed-
helps-poverty-stricken-Africans.html

[3] Flahiff, D. (2009, Jan. 12). Student Invents Solar-Powered Fridge for
Developing Countries. Inhabitat. Retrieved January 30, 2009,

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