Refrigerator

Aim :-
• A refrigerator (commonly referred to as a fridge) is a common household
appliance that consists of a thermally insulated compartment and a heat
pump (mechanical, electronic, or chemical) which transfers heat from the
inside of the fridge to its external environment so that the inside of the
fridge is cooled to a temperature below the ambient temperature of the
room.

Construction :

Refrigeration system of domestic refrigerator consists of following main

components:
1. Hermetically sealed compressor.
2. Fin and Tube type evaporator.
3. Accumulator.
4. Thermostat.
 5. Air cooled condenser.
6. Capillary tube.
7. Drier and strainer.
• Domestic refrigerator has a cabinet shape. Compressor is located in its
basement, whereas, condenser and receiver are located at the back side.
• Compressor is a back dome shaped machine. Suction, discharge and
charging tubes are tted to the compressor. On the compressor body,
control devices such as relay, overload protector etc. are tted.
• Evaporator remains exposed inside the storage cabinet. Ice trays are kept
in the ice box, which is a part of evaporator for producing small quantity of
ice. Condenser is a black coloured wounded coil or tube generally kept at
backside. By adjusting thermostat knob, desired temperature in the
evaporator can be set. Strainer is provided to remove impurities from the
refrigeration system.
• Drier is provided to remove moisture (i.e. water vapour associated with
refrigerant) from the refrigeration system. A soft rubber gasket with
magnetic wire is provided at the door of cabinet to provide air tight seal so
as to prevent atmospheric air from entering into the refrigerator cabinet
through small openings.

Working :-
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• Low pressure, low temperature liquid refrigerant enters Into the evaporator,
absorbs heat from the space to be refrigerated or cooled and gets
converted into low pressure, low temperature vapour refrigerant. It creates
cooling e ect in the space to be refrigerated, Refer Fig.
• This low pressure vapour refrigerant is sucked by the compressor, where
its pressure and temperature are increased by compression. High pressure
and high temperature vapour refrigerant delivered by compressor is cooled
and condensed to liquid state in the condenser.
• Thus, heat is rejected by the refrigerant in the condenser. Then, this high
pressure liquid refrigerant is passed through capillary tube, where it
undergoes throttling expansion and due to expansion, its pressure is
reduced to obtain low pressure liquid refrigerant.
• Low pressure and low temperature liquid refrigerant is suppred to
evaporator, where it absorbs heat from the space to be cooled. This
completes one cycle. The above cycle is repeated again and again, till the
desired refrigerating e ect is achieved.

Types of Refrigerators :-
There are various types of refrigerators available to suit di erent needs and
preferences:
• Top-Freezer Refrigerators: Traditional design with the freezer
compartment located on top.
• Bottom-Freezer Refrigerators: Freezer compartment is located at the
bottom for easier access to fresh food.
• Side-by-Side Refrigerators: Vertical split design with the freezer on one
side and the refrigerator on the other.
• French Door Refrigerators: Similar to side-by-side models but with
French-style double doors for the refrigerator compartment.
• Compact Refrigerators: Smaller units designed for dorm rooms, o ces,
or small apartments.
• Built-in Refrigerators: Integrated into kitchen cabinetry for a seamless
look.
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 Example :-
UPSON MINI FRIDGE

Particulars Speci cations

Model UPSON
Model no URF-M50A
Rated voltage 240V
Electricity consumption 0.5kWH/24h
Power 90W
Weight 19kg
Total e ective volume 47L
Refrigerant R134a

Advantages :-
• Food Preservation: Refrigerators help in preserving perishable food items
by maintaining them at low temperatures, thereby slowing down the
growth of bacteria and fungi.
• Extended Shelf Life: By keeping food items at optimal temperatures,
refrigerators help extend their shelf life, reducing food wastage and
saving money.
• Convenience: Refrigerators provide a convenient storage solution for
food and beverages, allowing users to organize and access items easily.
• Temperature Control: Modern refrigerators come with adjustable
temperature settings, allowing users to customize the temperature based
on the type of food being stored.
• Ice Production: Many refrigerators come equipped with ice makers,
providing a convenient source of ice for beverages and cooling purposes.

Disadvantages :-
• Initial Cost: Refrigerators can be expensive to purchase initially, especially
high-end models with advanced features and technologies.
• Maintenance: Refrigerators require regular maintenance to ensure optimal
performance, including cleaning the interior, defrosting (for some models),
and replacing lters and seals.
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 • Limited Lifespan: Like all appliances, refrigerators have a limited lifespan,
typically ranging from 10 to 20 years depending on usage and
maintenance. Eventually, they may require repairs or replacement parts.
• Space Consumption: Refrigerators occupy signi cant oor space in the
kitchen or living area, which can be a concern for small apartments or
homes with limited space.
• Environmental Impact: Refrigerants used in older refrigerators, such as
chloro uorocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochloro uorocarbons (HCFCs), can
contribute to ozone depletion and global warming if released into the
atmosphere. However, modern refrigerators use more environmentally
friendly refrigerants.
• Noise: Some refrigerators, especially older models or those with outdated
components, can produce noise during operation, which may be
bothersome in quiet environments.
• Dependence on Electricity: Refrigerators require a constant supply of
electricity to maintain their cooling function. Power outages or electrical
failures can lead to food spoilage and inconvenience

Applications :-

• Household Use: Storing perishable food and beverages at home.

• Commercial Kitchens: Keeping ingredients and prepared foods fresh in
restaurants and hotels.
• Supermarkets/Grocery Stores: Preserving perishable goods for sale.
• Food Processing/Manufacturing: Chilling and storing raw materials and
nished products.
• Cold Storage Warehouses: Temperature-controlled storage for various
goods.
• Medical/Pharmaceutical: Storing medications, vaccines, and biological
samples.
• Research Laboratories: Preserving reagents, chemicals, and samples.
• Beverage Industry: Fermentation and chilling of beverages.
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: Temperature control during medication
production.
• Transportation/Logistics: Maintaining the cold chain during transport of
perishable goods.
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