ISSN (Online) 2456-1290

International Journal of Engineering Research in Mechanical and Civil Engineering

(IJERMCE)
Vol 6, Issue 8, August 2021

Design and Simulation of Solar Powered Vapour

Compression Refrigeration System
[1]
Chaitanya G. Balinavar, [2] Rohan N. Bhairavkar, [3] Stanzin Lotos, [4] Shubham G. Bhumkar,
[5]
Dr.Vijay W. Bhatkar
[1][2][3][4]
Marathwada Mitra Mandal’s College of Engineering, Pune, India
[5]
Associate Professor at Marathwada Mitra Mandal’s College of Engineering, Pune, India

Abstract--- Due to the growing concern and awareness of environmental issues among the scientific community, power generation
from renewable energy sources, particularly solar energy has become significantly important for the last few decades. Solar energy
is abundantly available in India hence, it has a high potential to use as an alternative to non-renewable energy sources.Refrigerated
storage, which is believed to be best method for storing the fruits and vegetablesin fresh form, is not available in rural or remote
locations where grid electricity is almost not available.So, without having a conventional energy source at these areas, the present
study was taken upto design and fabricate Solar powered VCR system.In this system electrical energy has been replaced with solar
energy which will reduce the consumption of high grade electrical energy. It consists of solar panel, Lead-acid battery, inverter,
charge controller and VCR system. We have selected all the solar components by calculating its capacities as per the capacity of
compressor used for VCR system. VCR calculations have been done using Coolpack software which is an user friendly
software.VCR system is simulated using Aspen Hysys v11 software and the desired results were obtained. Solar PV panel system is
simulated using Matlab/Simulink software from which current and power curves were obtained for different values of irradiance at
a constant temperature.
Index Terms— VCR, Solar PV system, Simulink, Aspen Hysys v11

its components.
I. INTRODUCTION
 Design of Vapour compression refrigeration system.
This introductory chapter presents the Objectives, Scope  Design of Off-Grid Solar system.
and Methodology of the project. Our goal is to develop a  Simulation of VCR and Solar PV system.
Vapour compression refrigeration system which works on
III. SCOPE
electricity provided from Solar energy.
On average nearly 300 days a year in India are sunny, with
II. OBJECTIVES
about 1,500–2,000 sunshine hours per year depending upon
In this project, we will concentrate only on designing a location. The daily average solar energy incident over India
refrigeration system that uses solar energy as its main varies between 4 to 7 kWh/m2. This provides huge
source of power. The design will also see the potential for projects that use solar energy to be
implementation of a simulation so as to help us in implemented. Although there has been considerable
determining the viability of the project. Solar powered progress in this field, a lot of scope remains to rework and
refrigeration system has been a subject that has received a improve existing ways of utilizing solar energy in a viable
lot of publicity in the recent past. Several governments have manner. At the same time, there is also room for creation of
put in place mechanisms of controlling harmful emissions new ways to efficiently engage with solar power. The
to the environment and also devise ways of controlling the components of the system included solar panels, a
amount of energy consumed. Designing a system that relies maximum power point battery bank, vapour compression
on entirely solar energy will help in achieving some of the refrigeration system. Each component was sized and
goals for the developing countries of having a clean source configured appropriately in order to optimise the
of energy and also reduce their reliance on fossil fuels and performance of the system.
national electricity grid. Following are the objectives of our
IV. METHODOLOGY
project:
 To learn and understand Vapour Compression Our system is a solar powered VCR system. We have used
refrigeration system. electricity generated using photovoltaic energy i.e. solar
 To learn and understand Solar power generation and energy. The project has been carried in the following

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 ISSN (Online) 2456-1290
International Journal of Engineering Research in Mechanical and Civil Engineering
(IJERMCE)
Vol 6, Issue 8, August 2021
pattern:
 Designing of Vapour compression refrigeration
system (mini refrigerator) using Coolpack software.
 Designing of off-grid solar system to run the mini
refrigerator.
 Cost estimation of the components for VCR system
and off-grid solar system.
 Simulation of VCR system in Aspen Hysys v11
software.
 Simulation of Solar PV system using Matlab/Simulink
software.
V. PROBLEM STATEMENT
Design and Simulation of a Solar Powered Vapour
Compression refrigeration System. Given data:
 Evaporating Temperature = 7.4°C
 Condensing Temperature = 54°C
 Degree of Superheat = 5°C
 Degree of Subcooling = 7°C
 Pressure drop in Suction line = 0.80 bar
 Pressure drop in Discharge line = 3.10 bar
VI. DESIGN CALCULATIONS
 Vapour compression refrigeration cycle
calculations:
We have performed VCR system calculations using
Coolpack software. Following are the steps performed on
Coolpack to get the results: Fig. 1: Screenshot of VCR system results 1
 Step 1: Open Coolpack and click on Refrigeration
Utilities.
 Step 2: Click on the P-h cycle icon.
 Step 3: An option will occur for selecting refrigerant.
 Step 4: Click on Options menu and then select Input
Cycle.
 Step 5: Put the parameters in the dialog box which
appears after selecting Input Cycle.
 Step 6: Click on Update button and then click on
Show info which gives the results.

Following are the results obtained after following the above

process:

Fig. 2: Screenshot of VCR system results 2

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 ISSN (Online) 2456-1290
International Journal of Engineering Research in Mechanical and Civil Engineering
(IJERMCE)
Vol 6, Issue 8, August 2021
convection Air cooled condenser.

3. Selection of Expansion valve:

Fig. 6: Capillary tube

Considering low capacity refrigeration and economical

Fig. 3: Screenshot of VCR system P-h diagram aspect we have selected capillary tube made of copper as
expansion device for our refrigeration system. From
From the above calculations we had selected VCR standard charts we got length of capillary tube as 1500 mm
components. and inside diameter as 0.7 mm.
1. Selection of Compressor:
4. Selection of Evaporator:

Fig. 7: Roll bond evaporator

Fig. 4: Hermetically selaed compressor
From calculations we have got 0.22 TR cooling capacity of
From calculations we have selected 1/5 HP hermetically
evaporator for which we get 30 litres capacity evaporator
sealed D.C. compressor.
compartment. So we have selected roll bond evaporator of
length 320 mm and width 300 mm.
2. Selection of Condenser:
 Solar system calculations:
The following 6 steps are required for building a DIY Off-
Grid Solar System:
1. Calculate Daily Energy Consumption
2. Select the Battery
3. Select the Solar Panel
4. Select Charge Controller
5. Select Inverter
Fig. 5: Natural convection Air cooled condenser
1. Calculate Your Daily Energy Consumption:
In Natural convection Air cooled condensers heat transfer is
Energy Consumption (Watt-Hour) = Power (Watts) × Time
by buoyancy effect hence they are suitable for small
(Hours) = 151 × 5
refrigerators. Therefore, we have selected Natural
Energy Consumption (Watt -Hour) = 755 W-hr

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 ISSN (Online) 2456-1290
International Journal of Engineering Research in Mechanical and Civil Engineering
(IJERMCE)
Vol 6, Issue 8, August 2021

2. Select the Battery: For Solar Panel ,we have selected 250 Watt Polycrystalline
The following factors determine the battery bank size: Solar Panel.
 Daily power consumption
 System voltage (12V / 24V /48V) 4. Selection of Charge controller:
 Depth of Discharge (DOD) - The battery’s Depth of Voltage rating for charge controller is same as system
Discharge (DOD) is the percentage of the battery voltage i.e. 12V
capacity that can be safely drained without damaging olar panel wattage
Current rating (A) = × Safety factor Current
yste Voltage
the battery.
Daily Energy Consu ption Watt-Hour rating (A) = × 1.3 = 25.965 A
Battery Capacity (Ah) =
yste Voltage x DOD

Battery Capacity (Ah) = = 125.833 Ah

Fig. 10: Charge controller

Fig. 8: Battery For Charge Controller, we have selected 30 Amp

MPPT(Maximum Power point Tracker) Charge Controller.
For Battery ,we have selected 150 Ah Luminuous Battery.
5. Selection of Inverter:
3. Select the Solar Panel:  Continuous Watts = 800 W
The sizing of the solar panel used in an off-grid system  Surge Watts = 1200 W
depends on the following factors:  Output voltage = 230 V (AC)
 Daily energy consumption  Frequency = 50 Hz
 Number of Peak sun hours – The peak sun hours is the
number of hours per day during which the average solar
irradiance (sunlight) is 1000 watts per square meter
(W/m2) or 1 kilowatt per square meter (kW/m2).
 Solar panels efficiency

Daily Energy Consu ption Watt-Hour

Solar panel Watt =
Pea sun Hour yste efficiency
Fig. 11: Inverter
Solar panel Watt = = 239.682 W
For Inverter, we selected 1100 VA AC to DC Pure Sine
Wave Microtek Inverter.
VII. SIMULATIONS
 Vapour Compression Refrigeration Cycle
Simulation:
We have performed Simulation of VCR cycle in Aspen
Hysys v11 software. We had selected refrigerant R134a and
Property package as Peng Robinson. We had made the
VCR cycle model shown in Fig. 12 by taking the
Fig. 9: Solar Panel components from Model Pallette and inputting the given
values.

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 ISSN (Online) 2456-1290
International Journal of Engineering Research in Mechanical and Civil Engineering
(IJERMCE)
Vol 6, Issue 8, August 2021

Fig. 12: VCR cycle model in Aspen Hysys v11 Fig. 14: Solar PV Array Simulink Model

Results were obtained after simulation for each component In Fig. 15 are shown the current, voltage and power which
shown in the following tables. The temperature and are obtained at output of PV Array. These are the curves of
pressure values at the suction and discharge of the current, voltage and power versus time obtained at value of
compressor are approximately equal to design calculations 1600W/m2 Irradiance and 25°C Temperature as constant
and indicates working of actual VCR cycle. inputs to Solar PV Array. From the obtained curves we can
conclude that current and power increases upto a certain
Table 1: VCR cycle simulation results point and then decreases rapidly whereas voltage increases
linearly in a Solar PV Array. In order to produce maximum
power from our selected Solar PV module it has operated at
a voltage of 25V which is seen from the curves.

Fig. 15: Power, Current and Voltage curves for PV

array

The MPPT (Maximum power point Tracker) points were

Fig. 13: Parameters of each component
obtained from following graph shown in Fig. 16
 Solar Photovoltaic Array Simulation:
We have simulated Solar PV Array in Matlab/Simulink
software. Fig.14 shows Simulink model. We have used 1
Soltech 1STH-215-P module for our PV Array. PV Array
has 5 parallel strings consisting of 1 series connected
module per string. Simulink Model is equivalent to actual
Solar PV system. The PV model is validated by simulating
at different values of Irradiance and Temperature.

Fig. 16: MPPT point

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 ISSN (Online) 2456-1290
International Journal of Engineering Research in Mechanical and Civil Engineering
(IJERMCE)
Vol 6, Issue 8, August 2021
Power values were obtained for different values of 5) Capillary tube 1 300
irradiance from 0 W/m2 to 2000 W/m2 at a constant value 6) Structure for VCR 1 2000
of 25°C temperature. These values were inserted in Excel 7) Copper pipes 4 500
from where a graph of Power vs Irradiance was obtained Total 9800
which is shown in Fig. 17
It can be observed that as Irradiance increases the  Costing of Solar PV system:
maximum power output also increases proportionally. Table 3: Costing of Solar PV system
Sr. Components No. of Cost
No. Objects in ’₹’
1) Battery 1 11900
2) Solar Panel 1 9900
3) Charge controller 1 2000
4) Inverter 1 5500
5) Solar cables 2 960
6) Structure for solar panel 1 3000
7) Solar connector (MC4) 4 500
Total 33760

Fig. 17: Graph of Power vs Irradiance IX. ANALYSIS OF ELECTRICITY COST AND CO2
EMISSIONS
Current vs Time graph for different values of Irradiance at  Electricity Cost saving calculations:
constant temp. of 25°C was also obtained which is shown in  Daily Energy Consumption of VCR system = 0.75
Fig. 18. From graphs it is seen that current increases with kWh .
increase in irradiance on solar PV panel.
 Electricity rate per unit = ₹ 5.5 .
 Daily rate of running VCR system on Electricity grid =
0.75 x 5.5 = ₹ 4.125 .
 Yearly rate = 4.125 x 30 x 12 = ₹ 1485 .
 Life of Solar PV system is generally 20 years hence,
Electricity cost saved for 20 years = 1485 × 20
= ₹ 29700 .
 From above calculations we can conclude that with the
use of Solar PV system a considerable amount of cost
can be saved which is spent monthly on Electricity bills.
 Also for a Solar PV system maintenance cost is almost
zero.
 CO2 Emission calculations:
Fig. 18: Current vs Time for Irradiance values
 Electricity generated from a coal based plant emits
VIII. COST ESTIMATION approximately 0.98 kg of CO2/kWh
 Daily electricity consumption of VCR system = 0.75
 Costing of VCR system:
kWh
Table 2: Costing of VCR system
 CO2 emitted per day = 0.75 x 0.98 = 0.735 kg of CO 2
Sr. Components No. of Cost
No. Objects in ‘₹’  CO2 emitted in 20 years i.e. life of Solar PV system
= 0.735 x 30 x 12 x 20
1) DC Compressor 1 3000
= 5292 kg of CO2
2) Natural convection Air 1 1000
cooled condenser  From Solar PV system CO2 is not emitted at all.
3) Roll Bond Evaporator 1 950  Hence, we can avoid huge amount of CO2 emission with
use of Solar PV system.
4) Evaporator compartment 1 2000

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 ISSN (Online) 2456-1290
International Journal of Engineering Research in Mechanical and Civil Engineering
(IJERMCE)
Vol 6, Issue 8, August 2021

X. CONCLUSION [7] Dr. N.J. Ekins-Dau es, “ olar energy for heat and
electricity : the potential for mitigating climate
The aim of our project is to develop a Solar PV system
change.”; I perial College London.
which could run a Vapour compression refrigeration [8] K.N. Nwaigwe, P. Mutabilwa & E. Dintwa, “An
system. We were able to design and simulate a Solar PV overview of solar power (PV systems) integration into
system which could run a VCR system such that the load is electricity grids.”; Elsevier; 2019.
always met. [9] Armand Noël Ngueche Chedop, Noël Djongyang and
Firstly a VCR system and Solar PV system was designed Zaatri Abdelouahab; IJSR 3(11), 1066 (2014).
by doing the required calculations from the derived [10] Bhagyesh Talekar, Avinash Barve & Rahul Jangam,
formulae. “Design and Fabrication of Vapour Co pression
VCR cycle was simulated in Aspen Hysys v11 software Refrigeration yste Test Rig.”; IJ R; Volu e 7
from which results obtained validate design calculation Issue 6; June 2018.
results. [11] Dinesh Khanna and Aneesh Jose, “ Assess ent of the
A Matlab/Simulink model of Solar PV Array was use of solar flat plate collectors for solar thermal
developed to simulate its performance in accordance with refrigeration.”; IRJET; Volu e 4 Issue 9; ep-2017.
Irradiance and Temperature. From simulation results it was [12] Saurabh Kumar Rajput and Omveer Singh,
observed that with increase in Irradiance the current and “Reduction in CO2 E ission through Photovoltaic
power output increases. We were also able to determine System: A Case tudy”, Nov. 2017.
voltage to get maximum power from Solar PV array at a
particular value of Irradiance and Temperature.
Hence, from computer simulation we were able to validate
our calculations.
Usage of Electricity generated from Solar PV system saves
monthly cost spent on Electricity bills.
Solar PV system helps in nullifying the CO2 emission in
comparison to electricity generated from coal based power
plants.
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