Experimental Study on the Influences of Air Flow in an Integral Hydrocarbon Display Cabinet to its Temperature and Energy Performances

I N Suamir,K M Tsamos,M E Arsana

doi:10.1088/1757-899x/494/1/012017

Abstract

This paper presents results on temperature energy performance tests of an integral refrigerated hydrocarbon (HC) display cabinet for retail food applications. Heat from the condensing unit of the cabinet is rejected to both ambient air and water/glycol mixture flowing in a closed water circuit. Air flow in the cabinet loaded with M-packages as test products was studied in order to analyze effects of air flow rate in the cabinet to its temperature and energy performances. The product and air temperatures as well as energy consumption of the cabinet were measured. The tests were conducted in a test chamber at climate class 3. It was found that the HC display cabinet with integral condensing unit was found to provide excellent energy performance with an Energy Efficiency Index below the requirement to qualify for enhanced capital allowances. The refrigeration system of the cabinet could also achieve a COP of 3.15. The study also found that higher air flow rate in the cabinet could make the product temperatures a little bit better, but the energy consumption increased approximately 7% when air flow rate was increased from 1200 m3 h−1 to 1800 m3 h−1. Air flow distribution in the cabinet was necessary to be optimized in order to comply with M0 classification cabinet.

Highlights

Vertical refrigerated display cabinets are commonly used in retailed food stores to ensure safety of the food products
It was found that the HC display cabinet with integral condensing unit was found to provide excellent energy performance with an Energy Efficiency Index below the requirement to qualify for enhanced capital allowances
The study found that higher air flow rate in the cabinet could make the product temperatures a little bit better, but the energy consumption increased approximately 7% when air flow rate was increased from 1200 m3 h-1 to 1800 m3 h-1

Summary

Introduction

Vertical refrigerated display cabinets are commonly used in retailed food stores to ensure safety of the food products. Various types of vertical refrigerated display cabinets can be found in retail stores including the stand-alone or centralized systems. The display cabinet evaporators in sales area are feed by the centralized refrigeration system which located in the machinery room. With regards to their opening, there are two types of vertical refrigerated display cabinets: open-type and door type. The open-type refrigerated display cabinets are widely used in retail stores to attract the costumers and increase the sales. The main advantage of the open type refrigerated display cabinets over the door type ones is to allow consumers free access to food [1]

Methods

Results

Conclusion