Review and experimental study on performance improvement of split air conditioner by reducing inlet air temperature to the ODU

Abstract

Split Air Conditioners (ACs) are more commonly use now a days in residential and commercial buildings for achieving thermal comfort in all seasons. Split ACs works on well-known VCR (Vapour Compression Refrigeration) cycle. Split ACs used more in summer season and due to high outside temperature condenser pressure in a VCR cycle and ultimately result in to high electricity consumption. One of the way to reduce energy consumption of Split ACs and increase cooling capacity is reduce air temperature entering to the condenser in ODU using evaporative cooling principle. In this paper detailed review have been carried out for the improvement of split air conditioner performance and experimental study conducted on Split AC (0.8 TR cooling capacity) with and without evaporative cooling pad at ODU. Evaporative cooling pad material and thickness have been varied to analyse their effects on cooling capacity and coefficient of performance (COP) of Split AC. Out of the PVC, Grass and Cellulose cooling pad of same thickness 150 mm, cellulose cooling pad at ODU of Split AC results about 2 bar reduction in condenser pressure and 1.5 KWH energy saving for 10 hours of operation in a day. Split AC with 100 mm thick cooling pad of cellulose material at ODU results in to approximately 16% increase in overall COP, 10.8 % increase in cooling capacity and 4.6 % reduction in power consumption and at 32°C DBT and about 35% RH outdoor weather condition.