Simulation of faults in domestic refrigerators of different volumetric capacity: Effect on thermal and energy behavior

Abstract

The present study compares the thermal and energy performance of refrigerators with varying volumetric capacities when faults occur. Simulated faults include the malfunction of the fan attached to the evaporator and the airflow return area obstruction in the freezer. The proposal above included three intensity levels for each fault. Both refrigerators were instrumented to measure temperature conditions within the fresh food compartment and the freezer. In addition, during the test period, energy consumption was measured until thermal stability was reached in both compartments. The effect of each fault’s levels was compared with the reference condition for each refrigerator, which was without faults, as they left the factory. The results show that the fan fault caused the most significant variation in the thermal condition of both refrigerators. The temperature increased from 2°C to 4°C in the fresh food compartment, and from 1°C to 14°C in the freezer. The above causes warmer spaces compared to the reference refrigerator. Consequently, each refrigerator's energy consumption increased from 36% to 65%.