Investigation of the effect of the use of grooved tube evaporator on cooling performance in commercial refrigerators using R290 as natural refrigerant

In this study, the refrigeration performance and refrigerant side velocity and pressure drop of an open type Display Cabinet (RDC) using R290 as natural refrigerant will be evaluated. Refrigeration systems will be compared in terms of heat exchanger performance and pressure drop. The energy efficiency of the developed refrigerator will be evaluated through laboratory tests and theoretical analysis. In addition, both heat exchanger systems will be analyzed in terms of energy efficiency, energy class will be determined and COP values and second law efficiencies will be compared. The findings show that the heat exchange efficiency of the grooved tube evaporator is higher than that of the smooth tube evaporator. However, a 30% higher pressure drop was measured in the grooved tube evaporator compared to the smooth tube evaporator. The developed refrigerator was also evaluated in terms of energy, economy, and environment, with the average COP value of the RDC calculated as 2.4 and the second law efficiency of the RDC determined as 45.2%. The energy class was determined as D, and the highest consumption was measured in the compressor and PTC resistance. To achieve better energy efficiency values in similar refrigerators of the same class, compressor efficiencies should be increased, and defrost cycles should be adjusted to reduce consumption in the resistance.