Refrigerator

Aim :-
• A refrigerator (commonly referred to as a fridge) is a common household appliance
that consists of a thermally insulated compartment and a heat pump (mechanical,
electronic, or chemical) which transfers heat from the inside of the fridge to its ex-
ternal environment so that the inside of the fridge is cooled to a temperature below
the ambi-
ent tem-
perature
of the room.

Con-
struc-
tion :

Refrigeration system of domestic refrigerator consists of following main com-

po- nents:
1. Hermeti-
cally
sealed
compres-
sor.
2. Fin and
Tube type evaporator.
3. Accumulator.
4. Thermostat.
5. Air cooled condenser.
6. Capillary tube.
7. Drier and strainer.
• Domestic refrigerator has a cabinet shape. Compressor is located in its basement,
whereas, condenser and receiver are located at the back side.
• Compressor is a back dome shaped machine. Suction, discharge and charging tubes
are fitted to the compressor. On the compressor body, control devices such as relay,
overload protector etc. are fitted.
• Evaporator remains exposed inside the storage cabinet. Ice trays are kept in the ice
box, which is a part of evaporator for producing small quantity of ice. Condenser is
 a black coloured wounded coil or tube generally kept at backside. By adjusting
thermostat knob, desired temperature in the evaporator can be set. Strainer is pro-
vided to remove impurities from the refrigeration system.
• Drier is provided to remove moisture (i.e. water vapour associated with refrigerant)
from the refrigeration system. A soft rubber gasket with magnetic wire is provided
at the door of cabinet to provide air tight seal so as to prevent atmospheric air from

entering into the refrigerator cabinet through small openings.

Working :-

• Low pressure, low temperature liquid refrigerant enters Into the evaporator, absorbs
heat from the space to be refrigerated or cooled and gets converted into low pres-
sure, low temperature vapour refrigerant. It creates cooling effect in the space to be
refrigerated, Refer Fig.
• This low pressure vapour refrigerant is sucked by the compressor, where its pres-
sure and temperature are increased by compression. High pressure and high temper-
ature vapour refrigerant delivered by compressor is cooled and condensed to liquid
state in the condenser.
• Thus, heat is rejected by the refrigerant in the condenser. Then, this high pressure
liquid refrigerant is passed through capillary tube, where it undergoes throttling ex-
pansion and due to expansion, its pressure is reduced to obtain low pressure liquid
refrigerant.
• Low pressure and low temperature liquid refrigerant is suppred to evaporator,
where it absorbs heat from the space to be cooled. This completes one cycle. The
above cycle is repeated again and again, till the desired refrigerating effect is
achieved.

Types of Refrigerators :-
There are various types of refrigerators available to suit different needs and prefer-
ences:
• Top-Freezer Refrigerators: Traditional design with the freezer compartment lo-
cated on top.
• Bottom-Freezer Refrigerators: Freezer compartment is located at the bottom for
easier access to fresh food.
• Side-by-Side Refrigerators: Vertical split design with the freezer on one side and
the refrigerator on the other.
• French Door Refrigerators: Similar to side-by-side models but with French-style
double doors for the refrigerator compartment.
• Compact Refrigerators: Smaller units designed for dorm rooms, offices, or small
apartments.
• Built-in Refrigerators: Integrated into kitchen cabinetry for a seamless look.

Example :-
UPSON MINI FRIDGE

Particulars Specifications
Model UPSON
Model no URF-M50A
Rated voltage 240V
Electricity consumption 0.5kWH/24h
Power 90W
Weight 19kg
Total effective volume 47L
Refrigerant R134a

Advantages :-
• Food Preservation: Refrigerators help in preserving perishable food items by
maintaining them at low temperatures, thereby slowing down the growth of bacte-
ria and fungi.
• Extended Shelf Life: By keeping food items at optimal temperatures, refrigerators
help extend their shelf life, reducing food wastage and saving money.
• Convenience: Refrigerators provide a convenient storage solution for food and
beverages, allowing users to organize and access items easily.
• Temperature Control: Modern refrigerators come with adjustable temperature set-
tings, allowing users to customize the temperature based on the type of food being
stored.
• Ice Production: Many refrigerators come equipped with ice makers, providing a
convenient source of ice for beverages and cooling purposes.

Disadvantages :-
• Initial Cost: Refrigerators can be expensive to purchase initially, especially high-
end models with advanced features and technologies.
• Maintenance: Refrigerators require regular maintenance to ensure optimal perfor-
mance, including cleaning the interior, defrosting (for some models), and replac-
ing filters and seals.
• Limited Lifespan: Like all appliances, refrigerators have a limited lifespan, typi-
cally ranging from 10 to 20 years depending on usage and maintenance. Eventu-
ally, they may require repairs or replacement parts.
 • Space Consumption: Refrigerators occupy significant floor space in the kitchen or
living area, which can be a concern for small apartments or homes with limited
space.
• Environmental Impact: Refrigerants used in older refrigerators, such as chloroflu-
orocarbons (CFCs) and hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), can contribute to
ozone depletion and global warming if released into the atmosphere. However,
modern refrigerators use more environmentally friendly refrigerants.
• Noise: Some refrigerators, especially older models or those with outdated compo-
nents, can produce noise during operation, which may be bothersome in quiet en-
vironments.
• Dependence on Electricity: Refrigerators require a constant supply of electricity
to maintain their cooling function. Power outages or electrical failures can lead to
food spoilage and inconvenience

Applications :-

• Household Use: Storing perishable food and beverages at home.

• Commercial Kitchens: Keeping ingredients and prepared foods fresh in restau-
rants and hotels.
• Supermarkets/Grocery Stores: Preserving perishable goods for sale.
• Food Processing/Manufacturing: Chilling and storing raw materials and finished
products.
• Cold Storage Warehouses: Temperature-controlled storage for various goods.
• Medical/Pharmaceutical: Storing medications, vaccines, and biological samples.
• Research Laboratories: Preserving reagents, chemicals, and samples.
• Beverage Industry: Fermentation and chilling of beverages.
• Pharmaceutical Manufacturing: Temperature control during medication produc-
tion.
• Transportation/Logistics: Maintaining the cold chain during transport of perish-
able goods.