Performance Analysis of Food Refrigeration System Without Defrost Operation: Eco-Design Approach

Abstract

In this study, the average evaporation temperatures of the refrigerated display cabinets (RDC) operating according to 3M0 (+4°C/−1°C) and 3M1 (+5°C/−1°C) conventional fan-assisted defrost (CFAD) and new without defrost (NWD) operation were −2.5°C for 3M0 NWD, −10°C for 3M0 CFAD, 3M1 NWD −1.5°C, 3M1 CFAD −8°C while the condensation temperature was 45°C for both systems. The experimental study was carried out at 3M0 and 3M1 temperature classes for both processes. With the design working according to the NWD process, the refrigerated package temperatures were kept at appropriate levels by the standards. With this design change, it was experimentally calculated that the annual energy consumption values of the refrigeration system were reduced by 10.52% and 10.99% in the 3M0/3M1 temperature classes, respectively. The energy efficiency index (EEI) values were reduced by 10.60% and 10.97% in the 3M0/3M1 temperature classes, respectively. In this respect, the energy class labeling of the refrigeration system has been improved from “B” to “A” for both temperature classes. Carbon emission values of the designs are analyzed; when switching from the CFAD process to the NWD process, the annual carbon emission values decreased from 915.42 kgCO₂/year to 819.06 kgCO₂/year in the 3M0 temperature class and from 891.33 kgCO₂/year to 793.36 kgCO₂/year in the 3M1 temperature class. With the eco-design realized as a result of the study, the package temperatures of the refrigerated products were kept within the values required by the standard, and carbon emissions were reduced due to the improvement in the energy label. Thus, these findings have important implications for food protection processes.