A Comprehensive Assessment of Condenser Performance Enhancement Using Condensate Water and Its Impact on the Coefficient of Performance of Refrigeration Systems

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to investigate the effect of condensate water spray on the performance of a vapor compression refrigeration system (VCRS), particularly in terms of condenser efficiency. The condenser is a critical component that removes heat, and its performance has a direct impact on the coefficient of performance (COP), energy consumption, and efficiency. Under hot ambient temperatures, condensation pressure and compressor work increase, which reduces the efficiency of the VCRS. To improve condenser efficiency, condensate water collected from the evaporator surface is sprayed onto the condenser surface via a solar-powered pump. The spray water is evaporated, which provides evaporative cooling that reduces the condenser temperature. The experimental setup was carried out in Baiji,Salah Al-Din Governorate, Iraq, under hot climatic conditions to investigate the impact of condensate water spray on the condenser performance of a vapor compression refrigeration system.An experiment setup with a split-type air conditioner has been implemented with thermocouples, pressure gauges, and electrical measuring devices to measure the performance before and after the spray technique. The experiment showed that the performance has improved significantly after the modification. The average actual COP has improved from 2.37 to 3.42, which is an increase of 44%. The electrical power consumption has also reduced by 13.8%. The specific cooling effect has also improved by 22.2%, which indicates that the cooling capacity has improved significantly. The condenser cooling has also improved significantly during.It was also found that spray rate, ambient temperature, and humidity are significant factors that affect the performance of the system. The evaporative spray method was found to be a sustainable option as it is a cost-effective method that utilizes water obtained through condensation. The condensate water spray method is a viable option for reducing energy consumption, COP improvement, and thermal performance of refrigeration systems.