Integration of a Refrigerated Display Cabinet with Phase Change Material Heat Exchanger

In this paper, the performance of a refrigerated open-type multi-deck display cabinet with integration of phase change material (PCM) was investigated experimentally. The PCM was purposely selected to obtain appropriate melting and freezing temperatures for this application. It was then charged into two types of heat exchangers (HEs) which were installed immediately after the cabinet evaporator in the main back flow channel such that the cooled air flow could pass through both HEs. The display cabinet with and without PCM integration was then mounted in an air conditioned chamber and tested at the same operating condition to measure and compare the performances of system and components. The tests results showed that by installing the PCM-HEs, energy savings and lower cabinet temperatures could be achieved. Further benefits could also be obtained such as more stabilization of the product temperatures during defrost period for the modified display cabinet.

Keywords:

Phase change material , Display cabinet , Energy saving