The dielectric prevention of icing on refrigeration coils

Completed

Energy Efficiency(Residential and commercial)

Applied Research and Development

ENGINEERING AND TECHNOLOGY

Not Cross-cutting

Mr B Perkin
C-Tech Innovation Limited

3

Carbon Trust

01 January 2004

30 October 2004

10 months

£59,030

North West

Mr B Perkin, C-Tech Innovation Limited

Project Contact, E2V Technologies Ltd
Project Contact, Foster Refrigeration

To determine a practical defrosting method for commercial refrigeration through experiential evaluation and cost analysis.

Refrigeration is one of the highest single users of electrical energy in the UK and the world. A major issue inherent in the operation of refrigeration units is that the heat transfer elements used to chill the air cause moisture to condense and then freeze on the heat transfer surfaces. As this ice build-up seriously impairs the performance of the heat exchanger it is necessary to remove it, usually by melting. Raising the temperature of the heat transfer elements is a common technique. However, this uses significant amounts of energy and also leads to the heating of the contents of the refrigerator, which thus need to be cooled down again. This project investigates a solution to the icing problem in which a novel approach is used to prevent ice forming on the heat transfer elements. Two techniques will be investigated to determine the most appropriate method for different running modes. A prototype defroster will then be manufactured using the best available technology and used to determine optimum designs and running conditions with respect to energy use, running cost and overall cost

01/01/07