Experimental assessment of energy storage via variable speed compressor

In this study, usage of a variable speed refrigeration system in latent heat thermal energy storage (LHTES) system is investigated to increase energy storage efficiency. Four different compressor speed control cases are compared to obtain a constant heat transfer fluid (HTF) temperature at the inlet of the energy storage tank. These control cases are (i) control with evaporation temperature, (ii) control with ethylene glycol temperature at the outlet section of evaporator, (iii) control with suction pressure of the compressor and (iv) on/off control. By means of the experimental analysis the best control strategy is obtained as control with Case (ii), in terms of stability of inlet temperature of heat transfer fluid, variations of energy efficiency of LHTES and coefficient of performance (COP) of the system. While the Case (ii) provides the most stabile inlet temperature of HTF, Case (iv) represents the worst stability. Besides, the highest energy efficiency (99.0%), exergy efficiency (87.0%) and COP (2.05) values observed in Case (ii). Additionally, the time period to reach the set value is nearly 50 min in Case (i), Case (iii) and Case (iv) on the other hand this unstable initial time period becomes nearly 25 min for Case (ii). As a result, variable speed compressor should be controlled with Case (ii) to stabilize ethylene glycol–water solution temperatures as well as increase efficiency and COP of the system.