Efficiency of Free Cooling Technique in Air Refrigeration Systems

Free cooling techniques can be used to substantially reduce energy costs. During cold weather, the outside ambient temperature can help in saving energy in refrigeration systems. The low temperature of the cooling ambient air supply enables free cooling technique to store fresh fruits and vegetables. This energy-efficiency measure can save enough compressor electric power to pay for modulating damper installation costs in approximately one year. Free cooling has a motorized damper that conducts the two flows of internal and external air. When the damper is open it takes the air necessary for cooling directly from the exterior, excluding compressor operation. It starts the evaporator fan that takes external air if Texternal Tinternal. A case study has been carried out for 17 Ton cooling load in a storage room and the COP can be reached to 24 where the only energy consumption is from the use of evaporative fans.