DEVELOPMENT AND THERMODYNAMIC PERFROMANCE ANALYSIS OF DUAL EVAPORATOR REFRIGERATION SYSTEM WITH SPIRAL TYPE SUBCOOLER
Abstract
This project presents the design, construction, and performance evaluation of a dual evaporator
vapor compression refrigeration system (VCRS) integrated with a spiral subcooler, with the
objective of enhancing cooling capacity, thermodynamic efficiency, and energy utilization. The
system was experimentally tested over a five-day period with varying refrigerant charges of 30 g,
45 g, 60 g, 75 g, and 90 g, and key operating parameters such as compressor suction and
discharge conditions, condenser heat rejection, evaporator cabinet temperatures, and subcooler
exit conditions were recorded. The inclusion of the spiral subcooler provided an additional
degree of subcooling, reducing refrigerant flash losses at the expansion devices and improving
the coefficient of performance (COP). Results showed that the system with the subcooler
exhibited higher cooling capacity, reduced compressor workload, and greater exergy efficiency
compared to the baseline system without subcooling. Exergy analysis further revealed that the
subcooler minimized exergy destruction and improved the quality of energy conversion across
the system. The experimental findings demonstrate that optimal refrigerant charge plays a crucial
role in balancing mass flow rate, evaporator performance, and overall system efficiency, with
medium charge levels (45 g–75 g) yielding the most stable performance. The study confirms that
the spiral subcooler is an effective enhancement device for improving refrigeration performance,
energy savings, and sustainability, thereby providing useful insights for the development of
advanced domestic and industrial cooling applications.
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