Performance enhancement of a solar-powered refrigerator using phase change materials at the condenser: An experimental study

Improving the performance of a refrigeration systems is a key factor in reducing electricity consumption. This experimental study aims to enhance the efficiency of a solar-powered refrigerator by incorporating phase change materials (PCMs) into its main thermal components. The condenser surface was coated with paraffin wax at different coverage ratios (0%, 25%, 50%, and 75%). The objective was to evaluate the effect of PCM integration on the refrigerator's thermal behavior, energy consumption, and operational stability. The experimental results show that a 50% paraffin wax coating on the condenser provides the greatest improvement in thermal performance. Under this condition, energy consumption was reduced from 105 to 95 Wh, corresponding to a decrease of approximately 9.5%. In addition, the compressor off-time increased to more than 24 min during a two-hour test period, under a controlled ambient room temperature of 25 ± 1 °C. The coefficient of performance (COP) reached a value of 3.5 when the condenser surface was coated with 50% paraffin wax. These results demonstrate the practical potential of PCM-assisted condensers as passive thermal energy storage solutions in refrigeration systems. This approach enhances heat transfer and thermal storage, providing a simple and cost-effective strategy for improving refrigeration systems efficiency. This approach is particularly suited to decentralized refrigeration applications operating under intermittent energy supply conditions.