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Improving the energy efficiency of a refrigerator-freezer through the use of a novel cabinet/door liner based on polylactide biopolymer

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  • Hossieny, Nemat
  • Shrestha, Som S.
  • Owusu, Osei A.
  • Natal, Manuel
  • Benson, Rick
  • Desjarlais, Andre

Abstract

This paper presents the energy savings potential of a newly developed liner applied on the foam insulation used in refrigerator and freezer cabinets, compared with using a more commonly used liner made from high-impact polystyrene. The new polylactic acid polymer liner is made from renewable feedstock such as carbon found in plant sugars. The energy use over the life of refrigerator and freezer is calculated using the Energy-Efficient Refrigerator Analysis program developed by the United States Department of Energy to estimate the energy savings potential of various technology option upgrades (cabinet and refrigeration system) for rulemaking purposes. The simulation results show that energy savings from implementing the Ingeo liner range from 818 to 1395 kWh (7.3–12.5% of total energy use) over a 15-year period. In addition to the energy savings, the slower increase in the thermal conductivity of the insulation could allow the compressor to run fewer hours per year compared with a case in which the foam thermal conductivity increases rapidly. This change could increase the life of the compressor and the refrigerators and freezers. This study does not attempt to quantify the impact of slower foam aging on the compressor life.

Suggested Citation

  • Hossieny, Nemat & Shrestha, Som S. & Owusu, Osei A. & Natal, Manuel & Benson, Rick & Desjarlais, Andre, 2019. "Improving the energy efficiency of a refrigerator-freezer through the use of a novel cabinet/door liner based on polylactide biopolymer," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C), pages 1-9.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:235:y:2019:i:c:p:1-9
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.10.093
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Negrão, Cezar O.R. & Hermes, Christian J.L., 2011. "Energy and cost savings in household refrigerating appliances: A simulation-based design approach," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(9), pages 3051-3060.
    2. Cheng, Wen-Long & Mei, Bao-Jun & Liu, Yi-Ning & Huang, Yong-Hua & Yuan, Xu-Dong, 2011. "A novel household refrigerator with shape-stabilized PCM (Phase Change Material) heat storage condensers: An experimental investigation," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(10), pages 5797-5804.
    3. Cheng, Wen-Long & Yuan, Xu-Dong, 2013. "Numerical analysis of a novel household refrigerator with shape-stabilized PCM (phase change material) heat storage condensers," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 265-276.
    4. Harrington, Lloyd & Aye, Lu & Fuller, Bob, 2018. "Impact of room temperature on energy consumption of household refrigerators: Lessons from analysis of field and laboratory data," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 211(C), pages 346-357.
    5. Gholap, A.K. & Khan, J.A., 2007. "Design and multi-objective optimization of heat exchangers for refrigerators," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 84(12), pages 1226-1239, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Liu, Guoqiang & Yan, Gang & Yu, Jianlin, 2021. "A review of refrigerator gasket: Development trend, heat and mass transfer characteristics, structure and material optimization," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 144(C).

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