Development of a High Efficiency, Automatic Defrosting Refrigerator/Freezer. Phase I. Design and Development. Volume II. R and D Task Reports. Final Report

摘要

Eighteen energy-saving design options were identified for the automatic defrost refrigerator/freezer unit. Projected energy savings and likely consumer acceptance of the design options were evaluated and seven promising options were selected for the development phase. Computer and laboratory studies of an improved condenser and evaporator design, new air flow path and fan housing design, improved defrost and refrigeration expansion valve control, and optimized cabinet insulation were performed. A prototype 16-cubic-foot automatic defrost refrigerator/freezer combining the seven energy saving design options were designed, built, and tested at Amana Refrigeration, Inc. The Phase I prototype refrigerator/freezer had a 1.8 kWh per day energy consumption under the standard 900F closed door energy test. This is an energy factor of over 10 cubic feet per kWh per day and it represents better than a 50% improvement in unit efficiency over the most efficient unit presently available. A field test and market assessment (Phase II) is outlined. The test is designed to evaluate the unit performance in actual home use and marketability in a retail environment. This volume contains task reports on target refrigerator design and improvements prototype design and testing and the demonstration plan.