Short Summary
Field Feasibility
Determination of a Novel Energy-Saving Refrigeration Controller
Patrick D. French
01-12
EISG Project
Title: Field Feasibility Determination of a Novel Energy-Saving Refrigeration
Controller
EISG Grant Number: 01-12
PIER Area: Residential and Commercial Buildings
Principal Investigator: Patrick D. French
Contact Information: Phone:
(303) 792-5615, email: Patrick.French@adatech.com
Organization: ADA Technologies, Inc.
Grant Amount: $75,000
Grant Term: 12 Months
Project Description:
Proposes to research the feasibility of developing a frost sensor, microcontroller, and special algorithm to fine-tune the defrost cycle for industrial/commercial refrigerators by activating and terminating defrost cycles only when frost appears on the evaporation coil.
Proposed Outcomes:
§ Prototype frost sensor microcontrollers for use in field tests.
§ A model to predict energy savings.
§ Modified firmware that includes additional alarm conditions.
§ Feasibility analysis based on performance of prototype system.
Anticipated Benefits:
§ The proposed demand defrost system has the potential to reduce refrigerator energy consumption from 6 to 15% by reducing the number and length of defrost cycles.
§ This has the potential to save .034 quads of electrical energy from commercial refrigeration in the U.S. based on the following assumptions (.6304 quads consumed in this category, 11% improved efficiency, 50% market penetration).