CFD Analysis of Refrigeration from Engine Exhaust Heat in Refrigerated Van

The vapor absorption refrigeration cycle is an alternative refrigeration technology that relies on the absorption of a refrigerant vapor into a liquid absorbent. Unlike the more common vapor compression refrigeration cycle, which uses a compressor to pressurize and circulate refrigerant, the vapor absorption cycle uses a combination of heat and absorption to achieve cooling. The vapor absorption refrigeration cycle is driven by a heat source, making it more suitable for applications where waste heat or other low-grade heat sources are readily available. The objective of this paper is to study how in a vapor absorption system, the waste heat from an engine can be converted into useful energy for refrigeration. The paper also shows the optimization of condenser performance by harnessing wind as a natural heat exchanging medium. While vapor absorption refrigeration systems are generally more energy-efficient than vapor compression systems under certain conditions, they are often bulkier and more complex. Despite these challenges, the technology can be a viable and environmentally friendly option for refrigeration vans, especially in scenarios where access to electricity for traditional compression-based systems is limited or impractical. This paper focuses on CFD analysis of different components (condenser coil, evaporator coil, container) of vapor absorption refrigeration cycle installed in the refrigerated van. The temperature difference obtained by the evaporator coil is 12k and the container is maintained at 279 K (6 °C).