Enhancing Energy Efficiency in Vapor Compression Refrigeration Systems Using Phase Change Materials

Refrigeration systems are essential across various sectors, including food preservation, medical storage, and climate control. However, their high energy consumption and environmental impact necessitate innovative solutions to enhance efficiency while minimizing energy usage. This paper investigates the integration of Phase Change Materials (PCMs) into a vapor compression refrigeration system to enhance energy efficiency and temperature regulation for food preservation. A multifunctional prototype was tested under two configurations: (1) a standard thermally insulated room, and (2) the same room augmented with eutectic plates filled with either Glaceol (−10°C melting point) or distilled water (0°C melting point). Thermocouples were calibrated and deployed to record air and PCM temperatures during freeze–thaw cycles at thermostat setpoints of −30°C and −35°C. Additionally, a defrosting resistor and timer were added to mitigate frost buildup, a known cause of efficiency loss. The experimental results show that PCM-enhanced rooms achieved up to 10.98°C greater temperature stability during defrost cycles and reduced energy consumption by as much as 7.76% (from 0.4584 to 0.4231 kWh/h). Moreover, the effectiveness of PCMs depended strongly on thermostat settings and PCM type, with distilled water demonstrating broader solidification across plates under higher ambient loads. These findings highlight the potential of PCM integration to improve cold-chain performance, offering rapid cooling, moisture retention, and extended product conservation during power interruptions.