Fridge modelling

[YD99]

Hi all.

I have the project of converting a 20ft shipping container into a solar-powered fridge / cold storage room. For this, it is required I come up with a suitable way of modelling the fridge. I guess my question is what software is there available to help me do this. I have very limited knowledge of Matlab but is this suitable for my task - I’d imagine so with the correct use of Thermodynamics / code? Can anyone point me in the way of literature relevant to my task? The solar panel power output is known I believe but I need to work on modelling the components of the fridge, insulation etc.

Any help is appreciated as I’m at a loss at where to begin.

 

[MacGyverS2000]

Unless you plan on insulating the snot out of the container, you may have a tough time getting enough energy through a 12-hour solar day to refrigerate a container through a 24-hour day, especially given the amount of space available for the solar panels isn't any bigger than a single face of the container itself.

Dan - Owner

http://www.Hi-TecDesigns.com

 

[itsmoked]

Check these:
thread391-470114
thread403-434755
thread391-464358

Keith Cress
kcress -

http://www.flaminsystems.com

 

[IRstuff]

Any way, start by making some stab at insulation and use the simultaneous equations for conduction through the insulation and convection into the air plus solar loading, etc. to get the continuity equation for heat flow to solve for heat gain. Change insulation, rinse and repeat. Covering the top of the box with solar panels could get you around 5 kW at ideal peak solar conditions.

TTFN (ta ta for now)
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