Fuzzy control of the compressor speed in a refrigeration plant

Abstract In this paper, referring to a vapor compression refrigeration plant subjected to a commercially available cold store, a control algorithm, based on the fuzzy logic and able to select the most suitable compressor speed in function of the cold store air temperature, is presented. The main aim is to evaluate the energy saving obtainable when the fuzzy algorithm, which continuously regulates the compressor speed by an inverter, is employed to control the compressor refrigeration capacity instead of the classical thermostatic control, which imposes on/off cycles on the compressor that works at the nominal frequency of 50 Hz. The variation of the reciprocating compressor speed is obtained by controlling the compressor electric motor supply current frequency in the range 30–50 Hz, as it is not possible to consider values smaller than 30 Hz because of the lubrication troubles due to the splash system. In this range, two among the most suitable working fluids proposed for the R22 substitution, such as the R407C (R32/R125/R134a 23/25/52% in mass) and the R507 (R125/R143A 50/50% in mass) are tested. Comparing the compressor speed fuzzy control with the classical thermostatic control, frequently used in the cold stores and in other refrigeration systems, the experimental results show a meaningful energy saving equal even to about 13% when the R407C is used as a working fluid. In particular, to explain from the energy saving point of view the best performances of the refrigeration plant when the compressor speed varies, an exergetic analysis is realized. Besides, with regard to the inverter cost, the pay-back period determined is more than acceptable for the plant size examined.