3D Scanning and Simulation of a Hybrid Refrigerator Using Photovoltaic Energy

In this chapter, a methodology that starts from the measurement and recording of real prototype geometries up to simulations to evaluate parameters, improvements, or performance under various conditions is proposed. Here a case study of a solar powered refrigerator with storage capacity for 50 kg of fruit is presented. The refrigerator comprises two systems: vapor-compression and Peltier. The methodology consisted in acquiring by a 3D laser scanner or coordinate measuring machine (CMM) and in some small complex items using a 3D photogrammetry scanner. These data were transferred first as a CAD or SolidWorks® geometry and subsequently transferred to domains geometry useful for ANSYS or COMSOL simulation software. These models with high-resolution brings the simulations closer to real prototypes. As a source of direct information from the prototypes, thermal images obtained using a thermographic camera were taken. Also, wireless sensors were installed for temperature and humidity monitoring. The analyses of the energy efficiencies of both prototypes were performed.