REFRIGERATILE

What it does

Our project uses a domestic refrigerator to cool water stored in a tank which circulates underneath the tiles cooling the surface and indoor temperatures. It offers an affordable, energy-efficient alternative to air conditioning in heat-stressed environments.

Your inspiration

Domestic Refrigerators are always used in every household and is kept running. So why not utilize this cooling further. We have found out that : - No studies about using a domestic refrigerator for both tile cooling and food cooling simultaneously. - There isn’t much data on how effective cooling tiles are for cooling a space, especially with a domestic refrigeration system. - It is unknown whether modifying a refrigerator for tile cooling affects its performance or lifespan.

How it works

The Cooling Tile Unit uses chilled water to transfer heat which helps to cool the tiles and surrounding air. A domestic refrigerator is modified by adding an extra evaporator coil, which is submerged in an insulated water tank. When the system is turned on, refrigerant (R600a) flows through this coil, lowering the water temperature inside the tank. This chilled water is then circulated via a pump through heat exchangers mounted beneath the tiles. They absorb heat from the tiles through conduction, reducing tile temperature. This in turn cools the air above by convection. A fan is used in the enclosure to expel warm air, maintaining comfort. The warmed water returns to the tank to be re-chilled, forming a closed-loop system. The tank is insulated to make sure the water remains cold. This system provides an affordable, modular, and energy-efficient alternative to air conditioning, especially for heat-stressed environments.

Design process

We started by seeing problems people were facing in UAE, and one of the main issues were the intense heat that boils up everything around you. This is when we thought how a refrigerator is used in every home and is kept running 24/7. So we thought why not use this energy to also cool a space. We did our research on this and found out no one has tried implementing a modular unit using a fridge to cool a tile, and no study was seen on whether it affects the refrigerator. We asked few industry professionals about this and they were also not sure on what would happen. So then we started to make our 2D sketch to see where to add this additional coil, and what will be used as a cooling source (water). Once we figured that we made a 3D model to get a better understanding visually and started with our procurement for the materials need for fabrication. The challenges we faced were, no one knew what would happen whether the fridge would stop working or just have a drop in cooling, so it was uncertain on what to expect. We added insulation to our water tank so that it doesn't lose it's cooling due to the surroundings. We even made a small enclosure to see how much it will cool a space, made a small setup that replicates the inside of a room, with vents and a fan.

How it is different

So there are already many thermal tile products, especially heated tiles. Cooling tiles are also there where they circulate water underneath to cooling the floors. But our idea makes it so this cooling can be achieved using a refrigerator unit. By doing this we minimise the total energy consumption. As a refrigerator unit is always running, we are maximizing it's efficiency by also cooling a space. And we are also trying to make this into a modular unit so that it is easy to install in every household. The increase in energy is minimal compared to using an AC unit, and the cooling is very significant as it brings room temperatures down to 22°C which is within the Standards.

Future plans

Integration of Smart Sensors - Install temperature sensors for adaptive control and real-time monitoring at key locations (tile, tank, and tubes). Modular Implementation - To make it as a modular unit for easy installation to any domestic fridge. Thermal Comfortability - To use the condenser coils (Hot side) as a heating source for the water tank to heat the tiles. Scalability and the Growth of Applications - Scale the system for residences, small restaurants, and other business settings and modify it. Control of Automatic Cooling - Maximize energy efficiency by allowing the system to only run when necessary, based on temperature

Awards

Won Best Poster for AEIT. Won 2nd for ISHRAE Competition.