Abstract

The increasing demand for efficient refrigeration in tropical regions highlights the importance of integrating thermal energy storage systems into conventional refrigeration units. This study presents a simulation-based investigation of a refrigeration system equipped with a cold accumulator, designed to enhance performance under tropical climatic conditions using R134a refrigerant. The cold accumulator serves as a thermal buffer, enabling load shifting, peak demand reduction, and improved energy efficiency. Using a thermodynamic simulation model, the system’s cooling capacity, coefficient of performance (COP), and energy consumption were analyzed under variable tropical ambient temperatures ranging from 25 °C to 45 °C. The results demonstrate that the integration of the cold accumulator stabilizes evaporator temperature fluctuations, reduces compressor cycling frequency, and enhances COP by up to 8% compared to conventional systems without storage. Furthermore, the system exhibits potential for peak load management, allowing for partial charging during off-peak hours and discharging during peak demand.