Low cost refigration system using LPG

Abstract

Refrigeration is essential for preserving food, beverages, medicines, and other perishable products. However, conventional refrigeration systems depend heavily on electricity, which is not always available in rural and remote areas. This project presents an LPG based refrigerator that operates without a compressor or continuous electrical power, providing a low-cost and energy-efficient cooling solution. The main objective of this project is to develop a simple, portable, and eco-friendly refrigeration system using Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as the refrigerant. The system is designed to provide cooling in off-grid areas while reducing electricity consumption and operational cost. The methodology involves using an LPG cylinder, pressure gauge, capillary tube, evaporator coil, aluminum insulation sheet, and PVC refrigerator body. LPG passes through the capillary tube where pressure drops suddenly, causing the gas to evaporate inside the evaporator coil. During evaporation, heat from the refrigerator chamber is absorbed, producing the cooling effect. A battery-operated temperature sensor is used to monitor the chamber temperature. The experimental result showed that the system successfully reduced the chamber temperature up to 24°C, demonstrating stable cooling performance without electricity. The project proved to be economical, easy to construct, and suitable for rural applications. In conclusion, this LPG refrigerator provides an effective alternative cooling system for areas with limited power supply while supporting sustainable and low-energy refrigeration technology.