Diagnóstico y rediseño de una cámara de refrigeración experimental en la FIMCP

Abstract

CONDITION FOR PUBLICATION OF PROJECT. The project focuses on the diagnosis and redesign of a refrigeration chamber belonging to the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Production Sciences at ESPOL. The main objective is to recover this equipment for didactic purposes, following the technical guidelines of the ASHRAE 2022 standard and ensuring optimal conditions for its academic use. During the development, an initial technical inspection of the main components was carried out, verifying the compressor, evaporator, piping, and electrical system. Thermal loads were calculated using the Coolselector software, and the piping and thermal insulation were designed. Subsequently, different intervention alternatives were evaluated, selecting the reuse of the main equipment with partial modernization, which included the construction of an electrical control panel with digital monitoring instruments. As a result, the chamber was rehabilitated while keeping the compressor and evaporator operational, achieving safe and reliable operating conditions. The simulation showed an effective capacity of 3,668 BTU/h, equivalent to 72% of the nominal value. The economic analysis confirmed savings of USD 1,158 compared to a complete replacement. It is concluded that the equipment is technically and didactically feasible, that its modernization optimizes resources, and that the preventive maintenance plan ensures continuity, reliability, and availability for the training of future generations of students. Keywords: refrigeration chamber, thermal load, system, redesign, diagnostic.