Refrigerator Coefficient of Performance
Refrigerator Coefficient of Performance
A refrigerator’s COP is the cooling delivered per unit of work input; the Carnot value sets the best achievable.
The ideal cooling COP is COP = T_c/(T_h − T_c). where T_c and T_h are the cold and hot absolute temperatures.
Inputs
T_c := 268 K=268 K
T_h := 303 K=303 K
The Carnot cooling COP depends only on the temperatures.
COP := T_c/(T_h - T_c)=7.66
Results
A COP of, say, 7.7 means almost eight units of heat removed per unit of electricity. A smaller temperature lift raises the COP — keep the condenser cool and the box not too cold.
Assumptions & limitations
- Reversible (Carnot) cycle.
- Absolute temperatures.
- Fixed reservoir temperatures.