Coupled dual-loop system has been shownto possess energy-saving potential in the domestic refrigerator domain. However

whether the system could operate steadily under designed conditions and how efficiently the system performs under national standard testing condition have not been taken into account. This study investigated the operating parameters of two refrigerator prototypes

wherein the power consumption of one prototype was tested and compared to an existing product. Results revealed that when the system was operated with coupled dual-loop

the condensing pressure of two refrigerators would increase by 23 and 40kPa

respectively

in comparison with the case prior to the coupling. Moreover

increments of 18 and 32 kPa for the evaporating pressure of the separate refrigerators were obtained

which were accompanied by the corresponding increases in the outlet temperatures of condenser and evaporator. These increments were attributed to the cooling load of the refrigerators. From the viewpoint of the freezer

the coupling operation would decrease the condensing pressure and degree of subcooling at the condenser outlet. The condensing pressure and degree of subcooling of the freezer with prototype I decreased by 27 kPa and 1.4 ℃ after coupling

respectively. Furthermore

as the initial degree of subcooling of the freezer with prototype II was insufficiently large

the condensing pressure of the freezer decreased by approximately 160 kPa after the coupling operation

which waseven lower than the saturated pressure of the ambient temperature

which finally resulted in a no-latent heat exchange in the condenser. Under standard conditions

the energy-consumption tests showed that the efficiency of the new refrigerator is 8% higher than that before the alternation.