Integration of a mini-channel condenser into a household refrigerator with regard to accurate capillary tube length and refrigerant amount

•Two types of mini-channel condenser with louvered fin were respectively integrated to a household refrigerator.•Optimum capillary length and refrigerant amount were determined for that refrigerator.•Contribution ratios of the heat exchanger type, capillary length and refrigerant amount on the energy consumption rate were identified. In this study, two types of mini-channel condenser are integrated into a household refrigerator in order to increase the performance of the system. Since the integration process requires the substitution of capillary tube which will be followed by charging a different amount of refrigerant, this work focuses on finding the right amount of the refrigerant and the right size of the capillary as well. This experimental study is carried out on a commercial household refrigerator in a climatic chamber with respect to IEC standards. During the experiments, two types of mini-channel condensers have been analyzed with five different capillary lengths and five varying coolant amounts in order to find the best combination for better performance. The outcomes of the study release the thresholds for either capillary length or refrigerant amount, which are 3.25 m and 50 g, respectively, that will enlighten the further studies on the same investigations.