An evaporation tray (1) for condensation water, in particular for a refrigerator, comprising a cartridge (2), containing one or more PTC-effect electric resistors (8), 5 capable of evaporating condensation water (4) in the evaporation tray (1) by heating the cartridge (2), the cartridge (2) being fixed in the evaporation tray (1) so as to be at least partially coverable by condensation water (4) during the operation thereof, a control circuit (5) adapted to control the electric current power supply of the one or more PTC-effect electric resistors (8) comprising a switch (51) for the power supply of the one or more PTC-effect electric resistors (8), the control circuit (5) being programmed to open the switch (51) according to the attainment of a predetermined water level in the evaporation tray (1).

Provided are a refrigeration cycle that is formed by connecting a compressor, a condenser, expansion means, and an evaporator and that performs cooling operation; an evaporator heating device that heats the evaporator; a drain pan that receives drain-water from the evaporator and drains the drain-water; a drain-pan heating device that heats the drain pan; frost detecting means including a light-emitting element that emits light to the evaporator and a light-receiving element that receives reflected light from the evaporator and outputs a voltage according to the reflected light; and a control device that controls on-off operation of the evaporator heating device and the drain-pan heating device. The control device determines a frosting condition on the evaporator from an output of the frost detecting means and individually controls the evaporator heating device and the drain-pan heating device in accordance with the determination result.

A refrigeration cycle that is formed by connecting a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve, and an evaporator and that performs cooling operation; an evaporator heating device that heats the evaporator; a drain pan that receives drain-water from the evaporator and drains the drain-water; a drain-pan heating device that heats the drain pan; a frost detecting device including a light-emitting element that emits light to the evaporator and a light-receiving element that receives reflected light from the evaporator and outputs a voltage according to the reflected light; and a control device that controls on-off operation of the evaporator heating device and the drain-pan heating device. The control device determines a frosting condition on the evaporator from an output of the frost detecting device and individually controls the evaporator heating device and the drain-pan heating device in accordance with the determination result.

A preferred embodiment utilizes the waste heat from a refrigerant cycle to aid in the removal of condensate from a refrigerated case used primarily by grocery stores. Certain embodiments use a heating element to boil off condensate or a pump to remove the condensate. Another embodiment utilizes a wicking element and a shroud that directs hot air from the condenser through the wick thereby increasing the condensate evaporation rate. Yet another embodiment utilizes the hot gas tube from the refrigeration system routed through the bottom of the condensate tray to pre-heat the condensate to accelerate evaporation. Alternative embodiments combine certain features to create even more efficient system such as a heating element used with the wick system or the hot gas system used with the wick system. In some embodiments, a mold and mildew inhibitor is added to the condensate to maintain cleanliness.

Condensation management systems and methods including a control unit and a plurality of auxiliary fan devices. The control unit includes fan, heating element and controller maintained by a housing, and a sensor. The auxiliary fan devices each include a fan electrically connected to the controller and that can be selectively installed to a refrigerated display case apart from the housing. The controller operates to prompt operation of the heating element, the fan, and the auxiliary fan devices in response to sensed information.

A dynamic multi-zone anti-sweat heating system may be used in a refrigerator to reduce moisture on various surfaces of the refrigerator. Moreover, in some instances, the determination of when moisture is present and/or absent from a surface may be made based at least in part on detection of the presence or absence of an elevated thermal load on the surface while a heater is activated.

Described herein are systems and methods for drain pan pulse heating. A drain pan of a component of a refrigeration system, such as an evaporator is provided with heating elements. The drain pan is configured to receive condensate that is produced by a heat exchanger of the component. To prevent any accumulated condensate from freezing in the drain pan, a controller activates the heating elements in the drain pan to maintain the temperature of the drain pan above a first temperature setpoint to prevent the freezing. The controller also de-activates the heating elements when the temperature of the drain pan exceeds a second temperature setpoint. The second temperature setpoint may be a temperature at which the condensate may evaporate. This is undesirable because it may result in condensate forming in the refrigerated space that the refrigeration system is cooling.