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Analysis of a Cascade Refrigeration System (CRS) by Using Different Refrigerant Couples Based on the Exergetic Performance Coefficient (EPC) Criterion

  • Research Article - Mechanical Engineering
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Abstract

A theoretical performance analysis based on the exergetic performance coefficient (EPC) criterion has been carried out for a cascade refrigeration system for different refrigerant couples. The EPC criterion is defined as the ratio of exergy output to the total exergy destruction rate (or loss rate of availability). According to the results of the study, the refrigerant couples R23-R717 show the best performance in terms of EPC and coefficient of performance from among the other refrigerant couples (R23-R290, R23-R404A, R23-R507A and R23-R717). In the analysis, R23 was used for the lower temperature cycle and the other refrigerants are used for the higher temperature cycle. The effects of the temperature difference in the cascade condenser and the evaporator and condenser temperature on the EPC, coefficient of performance and exergy destructions have been thoroughly investigated for the refrigerant couple R23-R717.

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Abbreviations

COP:

Coefficient of performance

Ė x :

Exergy rate (kW)

e X :

Specific exergy (kj/kg)

ĖxD :

Exergy destruction rate (kW)

EPC:

Exergetic performance coefficient

h:

Specific enthalpy (kj/kg)

i :

ith component

in:

Input

ṁ :

Mass flow rate of the refrigerant (kg/s)

out:

Output

\({\dot{Q}}\) :

Rate of heat transfer (kW)

s :

Specific entropy (kj/kgK)

T :

Temperature (K)

VCR:

Vapor compression refrigerator

ẇ :

Electrical power input (kW)

x:

Quality

ε :

Exergy efficiency

η :

Efficiency

ci:

Isentropic compressor

comp:

Compressor

cond:

Condenser

cs:

Cooled space

em:

Electrical

exva:

Expansion valve

evap:

Evaporator

m:

Mechanical

tot:

Total

0:

Environment conditions

Cascon:

Cascade condenser

LTC:

Low-temperature cycle

HTC:

High-temperature cycle

*:

Maximum EPC conditions

PH:

Physical

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering, Yildiz Technical University, Besiktas, 34349, Istanbul, Turkey

    Yasin Ust & A. Sinan Karakurt

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  1. Yasin Ust
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  2. A. Sinan Karakurt
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Correspondence to Yasin Ust.

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Ust, Y., Karakurt, A.S. Analysis of a Cascade Refrigeration System (CRS) by Using Different Refrigerant Couples Based on the Exergetic Performance Coefficient (EPC) Criterion. Arab J Sci Eng 39, 8147–8156 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-014-1335-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-014-1335-9

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