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Performance analysis and development of a refrigeration cycle through various environmentally friendly refrigerants

Technical, economical and design challenges

Journal of Thermal Analysis and Calorimetry volume 136, pages 1817–1830 (2019)Cite this article

Abstract

In this study, a refrigeration cycle was simulated with different refrigerants in a petrochemical plant in Iran. Using Aspen HYSYS Software, necessary modifications were checked as much as possible and optimum values for important parameters affecting cycle of the optimized simulators in the Aspen HYSYS were found. Having found the most economical refrigeration cycle, financial expenses were reduced in the refrigeration cycle. Then, results from the simulation by Aspen HYSYS and Icarus software were compared with actual values of the petrochemical plant under study, and the most efficient and economical strategies to achieve the desired cycle were suggested. Energy consumption of the compressors was optimized by creating a Joule–Thomson balance between VLV-100 and the compressor power of the refrigeration cycle, which reduces the cost of utilities in the refrigeration cycle. The aim of this study is process optimization of the refrigeration cycle economically and also use of the environmental friendly refrigerants.

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Abbreviations

R-22:

Chlorodifluoromethane

R-502:

R-502 is an azeotropic blend of R-22 and R-115

R-134a:

1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane

Aspen HYSYS:

Hyprotech system

Icarus:

Capital cost estimator

PRSV:

Peng–Robinson Stryjek and vera

PFD:

Process flow diagram

ASME STEAM:

Water and steam

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Central Tehran Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran

    Shahin Saleh, Vahid Pirouzfar & Afshar Alihosseini

Authors
  1. Shahin Saleh
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  2. Vahid Pirouzfar
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  3. Afshar Alihosseini
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Correspondence to Vahid Pirouzfar.

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Saleh, S., Pirouzfar, V. & Alihosseini, A. Performance analysis and development of a refrigeration cycle through various environmentally friendly refrigerants. J Therm Anal Calorim 136, 1817–1830 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-018-7809-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10973-018-7809-3

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