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Energy, exergy and economic optimization of a two-stage refrigeration system using low-GWP alternative refrigerants for high-temperature lift applications

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Abstract

The paper presents the thermo-economic performance comparison of a two-stage refrigeration system using five different refrigerants, namely R32, R290, R1270, R143a and R410A. Refrigerants are selected based on their nearly similar thermo-physical properties. Evaporator and condenser temperatures are varied from − 35 to − 21 °C and 40–55 °C, respectively, to evaluate different thermodynamic and economic performances of the system. COP, mass flow rate, volumetric cooling capacity and discharge temperature of compressor have been chosen as energetic performance parameters, exergetic efficiency has been taken as exergetic performance parameter, and annualized cost rate is selected as economic criteria for this study. It is observed that refrigerants R290 and R1270 show the best performances in terms of COP, exergetic efficiency, mass flow rate and plant cost rate. Nearly, 4–4.4% higher COP, 3.5–4% higher exergetic efficiency, 1.9–2.1% lower plant annual cost rate are predicted using refrigerants R290 and R1270 compared to R410A. However, lowest compressor discharge temperature (nearly 20% compared to R410A) is attained with R290 and R143a. It is also found that the similar size of R410A compressor can be used only for refrigerant R32, whereas bigger size of compressor compared to R410A is needed in case of R290-, R1270- and R143a-based system. Finally, the authors have conducted multi-criteria optimization to find out the best suitable replacement of refrigerant R410A and identified R1270 and R32 to be the best possible replacements of R410A.

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Abbreviations

VCRS:

Vapour compression refrigeration system

CRS:

Cascade refrigeration system

GWP:

Global warming potential

ODP:

Ozone depletion potential

P :

Pressure

\(\dot{Q}\) :

Rate of heat transfer

h :

Specific enthalpy

s :

Specific entropy

\(\dot{W}\) :

Rate of work transfer

η :

Efficiency

\(\dot{m}\) :

Mass flow rate

T :

Temperature

A :

Area

U :

Overall heat transfer coefficient

LMTD:

Logarithmic mean temperature difference

VCC:

Volumetric cooling capacity

ρ :

Density

δ :

Rate of exergy destruction

ex:

Specific exergy

C :

Cost

\(\dot{C}\) :

Cost rate

φ :

Maintenance factor

i :

Interest rate

n :

Plant lifetime

CRF:

Capital recovery factor

N :

Annual operational hour

μ :

Emission factor

eva:

Evaporator

cond:

Condenser

comp:

Compressor

TV:

Throttle valve

FT:

Flash tank

LP:

Low pressure

HP:

High pressure

s:

Isentropic

out:

Outlet

in:

Inlet

1, 2, 3, ….:

State point

0:

Dead state

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This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Automobile Engineering, Dr. Sudhir Chandra Sur Institute of Technology and Sports Complex, Kolkata, West Bengal, 700074, India

    Ranendra Roy

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Indian Institute of Engineering Science and Technology, Shibpur, Howrah, West Bengal, 711103, India

    Bijan Kumar Mandal

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  1. Ranendra Roy
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Correspondence to Ranendra Roy.

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Roy, R., Mandal, B.K. Energy, exergy and economic optimization of a two-stage refrigeration system using low-GWP alternative refrigerants for high-temperature lift applications. J Braz. Soc. Mech. Sci. Eng. 45, 403 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40430-023-04320-9

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s40430-023-04320-9

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