Comparative energy and exergy analysis of a subcritical cascade refrigeration system using low global warming potential refrigerants


Aktemur C., ÖZTÜRK İ. T., CİMŞİT C.

APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING, vol.184, 2021 (SCI-Expanded) identifier identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 184
  • Publication Date: 2021
  • Doi Number: 10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2020.116254
  • Journal Name: APPLIED THERMAL ENGINEERING
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, PASCAL, Aerospace Database, Business Source Elite, Business Source Premier, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, INSPEC, Metadex, DIALNET, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Kocaeli University Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

This study examines a variety of evaluation criteria such as various operating and design parameters for thermodynamic performance of a cascade refrigeration system (CRS). R41 is used in low-temperature circuit (LTC), whereas R1243zf, R423A, R601, R601A, R1233zd (E) and RE170 are used for the first time in this study and are adapted for a high-temperature circuit (HTC). This study with four aims are conducted: (1) to analyse refrigerant pairs with low global warming potential (GWP) to further contribute to the literature; (2) to investigate the impact of various operating parameters on system performance; (3) to suggest potential alternative refrigerant to R423A; (4) to also compare the performance of the refrigerant pairs used in this study with those analysed by researchers in the literature. The results demonstrate that condenser and evaporator temperature ranges have a significant effect on the performance parameters studied in the system designed for six refrigerant pairs. The greatest reduction in COP occurs in R41-R423A with about 43.85% in a change of 10 degrees C in the condenser temperature. A change of 10 degrees C in the evaporator temperature causes the COP of the CRS to rise by approximately 19% for all refrigerant pairs. For applications that desire low temperatures, R41-R423A exhibits the lowest COP and exergy efficiency with 1.105 and 33.93%, respectively, whereas R41-RE170 presents the highest COP and exergy efficiency with 1.210 and 37.18%, respectively. Furthermore, exergy destruction in HTC compressor is made up almost to one-third of total exergy destruction. RE170 is proposed as an alternative refrigerant for R423A by the reason of its low environmental detriment and superior performance. Furthermore, there is a maximum COP improvement of 13.05% compared to studies in the literature.