Performance and exergetic analysis of vapor compression refrigeration system with an internal heat exchanger using a hydrocarbon, isobutane (R600a)

Abstract

SUMMARYHydrocarbons (HCs) are excellent refrigerants in many ways such as energy efficiency, critical point, solubility, transport and heat transfer properties, but they are also flammable, which causes the need for changes in standards, production and product. There are increasing number of scientists and engineers who believe that an alternative solution, which has been overlooked, may be provided by using HCs. The main objective of this study is to perform energy and exergy analyses for a vapor compression refrigeration system with an internal heat exchanger using a HC, isobutene (R600a). For a refrigeration capacity of 1 kW and cold chamber temperature of 08C, energy and exergy balances are taken into account to determine the performance of the refrigeration system. Energy and exergy fluxes are determined, and irreversibility rates are calculated for every component of the system. It is seen that the compressor has the highest irreversibility rate, and the heat exchanger has the lowest. Also from the result of the analysis, it is found that condenser and evaporator temperatures have strong effects on energetic and exergetic performances of the system such as coefficient of performance (COP), efficiency ratio (t), exergetic efficiency (x) and irreversibility rate.

Exergy analysis of C2+ recovery plants refrigeration cycles

“…Analyzing a multi-component plant indicates the total plant irreversibility distribution among the plant components, pinpointing those contributing most to overall plant inefficiency (Kotas, 1995). There have been several studies on the exergy analysis of refrigeration systems (Vidal et al, 2006;Tozer and James, 1998;Nikolaidis and Probert, 1998;Talbi and Agnew, 2000;Zheng et al, 2001;Yumrutas et al, 2002;Stegou-Sagia and Paignigiannis, 2003;Ouadha et al, 2005;Wang et al, 2005;Remeljej and Hoadley, 2006;Mehrpooya et al, 2006a;Zhang and Lior, 2007;Bhattacharyya et al, 2007;Kabul et al, 2008;Khaliq and Kumar, 2008). The behavior of two stage compound compression-cycle, with flash intercooling, using refrigerant R22, investigated by the exergy method (Nikolaidis and Probert, 1998) and an exergy analysis carried out for an irreversible Brayton cycle by Zheng et al (2001).…”

“…Methodology for thermal design of novel combined refrigeration/power binary fluid systems carry out by Zhang and Lior (2007) and Khaliq and Kumar (2008) presented Exergy analysis of double effect vapor absorption refrigeration system. Kabul et al (2008) described performance and exergetic analysis of vapor compression refrigeration system with an internal heat exchanger using a hydrocarbon, isobutene (R600a). Kanoglu (2002) provided an exergy analysis of the multistage cascade refrigeration cycle used for natural gas liquefaction.…”

Absorption Refrigeration Techniques with Phase Change Material and Dual Condenser Technology: An Extensive Review

“…Exergy losses were calculated for each component and comparisons were made. A simulation was performed by Kabul et al [15] using isobutene (R600a) as a refrigerant in the vapour compression refrigeration system. An internal heat exchanger was used in the conventional system and first and second laws of thermodynamics were applied on each component of the system.…”

Performance assessment of heat pumps using HFC125/HCs mixtures

“…However, the device can exert either positive or negative effects on the system, which depends on the working fluids and the operating conditions. Kabul et al [22] examined the performance of HC600a for vapor compression refrigeration system with an IHE. [20] indicated that the IHE adoption shows a positive influence on the overall plant energy performance for HCFC22 and HFC407C, and negative effect for HFC134a at the same operating conditions.…”

“…They found that the best alternative refrigerant is isopentane. Kabul et al [22] examined the performance of HC600a for vapor compression refrigeration system with an IHE. It was found that the condenser and evaporator temperatures have significant effects on energetic and exergetic performance.…”