The effect of refrigerant combinations on performance of a vapor compression refrigeration system with dedicated mechanical sub-cooling

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61 Scopus citations

Abstract

Performance characteristics due to use of different refrigerant combinations in vapor compression cycles with dedicated mechanical sub-cooling are investigated. For scratch designs, R134a used in both cycles produced the best results in terms of COP, COP gain and relative compressor sizing. In retrofit cases, considering the high sensitivity of COP to the relative size of heat exchangers in the sub-cooler cycle and the low gain in COP obtained due to installation of a dedicated sub-cooling cycle when R717 is the main cycle refrigerant, it seems that dedicated mechanical sub-cooling may be more suited to cycles using R134a as the main cycle refrigerant rather than R717. With R134a as the main cycle refrigerant, no major difference was noted, by changing the sub-cooler cycle refrigerant, in the degradation of the performance parameters such as COP and cooling capacity, due to equal fouling of the heat exchangers.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)47-57
Number of pages11
JournalInternational Journal of Refrigeration
Volume35
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2012

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
The authors would like to acknowledge the support provided by King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology (KACST) through the Science & Technology Unit at King Fahd University of Petroleum & Minerals (KFUPM) for funding this work through project # NSTIP-08-ENE50-4 as part of the National Science, Technology and Innovation Plan.

Keywords

  • Compressor
  • Multistage system
  • Refrigerant
  • Refrigeration system
  • Subcooling

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Building and Construction
  • Mechanical Engineering

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