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Thermodynamic Analysis of an Innovative Cold Energy Storage System for Auto-Cascade Refrigeration Applications

Author

Listed:
  • Zhenzhen Liu

    (Institute of Refrigeration and Cryogenic Engineering, School of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China)

  • Jingde Jiang

    (Technical Center for Mechanical and Electrical Product Inspection and Testing of Shanghai Customs District, Shanghai 200135, China)

  • Zilong Wang

    (Institute of Refrigeration and Cryogenic Engineering, School of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China)

  • Hua Zhang

    (Institute of Refrigeration and Cryogenic Engineering, School of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai 200093, China)

Abstract

The cooling capacity needed by ultra-low temperature apparatus cannot be reached economically with a single vapor compression refrigeration cycle due to the constraint of the high compressor pressure ratio. The auto-cascade refrigeration cycle is a good alternative. In this work, a novel concept that applies the principle of the auto-cascade refrigeration cycle to store cold energy is conducted. The environment-friendly refrigerants of R600a/R290/R170 zeotropic mixtures are used to study the performance of the modified auto-cascade refrigeration cycle (MACRC) as an alternative for cold-energy applications. The simulation results show that a cooling capacity of 500 W can be provided below −60 °C. The mixture with a mass fraction of 0.25/0.35/0.40 yields a COP of 0.695 and an exergy efficiency of 0.262 at −66 °C. The performance of the MACRC system was investigated at an ambient temperature of 20 to 40 °C for indoor small-scale applications. It is concluded that the performance would be improved by decreasing the ambient temperature. The results of the work should be helpful for the design and optimization of auto-cascade systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Zhenzhen Liu & Jingde Jiang & Zilong Wang & Hua Zhang, 2023. "Thermodynamic Analysis of an Innovative Cold Energy Storage System for Auto-Cascade Refrigeration Applications," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(5), pages 1-17, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:5:p:2282-:d:1081978
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Asgari, Sahar & Noorpoor, A.R. & Boyaghchi, Fateme Ahmadi, 2017. "Parametric assessment and multi-objective optimization of an internal auto-cascade refrigeration cycle based on advanced exergy and exergoeconomic concepts," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 576-590.
    2. Michał Sobieraj, 2020. "Experimental Investigation of the Effect of a Recuperative Heat Exchanger and Throttles Opening on a CO 2 /Isobutane Autocascade Refrigeration System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(20), pages 1-15, October.
    3. Bai, Tao & Yan, Gang & Yu, Jianlin, 2022. "Influence of internal heat exchanger position on the performance of ejector-enhanced auto-cascade refrigeration cycle for the low-temperature freezer," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 238(PC).
    4. Gao, Yu & He, Guogeng & Cai, Dehua & Fan, Mingjing, 2020. "Performance evaluation of a modified R290 dual-evaporator refrigeration cycle using two-phase ejector as expansion device," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).
    5. Bai, Tao & Yan, Gang & Yu, Jianlin, 2018. "Experimental research on the pull-down performance of an ejector enhanced auto-cascade refrigeration system for low-temperature freezer," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 157(C), pages 647-657.
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