Thermodynamic Study of a Combined Power and Refrigeration System for Low-Grade Heat Energy Source

Abstract

This study focuses on the thermal performance analysis of an organic Rankine cycle powered vapor compression refrigeration cycle for a set of working fluids for each cycle, also known as a dual fluid system. Both cycles are coupled using a common shaft to maintain a constant transmission ratio of one. Eight working fluids have been studied for the vapor compression refrigeration cycle, and a total of sixty-four combinations of working fluids have been analyzed for the dual fluid combined cycle system. The analysis has been performed to achieve a temperature of −16 °C for a set of condenser temperatures 34 °C, 36 °C, 38 °C, and 40 °C. For the desired temperature in the refrigeration cycle, the required work input, mass flow rate, and heat input for the organic Rankine cycle were determined systematically. Based on the manifestation of performance criteria, three working fluids (R123, R134a, and R245fa) were chosen for the refrigeration cycle and two (Propane and R245fa) were picked for the organic Rankine cycle. Further, a combination of R123 in the refrigeration cycle with propane in the Rankine cycle was scrutinized for their highest efficiency value of 16.48% with the corresponding highest coefficient of performance value of 2.85 at 40 °C.