EXERGETIC ANALYSIS AND ASSESSMENT OF HYBRID REFRIGERATION SYSTEM FOR DAIRY APPLICATIONS

Abstract

The application of biogas powered refrigeration system is being studied because of many folds increase in the cost of conventional fuels. This paper presents a numerical study of biogas operated ammonia–water hybrid vapor compression absorption refrigeration system for onsite dairy cooling applications. This system involves the compressor between the generator and condenser and use biogas (generated from the cattle dung) fired boiler to heat water which acts as an energy source for generator in the hybrid system. The variation of performance parameters such as heat load of different components, exergy loss, COPcooling, COPheating and exergy efficiency are studied with varying generator temperature. The results indicate that COPcooling as well COPheating values are in the range of 0.1125–0.2159 and 1.112–1.169, respectively, for the same variation in the generator temperature from 65°C to 130°C. The work done by the compressor is also calculated and found to be decreasing with an increase in the condenser, evaporator and generator temperature. The effect of the ambient temperature on the exergy loss in different components is also studied in the analysis and the results revealed that the maximum exergy loss is found in the generator and it is found to be the lowest in compressor.