Title: An exergetic performance improvement potential of a modified ejector-enhanced auto-cascade refrigeration cycle

Authors: Ibrahim Karacayli; Lutfiye Altay; Arif Hepbasli

Addresses: Graduate School of Natural and Applied Sciences, Ege University, 35100 Bornova, Izmir, Turkey ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Ege University, 35100 Bornova, Izmir, Turkey ' Department of Energy Systems Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Yasar University, 35100 Bornova, Izmir, Turkey

Abstract: This study examines both conventional and advanced exergy analyses of a modified ejector-enhanced auto-cascade refrigeration (MEACR) cycle. Conventional exergy analysis shows that the proposed model significantly improves exergy efficiency compared to similar ejector-enhanced auto-cascade refrigeration cycles in the literature. Advanced exergy analysis reveals that 63.47% of the total exergy destruction is avoidable. When the components of the MEACR cycle are investigated, 56.31% of the exergy destruction is attributed to the endogenous part. The low-temperature cycle (LTC) compressor has the highest avoidable endogenous exergy destruction rate of 12.64 kW with 38.5%.

Keywords: refrigeration; auto-cascade refrigeration; ejector; exergy analysis; advanced exergy analysis.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2025.146045

International Journal of Exergy, 2025 Vol.46 No.3/4, pp.228 - 243

Received: 01 May 2024
Accepted: 19 Sep 2024
Published online: 02 May 2025 *

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