Title: Performance characteristics of a novel ejector-expansion transcritical CO₂ refrigeration cycle with gas cooler exergy utilisation

Authors: Mortaza Yari, Mohammad Sirousazar

Addresses: Faculty of Engineering, Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Mohaghegh Ardabili, Ardabil 179, Iran. ' Faculty of Chemical Engineering, Urmia University of Technology, P.O. Box 57166-93187, Urmia, Iran

Abstract: In this paper, a novel configuration of ejector-expansion transcritical CO₂ (TRCC) refrigeration cycle was presented. A gas cooler exergy was utilised by a supercritical CO₂ power cycle to enhance the performance of the presented cycle. Theoretical analysis on the performance characteristics was carried out for the cycle on the basis of the first and second laws of thermodynamics. A parametric study was also conducted to optimise the performance of plant, under various operating conditions. It was found that the coefficient of performance and second-law efficiency of the presented cycle are on average 7.5-28 % higher than those of the conventional ejector-expansion TRCC refrigeration cycle. It was concluded that this cycle could be recognised as a promising refrigeration cycle from the thermodynamic and technical point of views.

Keywords: ejector expansion; transcritical cycle; gas cooler exergy; COP; second law efficiency; CO2 refrigeration; carbon dioxide; coefficient of performance; thermodynamics; refrigeration cycle.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEX.2011.042069

International Journal of Exergy, 2011 Vol.9 No.2, pp.210 - 234

Published online: 23 Aug 2011 *

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