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Multi-objective Optimization of Thermodynamic and Economic Performances of Natural Refrigerants for Cascade Refrigeration

  • Research Article-Mechanical Engineering
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Abstract

In this paper, thermo-economic optimization and comparative analysis of a cascade refrigeration system configured with flash gas removal in its high-temperature cycle (HTC) and flash intercooling with indirect subcooling in lower temperature cycle (LTC) using different natural refrigerant pairs is performed. Thermo-economic optimization is carried out to maximize the exergetic efficiency and minimize the overall cost rate. The optimization model involves six design variables which include subcooling and de-superheating parameters, LTC evaporation and condensation temperatures, HTC condenser temperature and cascade temperature difference. The comparative analysis of twenty-two natural refrigerant pairs based on the results of thermodynamic and economic optimizations reveals that R717-R290 is most efficient pair and R290-R1150 is least efficient refrigerant pair thermodynamically whereas R717-R1270 is the best and R600a-R290 is the worst pair economically. Seven potential refrigerant pairs are chosen via the thermodynamic and economic optimization results and they are further compared based on their performances obtained through multi-objective optimization (maximization of exergetic efficiency and minimization of total cost rate). Multi-objective genetic algorithm is used for optimization which results in seventy non-dominated Pareto optimal solutions where the TOPSIS method is used to select a unique solution for each refrigerant pair. A comparison of refrigerant pairs using these unique solutions shows that R717-R1270 is the best refrigerant pair for the cascade system under consideration. It is also found that R717-R1270 results in 7.77% rise in COP and 5.32% reduction in overall cost when compared with NH3–CO2 refrigerant pair working under identical operating conditions.

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Availability of Data and Material

All the data generated or analysed in current study is available from corresponding author on reasonable request.

Code Availability

Codes used in the current study are available from corresponding author on reasonable request.

Abbreviations

CFC:

Chlorofluorocarbon

COP:

Coefficient of performance

\(F\) :

Correction factor

GWP:

Global warming potential

\(h\) :

Specific enthalpy (kJ/kg)

HCFC:

Hydrochlorofluorocarbon

HFC:

Hydrofluorocarbon

\(\dot{m}\) :

Mass flow rate (kg/s)

ODP:

Ozone depletion potential

\(p\) :

Pressure (kPa)

\(\dot{Q}\) :

Heat flow rate (kW)

\(s\) :

Specific entropy (kJ/kgK)

\(T\) :

Temperature (°C)

\(\Delta T_{{{\text{lm}}}}\) :

Logarithmic mean temperature difference (K)

\(U\) :

Overall heat transfer coefficient (kW/m2K)

\(\dot{V}\) :

Volume flow rate (m3/s)

\(\dot{W}\) :

Work input (kW)

\(Z\) :

Capital cost ($)

\(\dot{Z}\) :

Capital cost rate ($/year

\(\alpha _{{{\text{el}}}}\) :

Energy charge ($/kWh)

\(\phi\) :

Maintenance factor

\(\eta\) :

Energy efficiency (%)

\(\psi\) :

Exergy efficiency (%)

\(\delta\) :

Pressure ratio

\(\Delta\) :

Difference

$:

US dollar

0:

Ambient state

\({\text{ca,~i}}\) :

Condenser air inlet

\({\text{ca,~e}}\) :

Condenser air exit

\({\text{cas}}\) :

Cascade

\({\text{cc}}\) :

Cascade condenser

\({\text{cond}}\) :

Condenser

\({\text{comp}}\) :

Compressor

\({\text{cs}}\) :

Cold space

\({\text{e}}\) :

Exit

\({\text{ea,~i}}\) :

Evaporator air inlet

\({\text{ea,~e}}\) :

Evaporator air exit

\({\text{el}}\) :

Electrical

\({\text{env}}\) :

Environmental

\({\text{evap}}\) :

Evaporator

\({\text{i}}\) :

Inlet

\(k\) :

kth component

\({\text{m}}\) :

Mechanical

\({\text{op}}\) :

Operational

\({\text{s}}\) :

Isentropic

\({\text{sup}}\) :

Superheat

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Funding

No funds, grants or other support was received.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering, Delhi Technological University, Delhi, India

    Kaushalendra Kumar Singh & Rajesh Kumar

  2. Department of Mechanical Engineering, G L Bajaj Institute of Technology and Management, Greater Noida, UP, India

    Kaushalendra Kumar Singh

  3. Department of Applied Mathematics, Delhi Technological University, Delhi, India

    Anjana Gupta

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  1. Kaushalendra Kumar Singh
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  2. Rajesh Kumar
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Contributions

All authors contributed to the study conception and design. Material preparation, data collection and analysis were performed by KKS, RK and AG. The first draft of the manuscript was written by KKS and all authors commented on previous versions of the manuscript. All authors read and approved the final manuscript.

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Correspondence to Rajesh Kumar.

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Singh, K.K., Kumar, R. & Gupta, A. Multi-objective Optimization of Thermodynamic and Economic Performances of Natural Refrigerants for Cascade Refrigeration. Arab J Sci Eng 46, 12235–12252 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-021-05924-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13369-021-05924-w

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