IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/appene/v220y2018icp705-712.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Attainability of the Carnot efficiency with real gases in the regenerator of the refrigeration cycle

Author

Listed:
  • Cao, Qiang

Abstract

Improving efficiency is an enduring effort for all work-heat conversion cycles. Ideal regenerators working with ideal gases bring about a lossless work and heat transfer over a temperature gradient, but real gases give rise to an “intrinsic” heat loss in regenerators because of the time-averaged enthalpy flow associated with the pressure dependence. Real gas effects play a vital role on the coefficient of performance (COP) of regenerators of refrigeration cycles working at the temperatures close to or below the critical point. The “intrinsic” heat loss of real gases degrades the theoretical COP of regenerators to as low as 1% of the Carnot efficiency. In this paper, an approach of heat input or removal aiming to improve the COP is proposed. The theoretical analysis of this approach reveals the underlying mechanism. It is shown that the theoretical COP of an ideal regenerator working with a real gas applying this approach is identical to the Carnot efficiency. A simplified approach of heat input is further analyzed. The Carnot efficiency can be attained under certain circumstances, and it is possible to obtain over 90% of the Carnot efficiency with a discrete method. The theory of improving the COP with the approach of heat input in discrete regenerator locations is supported by the experiment results found in the relevant literature. This new approach provides a potential way to significantly improve the efficiency of the regenerator of the refrigeration cycle working at the temperatures close to or below the critical point. This approach may further provide a reference for studies of the heat pump cycle and the engine cycle working with real gases.

Suggested Citation

  • Cao, Qiang, 2018. "Attainability of the Carnot efficiency with real gases in the regenerator of the refrigeration cycle," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 220(C), pages 705-712.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:220:y:2018:i:c:p:705-712
    DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.03.102
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0306261918304409
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.03.102?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Maraver, Daniel & Sin, Ana & Royo, Javier & Sebastián, Fernando, 2013. "Assessment of CCHP systems based on biomass combustion for small-scale applications through a review of the technology and analysis of energy efficiency parameters," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 1303-1313.
    2. Wang, Longyi & Wu, Mei & Sun, Xiao & Gan, Zhihua, 2016. "A cascade pulse tube cooler capable of energy recovery," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 572-578.
    3. Shackleton, R.J. & Probert, S.D. & Mead, A.K. & Robinson, A., 1994. "Future prospects for the electric heat-pump," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 49(3), pages 223-254.
    4. Kumar, Satish & Kwon, Hyouk-Tae & Choi, Kwang-Ho & Lim, Wonsub & Cho, Jae Hyun & Tak, Kyungjae & Moon, Il, 2011. "LNG: An eco-friendly cryogenic fuel for sustainable development," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 88(12), pages 4264-4273.
    5. Hu, J.Y. & Chen, S. & Zhu, J. & Zhang, L.M. & Luo, E.C. & Dai, W. & Li, H.B., 2016. "An efficient pulse tube cryocooler for boil-off gas reliquefaction in liquid natural gas tanks," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 1012-1018.
    6. Liang, Youcai & Al-Tameemi, Mohammed & Yu, Zhibin, 2018. "Investigation of a gas-fuelled water heater based on combined power and heat pump cycles," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 212(C), pages 1476-1488.
    7. Wang, Kai & Dubey, Swapnil & Choo, Fook Hoong & Duan, Fei, 2016. "Modelling of pulse tube refrigerators with inertance tube and mass-spring feedback mechanism," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 171(C), pages 172-183.
    8. Aneke, Mathew & Wang, Meihong, 2016. "Energy storage technologies and real life applications – A state of the art review," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 179(C), pages 350-377.
    9. Poppi, Stefano & Bales, Chris & Heinz, Andreas & Hengel, Franz & Chèze, David & Mojic, Igor & Cialani, Catia, 2016. "Analysis of system improvements in solar thermal and air source heat pump combisystems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 173(C), pages 606-623.
    10. Sciacovelli, A. & Vecchi, A. & Ding, Y., 2017. "Liquid air energy storage (LAES) with packed bed cold thermal storage – From component to system level performance through dynamic modelling," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 190(C), pages 84-98.
    11. Zhu, Jiahui & Yuan, Weijia & Qiu, Ming & Wei, Bin & Zhang, Hongjie & Chen, Panpan & Yang, Yanfang & Zhang, Min & Huang, Xiaohua & Li, Zhenming, 2015. "Experimental demonstration and application planning of high temperature superconducting energy storage system for renewable power grids," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 137(C), pages 692-698.
    12. Hu, J.Y. & Luo, E.C. & Zhang, L.M. & Wang, X.T. & Dai, W., 2013. "A double-acting thermoacoustic cryocooler for high temperature superconducting electric power grids," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 112(C), pages 1166-1170.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Cao, Qiang & Sun, Zheng & Li, Zimu & Luan, Mingkai & Tang, Xiao & Li, Peng & Jiang, Zhenhua & Wei, Li, 2019. "Reduction of real gas losses with a DC flow in the regenerator of the refrigeration cycle," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C), pages 139-146.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Cao, Qiang & Sun, Zheng & Li, Zimu & Luan, Mingkai & Tang, Xiao & Li, Peng & Jiang, Zhenhua & Wei, Li, 2019. "Reduction of real gas losses with a DC flow in the regenerator of the refrigeration cycle," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 235(C), pages 139-146.
    2. Wang, Longyi & Wu, Mei & Sun, Xiao & Gan, Zhihua, 2016. "A cascade pulse tube cooler capable of energy recovery," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C), pages 572-578.
    3. Qi, Meng & Park, Jinwoo & Kim, Jeongdong & Lee, Inkyu & Moon, Il, 2020. "Advanced integration of LNG regasification power plant with liquid air energy storage: Enhancements in flexibility, safety, and power generation," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 269(C).
    4. Lu, Yilin & Xu, Jingxuan & Chen, Xi & Tian, Yafen & Zhang, Hua, 2023. "Design and thermodynamic analysis of an advanced liquid air energy storage system coupled with LNG cold energy, ORCs and natural resources," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 275(C).
    5. Hu, J.Y. & Luo, E.C. & Zhang, L.M. & Chen, Y.Y. & Wu, Z.H. & Gao, B., 2018. "Analysis of a displacer-coupled multi-stage thermoacoustic-Stirling engine," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 507-514.
    6. Xu, Jingyuan & Yu, Guoyao & Zhang, Limin & Dai, Wei & Luo, Ercang, 2017. "Theoretical analysis of two coupling modes of a 300-Hz three-stage thermoacoustically driven cryocooler system at liquid nitrogen temperature range," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 185(P2), pages 2134-2141.
    7. Zhang, Ziyu & Ding, Tao & Zhou, Quan & Sun, Yuge & Qu, Ming & Zeng, Ziyu & Ju, Yuntao & Li, Li & Wang, Kang & Chi, Fangde, 2021. "A review of technologies and applications on versatile energy storage systems," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 148(C).
    8. Park, Jinwoo & You, Fengqi & Cho, Hyungtae & Lee, Inkyu & Moon, Il, 2020. "Novel massive thermal energy storage system for liquefied natural gas cold energy recovery," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    9. Trocino, Stefano & Lo Faro, Massimiliano & Zignani, Sabrina Campagna & Antonucci, Vincenzo & Aricò, Antonino Salvatore, 2019. "High performance solid-state iron-air rechargeable ceramic battery operating at intermediate temperatures (500–650 °C)," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 233, pages 386-394.
    10. Mylena Vieira Pinto Menezes & Icaro Figueiredo Vilasboas & Julio Augusto Mendes da Silva, 2022. "Liquid Air Energy Storage System (LAES) Assisted by Cryogenic Air Rankine Cycle (ARC)," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(8), pages 1-16, April.
    11. Hamdy, Sarah & Morosuk, Tatiana & Tsatsaronis, George, 2019. "Exergoeconomic optimization of an adiabatic cryogenics-based energy storage system," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 183(C), pages 812-824.
    12. Shi, Jing & Xu, Ying & Liao, Meng & Guo, Shuqiang & Li, Yuanyuan & Ren, Li & Su, Rongyu & Li, Shujian & Zhou, Xiao & Tang, Yuejin, 2019. "Integrated design method for superconducting magnetic energy storage considering the high frequency pulse width modulation pulse voltage on magnet," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 248(C), pages 1-17.
    13. Legrand, Mathieu & Labajo-Hurtado, Raúl & Rodríguez-Antón, Luis Miguel & Doce, Yolanda, 2022. "Price arbitrage optimization of a photovoltaic power plant with liquid air energy storage. Implementation to the Spanish case," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 239(PA).
    14. Colmenar-Santos, Antonio & Molina-Ibáñez, Enrique-Luis & Rosales-Asensio, Enrique & López-Rey, África, 2018. "Technical approach for the inclusion of superconducting magnetic energy storage in a smart city," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 158(C), pages 1080-1091.
    15. Ayah Marwan Rabi & Jovana Radulovic & James M. Buick, 2023. "Comprehensive Review of Liquid Air Energy Storage (LAES) Technologies," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(17), pages 1-19, August.
    16. Tafone, Alessio & Romagnoli, Alessandro & Borri, Emiliano & Comodi, Gabriele, 2019. "New parametric performance maps for a novel sizing and selection methodology of a Liquid Air Energy Storage system," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 250(C), pages 1641-1656.
    17. He, Xiufen & Liu, Yunong & Rehman, Ali & Wang, Li, 2021. "A novel air separation unit with energy storage and generation and its energy efficiency and economy analysis," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 281(C).
    18. Frate, Guido Francesco & Ferrari, Lorenzo & Desideri, Umberto, 2021. "Energy storage for grid-scale applications: Technology review and economic feasibility analysis," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 163(C), pages 1754-1772.
    19. Colmenar-Santos, Antonio & Molina-Ibáñez, Enrique-Luis & Rosales-Asensio, Enrique & Blanes-Peiró, Jorge-Juan, 2018. "Legislative and economic aspects for the inclusion of energy reserve by a superconducting magnetic energy storage: Application to the case of the Spanish electrical system," Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews, Elsevier, vol. 82(P3), pages 2455-2470.
    20. Wang, Cheng & Ju, Yonglin & Fu, Yunzhun, 2021. "Comparative life cycle cost analysis of low pressure fuel gas supply systems for LNG fueled ships," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 218(C).

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:appene:v:220:y:2018:i:c:p:705-712. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/405891/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.