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Experimental Analysis and Optimization of an R744 Transcritical Cycle Working with a Mechanical Subcooling System

Author

Listed:
  • Daniel Sánchez

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering and Construction, Jaume I University, E-12071 Castellón, Spain)

  • Jesús Catalán-Gil

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering and Construction, Jaume I University, E-12071 Castellón, Spain)

  • Ramón Cabello

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering and Construction, Jaume I University, E-12071 Castellón, Spain)

  • Daniel Calleja-Anta

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering and Construction, Jaume I University, E-12071 Castellón, Spain)

  • Rodrigo Llopis

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering and Construction, Jaume I University, E-12071 Castellón, Spain)

  • Laura Nebot-Andrés

    (Department of Mechanical Engineering and Construction, Jaume I University, E-12071 Castellón, Spain)

Abstract

In the last century, the refrigerant R744 (carbon dioxide) has become an environmentally friendly solution in commercial refrigeration despite its particular issues related to the low critical temperature. The use of transcritical cycles in warm and hot countries reveals the necessity of adopting different configurations and technologies to improve this specific cycle. Among these, subcooling methods are well-known techniques to enhance the cooling capacity and the Coefficient of Performance (COP) of the cycle. In this work, an R600a dedicated mechanical subcooling system has been experimentally tested in an R744 transcritical system at different operating conditions. The results have been compared with those obtained using a suction-to-liquid heat exchanger (IHX) to determine the degree of improvement of the mechanical subcooling system. Using the experimental tests, a computational model has been developed and validated to predict the optimal subcooling degree and the cubic capacity of the mechanical subcooling compressor. Finally, the model has been used to analyze the effect of using different refrigerants in the mechanical subcooling unit finding that the hydrocarbon R290 and the HFC R152a are the most suitable fluids.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Sánchez & Jesús Catalán-Gil & Ramón Cabello & Daniel Calleja-Anta & Rodrigo Llopis & Laura Nebot-Andrés, 2020. "Experimental Analysis and Optimization of an R744 Transcritical Cycle Working with a Mechanical Subcooling System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(12), pages 1-27, June.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:13:y:2020:i:12:p:3204-:d:374082
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Liu, Shengchun & Lu, Fenping & Dai, Baomin & Nian, Victor & Li, Hailong & Qi, Haifeng & Li, Jiayu, 2019. "Performance analysis of two-stage compression transcritical CO2 refrigeration system with R290 mechanical subcooling unit," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 189(C).
    2. Dai, Baomin & Liu, Shengchun & Li, Hailong & Sun, Zhili & Song, Mengjie & Yang, Qianru & Ma, Yitai, 2018. "Energetic performance of transcritical CO2 refrigeration cycles with mechanical subcooling using zeotropic mixture as refrigerant," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 150(C), pages 205-221.
    3. Jesús Catalán-Gil & Daniel Sánchez & Rodrigo Llopis & Laura Nebot-Andrés & Ramón Cabello, 2018. "Energy Evaluation of Multiple Stage Commercial Refrigeration Architectures Adapted to F-Gas Regulation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 11(7), pages 1-31, July.
    4. Qureshi, Bilal A. & Inam, Muhammad & Antar, Mohamed A. & Zubair, Syed M., 2013. "Experimental energetic analysis of a vapor compression refrigeration system with dedicated mechanical sub-cooling," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 102(C), pages 1035-1041.
    5. Sánchez, D. & Cabello, R. & Llopis, R. & Torrella, E., 2012. "Development and validation of a finite element model for water – CO2 coaxial gas-coolers," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 93(C), pages 637-647.
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    Cited by:

    1. Artur Bieniek & Jan Kuchmacz & Karol Sztekler & Lukasz Mika & Ewelina Radomska, 2021. "A New Method of Regulating the Cooling Capacity of a Cooling System with CO 2," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-18, March.
    2. Tongchana Thongtip & Natthawut Ruangtrakoon, 2021. "Real Air-Conditioning Performance of Ejector Refrigerator Based Air-Conditioner Powered by Low Temperature Heat Source," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(3), pages 1-20, January.

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    More about this item

    Keywords

    R744; CO 2 ; transcritical; subcooling; IHX; R600a; R290; R152a; R1234yf;
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