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Performance Simulation Model of a Radiation-Enhanced Thermal Diode Tank-Assisted Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning (RTDT-RAC) System: A Novel Cooling System

Author

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  • Mingzhen Wang

    (School Electrical of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia)

  • Eric Hu

    (School Electrical of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia)

  • Lei Chen

    (School Electrical of Mechanical Engineering, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia)

Abstract

This paper presents a novel technology to improve the energy efficiency of refrigeration and air-conditioning (RAC) systems by applying a condenser cooling approach. The approach is based on the integration of an innovative radiation-enhanced thermal diode tank (RTDT) with a RAC system. The thermal diode tank (TDT), consisting of heat pipes and an insulated water tank, is a passive device to generate cooling water at a minimum night ambient temperature. When the radiation-enhanced heat pipe (RHP) is equipped with the TDT, it becomes an RTDT, which could theoretically lower the water temperature below the ambient temperature. In this study, a radiation-enhanced thermal diode tank (RTDT) is proposed to supply cooling water to the RAC system. Simulation models for the proposed RTDT-assisted RAC (RTDT-RAC) system are developed in order to investigate the impacts of the tank size to cooling capacity (TS/Q c ) ratio, day/night ambient temperature fluctuations on the system’s coefficient of performance (COP) and the energy saving percentage (ESP). The results show that a greater day/night ambient temperature difference and a larger TS/Q c value can both enhance the COP and ESP of the RTDT-RAC system. The optimal and threshold TS/Q c values were 1 m 3 /kW and 0.18 m 3 /kW, respectively. These findings demonstrate the potential of the RTDT-RAC system to achieve significant energy savings and provide valuable insights for the design and optimization of an RTDT-RAC system.

Suggested Citation

  • Mingzhen Wang & Eric Hu & Lei Chen, 2023. "Performance Simulation Model of a Radiation-Enhanced Thermal Diode Tank-Assisted Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning (RTDT-RAC) System: A Novel Cooling System," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-14, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:18:p:6506-:d:1236486
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Anis Akrouch, Ghassan & Sánchez, Marcelo & Briaud, Jean-Louis, 2020. "Thermal performance and economic study of an energy piles system under cooling dominated conditions," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 147(P2), pages 2736-2747.
    2. López-Zavala, R. & Velázquez-Limón, N. & Ojeda-Benítez, S. & Nakasima-López, M. & Lara, F. & Aguilar-Jiménez, J.A. & Santillán-Soto, N. & Islas, S., 2023. "Novel desalination system that uses product water to generate cooling through a barometric ejector-condenser," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 276(C).
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