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Ultra-Low-Temperature Refrigeration Systems: A Review and Performance Comparison of Refrigerants and Configurations

Author

Listed:
  • Muhammad Zahid Saeed

    (Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7491 Trondheim, Norway
    These authors contributed equally this work.)

  • Luca Contiero

    (Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7491 Trondheim, Norway
    These authors contributed equally this work.)

  • Stefanie Blust

    (Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7491 Trondheim, Norway)

  • Yosr Allouche

    (Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7491 Trondheim, Norway)

  • Armin Hafner

    (Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7491 Trondheim, Norway)

  • Trygve Magne Eikevik

    (Department of Energy and Process Engineering, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), 7491 Trondheim, Norway)

Abstract

During the last decade, many industrial and medical applications have shown a requirement for low-temperature-cooling usage (from −40 to −80 °C), which cannot be efficiently obtained via the conventional refrigeration systems usually employed for medium-temperature applications (from 0 to −40 °C). A proper ultra-low-temperature (ULT) refrigeration system design is essential to achieve the desired output. The performance can be maximised via the suitable selection of the configuration and refrigerant for a specific temperature range. This work contributes a detailed overview of the different systems and refrigerants used in ultra-low-temperature applications. Different systems, such as single-stage vapour compression, multi-stage, cascade, auto-cascade, and air refrigeration cycles, are presented and discussed. An energy analysis is then carried out for these systems identifying the optimal system design and refrigerant selection to achieve the highest performance. This paper aims to provide the reader with a comprehensive background through an exhaustive review of refrigeration systems suitable for ultra-low-temperature applications. The effectiveness of these systems is proven numerically, mainly based on the temperature level and purpose of the application.

Suggested Citation

  • Muhammad Zahid Saeed & Luca Contiero & Stefanie Blust & Yosr Allouche & Armin Hafner & Trygve Magne Eikevik, 2023. "Ultra-Low-Temperature Refrigeration Systems: A Review and Performance Comparison of Refrigerants and Configurations," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(21), pages 1-31, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:16:y:2023:i:21:p:7274-:d:1268042
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    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Asgari, Sahar & Noorpoor, A.R. & Boyaghchi, Fateme Ahmadi, 2017. "Parametric assessment and multi-objective optimization of an internal auto-cascade refrigeration cycle based on advanced exergy and exergoeconomic concepts," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 125(C), pages 576-590.
    2. Llopis, Rodrigo & Sánchez, Daniel & Sanz-Kock, Carlos & Cabello, Ramón & Torrella, Enrique, 2015. "Energy and environmental comparison of two-stage solutions for commercial refrigeration at low temperature: Fluids and systems," Applied Energy, Elsevier, vol. 138(C), pages 133-142.
    3. Torrella, E. & Larumbe, J.A. & Cabello, R. & Llopis, R. & Sanchez, D., 2011. "A general methodology for energy comparison of intermediate configurations in two-stage vapour compression refrigeration systems," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 36(7), pages 4119-4124.
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