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Performance Evaluation and Cycle Time Optimization of Vapor-Compression/Adsorption Cascade Refrigeration Systems

Author

Listed:
  • Mahmoud Badawy Elsheniti

    (Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia
    Mechanical Engineering Department, Faculty of Engineering, Alexandria University, Alexandria 21544, Egypt)

  • Hany Al-Ansary

    (Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia)

  • Jamel Orfi

    (Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia)

  • Abdelrahman El-Leathy

    (Mechanical Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

The reliance on more sustainable refrigeration systems with less electricity consumption attracts a lot of attention as the demand for refrigeration increases due to population growth and global warming threats. This study examines the use of a cascade vapor-compression/adsorption refrigeration system in hot weather, focusing on condensing temperatures of 50, 55, and 60 °C, whereas an air-cooled condenser is in use due to practical considerations. A fully coupled transient model is developed using COMSOL Multiphysics to simulate the integrated system, considering the practical limitations of the vapor compression system (VCS) and the dynamic nature of the adsorption system (ADS). The model combines a lumped model for the ADS with the manufacturer’s data for a VCS compressor at different condensing and evaporating temperatures. It was found that the VCS is more sensitive to the change in the ADS’s condensing temperature, since when the temperature is raised from 50 °C to 60 °C, the VCS’s COP decreases by 29.5%, while the ADS’s COP decreases by 7.55%. Furthermore, the cycle time of ADS plays an important role in providing the cooling requirements for the bottoming cycle (VCS), and it can be optimized to maximize the energy conversion efficiency of the VCS. At optimum cycle time and compared to the conventional VCS, the cascade system can boost the cooling capacity of the VCS by 18.2%, lower the compressor power by 63.2%, and greatly enhance the COP by 221%. These results indicate that the application of the cascade VCS/ADS in such severe conditions is a more sustainable and energy-efficient solution to meet the growing need for refrigeration.

Suggested Citation

  • Mahmoud Badawy Elsheniti & Hany Al-Ansary & Jamel Orfi & Abdelrahman El-Leathy, 2024. "Performance Evaluation and Cycle Time Optimization of Vapor-Compression/Adsorption Cascade Refrigeration Systems," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 16(9), pages 1-19, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:16:y:2024:i:9:p:3669-:d:1384321
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gado, Mohamed G. & Ookawara, Shinichi & Nada, Sameh & Hassan, Hamdy, 2022. "Renewable energy-based cascade adsorption-compression refrigeration system: Energy, exergy, exergoeconomic and enviroeconomic perspectives," Energy, Elsevier, vol. 253(C).
    2. J. Lelieveld & Y. Proestos & P. Hadjinicolaou & M. Tanarhte & E. Tyrlis & G. Zittis, 2016. "Strongly increasing heat extremes in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in the 21st century," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 137(1), pages 245-260, July.
    3. Palomba, Valeria & Dino, Giuseppe E. & Frazzica, Andrea, 2020. "Coupling sorption and compression chillers in hybrid cascade layout for efficient exploitation of renewables: Sizing, design and optimization," Renewable Energy, Elsevier, vol. 154(C), pages 11-28.
    4. Fadi Alsouda & Nick S. Bennett & Suvash C. Saha & Fatemeh Salehi & Mohammad S. Islam, 2023. "Vapor Compression Cycle: A State-of-the-Art Review on Cycle Improvements, Water and Other Natural Refrigerants," Clean Technol., MDPI, vol. 5(2), pages 1-25, May.
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