Comparison of performance of a vapor absorption refrigeration system operating with some hydrofluorocarbons and hydrofluoroolefins as refrigerants along with ionic liquid [hmim][TF2N] as the absorbent

Abstract

The performance of a vapor absorption refrigeration system (VARS) operating with ionic liquid [hmim][TF2N] and HFC refrigerants R32, R152a and R125 and HFO refrigerants R1234ze(E) and R1234yz has been analysed. The PC-SAFT equation of state is used to estimate the properties of ionic liquid-refrigerant solutions as well as that of pure refrigerants. The effect of absorber, generator, evaporating and condensing temperatures on the coefficient of performance and circulation ratio has been studied. A COP value of 0.5 and above can be obtained with the combination R32-[hmim][TF2N] in typical air-conditioning applications. An exergy analysis has been carried out to understand the major sources of losses in different components. The results show that the performance of a VARS with [hmim]TF2N] and HFC refrigerants R32 and R152a is better than that with [hmim]TF2N] and HFO refrigerants R1234yf and R1234ze(E). The results of this study show that ionic liquid-low GWP refrigerants R32/R152a combinations are suitable for use in vapor absorption refrigeration systems for air conditioning applications.