Investigation on the performance of R1234ze(E) in absorption refrigeration and ejection refrigeration systems

Abstract

To mitigate greenhouse warming and ozone depletion, trans-1,3,3,3-tetrafluoropropene (R1234ze(E), a kind of hydrofluoroolefin) has been developed by researchers as an environment-friendly refrigerant. To investigate which kind of refrigeration is suitable for R1234ze(E), the performance of R1234ze(E) in both the absorption refrigeration and ejection refrigeration systems was simulated. It was found that R1234ze(E) is more suitable for ejection refrigeration and the COP reaches to 0.38 (Tb = 373 K, Te = 278 K, Tc = 303 K). However, R1234ze(E) performs poorly in the absorption refrigeration system, reaching its peak (COP = 0.29) at Tg = 363 K. To top it off, the circulation ratio is too high so that absorption refrigeration is unacceptable for R1234ze(E). Even though an ejector can increase the absorber pressure, it cannot promote the performance except that the system can be driven by lower temperature heat source.