Performance Evaluation of Cryogenic Liquefaction System Precooled by Combined Vapour Compression-Absorption Refrigeration System

Abstract

Liquefaction is a high-energy-consuming process. One of the most efficient methods of lowering energy consumption use is to run a precooled cycle with a cascade refrigeration system. When compared with the vapour compression system, the merit of adopting a cascade system is that it consumes very less energy. Another advantage is that non-traditional energy sources such as geothermal and solar might be used to power these cycles. This paper examines a precooled Linde Hampson-liquefaction system using a double-stage cascade vapour compression-absorption refrigeration cycle that consists of an absorption system at the high-temperature stage and a compression system at the low-temperature stage to generate cooling at a small temperatures by using various refrigerants in the absorption and compression sections. The system's performance was evaluated by employing various combinations of natural refrigerants in the absorption section. Liquefaction of Nitrogen is carried out using a precooled Linde Hampson system and precooled liquefaction using a cascade refrigeration cycle. Nitrogen was liquefied using two methods in the current study. A thorough examination of the precooled system was conducted, and it was discovered that by employing a cascade refrigeration cycle, the input required per unit mass of gas liquefied is decreased. The performance metrics of the liquefaction system, such as Figure of Merit (FOM) and Liquid Yield, were discovered for both scenarios, and it is concluded that the usage of a cascade refrigeration system has more efficiency and consumes less energy than a system without an absorption chiller. The use of a precooled Linde Hampson system with cascade cycles improved liquefaction characteristics by 5-7%.