Performance potential and optimal configuration study for low-GWP R161-DMETEG single-stage absorption refrigeration system via pinch technology

Abstract

New low-GWP R161-DMETEG mixture showed its high feasibility as an alternative working pair to overcome shortcomings of traditional ones. Its internal heat recovery capacity significantly influences operating performances. To systematically explore its ideal performance potentials and heat integration principles of the traditional single-stage absorption refrigeration system (SSARS), this paper conducted the internal heat recovery optimization and derived optimal systems by establishing an approach via pinch technology as a comprehensive planning. The ideal optimal system for maximum heat recovery under different conditions was derived initially using problem tables and Q-T graphical methods. Among all DMETEG-based fluids, R161-DMETEG exhibits the highest average performance potential of approximately 0.677 and an ideal performance improvement of 108%. Subsequently, a new configuration, called MFD-SSARS, was derived using the gird method. Its actual performances and economic feasibility under different parametrical conditions and control strategies were further explored. MFD-SSARS achieves COPs between SSARS and the ideal potential, and it can flexibly adjust internal heat recovery according to varying conditions to stimulate the performance potential. MFD-SSARS maximumly improvs COPs by approximately 65.953% relative to SSARS, reaching 96.167% of its potential under basic conditions. Despite its higher total capital costs than SSARS, it showed the lowest payback period of 2.23 years, thus proving the economic feasibility. Overall, the adopted environment-friendly working pair with designed high-performance configuration of this work serves as a technical solution to overcome current limitations of traditional absorption refrigeration technologies.