Thermodynamic and economic evaluation of a non-cascaded dual-temperature compression–absorption–resorption refrigeration system

Abstract

Thermal processes in many industries require simultaneous cooling at multiple temperatures, highlighting the need for an efficient and cost-effective dual-temperature refrigeration system. This study proposes two novel non-cascaded dual-temperature ejector-assisted compression–absorption–resorption refrigeration cycles (ECARC) to deliver simultaneous refrigeration effects at -5°C and 7°C. These cycles are classified based on the compressor staging with an ejector as ECARC-1 and ECARC-2. The performance simulations of the proposed cycles were carried out at the design conditions and a detailed parametric study was performed to determine the influence of the key operating parameters on the first and the second law coefficients of performance. The proposed novel cycles are more efficient and utilise heat more effectively by consuming up to 60 % less electricity than the conventional multi-evaporator compression refrigeration system, for the same operating conditions and refrigeration capacity. These cycles are also more cost effective with a reduction in their unit production cooling cost by up to 50 % and 25.5% as compared with the state-of-the-art double-effect absorption refrigeration system and the multi-evaporator compression refrigeration system, respectively. Thus, the proposed cycles show excellent thermal and economic advantages for a potential dual-temperature refrigeration system, and the development of these systems contribute towards the decarbonisation of the industrial cooling and heating sector.