Comparative analysis of cascade refrigeration system based on energy and exergy using different refrigerant pairs

Abstract

In this study a comparative analysis on the basis of energy and exergy of cascade refrigeration system using different refrigerant pair, R13 for low temperature cycle (LTC) and R134a, R290 and R717 for high temperature cycle (HTC) has been done by mathematical simulation using Engineering Equation Solver (EES-V9.224-3D). The analysis of cascade refrigeration system has been carried out at different operating condition and result has been compared with effect of various operating parameters. The range of evaporator temperature of LTC is taken from-53°C to-70°C, which represents the most common operating condition in commercial applications. The range of condenser temperature of LTC is from-11°C to-2°C and evaporator temperature of HTC from-19°C to-10°C. Results show that the refrigerant pair R13-R717 is the best suitable refrigerant pair for proposed cascade refrigeration system in comparison to other used refrigerant pairs and R717 can be a interesting alternative refrigerant to R134a and R290 for high temperature cycle of cascade refrigeration system in commercial applications.