Title of Research

Modelling of generation and evaporation temperatures on energy efficiency in

hybrid refrigeration system

1. Problem statement:

In typical absorption refrigeration system, under one certain generation pressure, energy
efficiency increases rapidly with increasing generation temperature and then decreases
gradually due to exergy loss associated with excessive and unnecessary superheat of the
generated vapor. For absorption refrigeration system for cooling, the discharged heat is
usually useless and obviously, a huge waste thus, an irreversibility is caused. In order to
reduce the exergy loss, condensation heat will be recovered for the generation of refrigerant
in self-cycle which would ultimately lower the generation input heat along with increasing
the energy efficiency of the cycle.

Objectives:

 To enhance energy efficiency of hybrid refrigeration system by recovering exhaust

heat of the condenser.

 To improve the thermal energy utilization performance of hybrid refrigeration system

by recovering condensation heat exhausted to environment.

 Development of hybrid refrigeration system by utilizing condensation heat in the

generator of the absorption system.

2. Literature Review

Wang et al., [1] An absorption-compression refrigeration hybrid system was investigated to

recover all condensation heat for the generation of refrigerant by improving the grade of
condensation heat through a vapor compressor. The refrigerant vapors from the generator went to
the compressor and after that generator. Here generator was also acted as condenser where most
of the heat was recovered. This absorption-compression hybrid refrigeration system recovered
condensation heat for generation showed a 70-80% decrease of generation heat inputted from
outside and the primary energy efficiency of this system was 97.1% higher than that of
conventional absorption refrigeration system. Compared with conventional ARS, the lowest
generation temperature dropped from 60 oC to 35 oC and lowest evaporation temperature from -9
o
C to -26 oC.

Xu et al., [2] In this work, low-grade heat of AS was used to subcool the CS, which obtain cold
energy at -170 oC. A simulation study was also carried out to investigate effects of evaporating
temperature and low grade cooling capacity on system performance. This showed that high-
grade cooling capacity was increased and compressor power decreased.

Jain et al., [3] 4E (Energy, exergy, economic and environmental) analyses were carried out for
three configurations of parallel, series and combined series-parallel of vapour compression-
absorption integrated refrigeration system (VCAIRS). It was noted that the energy (electricity)
reduction of compressor taken place for the above-mentioned configurations as 50%, 76.8% and
88.3%. The comparative exergy analysis was done and compared it with the conventional VCRS.
The total irreversibility loss is maximum for series configuration by using Gouy-Stodola law. By
applying thermoeconomic optimization technique on VCAIRS, series and combined series-
parallel configurations were considered best.

Dixit et al., [4] In this work, a hybrid two stage absorption-compression refrigeration cycle with
a compressor between intermediate pressure generator and intermediate pressure absorber was
introduced which allowed higher thermal lift or alternatively allowed lower generator
temperature for the same thermal lift. The COP and exergetic efficiency of the hybrid system
were better than that of conventional system which were available at lower generator
temperature.

Kojak et al., [5] In this work, three configurations of cascaded vapor compression and
absorption cooling systems were analyzed in which evaporator of the ABS was cascaded as
condenser of VCC. This cascaded evaporator-condenser acted as three functions: sub-cooler,
evaporator-condenser heat exchanger and intercooler between two stage compressors. Out of
these the greatest energy saving was achieved in the system with intercooler. On the other hand,
absorption cooling system with integrated compressor with two configurations (series and
parallel) were also analyzed. In series, compressor was installed in low pressure side between
evaporator and absorber (SL) while in other between high pressure side between generator and
condenser (SH). For a better system performance SH was used because smaller compressor size
was required for this configuration.

Shu et al. [6] Corrosion problems caused by using lithium bromide aqueous solution at high
temperature which had been limited the use of LiBr solution in multi-effect cooling absorption
cycles. In this work, compressor assisted absorption cycle as bottoming cycle and Rankine cycle
as topping cycle were used to utilize the waste heat for refrigeration efficiently. The compressor
assisted Absorption cycle was an effective way to reduce generation temperature. The combined
refrigeration cycle improved the COP and cooling capacity per unit mass flow rate of the heat
source more than 10% while the maximum generation temperature was 50oC lower than that of
traditional absorption cooling cycle at the condition of CR = 2.2. The maximum COP, cooling
capacity and exergy efficiency with deflation range increasing were found and three indicators
increased as compression ratio enlarges.

Mohammadi et al. [7] A multistage cascaded refrigeration system consisted of absorption and
two-stage compression chiller, powered by micro gas turbine, was studied. In this work, three
possibilities of the absorption chiller had been considered to intercool, aftercool and precool the
refrigerant and air for compressor and gas cooler. The cooling capacity of the absorption chiller
was used to enhance the efficiency of compression chiller. A parametric study was carried out on
the Tamb, Pdis and Pinc on system efficiencies via energy and exergy analysis. The results showed
that at a specific discharge pressure, a cascade system with double effect absorption chiller,
intercooler and aftercooler provides the highest energy utilization factor (EUF).

Chen et al., [8] A thermal compressor model was proposed to optimize the absorption-
compression refrigeration system with a key parameter of boost pressure ratio. The ultimate
generation pressure and boost pressure ration were used to present the potential and operating
conditions of the thermal compressor respectively. The boost pressure ratio of ABSC system was
maintained at 0.75 and generation temperature at 100oC, the optimized heat driven coefficient of
performance was 0.517 which was 16.7% higher than the COP of conventional ABS
refrigeration system.

Xu et al. [9] A comparative study of energy, exergy, economic and environmental analyses were
made on novel absorption-compression refrigeration system with evaporator-subcooler (ES) and
a conventional absorption-compression refrigeration system with an evaporator-condenser (EC).
In ES evaporator of the absorption sub-cycle used as the sub-cooler for the incoming refrigerant
from condenser of the compression sub-cycle while in EC, evaporator of the absorption sub-
cycle used as the condenser of the compression sub-cycle. In the optimized condition, EC saved
22.5% more electricity than ES. So, EC had higher COP. The exergy efficiency of EC was
20.5% while that of ES 31.6%. When the waste heat was used, EC had a smaller cost rate. But
when solar heat was used, ES had a better economic performance.

Chen et al., [10] Absorption/absorption-compression refrigeration system with large working

range used to improve the thermal energy utilization performance. While using mid-temperature
sensible heat, a large temperature difference between the heat source and working solution lead
to major irreversibility destruction in the generator of the conventional refrigeration system. So,
this cycle had a relatively wide working range, which was quite suitable to utilize the variable
temperature heat source for energy saving. In this system, single effect ABS and ACRS,
condenser, evaporator and absorber were shared between two systems. The cooling capacity per
unit mass of the flue gas reached 58.95 kJ/kg when the evaporator temperature was -15 oC which
was 28.2% higher than that of single effect absorption refrigeration system.

Anand et al [11] proposed a vapor compression-absorption refrigeration system and employed

compressor between generator and condenser because of the availability of dry saturated vapors
at the generator outlet. The COP of the system was in the range of 0.112-0.215 in the variation of
temperature 65 oC to 130 oC. It was noted that the maximum exergy loss occurred in the
generator followed by the condenser, absorber and evaporator.

Sun et al [12] proposed a hybrid refrigeration system driven by mid/low temperature heat source
with ammonia water binary mixture as working fluid. This system had two main advantages.
First flue gas was utilized to generate high temperature superheated NH3H2O mixed vapor
instead of low temperature vapor in the reboiler of the conventional ARS. This reduced the
exergy destruction in the heat transfer process. Second advantage was the cascade use of nh3-
h2o mixed vapor. The superheated vapor entered the turbine to derive the compressor and stream
of high pressure vapors were generated. COP, system COP and exergy analysis in the base case
were 0.722, 0.485 and 23.1% respectively.

Boyaghchi et.al., [13] proposed a novel absorption-compression cascaded refrigeration system

operated by solar energy as the low-grade heat. Thermodynamic and thermoeconomic modeling
results showed that the using nanoparticles in in solar subsystem had a positive effect on the
thermal COP of the overall system. The daily and thermal COP were calculated for R134a with
the value of 10.130% and 0.6530% respectively.

Zhang et. al., [14] studied hybrid absorption and compression refrigeration system with a
booster compressor at different positions, between evaporator and absorber and generator and
condenser. It was found that the hybrid cycle primary energy based COP was higher by up to
15% as compared with nonhybrid cycle. The hybrid cycle achieved an exergy efficiency of
36.5%, which is 27% higher than that of absorption cycle and 4.5% higher than the vapor
compression cycle and achieved a thermal deriving exergy efficiency of 37.5% and mechanical
work saving ratio up to 64%. It was found that the generator temperature increased as the
compressor pressure ratio increased, and that a 40 oC generator temperature decrement obtained
at the expense of 3-5% of cooling capacity equivalent power input for driving the compressor.

Cai et.al., [15] experimentally analyzed the thermal performance of air cooled single effect
absorption refrigeration system with NH3-LiNO3. The measured lowest possible temperature was
reached -13.1 oC with corresponding average COP of 0.15 and average refrigeration capacity of
670W. For NH3-NaSCN system, lowest possible temperature was -7.5 oC and COP of 0.2. It was
also found that COP decreases with the evaporation temperature and lower spraying temperature
contributed to lower evaporation temperature and higher COP.
4. Research Methodology:

a) Brief description of how research will be conducted.

The following figure will provide a clear image that how research will be conducted in order:

Collection of Research Papers

Review of research papers

Mathematical model RCHG-

ARS/Thermodynamics Analysis

Energy and exergy analysis

Modelling and Analysis

 COP
 Energy efficiency
 Effects of generation temperature on
energy efficiency and cooling capacity
 Effects of evaporation temperature on
energy efficiency and cooling capacity
Methodology:

Mathematical model of RCHG-ARS:

In order to assess the RCHG-ARS and conventional ARS, two separate computer simulation
models will be developed for the energy and exergy analysis by using first and second law of
thermodynamics.
The purpose of first model will be for evaluation of thermodynamic performance of RCHG-
ARS and conventional ARS, while the purpose for the second model will be a comparative
analysis these between two cycles.
 Fig. 1 [1]

Characteristics to be measured:

The following characteristics will be measured in this study

i. COP

ii. Energy efficiency

iii. Effects of generation temperature on energy efficiency and cooling capacity

iv. Effects of evaporation temperature on energy efficiency and cooling capacity

a) Results expected and method of the Analysis:

  Decrement in generation heat input from outside

 Improvement in exergy efficiency

 Increment in the cooling capacity

Significant improvement in energy efficiency of Recovering condensation heat for generation-

ARS is expected than conventional ARS and decrease of generation heat input from outside by
recovering condensation heat in generator. The mathematical model, simulation and analysis will
be done by ANSYS.

b) Utilization of Research results:

Hybrid refrigeration cycle is driven by less mechanical work compared with the compression
refrigeration cycle and it can generate lower refrigeration temperature compared with the absorption
refrigeration cycle working at low driving temperature. There are three benefits of using hybrid
refrigeration cycle, i.e., decreasing generation temperature, increasing absorption temperature and the
concentration difference of the solutions.
Attractive fields for current and potential utilization of hybrid refrigeration cycle is in air conditioning,
i.e., office, building, hotel etc., process industries, i.e., dairy, pharmaceutical and chemical and in food
preservation i.e., vegetables, fruits and meat and fish.

c) Research Time Table

February-
January February April May June
Activity March
2017 2017 2017 2017 2017
2017
Collection of
Literature
Study of
Literature
Thermodynamic
analysis of ARS
 Analysis of data

Result Formation

Final Write-up &

Thesis
Submission

References

[1] Wang, Wang, Wu, Li & Shi, 2016, “Performance analysis of an absorption-compression hybrid
refrigeration system recovering condensation heat of generation,”.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2016.07.100
[2] Xu, Chen, Wang, Han, Jiang & Deng, 2016, “Performance study of on a low-temperature
absorption-compression cascade refrigeration system driven by low-grade heat,”.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2016.04.061
[3] Jain, Sachdeva & Kachhwaha, 2015, “Energy, exergy, economic, and environmental (4E)
analyses based comparative performance study and optimization of vapour compression-
absorption integrated refrigeration system,”. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.energy.2015.08.041
[4] Dixit, Arora & Kaushik, 2016, “Thermodynamic and thermoeconomic analyses of two stage
hybrid absorption compression refrigeration system,”
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2016.10.206
[5] Kojak, Fardoun., Younes. & Outbib., 2016, “Hybrid cooling systems: A review and optimized
selection scheme,”. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2016.06.092
[6] Shu, Che, Tian., Wang, & Liu, 2016, “A compressor assisted triple-effect LiBr absorption
cooling cycle coupled with a Rankine cycle driven by high-temperature waste heat,”.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2016.08.073
[7] Mohammadi & Ameri, 2016, “Energy and exergy performance comparison of different
configurations of an absorption-two-stage compression cascade refrigeration system with carbon
dioxide refrigerant,”. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2016.05.051
[8] Chen, Han & Jin, 2016, “Thermodynamic performance optimization of the absorption-
compression process in an absorption refrigeration cycle,”.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2016.07.086
[9] Xu, Jiang, Pan, Wang, Gao & Chen, 2016, “Comparative study on two low grade heat driven
absorption-compression refrigeration cycles based on energy, exergy, economic and
environmental (4E) analyses,”. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2016.10.073
[10] Chen, Han & Jin, 2016, “Analysis of an absorption/absorption-compression refrigeration system
for heat sources with large temperature change”.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2016.01.063
[11] Anand, Gupta & Tyagi “Exergetic analysis and assessment of hybrid refrigeration system for
dairy applications” International journal of air conditioning and refrigeration vol. 22, no. 4
(2014) 1450021
[12] Sun, Han & Jin, 2015, “Energy and exergy investigation of a hybrid refrigeration system
activated by mid/low temperature source,”.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2015.08.061
[13] Boyaghchi, Mahmoodnezhad & Sabeti, 2016, “Exergoeconomic analysis and optimization of a
solar driven dual evaporator vapor compression-absorption cascade refrigeration system using
water/CuO nanofluid,”. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2016.08.125
[14] Zhang, Lior & Han, 2016, “Performance study and energy saving process analysis of hybrid
absorption compression refrigeration cycles,” vol. 138, no. 061603-1.
[15] Cai, Jiang, He, Li, Niu & Xiao, 2016, “Experimental evaluation of thermal performance of an
air-cooled absorption refrigeration cycle with NH3-LiNO3 and NH3-NaSCN refrigerant
solutions,” http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.enconman.2016.04.089.

6. Comments of Supervisor
Signature of Supervisor Signature of Student

Endst No.UNIV/MED/MS/____ Dated: ____________

The above proposal duly recommended by the Department Board of Studies /

Post-graduate Studies and Research Committee in it meeting held on ______________ is
forwarded to the Director General Research for obtaining the approval of the Vice-
Chancellor.

CHAIRMAN

Mechanical Engineering Department

Dean,

Faculty of Mechanical Engineering