Cycle performance analysis and experimental validation of a novel diffusion absorption refrigeration system using R600a/n-octane

Gawon Lee, Hyung Won Choi, Yong Tae Kang

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

6 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Diffusion absorption refrigeration (DAR) is a promising cycle with regard to renewable energy utilization, as the cycle can operate using only a thermal energy input. This study focuses on the application of a low-global warming potential (GWP) refrigerant as a substitution for conventional ammonia refrigerant. In this study, R600a/n-octane is chosen as a novel refrigerant/absorbent pair for DAR. The cycle operation characteristics are investigated through numerical analysis, in terms of the coefficient of performance (COP) and minimum temperature. The influences of five key parameters (driving temperature, total pressure, evaporator temperature, absorber effectiveness, and solution heat exchanger effectiveness) on the COP are also analyzed. Furthermore, additional experiments are performed to validate the simulation results through comparisons with the experimental data. The variation trend of the COP shows good agreement between the simulations and experiments, and the mathematical model provides a reasonable estimation of the maximum COP. It is concluded that R600a/n-octane has significant potential for DAR application, as a maximum COP of 0.162 is achieved at a driving temperature of approximately 100 °C, making it more favorable than other low-GWP refrigerant working fluids pairs and applicable for solar cooling.

Original languageEnglish
Article number119328
JournalEnergy
Volume217
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2021 Feb 15

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was supported by the National Research Foundation of Korea (NRF) grant funded by the Korea government ( MSIT ) (No. NRF-2020R1A5A1018153 ) and the Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP) and the Ministry of Trade, Industry & Energy (MOTIE) of the Republic of Korea (No. 20202020800200 ).

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 Elsevier Ltd

Keywords

  • COP
  • Diffusion absorption refrigeration (DAR)
  • Low-GWP refrigerant
  • Minimum temperature
  • Performance analysis
  • R600a

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering
  • Building and Construction
  • Pollution
  • Mechanical Engineering
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering
  • Electrical and Electronic Engineering

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