Potential benefits of saturation cycle with two-phase refrigerant injection

Hoseong Lee, Yunho Hwang, Reinhard Radermacher, Ho Hwan Chun

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

46 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In this paper, a saturation cycle is proposed to enhance a vapor compression cycle performance by reducing thermodynamic losses associated with single phase gas compression and isenthalpic expansion. In order to approach the saturation cycle, a two-phase refrigerant injection technique is applied to the multi-stage cycle. This multi-stage cycle with different options is modeled, and its performance is evaluated under ASHRAE standard operating conditions for air conditioning systems. Moreover, the two-phase refrigerant injection cycle is compared with the typical vapor injection cycle which is utilizing the internal heat exchanger or the flash tank. Low GWP refrigerants are applied to this two-phase refrigerant injection cycle. In terms of the COP and its improvement, R123 has a higher potential than any other refrigerants in the multi-stage cycle. Lastly, practical ideas realizing the saturation cycle are discussed such as multi-stage phase separator, phase separator with helical structure inside, and injection location of the compressor.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)27-37
Number of pages11
JournalApplied Thermal Engineering
Volume56
Issue number1-2
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Multi-stage cycle
  • Saturation cycle
  • Two-phase injection cycle

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Energy Engineering and Power Technology
  • Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering

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