A Review on Technologies for the Use of CO2 as a Working Fluid in Refrigeration and Power Cycles

The use of carbon dioxide as a working fluid has been the subject of extensive studies in recent years, particularly in the field of refrigeration where it is at the heart of research to replace CFC and HCFC. Its thermodynamic properties make it a fluid of choice in the efficient use of energy at low and medium temperatures in engine cycles. However, the performance of transcritical CO2 cycles weakens under high temperature and pressure conditions, especially in refrigeration systems;On the other hand, this disadvantage becomes rather interesting in engine cycles where CO2 can be used as an alternative to the organic working fluid in small and medium-sized electrical systems for low quality or waste heat sources. In order to improve the performance of systems operating with CO2 in the field of refrigeration and electricity production, research has made it possible to develop several concepts, of which this article deals with a review of the state of the art, followed by analyzes in-depth and critical of the various developments to the most recent modifications in these fields. Detailed discussions on the performance and technical characteristics of the different evolutions are also highlighted as well as the factors affecting the overall performance of the systems studied. Finally, perspectives on the future development of the use of CO2 in these different cycles are presented.

Effect of an Internal Heat Exchanger on the Performances of a Double Evaporator Ejector Refrigeration Cycle

A theoretical investigation is presented about a double evaporator ejector refrigeration cycle(DEERC).Special attention is paid to take into account the influence of the sub-cooling and superheating effects induced by an internal heat exchanger(IHX).The ejector is introduced into the baseline cycle in order to mitigate the throttling process losses and increase the compressor suction pressure.Moreover,the IHX has the structure of a concentric counter-flow type heat exchanger and is intentionally used to ensure that the fluid at the compressor inlet is vapor.To assess accurately the influence of the IHX on the DEERC performance,a mathematical model is derived in the frame of the dominant one-dimensional theory for ejectors.The model also accounts for the friction effect in the ejector mixing section.The equations of this model are solved using an Engineering Equation Solver(EES)for different fluids.These are:R134a as baseline fluid and other environment friendly refrigerants used for comparison,namely,R1234yf,R1234ze,R600,R600a,R290,R717 and R1270.The simulation results show that the DEERC with an IHX can achieve COP(the coefficient of performance)improvements from 5.2 until 10%.

Performance Analysis of a Solar Continuous Adsorption Refrigeration System

A study is conducted on the performances of a solar powered continuous-adsorption refrigerator considering two particular days as references cases,namely,the summer solstice(June 21st)and the autumn equinox(September 21st).The cooling capacity,system performance coefficient and the daily rate of available cooling energy are assessed.The main goal is to compare the performances of a solar adsorption chiller equipped with a hot water tank(HWT)with an equivalent system relying on solar collectors with no heat storage module.The daily cooling rates for the solar refrigerator are found to be 102.4 kWh and 74.3 kWh,respectively,on June 21st and on September 21st,using a total collector’s area of 43.47 m2.The corresponding values for the adsorption chiller equipped with a hot water tank of 2 m3(and using a total collector’s area of 72.45 m2),are 127.1 kWh and 106.13 kWh,respectively.

Development of 400-μW cryogen-free dilution refrigerators for quantum experiments

We have successfully developed cryogen-free dilution refrigerators with medium cooling power that can be applied to quantum experiments. Breakthroughs have been made in some key technologies and components of heat switches and dilution units. Our prototype has been running continuously and stably for more than 100 hours below 10 m K, with a minimum temperature of 7.6 m K and a cooling power of 450 μW at 100 m K. At the same time, we have also made progress in the application of dilution refrigerators, such as quantum computing, low-temperature detector, and magnet integration. These indicators and test results indicate good prospects for application in physics, astronomy, and quantum information.

Experimental Study of Air Conditioning Unit of Evaporative Cooling Assisted Mechanical Refrigeration

The evaporative cooling,which assists the refrigeration machinery air-conditioning systems test-rig,has been designed.Its structure and working principle were described,and the performance test was conducted and analyzed.The test shows that making full use of the evaporative cooling "free cooling" in Spring and Autumn seasons can fully meet the requirements of air-conditioned comfort through the switch of the function in different seasons.Taking into account the evaporative cooling fan and pump energy consumption,compared with the traditional mechanical refrigeration system,more than 80 percent of energy can be saved,and the energy efficiency ratio of the Unit(EER)is as high as 7.63.Using the two stages of indirect evaporative cooling to pre-cool the new wind in summer,under the conditions of the same air supply temperature requirements,0.83 kg/s chilled water saved can be equivalent to the traditional mechanical refrigeration system,and when the new wind ratio up to 50 percent,more than 10 percent load was reduced in mechanical refrigeration system.The overall EER increased about 35 percent.

Rare Earths and Magnetic Refrigeration

Magnetic refrigeration is a revolutionary, efficient, environmentally friendly cooling technology, which is on the threshold of commercialization. The magnetic rare earth materials are utilized as the magnetic refrigerants in most cooling devices, and for many cooling application the Nd2Fe14B permanent magnets are employed as the source of the magnetic field. The status of the near room temperature magnetic cooling was reviewed.

Breakdown characteristics of CF4 and CF4/N2 hybrid gas in refrigeration temperature range

Common insulation gas cannot normally work in refrigeration temperature range(153-243 K), especially in extremely cold regions. To solve this problem, this essay uses cubic equation combined with two-parameter model in theorem of corresponding states to estimate dew-point of hybrid gas. The influence of temperature on mixing ratio is studied by using van der Waals equation. The result shows that the mixing ratio is stable during temperature-fall period. Insulation property of CF_4 and CF_4/N_2 in refrigeration temperature range is studied through self-designed low-temperature test system. The result shows when the density of hybrid gas is invariable, temperature changing has less influence on breakdown voltage, and when the mixing ratio is 20%, CF_4/N_2 is the greatest potential hybrid gas.

Research of refrigeration system for a new type of constant temperature hydraulic tank

Different from the traditional hydraulic oil cooling method,a new type of constant temperature oil tank cooling system based on semiconductor refrigeration technology is designed. This paper studies the principle of semiconductor refrigeration and establishes a heat transfer model. Semiconductor cooler on piping refrigeration is simulated,and influence of the parameters on the outlet temperature,such as pipe pressure difference of inlet and outlet,pipe length,pipe radius,are gotten,and then hydraulic tank semiconductor refrigeration system is proposed. The semiconductor refrigeration system can control temperature at 37 ± 1°C.

Magnetic hysteresis and refrigeration capacity of Ni-Mn-Ga alloys near Martensitic transformation

This paper studies the magnetic hysteresis and refrigeration capacity of Ni-Mn-Ga alloys in detail during heating and cooling isothermal magnetisation processes. The Ni-Mn-Ga alloys show larger magnetic hysteresis when they trans-form from austenite to martensite, but smaller magnetic hysteresis when they transform from martensite to austenite. This behaviour is independent of either the pure Ni-Mn-Ga alloys or the alloys doped with other elements. Because of the existence of the magnetic hysteresis, the relation between the magnetic entropy change and refrigeration capacity is not simply linear. For practical consideration, magnetocaloric effect of Ni-Mn-Ga alloys should be investigated both on cooling and heating processes.

Design of structure and control system of semiconductor refrigeration box

In order to create low temperature environment for the valve testing,a new type of semiconductor refrigeration box based on semiconductor refrigeration chip and programmable logic controller(PLC)control system is designed.The power of the semiconductor refrigeration chip is determined by calculating the heat dissipation characteristics of the semiconductor refrigeration box.Combining natural convection heat dissipation with forced air cooling,the heat sink of semiconductor refrigeration chip is designed.In the control strategy,switch control is combined with an intelligent control strategy.Adaptive single neuron optimization algorithm based on quadratic optimization is adopted to adjust and optimize the parameters of the proportional-integral-derivative(PID)controllers in real time.Taking into account the limited hardware capabilities of the PLC,the Jacobian information in parameter adjustment is redesigned into a simplified form of identification.The actual test results of refrigeration box show good control performance.

Experimental Analysis of the Performances of Unit Refrigeration Systems Based on Parallel Compressors with Consideration of the Volumetric and Isentropic Efficiency

The performances of a refrigeration unit relying on compressors working in parallel have been investigated considering the influence of the compressor volumetric efficiency and isentropic efficiency on the compression ratio.Moreover,the following influential factors have been taken into account:evaporation temperature,condensation temperature and compressor suction-exhaust pressure ratio for different opening conditions of the compressor.The following quantities have been selected as the unit performance measurement indicators:refrigeration capacity,energy efficiency ratio(COP),compressor power consumption,and refrigerant flow rate.The experimental results indicate that the system refrigeration capacity and COP decrease with a decrease in evaporation temperature,increase of condensation temperature,and increase in pressure ratio.The refrigerant flow rate increases with the increase in evaporation temperature,decrease in condensing temperature and increase in pressure ratio.The compressor power consumption increases with the increase in condensing temperature and increase in pressure ratio,but is not significantly affected by the evaporation temperature.

Exergy Analysis of a Double-Effect Solar Absorption Refrigeration System in Ngaoundere

Solar energy is replacing more and more traditional sources of energy because of the fact that it’s also fighting about global warming. This study is based on exergy analysis of a double-effect series flow absorption refrigeration system powered by solar energy in Ngaoundere. The simulation is done on the basis of a half hourly analysis for the first time, from 6.30 AM to 6.30 PM, using water-lithium bromide as working pair. The main parameters for the performance of an absorption cycle, which are the COP and the ECOP, have been analyzed and the results show that this two parameters increase while increasing the temperature of the main generator. The exergy loss of each component of the system and the total exergy loss of the system have been analyzed and their effectiveness calculated, using the first and second law of thermodynamics. The highest exergy loss occurs in the main generator GI and in the absorber, making these components more important in an absorption cycle. This analysis is based on a mathematical model using FORTRAN?language. The results obtained may be useful for the optimization of solar absorption refrigeration systems.

Thermodynamic Calculation and Analysis of Biomass Energy Applied in the NH_3/He Absorption Refrigeration System

[Objective] The study aimed to discuss the factors influencing the application of shaping biomass energy in the NHJHe absorption re- frigeration system. [ Method] In the NHJHe absorption refrigeration system, the thermodynamic analysis of semi-gasification furnace based on sec- tional combustion technology and absorption refrigeration system was performed. [ Result] Biomass could burn cleanly and efficiently in the semi- gasification furnace, which can reduce the environmental pollution caused by the combustion of coal and other fossil fuels. The heating power of the furnace for the absorption refrigeration system could not be too high, so biomass energy and other low-grade energy can be used as heat sources, which opens up a new way for the utilization of biomass energy. [ Conclusion] Biomass energy was applied successfully in the absorption refrigera- tion system.

Study on Application of Mixed-Refrigerant Refrigeration in Ethylene Plant

这份报纸集中于在采用顺序分离进程流动和 lowpressure demethanization 系统的 120 kt/a 乙烯植物上在乙烯 plant.Based 的低温实验法的分离节被使用的混合致冷的制冷进程流动，三制冷进程的精力消费流动(典型串联制冷，二进制制冷和第三级的制冷)借助于 ASPEN 正模拟 software.An

Entropy Analysis of Vapor-Compression Refrigeration System by Using the Second Law of Thermodynamics

By means of the Second Law of Thermodynamics,thispaper gives out the entropy analysis method for vapor-comperession refrigeration system.The thermal irrevers-ibility of the system charged with R12 and its hopeful al-ternative refrlgerant R134a have been studied respective-ly.On the basis of all the research results of this paper,the measure used to save energy for vapor-compressionrefrigeration system has been put out.

Recent Progress of Magnetic Refrigeration Technique Near Room Temperature

The recent progress of magnetic refrigeration technique at room temperature, especially in magnetic refrigerant materials with respect to Gd-Si-Ge, La-Fe-Si, Mn-Fe-P-As which has GMCE was reported. Also the recent progress in magnetic refrigerator design was reviewed.

Ecological optimization for an irreversible magnetic Ericsson refrigeration cycle

An irreversible Ericsson refrigeration cycle model is established, in which multi-irreversibilities such as finite-rate heat transfer, regenerative loss, heat leakage, and the efficiency of the regenerator are taken into account. Expressions for several important performance parameters, such as the cooling rate, coefficient of performance （COP）, power input, exergy output rate, entropy generation rate, and ecological function are derived. The influences of the heat leakage and the time of the regenerative processes on the ecological performance of the refrigerator are analyzed. The optimal regions of the ecological function, cooling rate, and COP are determined and evaluated. Furthermore, some important parameter relations of the refrigerator are revealed and discussed in detail. The results obtained here have general significance and will be helpful in gaining a deep understanding of the magnetic Ericsson refrigeration cycle.

Study on Gd-Al-Dy System Magnetic Refrigeration Materials

d-Al-Dy system materials were prepared by the technique of powder sintering. Twolayers gradient function materials with compositions of (Gd_0.9Dy_0.1)_3Al_2 and Gd_3Al_2 respectively were studied. The results show that the Curie temperature (Tc) of the monolayer material decreases with the increment of Dy content. The Tc values of the twolayer gradient function material agree well with the layer numbers and corresponding to Dy content. For the Tc gradiently changed twolayers Gd-Al-Dy system material, its ΔSm changes smoothly with temperature. Therefore, the magnetic refrigeration is improved.

Development of magnetocaloric materials in room temperature magnetic refrigeration application in recent six years

Some magnetocaloric materials were used successfully in magnetic refrigeration application and became one of the critical parts of magnetic refrigeration technology whose delightful progresses were made worldwide in the past 30 years. At the same time, the research on giant magnetocaloric materials will accelerate the development of room temperature magnetic refrigeration. In this paper, the new theoretical and experimental investigations on magnetic materials in room temperature application were described, including Gd and its binary and ternary intermetallic compounds, Mn-based compounds, La(Fe13-xMx)-based compounds and manganites. Based on the analysis of hysteresis, corrosion, cost and heat process, the comparison between different families of magnetic materials was discussed. Further research of room temperature magnetic refrigerant was suggested.

Performance of an irreversible quantum refrigeration cycle

A new model of a quantum refrigeration cycle composed of two adiabatic and two isomagnetic field processes is established. The working substance in the cycle consists of many non-interacting spin-1/2 systems. The performance of the cycle is investigated, based on the quantum master equation and semi-group approach. The general expressions of several important performance parameters, such as the coefficient of performance, cooling rate, and power input, are given. It is found that the coefficient of performance of this cycle is in the closest analogy to that of the classical Carnot cycle. Furthermore, at high temperatures the optimal relations of the cooling rate and the maximum cooling rate are analysed in detail. Some performance characteristic curves of the cycle are plotted, such as the cooling rate versus the maximum ratio between high and low ＂temperatures＂ of the working substances, the maximum cooling rate versus the ratio between high and low ＂magnetic fields＂ and the ＂temperature＂ ratio between high and low reservoirs. The obtained results are further generalized and discussed, so that they may be directly applied to describing the performance of the quantum refrigerator using spin-J systems as the working substance. Finally, the optimum characteristics of the quantum Carnot and Ericsson refrigeration cycles are derived by analogy.