A theoretical study on a novel combined power and ejector refrigeration cycle

A new combined power and refrigeration cycle is proposed for the cogeneration, which combines the Rankine cycle and the ejector refrigeration cycle by adding an extraction turbine between heat recovery vapor generator (HRVG) and ejector. This combined cycle could produce both power output and refrigeration output simultaneously, and could be driven by the flue gas from gas turbine or engine, solar energy, geothermal energy and industrial waste heats. Parametric analysis and exergy analysis are conducted to examine the effects of thermodynamic parameters on the performance and exergy destruction in each component for the combined cycle. The results show that the condenser temperature, the evaporator temperature, the turbine inlet pressure, the turbine extraction pressure and extraction ratio have significant effects on the turbine power output, refrigeration output, exergy efficiency and exergy destruction in each component in the combined cycle. It is also shown that the biggest exergy destruction occurs in the heat recovery vapor generator, followed by the ejector and turbine.     

一种新型跨临界CO2冷电联供系统热力分析

提出一种新型跨临界二氧化碳（trans-critical carbon dioxide,TCO₂）再压缩循环和喷射器制冷循环耦合的冷电联供系统。该系统在输出电能的同时,利用低品位热能驱动喷射器工作输出冷量。以输出电量1 MW为设计目标,对比冷电联供系统和再压缩发电系统的性能,研究联供系统各部件（火用）损和主要热力参数对其性能的影响。结果表明：联供系统利用CO₂余热驱动喷射器输出冷量,循环热效率高于单一再压缩系统;加热器（火用）损所占比例最大,回热器次之;透平进口温度、压力和背压对联供系统工质流量、循环效率、输出功率、加热器功率、压缩机耗功及喷射器制冷量等参数影响较大;而冷凝温度和蒸发温度仅对制冷循环制冷量影响较大。在设定条件下,联供系统的循环热效率和（火用）效率可分别达到46.99%和47.21%。     

Investigation on gradient thermal cycle for power and refrigeration cogeneration

In order to improve energy utilization efficiency of low grade heat, a novel gradient thermal cycle for power and refrigeration cogeneration is proposed. The cycle is cascaded with two stages based on different thermal driven temperature. The first stage is pumpless Organic Rankine Cycle (PRC) while the second stage is two-stage sorption refrigerator. R245fa is selected as the working fluid of PRC, whereas CaCl₂-BaCl₂-NH₃ working pair is chosen for two-stage sorption refrigerator. Different heat source temperatures from 80°C to 95°C are adopted for analysis and comparison. Results indicate that the highest average power output and cooling effect are able to reach 204 W and 0.91 kW under the condition of 95°C heat source temperature and 10°C refrigeration temperature. For different heat source temperatures, total energy and exergy efficiency of the gradient thermal cycle for power and refrigeration cogeneration range from 9.49% to 9.9% and 10.9% to 11.8%, respectively. For gradient thermal cycle exergy efficiency of heat utilization ranges from 24% to 18.8% which is 126.5% and 70.9% higher than the PRC and two-stage sorption refrigerator, respectively, when the heat source temperature is 80°C.     

Methodology for thermal design of novel combined refrigeration/power binary fluid systems

Refrigeration cogeneration systems which generate power alongside with cooling improve energy utilization significantly, because such systems offer a more reasonable arrangement of energy and exergy “flows” within the system, which results in lower fuel consumption as compared to the separate generation of power and cooling or heating. This paper proposes several novel systems of that type, based on ammonia–water working fluid. Importantly, general principles for integration of refrigeration and power systems to produce better energy and exergy efficiencies are summarized, based primarily on the reduction of exergy destruction. The proposed plants analyzed here operate in a fully-integrated combined cycle mode with ammonia–water Rankine cycle(s) and an ammonia refrigeration cycle, interconnected by absorption, separation and heat transfer processes. It was found that the cogeneration systems have good performance, with energy and exergy efficiencies of 28% and 55–60%, respectively, for the base-case studied (at maximum heat input temperature of 450 °C). That efficiency is, by itself, excellent for cogeneration cycles using heat sources at these temperatures, with the exergy efficiency comparable to that of nuclear power plants. When using exhaust heat from topping gas turbine power plants, the total plant energy efficiency can rise to the remarkable value of about 57%. The hardware proposed for use is conventional and commercially available; no hardware additional to that needed in conventional power and absorption cycles is needed.     

Thermal and exergoeconomic analysis of a novel solar driven combined power and ejector refrigeration (CPER) system

In the present study, a novel solar driven combined power and ejector refrigeration system (CPER) of 50 kW power capacity composed of an ORC (organic Rankine cycle) and an ejector refrigeration system is investigated. Solar driven CPER system is composed of two main cycles: collector cycle and refrigeration cycle. The collector cycle is made of a U-tube ETC and circulation pump and the ejector refrigeration cycle consists of generator, turbine, ejector, heat exchanger, condenser, evaporator, expansion valve, and pump. Thermodynamic performance of the proposed CPER system is evaluated and a thermo-economic analysis is conducted using the SPECO (specific exergy costing) method. A parametric study showed the effects of condenser temperature, evaporator temperature, generator pressure, turbine back pressure and turbine extraction ratio. The genetic algorithm optimization analysis is conducted which shows 25.5% improvement in thermal energy, 21.27% in exergy efficiency, and 7.76% reduction in the total cost of the CPER system. The results reveal that the performance of the CPER system is considerably improved at higher temperatures of generator and evaporator.     

Design-theoretical study of cascade CO2 sub-critical mechanical compression/butane ejector cooling cycle

In this paper an innovative micro-trigeneration system composed of a cogeneration system and a cascade refrigeration cycle is proposed. The cogeneration system is a combined heat and power system for electricity generation and heat production. The cascade refrigeration cycle is the combination of a CO₂ mechanical compression refrigerating machine (MCRM), powered by generated electricity, and an ejector cooling machine (ECM), driven by waste heat and using refrigerant R600. Effect of the cycle operating conditions on ejector and ejector cycle performances is studied. Optimal geometry of the ejector and performance characteristics of ECM are determined at wide range of the operating conditions. The paper also describes a theoretical analysis of the CO₂ sub-critical cycle and shows the effect of the MCRM evaporating temperature on the cascade system performance. The obtained data provide necessary information to design a small-scale cascade system with cooling capacity of 10 kW for application in micro-trigeneration systems.     

Performance parameters for the design of a combined refrigeration and electrical power cogeneration system

This paper discusses the conservation of energy in a cogeneration system. A steam power cycle (Rankine) produces electrical power 2 MW and steam is bleeded off from the turbine at 7 bar to warm a factory or units of buildings during the winter or to supply a steam ejector refrigeration cycle to air-conditioning the same area during the summer. In the summer this system can be as alternative solution instead of absorption. Certainly the ejector refrigeration unit is more economical than absorption unit. The ratio of electrical power/heat is varied into the region (0.1–0.4) and the evaporator temperature of the ejector cycle is varied into the region (10–16 °C). A computer program has been developed for the study of performance parameters of the cogeneration system.     

Investigation of ejector-equipped Joule–Thomson refrigerator operating below 77 K

The lowest attainable refrigeration temperature of a nitrogen based Joule–Thomson refrigerator is generally limited to 77 K since the compressor suction pressure is usually higher than atmospheric pressure. The Joule–Thomson process with an ejector is proposed to achieve a refrigeration temperature as low as 68 K by adjusting the evaporation pressure down to 28 kPa and boosting the return stream pressure up to 147 kPa. A one-dimensional numerical model is developed to predict the performance of the ejector at cryogenic temperature, and its accuracy is compared with experimental data. The analysis results show that the addition of the ejector in the Joule–Thomson refrigeration cycle increases up to 5 times the overall efficiency, where the maximum achievable COP and exergy efficiency are 0.0195 and 6.65%, respectively. Other featured advantages of the proposed Joule–Thomson refrigeration cycle with ejector are the simplicity of cycle, minimization of mechanical moving components, cost effectiveness, and high reliability compared to other cryogenic refrigeration methods using pumps or cold compressors in Joule–Thomson cycles.     

Working fluids comparison and thermodynamic analysis of a transcritical power and ejector refrigeration cycle (TPERC)

The combined power and cooling cycles driven by waste heat and renewable energy can provide different kinds of energy forms and achieve a higher thermodynamic efficiency. However, only a few researchers have focused on the improvement of temperature matching between the heat source and working fluid. This paper proposes a transcritical power and ejector refrigeration cycle (TPERC) to improve temperature matching between the heat source and working fluid. Based on the modelling of the TPERC system, a comparison of working fluids and the effects of system parameters on the cooling capacity, work output, thermal efficiency and exergy efficiency are discussed. The results show that of the seven working fluids selected, R1234ze has the largest thermal efficiency and exergy efficiency, principally due to having the highest critical temperature. At the identical turbine back pressure, condensing temperature and evaporation temperature, the turbine inlet temperature and its corresponding generation pressure have little impact on thermal efficiency.     

利用燃气轮机烟气余热的复合有机朗肯循环系统优化分析

本文针对燃气轮机烟气余热设计了一种复合有机朗肯循环系统,对其进行了详细的热力学分析,以某燃驱压气站烟气条件(400℃,26 kg/s)为例,以系统净输出功为目标,利用Matlab和Refprop 9. 0选择了13种工质,并确定了系统最优工况。结果表明,甲苯、R141b、丙酮分别作为3个子系统的工质时,系统可实现最大净输出功为1 587 k W,热效率和火用效率分别可达20. 26%和42. 68%,比单级循环可实现的最大净输出功高23. 33%。对系统各部件进行火用损失分析,发现蒸发器火用损失最大,并提出了改进方案。     

Exergy analysis of gas turbine trigeneration system for combined production of power heat and refrigeration

A conceptual trigeneration system is proposed based on the conventional gas turbine cycle for the high temperature heat addition while adopting the heat recovery steam generator for process heat and vapor absorption refrigeration for the cold production. Combined first and second law approach is applied and computational analysis is performed to investigate the effects of overall pressure ratio, turbine inlet temperature, pressure drop in combustor and heat recovery steam generator, and evaporator temperature on the exergy destruction in each component, first law efficiency, electrical to thermal energy ratio, and second law efficiency of the system. Thermodynamic analysis indicates that exergy destruction in combustion chamber and HRSG is significantly affected by the pressure ratio and turbine inlet temperature, and not at all affected by pressure drop and evaporator temperature. The process heat pressure and evaporator temperature causes significant exergy destruction in various components of vapor absorption refrigeration cycle and HRSG. It also indicates that maximum exergy is destroyed during the combustion and steam generation process; which represents over 80% of the total exergy destruction in the overall system. The first law efficiency, electrical to thermal energy ratio and second law efficiency of the trigeneration, cogeneration, and gas turbine cycle significantly varies with the change in overall pressure ratio and turbine inlet temperature, but the change in pressure drop, process heat pressure, and evaporator temperature shows small variations in these parameters. Decision makers should find the methodology contained in this paper useful in the comparison and selection of advanced heat recovery systems.     

Conceptual design and exergy analysis of an integrated structure of natural gas liquefaction and production of liquid fuels from natural gas using Fischer-Tropsch synthesis

In this paper, utilizing absorption refrigeration system as an alternative to compression refrigeration system of MFC refrigeration cycle in an integrated superstructure with the main aim of reduction in required energy is investigated. High-energy consumption in such units is reduced because of the removal of a stage of the compression system, while the possibility of using waste energy through employing of absorption refrigeration system can be provided. A superstructure including cogeneration of heating, cooling and power for LNG production and liquid fuels using Fischer-Tropsch synthesis are investigated. Exergy analysis shows that the greatest amount of exergy destruction of equipment is related to the compressors by 28.99% and the lowest exergy destruction is related to the gas turbine by 0.17%. Integrated structure has overall thermal efficiency of 90% and specific power of 0.1988 kW h/(kg LNG)⁻¹.     

Evaluation of a novel combined ejector-absorption refrigeration cycle — I: computer simulation

This paper describes a novel refrigeration cycle based on the combination of an absorption cycle with an ejector refrigeration cycle. The combination brings together the advantages of absorption and ejector refrigeration systems and provides high COP for refrigeration and air-conditioning. The combined cycle is particularly suitable for utilising waste thermal energy. A computer simulation program was developed for the combined cycle and used to determine the performance of the system using LiBrH₂O for various generator, condenser and evaporator temperatures. Optimum operating conditions and ejector design data are also provided.     

采用不同膨胀机构的跨临界CO2循环性能分析

运用热力学第一定律和第二定律对跨临界CO2基本循环、膨胀机循环、喷射器循环和涡流管循环进行了分析,计算了各循环各个部件的损失,比较了各循环性能系数和总损失。计算结果表明,采用膨胀机、喷射器和涡流管等膨胀设备代替基本循环中的节流阀后,由于这些改进膨胀设备的损失小于基本循环节流阀的损失,同时改进循环中压缩机的损失小于基本循环的压缩机损失,从而减小了循环总损失,提高了循环的COP。膨胀机循环的COP远大于其它跨临界CO2循环,其次为喷射器循环和涡流管循环。     

Investigation of an ammonia-water combined power and cooling system driven by the jacket water and exhaust gas heat of an internal combustion engine

An ammonia-water combined power and cooling system is proposed and investigated in this work, in which the waste heat contained in the jacket water and exhaust gas of an internal combustion engine can be recovered efficiently to generate power and cooling energy simultaneously. The proposed system was simulated, and its thermodynamic performance in the base case was calculated based on waste heat data from an actual gas engine with a rated power output of 300 kW. The equivalent heat-to-power efficiency of the combined system is 19.76%, and the total equivalent power output is as high as 92.86 kW. The exergy efficiency of the combined system reaches 33.69%. The effects of the turbine inlet pressure, generation pressure in the reboiler, exhaust gas temperature and cooling water temperature were studied to provide guidance for the system design. The results of an economic analysis indicate that the proposed system has good economic benefit.     

Theoretical study and design of a low-grade heat-driven pilot ejector refrigeration machine operating with butane and isobutane and intended for cooling of gas transported in a gas-main pipeline

This paper describes the construction and performance of a novel combined system intended for natural gas transportation and power production, and for cooling of gas transported in a gas-main pipeline. The proposed system includes a gas turbine compressor, a combined electrogenerating plant and an ejector refrigeration unit operating with a hydrocarbon refrigerant. The combined electrogenerating plant consists of a high-temperature steam–power cycle and a low-temperature hydrocarbon vapor power cycle, which together comprise a binary vapor system. The combined system is designed for the highest possible effectiveness of power generation and could find wide application in gas-transmission systems of gas-main pipelines. Application of the proposed system would enable year-round power generation and provide cooling of natural gas during periods of high ambient temperature operation. This paper presents the main results of a theoretical study and design performance specifications of a low-grade heat-driven pilot ejector refrigeration machine operating with butane and isobutane.     

Performance analysis of a combined system for cold and power

This paper presents a theoretical study of a combined thermal system, which combines the Rankine cycle and the ejector refrigeration cycle. This combined cycle produces power and refrigeration simultaneously. The thermal system could use low temperature heat sources. A simulation was carried out to evaluate the cycle performance using several working fluids as R123, R141b, R245fa, R601a and R600a. A one-dimensional mathematical model of the ejector was developed using the equations governing the flow and thermodynamics based on the constant area ejector flow model. The ejector is studied in optimal operating regime. The influence of thermodynamic parameters on system performance is studied. The results show that the condenser temperature, the evaporation temperature, the extraction ratio, the fluid nature and the generating temperature have significant effects on the system performances (the coefficient of performance of the combined cycle and the entrainment ratio of the ejector).     

A theoretical study on a novel solar based integrated system for simultaneous production of cooling and heating

An integrated system for simultaneous production of triple-effect cooling and single stage heating is proposed in this paper to harness low grade solar energy. The proposed system combines the heliostat field with a central receiver and the ejector-absorption cycle with the shaft power driven transcritical CO₂ cycle. A parametric study based on first and second laws of thermodynamics is carried out to ascertain the effect of varying the exit temperature of duratherm oil, turbine inlet pressure, and evaporators temperature on the energy and exergy output as well as on the energy and exergy efficiencies of the system. The results obtained indicate that major source of exergy destruction is the central receiver where 52.5% of the inlet solar heat exergy is lost followed by the heliostat where 25% of the inlet exergy is destroyed. The energy and exergy efficiencies of the integrated system vary from 32% to 39% and 2.5%–4.0%, respectively, with a rise in the hot oil outlet temperature from 160 °C–180 °C. It is further shown that increase in evaporator temperature of transcritical CO₂ cycle from −20 °C to 0 °C increases the energy efficiency from 27.45% to 43.27% and exergy efficiency from 2.51% to 2.97%, respectively. The results clearly show how the variation in the values of hot oil outlet temperature, turbine inlet pressure, and the evaporator temperature of transcritical CO2 cycle strongly influences the attainable performance of the integrated system.     

Hybrid vapor compression refrigeration system with an integrated ejector cooling cycle

A refrigeration system was developed which combines a basic vapor compression refrigeration cycle with an ejector cooling cycle. The ejector cooling cycle is driven by the waste heat from the condenser in the vapor compression refrigeration cycle. The additional cooling capacity from the ejector cycle is directly input into the evaporator of the vapor compression refrigeration cycle. The governing equations are derived based on energy and mass conservation in each component including the compressor, ejector, generator, booster and heat exchangers. The system performance is first analyzed for the on-design conditions. The results show that the COP is improved by 9.1% for R22 system. The system is then compared with a basic refrigeration system for variations of five important variables. The system analysis shows that this refrigeration system can effectively improve the COP by the ejector cycle with the refrigerant which has high compressor discharge temperature.     

Performance analysis of the ejector-expansion refrigeration cycle using zeotropic mixtures

To evaluate the performance of the ejector-expansion refrigeration cycle (EERC) using zeotropic mixtures, a numerical study is conducted. A constant-pressure two-phase ejector model for zeotropic mixtures is established. The effects of both the fluid composition and the working conditions are investigated. Mixture R134a/R143a is selected as the working and the simulation results reveal that, the cycle COP increases first and then decreases as MF_t (the mass fraction of R134a) increases in the researched condition. The COP gets a maximum value of 4.18 with MF_t of 0.9 and yields a minimum value of 3.66 with MF_t of 0.5. With mixture 0.9/0.1, the COP improvement reaches a maximum value of 10.47%. This improvement rises at high condensing temperature or low evaporating temperature. The exergy analysis shows that the compressor and ejector contribute the most exergy destruction, and the cycle exergy efficiency achieves a maximum value with MF_t of 0.7.