IIR document

Theoretical evaluation of energy, exergy, and minimum superheat in a high-temperature heat pump with low GWP refrigerants.

Author(s) : SULAIMAN A. Y., COTTER D., ARPAGAUS C., HEWITT N.

Type of article: IJR article

Summary

Suitable low global warming potential (GWP) refrigerants that conform to F-gas regulations are fundamental to the operation and future development of high-temperature heat pumps (HTHPs) used for industrial processes and waste heat recovery. This paper presents the results of a theoretical simulation to investigate a range of low-GWP refrigerants and their suitability to supersede refrigerants HFC-245fa and HFC-365mfc. A steady-state thermodynamic model of a single-stage HTHP with an internal heat exchanger (IHX) was developed to assess system cycle characteristics and performance at temperature setpoints at 60 and 70 °C heat source, 90 and 140 °C heat sink, at 30 and 70 K lift. This study focuses on energetic and exergetic efficiencies within the system and the impact of regulating superheat to optimise performance. Based on energetic and exergetic theoretical results, a trade-off between COP, VHC, and exergetic efficiency indicates HCFO-1233zd(E) and HFO-1336mzz(Z) as the most likely replacements for HFC-245fa and HFC-365mfc respectively. The refrigerant HC-601, followed by HFO-1336mzz(Z) and HCFO-1233zd(E), exhibited the lowest exergetic destruction within test conditions. Mapping the minimum superheat indicated optimum performance for HCFO-1233zd(E) between 5 and 8 K and HFO-1336mzz(Z) between 17 and 22 K, depending on temperature lift. Validation of the theoretical results with experimental data indicates that simulated COP closely matches empirical values. This work provides a method to optimise refrigerant selection in HTHPs based on operational indicators to maximise overall system performance.

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Pages: 99-109

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  • Original title: Theoretical evaluation of energy, exergy, and minimum superheat in a high-temperature heat pump with low GWP refrigerants.
  • Record ID : 30031960
  • Languages: English
  • Subject: Technology
  • Source: International Journal of Refrigeration - Revue Internationale du Froid - vol. 153
  • Publication date: 2023/09
  • DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2023.06.001

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