Thermodynamic analysis of cascade refrigeration system using R1234yf-CO2, R1234yf-R410a, and R1234yf-R134a refrigerants

Abstract

The Kyoto and Montreal Protocols emphasized the necessity of replacing hydrochlorofluorocarbons and chlorofluorocarbons because of their detrimental effects on the ozone layer in the atmosphere, which shields the planet from ultraviolet radiation. Hydrofluorocarbon refrigerants, which do not disrupt the ozone layer, were inspired by all these incidents. The thermodynamic analysis of a cascade refrigeration system was examined in this work utilizing three new refrigerant pair combinations: R1234yf-CO2, R1234yf-R410, and R1234yf-R134a. Numerous operating characteristics, including compressor work, isentropic efficiency, condenser temperature, and evaporator temperature, as well as the coefficient of performance, energy efficiency ratio, and refrigerant mass flow ratio, have been examined and documented. The numerical investigation shows that with an evaporating temperature increase, there is an increase in COP, and the irreversibility of the system decreases. When there is an increase in condenser temperature, COP will decrease, and the irreversibility of the system increases. Thermodynamic analysis shows that out of three refrigerant pairs R1234yf-CO2, R1234yf-R410, and R1234yf-R134a, the COP of R1234yf-R134a refrigerant pair is 28.10% more than the refrigerant pair R1234yf-CO2 and 8.08% more than the refrigerant pair R1234yf-R410.