Thermodynamic analysis of a flash tank vapor injection refrigeration system

• Grant number: 16/25471-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2017
• End date: March 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Process Industries
• Principal Investigator: José Vicente Hallak d´Angelo
• Grantee: Larissa Pereira Titato
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Química (FEQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Refrigeration systems are of great importance due to their diversity of applications in industrial, commercial and residential fields. Because they are large energy consumers, they demand optimized projects and operations to reduce costs and environmental impacts. Among the different configurations of refrigeration cycles, those that combine a flash tank with vapor injection have gained popularity in recent years, due to the recent expansion of their applications. Although an experimental approach is the most direct and reliable way to identify the difficulties in designing systems like these, it is clearly also the most expensive and time-consuming. For this reason, the development of models that are able to simulate these refrigeration systems, allowing a better understanding of their behavior, is very useful. By means of simulations it is possible to evaluate both the influence of some operating variables involved in the cycle, as well as the refrigerant used (pure or mixtures), on the thermodynamic performance of the cycle. The main objective of this research project is to develop and validate a model for a flash tank vapor injection (FTVI) refrigeration system, using Aspen Hysys® process simulator, that will be able to allow a throughout analysis of the influence of some variables over the thermodynamic performance of the cycle, aiming optimum operating conditions. Cycles will be evaluated using natural refrigerants (pure and mixtures) selected from environmental criteria (GWP and ODP), operational safety, cost and availability. The thermodynamic performance of the cycle will be evaluated mainly through its coefficient of performance (COP), but other criteria will also be incorporated in the final analysis of the cycle. (AU)