Experimental energy and exergy analysis of vapor compression refrigeration system using R1234yf and R1234ze(E) as refrigerants

It is very important to ensure the continuity of the work carried out to improve the performance of the vapor compression refrigeration system, which is the most preferred and used among modern refrigeration technologies, and to reduce the exergies lost in the system. The refrigerant used in the vapor compression refrigeration system must be sufficient in terms of system performance and efficiency and in addition, it must be environmentally friendly. In this study, thermodynamic analyses were performed to examine the vapor compression refrigeration system in terms of energy and exergy. Studies using R134a, R1234yf and R1234ze(E) refrigerants in vapor compression refrigeration systems were experimentally investigated. Different evaporator temperatures were adjusted by passing air through the outer surface of the evaporator placed in a recirculating air conditioning system. In systems where R134a and R1234yf are used as refrigerants, the evaporator temperatures are between -6°C/-4°C/-2°C/0°C/+2°C, and in case of R1234ze(E), the evaporator temperatures are between -10°C/-8°C/-6°C/-4°C/-2°C. The data obtained as a result of the experiments are entered into the computer program developed with the help of EES (Engineering Equation Solver) software and the results are obtained. Mass flow rate, compressor pressure ratio, compressor outlet temperature, compressor power consumed by the compressor, condenser and evaporator capacities, coefficient of refrigeration performance (COP) of refrigerants according to different evaporator temperatures were investigated within the scope of the first law of thermodynamics; the destroyed exergies of compressor, condenser, throttle valve, evaporator elements, relative destroyed exergy ratios and second law efficiencies were investigated within the scope of the second law of thermodynamics.