Energy and exergy investigation of ejector refrigeration systems using retrograde refrigerants
Abstract Conventional and compression-enhanced ejector refrigeration systems were investigated numerically using regular and retrograde refrigerants. The nature of retrograde fluids was explained, including their main advantages and disadvantages. The numerical model was developed and validated with previous experimental data of both types of working fluids. Energy and exergy analysis were performed to examine system performance and compare between the selected refrigerant candidates. Retrograde refrigerants were found promising with both versions of ejector cycles, when two case studies of an air conditioning application and an indoor ice rink were considered. The butene series showed superior coefficient of performance and exergy efficiency, especially the isomers cis-2-butene and 1-butene.