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ScienceDirect
Energy Procedia 109 (2017) 190 – 202

International Conference on Recent Advancement in Air Conditioning and Refrigeration, RAAR

2016, 10-12 November 2016, Bhubaneswar, India

Thermodynamic Modelling and Parametric Study of a Two Stage

Compression-Absorption Refrigeration System for Ice Cream
Hardening Plant
Bhavesh Patela,*, Surendra Singh Kachhwahaa, Bhaumik Modia
a
Pandit Deendayal Petroleum University, Raisan, Gandhinagar 382007, Gujarat, India

Abstract

The present communication introduces a new concept of Two Stage Vapor Compression-Absorption Cascade Refrigeration System
(TSVCACRS) for achieving low temperature industrial cooling. The system comprises of Two Stage Vapor Compression
Refrigeration System (TSVCRS) having flash intercooler integrated with single stage Vapor Absorption Refrigeration System
(VARS); thermally coupled by means of cascade condenser heat exchanger. The cascade condenser heat exchanger works as an
evaporator for VARS and the condenser for TSVCRS. The proposed system has been designed and simulated for Havmor Ice
cream Limited located at GIDC, Naroda, Ahmedabad; to check the thermodynamic performance feasibility with their existing
installed TSVCRS based ice cream hardening refrigeration plant of 525 TR (1850 kW). Ammonia and LiBr-H2O have been
considered as working fluid pair in proposed TSVCACRS. The results show that proposed TSVCACRS system would minimize
the compressor work up to 28%, compared to an existing installed TSVCRS. The exergetic efficiency of the VAR, VCR subsystems
and integrated TSVCACRS is found to be 32.78%, 60.29% and 53.59%, respectively. Moreover, the optimum generator
temperature for the proposed system is found to be 85°C from the energetic and exergetic point of view.
© 2017The
©2017 TheAuthors.
Authors. Published
Published by Elsevier
by Elsevier Ltd. is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
Ltd. This
Peer-review under responsibility of the organizing committee of RAAR 2016.
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of the organizing committee of RAAR 2016.
Keywords: Ice cream Plant, Energy, Exergy, Irreversibility, Two stage vapor compression refrigeration system (TSVCRS), Two stage vapor
compression absorption refrigeration system (TSVCACRS).

_________________
* Corresponding author. Tel.: +91-98-24-339868;
E-mail address: bhavesh.pphd13@gmail.com (B. Patel)

1876-6102 © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of the organizing committee of RAAR 2016.
doi:10.1016/j.egypro.2017.03.091
 Bhavesh Patel et al. / Energy Procedia 109 (2017) 190 – 202 191

Nomenclature
ܿ௣ specific heat at constant pressure COP coefficient of performance
e specific Exergy ‫ܧ‬ሶ exergy flow rate
EES engineering Equation Solver EV Expansion Valve
h enthalpy HP High pressure
‫ܫ‬ሶ Irreversibility ݉ሶ mass flow rate
P pressure ܳሶ Heat
r relative irreversibility ‫ݏ‬ሶ Entropy
T Temperature TSVCACRS Two Stage Vapor Compression Absorption Cascade
Refrigeration System
TSVCRS Two Stage Vapor Compression Refrigeration ܹሶ Work
System
Greek Symbols
Ƞ efficiency θ carnot factor
Superscript/ Subscript
0 environmental state 1, 2… state points
a Absorber c condenser
cc cascade condenser comp compressor
D Desorber e evaporator
EV expansion valve g generator
HPC high pressure compressor gen generation
i state point k component
LPC low pressure compressor m mechanical
P Pump prv pressure reducing valve
R rational s isentropic
SHE solution heat exchanger T total

1. Introduction

Research by the Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency has predicts that by around 2060, the amount of
energy consumed worldwide in cooling will overtake that consumed in heating. According to the forecast, the world’s
populations will reach 9 billion by 2050 in which the role of cold in food security will be pivotal. According to the
UN Food and Agriculture Organization, global food demand is set to grow by 50% in that time. The cooling and
refrigeration sectors are one of the major consumers of energy demand in India. India is the world’s leading producer
of milk and the second-largest producer of fruits and vegetables, but the country watches nearly 20 percent of that
yield, $10 billion worth of food go to waste for lack of a food-supply infrastructure that can keep its food fresh from
farm to table.

India faces a more daunting challenge with its cold chain than other parts of the world. Most of the country
experiences extreme weather, so cooling technologies are more energy-intensive than that of in milder climates. Peak
power outages are also routine, often forcing cold rooms to operate off costly backup generators. Further, it is
interesting to note that the India today faces a greater demand for non-electricity applications, i.e., where the primary
energy source could have been applied in a more efficient way than use of electricity-driven applications. All of this
is to say that energy efficiency is paramount. To address that issue if we just replicate the old technologies, we’re
heading for environmental disaster. Moreover, with increasing demand, the size of refrigeration and air conditioning
unit is also increasing. Unfortunately, while the demand for more energy continues to grow, its scarcity increases and
consumption of fossil fuel increases as well. In order to meet the future worldwide energy needs and to slow down
the pace of global warming, the improvement of energy efficiency and the creation of sustainable energy sources have
to be addressed simultaneously. Therefore the present study analyses the two stage vapor compression absorption
system (TSVCACRS) which significantly reduce energy (electricity) consumption and dependency on high grade
energy for low temperature industrial cooling applications, food preservation and storage.
There is great potential for reducing high grade energy consumption by combining the Vapor Absorption
Refrigeration System (VARS) and Vapor Compression Refrigeration System (VCRS) in series which is known as
Vapor Compression Absorption Cascaded Refrigeration System (VCACRS). The application of cascaded
192 Bhavesh Patel et al. / Energy Procedia 109 (2017) 190 – 202

refrigeration system maintains the advantages of both vapor compression and vapor absorption systems while
minimizing the limitations of both simultaneously [1]. According to Jain et al. [1], the electrical energy consumption
in vapor compression-absorption cascade refrigeration system is reduced by 61% and COP of compression section is
improved by 155% compared to conventional VCRS. Researchers [2-4] have found 31 to 51% of reduction in energy
consumption of cascade refrigeration system compare to conventional VCRS for the same cooling capacity and also
pointed out the simultaneous energy need of electricity and heat. Further, the exhaustive thermodynamic analysis of
such a single stage compression-absorption cascade system is available in the literature but work remains left for two
stage vapor compression-absorption system which can be used for achieving low temperature cooling up to (-60°C).
In the present study, two stage vapor compression absorption cascade refrigeration system (TSVCACRS) consisting
of VCR subsystem (Fig.2) having ammonia as working fluid integrated with VAR subsystem having H2O–LiBr as
fluid pair is proposed as an alternative to installed ammonia based two stage reciprocating vapor compression
refrigeration ice cream plant.

2. System analysis

2.1 Cycle description

Fig. 1. Existing (TSVCRS) for Ice cream plant

 Bhavesh Patel et al. / Energy Procedia 109 (2017) 190 – 202 193

Fig. 2. Proposed (TSVCACRS) for Ice-cream Plant

The schematic diagram of installed two stage vapor compression system (TSVCRS) based ice cream plant at
Havmor Ice cream Limited, situated at G.I.D.C, Naroda, Ahmedabad, Gujarat is depicted in Fig. 1. Ammonia is used
as a refrigerant in the system. Fig. 2 shows the line diagram of proposed TSVCACRS in which TSVCRS is thermally
coupled with single effect VARS by means of cascade condenser. The cascade condenser serves as evaporator of
conventional VAR subsystem and condenser of two stage VCR subsystem. The condenser of the compression section
rejects the thermal load (the heat absorbed by the evaporator plus the work supplied to the compressor) to absorption
section through cascade condenser, which leads to reduction of the pressure ratio across the compressor due to lower
condenser temperature. The proposed system simultaneously requires low grade energy (heat in generator of VAR
subsystem) and high grade energy (electricity in HP and LP compressor of VCR subsystem). Consequently, the
discharge pressure of the compressor is very high in TSVCRS (Fig. 1) which would decrease to a greater extent for
194 Bhavesh Patel et al. / Energy Procedia 109 (2017) 190 – 202

TSVCACRS (shown in Fig. 2) due to intermittent temperature achieved in cascade condenser. Thus, the pressure ratio
across the compressor is reduce. As a consequences of the reduced pressure ratio, the electricity consumption and size
of the compressor gets reduce.

2.2 Assumptions

Mathematical modeling has been done based on following assumptions [1]:

x All the system components operate under steady state.

x All the pressure and heat losses/gains in different components and pipelines of the system are neglected.
x The process occurring in all the expansion valves are isenthalpic.
x At given temperature and pressure, water-LiBr solutions in the generator and the absorber are assumed to be in
equilibrium.
x Only physical exergy is considered for exergy analysis. Moreover, kinetic, potential, nuclear, magnetic and
chemical energies are also neglected.
x The ambient temperature (ܶ଴ ) and pressure (ܲ଴ ) are taken as 25°C and 0.1MPa respectively.

3. Mathematical modeling and Validation

3.1 Energetic and exergetic analyses

x Energetic analysis

Energetic analysis of the system is based on the first law of thermodynamic. The following set of fundamental
governing equations (Mass balance, Energy balance and Entropy generation) is used for modelling individual
components.

(i) Mass balance, σ ݉ሶ ൌ Ͳ; (1)

(ii) Material Balance, σ ‫݉ݔ‬ሶ ൌ Ͳ (2)

(iii) Energy balance, σ ܳሶ ൅ σ ܹሶ ൅ σ ݉ሶ௜௡ ݄௜௡ െ σ ݉ሶ௢௨௧ ݄௢௨௧ ൌ Ͳ ; (3)

x Exergetic Analysis

Exergetic analysis is based on the second law of thermodynamic. Second law helps the designers to identify a
particular component causing significant irreversible losses due to entropy generation in the system.

ொ ሶ
(i) Entropy generation, ሶ
ܵ௚௘௡ ൌ  σ ݉ሶ ‫ݏ‬௢௨௧ െ σ ݉ሶ ‫ݏ‬௜௡ െ σ ቀ ቁ  ൒ Ͳ (4)
்

(ii) Specific exergy at point, ݁௜ ൌ ሺ݄௜ െ ݄଴ ሻ െ ܶ଴ ሺ‫ݏ‬௜ െ ‫ݏ‬଴ ሻ (5)

(iii) Exergy flow rate at point, ‫ܧ‬ሶ௜ ൌ ݉௜ ሾሺ݄௜ െ ݄଴ ሻ െ ܶ଴ ሺ‫ݏ‬௜ െ ‫ݏ‬଴ ሻሿ (6)

3.2 Modeling of integrated two stage vapor compression-absorption cascade refrigeration system

Governing equations used for each component of TSVCACRS system are formulated by applying the fundamental
equations (1) to (6). The modeled thermodynamic equations for individual components are presented in Appendix A.
The state points mentioned in Appendix A correspond to Fig. 2. A computer program has been written and simulated
 Bhavesh Patel et al. / Energy Procedia 109 (2017) 190 – 202 195

in Engineering Equation Solver (EES) for thermodynamic model of proposed system. Moreover, thermophysical
properties of various states of fluids are taken from the built in functions of EES.

x Performance parameters

(i) As per the entropy principle, all the real processes are irreversible and generate entropy. The associated
irreversibility with the process can be determined by means of Gouy-Stodola law [5],

ሶ
‫ܫ‬௞ሶ  ൌ  ܶ଴ ܵ௚௘௡ǡ௞ (7)

where, ଴ is real environmental temperature, ሶ୥ୣ୬ is entropy generation rate and k is the component of system.

(ii) The total irreversibility rate of the subsystems (TSVCRS and VARS) and integrated TSVCACRS is given by,

‫்ܫ‬ሶ ൌ σ ‫ܫ‬௞ሶ  (8)

where, k is the components of the individual sub system or trigeneration system.

(iii) The energetic efficiency (COP) of various systems are given by,

ொሶ೐
‫்ܱܲܥ‬ௌ௏஼ோௌ ൌ  (9)
ௐሶ೅

ொሶ೎೎
‫ܱܲܥ‬௏஺ோௌ ൌ   (10)
ொሶ೒ ାௐሶು

ொሶ೐
‫்ܱܲܥ‬ௌ௏஼஺஼ோௌ ൌ   (11)
ሺ୛౐ ା୕ሶౝା୛౦ ሻ

(iv) The rational / exergetic efficiency (ߟோ ) of various systems are given by,

ூ
ߟோǡ்ௌ௏஼ோௌ ൌ ͳ െ ቀ ೅ೄೇ಴ೃೄ
ሶ
ቁ (12)
ௐ೅

ூೇಲೃೄ
ߟோǡ௏஺ோௌ ൌ ͳ െ ൬ ൰ (13)
ொ೒ ‫כ‬ఏ೒ǡ೎ೌೝ೙೚೟

்బ ்మభ ି்మమ
where, carnot factor ሺߠ௚ǡ௖௔௥௡௢௧ ሻ ൌ ͳ െ ൬ ൰ and ܶ௚ǡௌ௢௨௥௖௘ ൌ ೅
்೒ǡೞ೚ೠೝ೎೐ ୪୬ቀ మభ ቁ
೅మమ

ூ೅ೄೇ಴ಲ಴ೃೄ
ߟோǡ்ௌ௏஼஺஼ோௌ ൌ ͳ െ ൬ ൰ (14)
ௐሶ೅ ାௐሶ೛ ାொ೒ ‫כ‬ఏ೒ǡ೎ೌೝ೙೚೟

(v)The relative irreversibility in each component of the cycle is a convenient non dimensional form for examining
the relative contributions of different plant components to total cycle irreversibility defined by the relative exergy
destruction ratio:

ூೖ
‫ݎ‬௞ ൌ   (15)
ூ೅ೄೇ಴ಲ಴ೃೄ
196 Bhavesh Patel et al. / Energy Procedia 109 (2017) 190 – 202

3.3 Model Validation

Individual models are developed for TSVCRS and single stage VCRS using the built-in thermodynamic properties
and functions of EES. The thermodynamic model equations are highly nonlinear in nature and are solved using
Engineering Equation Solver (EES). Individual validation for both the model was carried out and comparison of
performance data obtained from the current model and the reference model are presented in this section.

(i) Validation of two stage vapor compression refrigeration system (TSVCRS)

The model of TSVCRS is validated with the theoretical results obtained by Nikolaidis and Probert [6] with R22 as
the refrigerant for the following set of input variables: T e = -35°C, Tcond = 25°C, Ten = 20°C, Qe = 100 kW, and ηisen =
0.73. The comparison of values of the present and reference model is summarized in Table 1.

Table 1. Validation of present model of TSVCRS with Nikolaidis et al. [6]

Sr. Nikolaidis Present Difference
Components Parameters
No. Model [6] Model (%)
1 LPC WLPC 23.23 23.2 0.13
2 Evaporator Qe 100 100 0.00
3 HPC WHPC 33.04 33.05 -0.03
4 Condenser QC 140.5 140.5 0.00
5 System ‫்ܫ‬ሶ 35.7 35.9 -0.56
COP 1.78 1.778 0.11
WT 56.27 56.25 0.04

Table 1 shows the comparison of first law and second law performance parameters of proposed system and
reference system. It shows that all the calculated and operating parameters are predicted within the error range of ±
0.60 %.

(ii) Validation of single stage vapor compression-absorption cascade refrigeration system (VCACRS)

In order to validate the present model of VCACRS, the results have been compared with the numerical results
presented by Jain et. al. [1] for the input parameters: Qe = 66.67 kW, Te = -4.1oC, Tc = 43.6oC, Ta = 40oC, Tg = 90oC
and Tcc = 18oC.

Table 2. Validation of present model of VCACRS with Jain et al. [1]

Sr. Jain Present Difference
Components Parameters
No. Model [1] Model (%)
1 Compressor Wcomp 9.414 9.329 0.90
2 Evaporator Qe 66.67 66.67 0.00
3 Cascade Condenser QCC 76.08 76 0.11
4 Absorber Qa 100.1 99.95 0.15
5 Generator Qg 104.9 104.8 0.10
6 Pump Wp 0.0019 0.00194 -2.11
7 Condenser Qc 80.96 80.85 0.14
8 VCRS COP 7.082 7.146 -0.90
9 VARS COP 0.725 0.7252 -0.03
10 System COP 0.583 0.5841 -0.19
IT 22.81 22.59 0.96
 Bhavesh Patel et al. / Energy Procedia 109 (2017) 190 – 202 197

Table 2 shows the good coherence between the results of the current thermodynamic model and the model described
by Jain et al. [1]. It can be seen that the maximum error in irreversibility calculations for different components is found
to be within ± 2.15%.

3.4 Design conditions and operating parameters

The subsystems of the proposed thermal system are TSVCRS and VARS. The main objective of integrating
TSVCRS with VARS is to achieve low temperature cooling (around -45 to -55°C) for food preservation applications
and industrial cooling applications. The complete integrated cascaded system (TSVCACRS) depicted in Fig. 2 is
modeled in EES by applying the mass, energy and exergy balance equations discussed earlier. The input design data
are given in Table 3. The overlap temperature (ܶ଻ െ ܶଽ ) across the cascaded condenser was taken to be 5°C. In the
present study, Ammonia is considered as a refrigerant for two stage VCR subsystem and H2O-LiBr is considered in
VAR subsystem of integrated TSVCACRS. In industrial refrigeration, Ammonia is widely used as refrigerant due to
its easy availability and lower cost though it is highly toxic in nature. The proposed system can achieve low
temperature around (-50 to -60°C) in the evaporator of two stage VCRS due to lower condensing temperature in
cascade condenser.

Table 3. Input Parameters for proposed TSVCACRS

Parameter Value
Condenser coolant inlet temperature (ܶଵଽ in ºC) [7] 28
[7]
Condenser coolant outlet temperature (ܶଶ଴ in ºC) 30
Generator coolant inlet temperature (ܶଶଵ in ºC)[1] 100
Generator coolant outlet temperature (ܶଶଶ in ºC) [1] 95
[1]
Generator temperature (ܶଵ଺  in ºC) 90
[1]
Absorber coolant inlet temperature (ܶଶଷ in ºC) 35
[1]
Absorber coolant outlet temperature (ܶଶସ in ºC) 38
Absorber Temperature (ܶଵ଴ in ºC) [1] 40
Rate of heat absorbed by evaporator (ܳሶ௘ in kW) [7] 1850
Evaporator temperature (ܶସᇱ in ºC) [7] -45
[1]
Evaporation temperature in cascade condenser (ܶଽ in ºC) 10
Effectiveness of solution heat exchanger (ߝ௦௛௫ ) [1] 0.6
Isentropic efficiency of compressor (ߟ௜௦௘௡ ) [2] 0.85
[7]
Electrical efficiency of pump (ߟ௣ ) 0.9
Degree of overlap in cascade condenser (ܶ௢௩௘௥௟௔௣ in ºC) [5] 5
Environment temperature (ܶ௢ in ºC) 25
Atmospheric pressure (ܲ௢ in kPa) 101.3

4. Results and analysis

In this section, the results of computer simulation carried out for the proposed two stage vapor compression-
absorption cascade refrigeration system are presented and discussed. The comparison of performance parameters of
TSVCRS (Fig.1) and TSVCACRS (Fig.2) based on the energetic and exergetic analysis of the process (heat and work,
COP of various system, irreversibility and second law analysis) are calculated and tabulated in Table 4.
For the same cooling capacity of 525 TR, in comparison to standalone TSVCRS, the combined LPC and HPC
compressors of TSVCACRS requires 372 kW less work due to integration of VARS which minimizes the pressure
ratio across the evaporator and condenser as mentioned in Table 4. Moreover, the compressors capacities and sizes
also reduce due to lower discharge temperature of HPC compressor maintained in cascade condenser by integration
198 Bhavesh Patel et al. / Energy Procedia 109 (2017) 190 – 202

of VARS. The pressure ratio of TSVCACRS is reduced to 13.38 from which is to be 24.8 for standalone TSVCRS.
The COP of compression section of TSVCACRS is obtained 2.26 which is 1.61 for standalone TSVCRS. The overall
COP of the proposed system is found to be 0.45 which is low value due to integration of VARS since it works on the
low grade heat. The COP of the VARS in proposed system is found to be 0.76. From the point of view of second law
(the irreversibility and rational efficiency as mentioned in Table 4), the standalone TSVCRS is far better in comparison
to TSVCACRS since it utilizes the high grade energy (electricity). Moreover, the exergetic efficiency of the
TSVCACRS is found to be 53.59%. The property plot for both systems are shown in Fig. 3 and Fig. 4 which clearly
shows that the integration of VARS reduces the condensing temperature (35°C) as shown in Fig. 3 to intermediate
temperature (15°C) which leads to less compressor work to achieve same cooling capacity at -45°C.

Table 4. Results of energetic performance parameters

Sr. TSVCRS TSVCACRS
Performance parameters
No. (Fig. 1) (Fig. 2)
1 Low grade energy ܳሶ௖௢௡ௗ (kW) 2914.0 2671.0
ܳሶ௔ (kW) - 3110.0
ܳሶ௚ (kW) - 3269.0
ܳሶ௘௩௔௣ (kW) 1850.0 1850.0
ܳሶ௖௔௦௖௔ௗ௘ (kW) - 2512.0
ܳሶௌு௑ (kW) 315.6
2 High grade energy ܹሶ௅௉஼ (kW) 454.7 345.4
ܹሶு௉஼ (kW) 690 472.3
ܹሶ௣ (kW) - 0.03
3 Operating parameter Pressure ratio 24.8 13.38
4 First law parameters ‫்ܱܲܥ‬ௌ௏஼ோௌ 1.61 2.26
‫ܱܲܥ‬௏஺ோௌ - 0.76
‫்ܱܲܥ‬ௌ௏஼஺஼ோௌ - 0.45
5 Second law parameters I (kW) 420.5 675.8
િ‫܀‬ 63.26 53.59

Ammonia Ammonia
105
105
-K

TSVCRS TSVCACRS
kg

-K
/

g
kJ

/k
kJ
9
20

4
5.

104 1 43
78 104 5. 88
8
119.4°C 5. 5.
9 9
33 33
74.93°C 6. 82.15°C 6.
P [kPa]
P [kPa]

103 49.03°C
35°C 103
15°C

-11.7°C
-18.94°C
102 102

-45°C -45°C

101 101
-500 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 -500 0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500
h [kJ/kg] h [kJ/kg]

Fig.3. Property chart for TSVCRS Fig.4. Property chart for TSVCACRS
 Bhavesh Patel et al. / Energy Procedia 109 (2017) 190 – 202 199

The exergetic performance parameters of the proposed TSVCACRS are calculated and presented in Table 5. The
irreversibility and exergetic efficiency of the proposed system and sub system along with the individual components
are tabulated and mentioned is Table 5. The generator, absorber, evaporator, cascade condenser, condenser contributes
the 20.69%, 19.44%, 15.03%,11.54% and 8.21% irreversibility relative to system irreversibility, respectively. The
maximum exergetic efficiency of flash cooler is obtained as 92.02%. The exergetic efficiency of the generator,
evaporator, HPC compressor, LPC compressor, solution heat exchanger, absorber, condenser and cascade condenser
is found to be 78.15%, 73.77%, 70.97%, 69.77%, 56.05%, 46.77%, 41.69% and 41.42% respectively. The exergetic
efficiency of the VAR and VCR sub systems are obtained 32.78% and 60.29%, respectively. The exergetic efficiency
of the proposed TSVCACRS is found to be 53.59%. The highest exergetic efficiency is obtained for VCR subsystem
as it utilizes the high grade energy (electricity) which produces the maximum useful work. The value obtained in case
of VAR subsystem is lower as it utilises the low grade heat. The value of exergetic efficiency of the system lies
between the values of VCR and VAR subsystem as it utilises both high grade and low grade energy.

Table 5. Results of exergetic performance parameters of TSVCACRS (Fig. 2)

Second law Analysis
۷ሶ ‫ܓܚ‬ િ‫܀‬
Component/ System
[kW] [%] [%]
Condenser 55.50 8.21 41.69
Absorber 131.4 19.44 46.77
Generator 139.8 20.69 78.15
Evaporator 101.6 15.03 73.77
Cascade condenser 77.96 11.54 41.42
Low pressure compressor 38.78 5.74 69.77
High pressure compressor 47.35 7.00 70.97
Pump 0.00 0.00 0.00
Pressure reducing valve 0.00 0.00 0.00
Solution heat exchanger 19.56 2.89 56.05
Expansion valve 1 12.05 1.78 0.00
Expansion valve 2 17.59 2.60 0.00
Expansion valve 3 4.87 0.72 0.00
Flash cooler 29.36 4.34 92.02
VAR subsystem 429.1 - 32.78
VCR subsystem 324.7 - 60.29
TSVCACRS 675.82 - 53.59

4.1 Influence of generator temperature

According to Fig. 5, with the hike in the generator temperature, the thermal capacity needed for the generator
reduces for the same cooling capacity. Further, the coefficients of performance of the absorption section COP VARS and
two stage vapor compression absorption cascade refrigeration system COP TSVCACRS increases up to 90°C. It can be
also observed that the exergetic efficiency of the TSVCACRS also improves significantly up to 90°C and then it
decreases marginally. The irreversibility of the system and the thermal capacity requirement in generator decreases as
the generator temperature increases up to 90°C and then it starts increasing. Thus, the optimum temperature for the
generator lies between 85-90°C.
200 Bhavesh Patel et al. / Energy Procedia 109 (2017) 190 – 202

4.2 Influence of condenser and absorber temperature

In this section, the performance of the system is predicted when the absorber and condenser temperature is
increased from 35°C to 45°C whilst the other input parameters and conditions of the system are kept constant. For the
absorber saturation temperature, the COP and exergetic efficiency of the TSVCACRS decreases by 4% and 0.66%,
respectively. Further, the change in condenser saturation from 35-45°C causes reduction in the system COP and
exergetic efficiency by 6% and 1.2%, respectively.

0.46 54 54
0.46
Ta
Ta

53.5 0.45 53.5

Tc
Ta

R,TSVCACRS (%)
R,TSVCACRS (%)
0.45
COPTSVCACRS

COPTSVCACRS
0.44 Tc
53 53

0.43
0.44
52.5 52.5
0.42
COPTSVCACRS COPTSVCACRS Tc
R,TSVCACRS R,TSVCACRS
0.43 52 0.41 52
75 80 85 90 95 100 35 40 45

Tg [°C] Tc and Ta [°C]

Fig. 5. COP and exergetic efficiency Versus Effect of generator Fig. 6. COP and exergetic efficiency Versus Effect of absorber and
saturation temperature (Tg). condenser saturation temperature (Ta, Tc)

4.3 Influence of cascade overlap temperature

The overlap temperature (T 7-T9) of the cascade condenser is an important design parameter as it influences the
performance of both the subsystems. It is observed in Fig. 7 that the COP and exergetic efficiency of the TSVCACRS
decreases approx. by 4% and 2%, respectively.

0.46 54 15 20 25 30 35 40 45
0.5 58
T0 [C]

0.48
0.45
54
53
R,TSVCACRS (%)
COPTSVCACRS

COPTSVCACRS
R,TSVCACRS

0.46
0.44
50
0.44
52
0.43
46
0.42
COPTSVCACRS
COPTSVCACRS
R,TSVCACRS
R,TSVCACRS
0.42 51 0.4
42
5 6 7 8 9 10
650 670 690 710 730
Toverlap [°C] Itotal [kW]

Fig. 7. COP and exergetic efficiency Versus Effect of cascade Fig. 8. COP and exergetic efficiency Versus Effect of ambient
condenser overlap temperature temperature
 Bhavesh Patel et al. / Energy Procedia 109 (2017) 190 – 202 201

4.4 Influence of ambient temperature

The effect of the ambient temperature on the system performance is investigated over the range of 15-45°C and
presented in Fig. 8. The COP of proposed system remains unaffected with change in ambient temperature as the COP
of individual systems remains unchanged. The exergetic efficiency of VCR subsystem of TSVCACRS reduces by
4%. Additionally the exergetic efficiency of the VAR subsystem decreases drastically by 41% as the difference
between the ambient and the generator temperature decreases which leads to less useful work output from the supplied
heat. Thus, according to Fig. 8 the exergetic efficiency of the proposed TSVCACRS is reduced by 14% as the
irreversibility of the system increases 10% for the change of ambient temperature from 15°C to 45°C.

5. Conclusion

In this communication, the thermodynamic performance and feasibility study of the two stage vapor compression-
absorption refrigeration system (TSVCACRS) has been carried out. The proposed system has been modeled and
simulated for the existing installed 525 TR (1850 kW) two stage vapor compression refrigeration system (TSVCRS)
for ice cream hardening and storage unit for -50 to -35°C evaporator temperature at Havmor ice cream limited. The
comparison study of the TSVCRS and proposed TSVCACRS has been carried out. The main results obtained from
the thermodynamic simulation and parametric study are concluded below:
x The results show that proposed TSVCACRS system would minimize the compressor work up to 28%, compared
to an existing installed TSVCRS.
x The pressure ratio of compression section for proposed TSVCACRS is predicted to be 13.8 due to intermediate
temperature achieved in cascade condenser, which is 24.8 in case of standalone TSVCRS. Thus the capacity of
the HPE and LPE compressors would minimize.
x The overall COP of the proposed system is obtained 0.45 which is low value in comparison to TSVCRS having
COP of 1.61 since the proposed system utilizes the low grade energy in absorption section.
x The exergetic efficiency of the proposed TSVCACRS is found to be 10% less compared to existing installed
TSVCRS since 255 kW more irreversibility is associated to TSVCACRS.
x The exergetic efficiency of the VAR, VCR subsystems and integrated TSVCACRS is found to be 32.78%,
60.29% and 53.59%, respectively. The lower value of exergetic efficiency in case of VAR subsystem is observed
due to usage of low grade heat as a source of energy.
x The highest irreversibility occurs in generator with 20% followed by absorber with 19.44%, evaporator 15.03%,
cascade condenser with 11.54% and condenser with 8.21%.
x The optimum generator temperature is found to be 85°C as COP and exergetic efficiencies are increase up to that
temperature and then it remains constant up to 90°C and afterwards it starts decreasing.
x The increase in condenser and absorber saturation temperature decreases the COP and exergetic efficiencies of
the system. Moreover, in the case of condenser the rate of decrease of COP and exergetic efficiency is higher as
temperature goes on increases.
x The overlap temperature of the cascade condenser affects the system performance at great extent so it is
considered as a critical design parameter for the system. The best performance of the system is obtained at 5°C
overlap temperature.
x The COP of the system remains unaffected as the ambient temperature increases but the exergetic efficiency
decreases 14% for the temperature range of 15 to 45°C.

Acknowledgements

The authors also thank Havmor Ice cream Limited located at GIDC, Naroda, Ahmedabad; for their support and
allowing us to their premises to get the realistic data.
202 Bhavesh Patel et al. / Energy Procedia 109 (2017) 190 – 202

Appendix A. An example appendix

Table A.1 Thermodynamic equations for proposed TSVCACRS

Sr. No Components First law Equations Second Law Equations

1 Evaporator Qe = m4 * (h1 – h2) Ie = T0* ((S1 - S4) - Qe/Tcs)

LP Compressor WLPC = m1 * (h2-h1) / (ηm * ηe)
2 ILPC = T0* (S2 - S1)
h2 = h1 + (h2isen – h1) / ηisen
Flash Cooler pFlash = (pH /pL)0.5
3 IFlash = T0* ((S3 - S2) + (S5 - S8))
mLT (h3 – h2) = mHT (h8 – h5)
4 Ex. V/v 1 h3 = h4 Iev1 = T0* (S4 - S3)
HP Compressor WHPC = mHT * (h6-h5) / (ηm * ηe)
5 IHPC = T0* (S6 - S5)
h6 = h5 + (h6isen – h5) / ηisen
6 Cascade Cond. mw * (h9 - h18) = mHT * (h6 - h7) ICC = T0* ((S7 - S6) + (S9 - S18))
7 Ex V/v 2 h7 = h8 Iev2 = T0* (S8 - S7)
Absorber m9 + m15 = m10
8 Qa = mw*h9 + m15*h15 – m10*h10 Ia = T0* (S10 - S9 - S15 + Qa/Ta)
Qa = ma * (h23 - h24)
Pump Wp = mss *(P16 - P9)/( ρss * ηp)
9 Ip = T0* (S11 - S10)
Wp = m11*h11 – m10*h10
SHE m13*h13 -m14*h14 = m12*h12 – m11*h11
10 ISHE = T0* (S12 - S11) + (S14 -S13)
ε = (T13 -T14)/(T13-T11)
Generator m12 = m13 + mw
11 m16*h16 + m13*h13 = Qg + m12*h12 Ig = T0* (S16 + S13 - mss * S12 ) - (Qg/Tg)
Qg = mg* (h21 – h22)
12 PRV h14 = h15 Iprv = T0* (S15 - S14)
13 Condenser Qc = mw* (h16 – h17) = mc* (h20-h19) Ic = T0* (S17 - S16) + (S20 - S19)
14 Ex V/v 3 h17 = h18 Iev3 = T0* (S18 - S17)

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