Thermo-economic Assessment and Multi-Objective Optimization of Vapour Compression Refrigeration System using Low GWP Refrigerants

This paper deals with the thermo-economic analysis and multi-objective optimization of simple vapour compression refrigeration system using three low GWP refrigerants namely, R152a, R600a and R1234ze. A model has been developed in EES to analyze the system thermoeconomically. Effect of evaporator and condenser temperature on COP, exergetic efficiency and annual plant cost rate has been evaluated. Predicted results show that refrigerant R152a shows the best performances among the investigated refrigerants. Results obtained with R600a and R1234ze are slightly lower than those with R152a. Multi-objective optimization has been carried out using the toolbox available in matlab to obtain the optimum solutions and TOPSIS decision making has been employed to get the optimum result. Optimum results also have pointed R152a to be the best refrigerant from thermodynamic and economic point of view.