Performance enhancement of a vapor-compression cycle with cold storage for freezer applications.

In this study, a modified vapor-compression refrigeration cycle with cold storage was proposed for applications in freezers. In the cycle, the phase change material (PCM) based cold storage is used to increase the subcooling degree for cycle performance enhancement. Theoretical evaluation for the proposed cycle using refrigerant R290 has been conducted based on thermodynamic first law. The results indicated that under a typical operation condition, the coefficient of performance and volumetric cooling capacity of the proposed cycle with the PCM subcooler were higher 5.8-25.1% and 5.5- 25.4%, respectively, in comparison with those of a conventional vapor-compression cycle. Furthermore, the effects of operating and design parameters on the cycle performance were discussed. This study indicates that the proposed cycle for freezer applications has the great potential to reduce energy consumption and guarantee food quality.

本研究针对冷冻柜应用场景，提出了一种搭载蓄冷系统的改进型蒸气压缩式制冷循环。该循环采用基于相变材料（Phase Change Material，PCM）的蓄冷装置，通过提升过冷度以强化循环性能。本研究基于热力学第一定律，对采用制冷剂R290的所提循环开展了理论性能评估。结果表明，在典型运行工况下，搭载PCM过冷器的所提循环的性能系数与单位容积制冷量，较传统蒸气压缩式制冷循环分别提升5.8%~25.1%与5.5%~25.4%。此外，本研究还探讨了运行参数与设计参数对循环性能的影响规律。本研究证实，面向冷冻柜应用的所提循环具备显著的节能潜力，同时可有效保障食品品质。