Efficiency of Refrigeration Equipment on Natural Refrigerants

A comparative investigation of losses in refrigeration plants applied in the food industry was carried out using the natural refrigerants CO2 and refrigerant grade propane (R290) at two working temperature levels (evaporation temperature minus 35°С and minus 10°С) using entropic and statistical analysis methods. A comparison of energy losses and efficiency for a transcritical refrigeration plant having an air-cooled gas cooler and CO2 as refrigerant, a cascade refrigeration plant with R134a in high cascade stage and CO2 in low cascade stage and a refrigeration plant working on one stager cycle and water cooled condenser with R290 was performed. The principles of losses by refrigeration plants elements, COP and the degree of thermodynamic efficiency of plants are illustrated in diagrams. On the basis of the analysis results prospects for the application of refrigeration plants with R290 as refrigerant are outlined to permit improvements to the efficiency refrigeration plants applied in food industry using natural refrigerants.