SUPER-SUBCOOLING WITH R12 AND R22 REFRIGERATION PLANTS USING RECIPROCATING-COMPRESSORS

It is well known that subcooling can improve the efficiency of refrigeration plants. This paper proposes a new cycle. An auxiliary circuit is added to the common single-compression refrigeration cycle. A part of the refrigerant evaporates and so supercools liquid freon. The coefficient of performance (COP) and flow-rate ratio for the new cycle are analysed and predicted with an IBM PC as the evaporating temperature in the subcooler (TIS) varies. Two refrigerants (R12, R22) are employed The results show that the COPs of the new cycle increase by 5 to 11% compared with those of the common cycle. The TIS has an optimum where the COP is a maximum. An equation for calculating the optimal TIS is proposed. The paper further discusses how the new cycle behaves under different circumstances. It is evident that the new cycle is feasible, and energy savings can be achieved.