Recent advances in vapor compression cycle technologies

• Recent studies on advanced vapor compression cycle technologies are reviewed.
• Subcooling cycle, expansion loss recovery cycle, and multi-stage cycle are included.
• The saturation cycle promises the best performance improvement.

This paper comprehensively reviews the recent studies on advanced vapor compression cycle technologies. These technologies are categorized in three groups: subcooling cycles, expansion loss recovery cycles, and multi-stage cycles. The subcooling cycle research is focused on a suction-line heat exchanger, thermoelectric subcooler and mechanical subcooler. The expansion loss recovery cycles are mainly focused on utilizing an expander and ejector. The multi-stage cycle research includes a vapor or liquid refrigerant injection cycle, two-phase refrigerant injection cycle. All these advanced vapor compression cycle technology options are reviewed, and their effects are discussed. In recent years, the research and development have been made to improve the performance of the VCC. This paper presents the improved cycle options and their comprehensive review. From the review results, several future research needs were suggested.