Evaluation of research on CO2 trans-critical work recovery expander using multi attribute decision making methods

Use of work recovery expander in place of expansion valve is a promising option to achieve commercial success for trans-critical CO2 refrigeration and air conditioning system by enhancing overall COP. Prominent literature on work recovery expander designs in CO2 trans-critical system has been tracked for last 15 years to find a research trend. The trend is found to be intermittent and scattered. The qualitative data obtained from the literature survey is further put through selected multi attribute decision making methods (MADM) like FAHP, TOPSIS and PROMETHEE. Out of the variations work recovery expander, designs like scroll, piston and screw expanders are found to be ranking higher. In support of this unique application of MADM techniques on the literature survey, the merit of same has been demonstrated for two cases with known results. The work is likely to help and give direction to future research in the area of work recovery expander.