Working fluids comparison and thermodynamic analysis of a transcritical power and ejector refrigeration cycle (TPERC)

The combined power and cooling cycles driven by waste heat and renewable energy can provide different kinds of energy forms and achieve a higher thermodynamic efficiency. However, only a few researchers have focused on the improvement of temperature matching between the heat source and working fluid. This paper proposes a transcritical power and ejector refrigeration cycle (TPERC) to improve temperature matching between the heat source and working fluid. Based on the modelling of the TPERC system, a comparison of working fluids and the effects of system parameters on the cooling capacity, work output, thermal efficiency and exergy efficiency are discussed. The results show that of the seven working fluids selected, R1234ze has the largest thermal efficiency and exergy efficiency, principally due to having the highest critical temperature. At the identical turbine back pressure, condensing temperature and evaporation temperature, the turbine inlet temperature and its corresponding generation pressure have little impact on thermal efficiency.