Refrigerant performance evaluation including effects of transport properties and optimized heat exchangers

The paper discusses a simulation methodology and model that addresses the above shortcomings. This model simulates the thermodynamic cycle operating at specified heat sink and heat source temperature profiles, and includes the ability to account for the effects of thermophysical properties and refrigerant mass flux on refrigerant heat transfer and pressure drop in the air-to-refrigerant evaporator and condenser. Additionally, the model can optimize the refrigerant mass flux in the heat exchangers to maximize the coefficient of performance. The new model is validated with experimental data and its predictions are contrasted to those of a model based on thermodynamic properties alone.