Influence of two internal irreversibilities on the new thermo-ecological criterion for three-heat-source refrigerators

•We optimize the performance of three-heat-source refrigerator based on ECOP criterion.•We consider two internal irreversibility parameters instead of one.•Generator–absorber and condenser–evaporator assembling parameters respectively.•We determine analytically the optimum parameters at maximum ECOP criterion.•Working fluid temperatures, COP, specifics cooling rate and entropy generation rate.

Irreversibility is a phenomenon that affects much the performance of absorption refrigeration systems. Internal irreversibility is produced by the dissipation of the working fluid. This paper studies and analyzes the effect of two internal irreversibilities parameters (the internal irreversibility parameter for generator–absorber assembly and the internal irreversibility parameter for condenser–evaporator assembly) on the optimal ecological performances of an irreversible three-heat-source absorption refrigerator based on the ECOP criterion. The results obtained show that the internal irreversibility parameter for condenser–evaporator assembly affects more the ecological performance of the system than the internal irreversibility parameter for generator–absorber assembly. This is of importance to the optimal design and performance improvement of absorption refrigeration cycles.