A comprehensive parametric and structural bond analysis of an actual vapor compression refrigeration system with dedicated mechanical subcooled system

This study compares the performance of dedicated mechanical subcooled vapor compression refrigeration (DMS-VCR) system and actual vapor compression refrigeration (VCR) system of same capacity (100 kW), and evaluates them on the basis of energy, exergy, and coefficient of structural bond (CSB) configuration. Results indicate that DMS-VCR system outperforms VCR system at constant condenser temperature (T cond = 40° C) with varying evaporator temperatures (T evap = 0 °C, 5 °C and 10 °C).The most significant results occurs at 0 °C, resulting in a coefficient of performance (COP) 4.60 % higher than actual VCR system’s COP and exergetic efficiency 4.38 % higher than actual VCR system’s exergetic efficiency, making it a more favourable choice for water chilling applications. Additionally, the study investigates the potential of the CSB method in improving system efficiency by reducing irreversibility rate in a specific component. It finds that improving the efficiency of a component can significantly decrease the total irreversibility rate of the system. The CSB value of condenser-1 and evaporator are observerd to be highest (i.e. 1.96 and 2.27) and hence the performance of DMS-VCR system can be greatly improved by changing the efficiency parameter of evaporator and condenser-1 of the DMS-VCR system.