Simulation model of a small power refrigeration cycle demonstration unit

Abstract

Paper presented at the 9th International Conference on Heat Transfer, Fluid Mechanics and Thermodynamics, Malta, 16-18 July, 2012.

This paper is focused on a small power refrigeration cycle demonstration unit to be used at different operating conditions and in various fields of study. The refrigeration unit is planned to be used principally for two different kinds of studies: thermodynamic analyses of the refrigeration system performance at different evaporation and condensation temperatures; and determination of the heat transfer coefficients during the condensation and evaporation processes. In order to design and select its different components, a detailed simulation model was developed. The model takes into account specific data, characteristics and dimensions of the main components. In the paper, the main components of the refrigeration unit are described, the mathematical simulation model is detailed and the main results of the simulation model are presented and analyzed.