Static Analysis of Thermal and Electric Hybrid Absorption Refrigerator Cycle with HFC-134a and Ionic Liquid Pair

Abstract

The improvement of refrigerator cycle performance was investigated herein. We suggested the thermal and electric hybrid absorption refrigerator cycle. We selected the refrigerant and absorbent as HFC-134a and 1-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium bis (trifluoromethylsulfonyl) imide [BMIM][Tf2N] (Ionic Liquid), respectively. The coefficient of performance (COP) based on input heat energy for the regeneration absorbent and electric power for the compressor was calculated via a static analysis, based on a state equilibrium to evaluate the effect of a compressor work on COP and regeneration temperature. The results show that the hybrid cycle could generate cold heat below 273.15 K, and driven below the regeneration temperature of 333.15 K using a compressor. The absorption pressure of the working compressor increased as the amount of absorption in ionic liquid and COP_system were high. The COP_system was affected by the regeneration temperature, which controlled the input sensible heat and amount of absorption in ionic liquid. For the heat source at temperatures 333.15–363.15 K, the hybrid cycle is superior to the mechanical cycle in terms of COP_electricity. COP_electricity was affected by the liquid pump efficiency. The COP_electricity of the hybrid cycle was higher than the that of the mechanical type if the liquid pump efficiency is higher than 0.1.