Thermodynamic Irreversibilities Analysis of Industrial Ice Plant

Abstract

The behavior of single-stage vapour compression-refrigeration cycle, using NH3, has been investigated by the exergy method. The condenser and the evaporator’s saturation temperatures were varied from 295 K to 305 K and from 249 K to 239 K respectively. The effects of temperature changes in the condenser and evaporator on the plant’s irreversibility rate were determined. The greater the temperature difference between either (i) the condenser and the environment, or (ii) the evaporator and the cold room, the higher the irreversibility rate. Reduction in the irreversibility rate of the condenser gives approximately 2.58 times greater reduction in the irreversibility rate for the whole plant, whereas reduction in the evaporator’s irreversibility rate gives a 2.32 times greater mean reduction in the irreversibility rate of the whole plant. Because the changes in the temperatures in the condenser and the evaporator contribute significantly to the plant’s overall irreversibility, there is considerable scope for optimizing the condition imposed upon the condenser and evaporator.