Inherent thermodynamic performance assessment of a variable refrigerant flow system under transient cooling load: A case study of an eco-villa

IF 6.4 2区工程技术 Q1 THERMODYNAMICS

Case Studies in Thermal Engineering Pub Date : 2025-04-22 DOI:10.1016/j.csite.2025.106171

Muhammad Reshaeel, Mohamed I. Hassan Ali

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Abstract

Variable refrigerant flow systems are recognized for their energy efficiency, yet their performance under fluctuating cooling loads and interdependencies among intrinsic performance variables remains insufficiently explored. This study investigates the thermodynamic and environmental performance of a variable refrigerant flow system for an eco-villa in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi, under dynamic operating conditions. A mathematical model exhibiting a coefficient of determination of 0.89, a mean absolute error of 0.04, and a mean square error of 0.01, has been developed in MATLAB to evaluate system behavior. Analysis of the system's intrinsic performance variables reveals its ability to dynamically adjust compressor speed in response to fluctuating cooling loads, enhancing isentropic efficiency. This dynamic adaptability results in a reduction in power consumption by 11.1 % and an enhancement in the coefficient of performance by 12.5 % during minimum load conditions compared to constant-speed compressors. Energy and exergy evaluations indicate that cooling load profiles dominate system performance. Compressor power ranges from 6.06 kW at peak load conditions to 2.64 kW at minimum load conditions, with the corresponding increase in the coefficient of performance (3.73–4.40) and exergy efficiency (36.91 %–43.58 %), and a decrease in exergy destruction (2.95–1.05 kW). Statistical analysis using Pearson correlation highlights strong interdependencies among variables, including ambient temperature's positive correlation with compressor speed (0.89) and condensation temperature's negative correlation with isentropic efficiency (−0.22). Conversely, evaporation temperature shows a positive correlation with isentropic efficiency (0.29), enhancing system performance and reducing exergy destruction. Finally, the environmental evaluation analysis a 15.38 % reduction in annual energy consumption and a 1.51-ton reduction in carbon dioxide emissions per eco-villa annually, scaling to 1509.75 tons for 1000 villas, underscoring the system's potential for energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.

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瞬态冷负荷下可变制冷剂流量系统的内在热力学性能评估：一个生态别墅的案例研究

可变制冷剂流量系统因其能源效率而得到认可，但其在波动冷却负荷下的性能和内在性能变量之间的相互依赖性仍未得到充分探讨。本研究调查了阿布扎比马斯达尔城生态别墅的可变制冷剂流量系统在动态运行条件下的热力学和环境性能。在MATLAB中建立了一个数学模型，该模型的决定系数为0.89，平均绝对误差为0.04，均方误差为0.01。系统的内在性能变量分析表明，它能够动态调整压缩机转速，以响应波动的冷负荷，提高等熵效率。与恒速压缩机相比，这种动态适应性使其在最小负载条件下的功耗降低了11.1%，性能系数提高了12.5%。能源和火用评估表明，冷负荷分布主导着系统性能。压缩机功率范围为峰值负荷时的6.06 kW ~最小负荷时的2.64 kW，性能系数（3.73 ~ 4.40）和火用效率（36.91% ~ 43.58%）相应增大，火用破坏（2.95 ~ 1.05 kW）相应减小。使用Pearson相关性的统计分析强调了变量之间强烈的相互依赖性，包括环境温度与压缩机转速（0.89）正相关，冷凝温度与等熵效率（- 0.22）负相关。相反，蒸发温度与等熵效率呈正相关（0.29），提高了系统性能，减少了火用破坏。最后，环境评估分析显示，每年每个生态别墅的能源消耗减少15.38%，二氧化碳排放量减少1.51吨，1000座别墅的规模达到1509.75吨，强调了该系统在能源效率和环境可持续性方面的潜力。

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来源期刊

Case Studies in Thermal Engineering Chemical Engineering-Fluid Flow and Transfer Processes

CiteScore

8.60

自引率

11.80%

发文量

812

审稿时长

76 days

期刊介绍： Case Studies in Thermal Engineering provides a forum for the rapid publication of short, structured Case Studies in Thermal Engineering and related Short Communications. It provides an essential compendium of case studies for researchers and practitioners in the field of thermal engineering and others who are interested in aspects of thermal engineering cases that could affect other engineering processes. The journal not only publishes new and novel case studies, but also provides a forum for the publication of high quality descriptions of classic thermal engineering problems. The scope of the journal includes case studies of thermal engineering problems in components, devices and systems using existing experimental and numerical techniques in the areas of mechanical, aerospace, chemical, medical, thermal management for electronics, heat exchangers, regeneration, solar thermal energy, thermal storage, building energy conservation, and power generation. Case studies of thermal problems in other areas will also be considered.