Energy and Exergy Analyses of Vortex Tube Coupled Vapour Compression Refrigeration Cycle

In order to satisfy the energy requirements of the HVAC sector, an effective refrigeration system is necessary, which employs eco-friendly refrigerants with low global warming potential (GWP) and zero ozone depleting potential (ODP), such as R152a (GWP < 150). An approach to enhancing the efficiency of a refrigeration system is to incorporate a performance-enhancing device, such as a vortex tube, into the existing cycle. A vortex tube is a simple mechanical device without any rotating part; it has one inlet for compressed gas and two outlets for cold and hot gas streams. The efficiency of a vortex tube by itself is low, but when coupled with a thermodynamic cycle, it can increase the overall efficiency of cycle. The thermal performance of the vortex tube coupled vapour compression refrigeration cycle has been investigated in the present communication. The purpose of this research is to conduct energy and exergy analyses of VTVCR and compare its results with those of a simple vapour compression refrigeration cycle (VCR) employing R152a refrigerant. As determined by the results, for the investigated ranges of evaporator and condenser temperatures, the cooling capacity and COP of VTVCR are, respectively, 2.50–9.47% and 0.86–4.37% greater than those of VCR. Additionally, in comparison to VCR, its exergetic efficiency is enhanced by 0.86–3.81%.