Experimental investigation of the effect of solid-gas two-phase flow in CO2 cascade refrigeration system


Yamasaki H., Yamaguchi H., KIZILKAN Ö., Kamimura T., Hattori K., Nekså P.

Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization and Environmental Effects, vol.45, no.2, pp.3957-3969, 2023 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus) identifier

  • Publication Type: Article / Article
  • Volume: 45 Issue: 2
  • Publication Date: 2023
  • Doi Number: 10.1080/15567036.2020.1767731
  • Journal Name: Energy Sources, Part A: Recovery, Utilization and Environmental Effects
  • Journal Indexes: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Scopus, Academic Search Premier, ABI/INFORM, Aerospace Database, Agricultural & Environmental Science Database, Applied Science & Technology Source, CAB Abstracts, Communication Abstracts, Compendex, Computer & Applied Sciences, Environment Index, Greenfile, INSPEC, Metadex, Pollution Abstracts, Veterinary Science Database, Civil Engineering Abstracts
  • Page Numbers: pp.3957-3969
  • Keywords: cascade refrigeration, CO2, Dry ice, two-phase flow, ultra-low temperature
  • Isparta University of Applied Sciences Affiliated: Yes

Abstract

The dry ice sublimation process of CO2 is a unique technique in which temperature ranges below the triple point of −56 °C can be achieved in a CO2 refrigeration system. However, during the evaporation process of the actual refrigeration system, the dry-ice blockage maybe happens in the evaporator, which causes a risk of system failure in the suction of the compressor. In order to overcome this problem, in this study, an ultra-low temperature CO2 cascade refrigeration system with a novel tapered evaporator/sublimator was designed and constructed. The novel evaporator/sublimator included a swirl promoter, which induces the swirling flow of solid-gas two-phase flow. Experiments were conducted for the investigation of solid-gas two-phase flow heat transfer characteristics in the evaporator/sublimator. According to the experimental results, it is verified that the CO2 refrigeration system can operate consistently and steadily without dry ice blockage in the evaporator/sublimator. In addition, the dry ice particles are uniformly distributed along the inner wall of the evaporator/sublimator by the installation of the swirl promoter, and the heat transfer coefficient is considerably improved.