Ways to use refrigerators that use heat to cool vehicles

BACKGROUND: Today, most of the heat released during the combustion of fuel in internal combustion engines goes into the environment along with exhaust gases. However, this can be used as additional energy for refrigeration and air conditioning. Previously, there were only two ways to use exhaust heat for cooling: absorption machines and ejector chillers. However, thanks to the development of organic Rankine cycles, there are new possibilities for cooling vehicles.

AIMS: This study aims to theoretically analyze the possibility of introducing mobile air conditioning and refrigeration systems in transport using various types of refrigeration machines that operate on the basis of heat.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Typical cooling cycles were modeled in the ASPEN HYSYS software environment. The most effective substances were selected from the absence of supercritical conditions.

RESULTS: Depending on the selected cycle type, simulation results were obtained that corresponded to the calculated parameters. The coefficients of performance were determined under various ambient conditions and generator temperatures.

CONCLUSIONS: Various cooling cycles for use in transport were theoretically analyzed. The results of the calculations show that the cooling of the cabin or cargo was ensured even in harsh operating conditions of the refrigeration system.