Conventional and advanced exergy analysis of an air-cooled type of absorption-ejection refrigeration cycle with R290-mineral oil as the working pair

An absorption-ejection refrigeration cycle used R290-mineral oil mixture is investigated depending on both conventional and advanced exergy analysis. In this cycle, an ejector and an air-cooled type absorber are utilized to improve the exergetic efficiency of the system. The effects of generator temperature, condensing temperature, evaporating temperature, absorber outlet temperature, absorber efficiency, and pressure ratio on system exergetic efficiency have been discussed and compared with a single-effect absorption cycle in this study. Furthermore, the exergy destruction of each component has been calculated and analyzed. Besides, the exergy destruction of the major components are further researched through the advanced exergy analysis. Analytical results show that the absorption-ejection refrigeration cycle has a higher exergetic efficiency and a more extensive working condition range than the single effect absorption cycle and its exergetic efficiency can reach 0.3554. It is proved the R290/mineral oil as absorption refrigeration has great research value. In addition, the vast majority of exergy destruction appears in the generator and absorber, totally above 60%. The optimization of the generator has the highest priority due to its maximum endogenous avoidable exergy destruction. The absorber is in second place and its exergy destruction can be effectively reduced by optimizing other components.