Comparison of Different Refrigeration Cycles Using Nanoparticle Additive for Low-Temperature Applications: A Thermoeconomic Analysis

Abstract This article presents a thermoeconomic analysis of the booster-assisted ejector refrigeration cycle (BAERC), the two-stage intercooler refrigeration cycle (TSIRC), and the ejector intercooler refrigeration cycle (EIRC) utilized in low-temperature cooling applications with nanoparticle additives. The study aims to evaluate the performance and economic viability of different systems by considering both thermodynamic efficiency and cost factors. The findings provide valuable insights for optimizing refrigeration cycle designs in terms of both technical performance and economic sustainability. The total product cost flow for the BAERC, TSIRC, and EIRC systems decreased as the evaporator temperature was raised from −50 °C to −25 °C. Conversely, for the BAERC, TSIRC, and EIRC systems, the total product cost flow increased when the condenser temperature was adjusted from 45 °C to 55 °C. For a cooling capacity of 100 kW, the EIRC achieved a 9.85% reduction in total product cost flow compared to the TSIRC, while for a 10 kW cooling capacity, the reduction was 7.19%. When all the results are considered, the BAERC and EIRC cycles exhibit similar thermoeconomic performance up to a 10 kW cooling capacity. However, for cooling capacities greater than 10 kW, the EIRC cycle clearly emerges as the most thermoeconomically efficient option.