Effects of Booster Locations and Nanorefrigerant Use on the Performance of a Combined Power/Refrigeration Cycle (Kalina Cycle and Ejector Refrigeration Cycle)

Abstract This study presents a detailed thermodynamic analysis of a combined cycle coupling the Kalina cycle with an ejector refrigeration cycle (EJRC) for simultaneous power and cooling generation. The EJRC is a “booster-assisted, nanorefrigerant-based, heat-driven” type and this is the first thermodynamic investigation of such a system. The study extensively examines the effects of booster and nanorefrigerant use on the thermal and exergy efficiencies of the combined cycle. Two booster placements within the EJRC are analyzed, and the impact of booster location and compression ratio (rp) on efficiencies is evaluated to determine optimal conditions. To assess nanorefrigerant influence, three eco-friendly base refrigerants (R600a, R290, R1234ze(E)) are combined with two nanoparticles (TiO2, Al2O3). The effect of nanoparticle mass fraction (0–5 wt.%) on system performance is reported. The highest efficiencies occur with R290, and increasing nanoparticle fraction enhances performance for all nanorefrigerants. As rp increases, thermal efficiency improves while exergy efficiency declines. Although Booster A yields higher overall efficiencies, Booster B offers better refrigeration. The physical mechanisms underlying these results are also discussed.