LAUSR

Abstract A novel refrigeration system called hydrate-based refrigeration system was proposed, and its performance was analyzed by using Aspen Plus. The system consisted of five parts, compressor/pump, hydrate formation tank, hydrate dissociation tank, expander and gas/liquid separator. Compared with conventional compression refrigeration cycle, hydrate-based refrigeration system uses hydrate formation tank to replace condenser to achieve heat release; hydrate dissociation tank for evaporator of achieve refrigeration. There were three types of the hydrate-based refrigeration system, which refrigeration cycles were analyzed through using Aspen Plus. Methyl fluoride, cyclopentane/monofluoro cyclopentane and water were used to form hydrate as the working fluids. For the system of methyl fluoride, cyclopentane and water, the highest coefficient of performance was 8.01–8.97, For the system of methyl fluoride, monofluoro cyclopentane and water, the best coefficient of performance was 7.58–8.49. Based on it, the relation of temperature and entropy during refrigeration process for hydrate-based refrigeration system was analyzed. It’s coefficient of performance was 2–4 times of the conventional compression refrigeration.