Finite time thermoeconomic optimization for endoreversible refrigerators and heat pumps

This paper reports a new kind of finite time thermoeconomic optimization fo r an endoreversible refrigerator and a heat pump. The cooling load for the refrigerator and the heating load for the heat pump per unit total cost are proposed as objective functions for the optimization. The optimum performa nce parameters which maximize the objective functions are investigated, Sin ce the optimization technique consists of both investment and energy consum ption costs, the obtained results are more general and realistic. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.