Computerized economic optimization of refrigeration system design

The purpose of this paper is to show the importance of economic optimizatio n of large capacity or industrial refrigeration systems and to present the results and conclusions obtained by a computer software which was developed specifically to determine the economic optimum values of the design parame ters of refrigeration systems. Both liquid chillers and groups of cold stor age rooms operating at various levels of low temperatures are covered. Vari ous case studies and sensitivity analyses have been performed to provide sp ecific numerical examples and to determine the effects of certain parameter s. It was found that condenser type, ambient temperature, yearly operating hours, electricity price, real interest rate and refrigerant are the most i mportant parameters in the economic optimum design of refrigeration systems . (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.