ProMax

Modeling and rating

propane refrigeration
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Bryan Research & Engineering, LLC

Chemical Engineering Consultants
www.bre.com

Copyright 2020, BRE Group Ltd.

 ProMax
BRE 600:
Modeling and rating
propane refrigeration
Bryan Research & Engineering, LLC
Chemical Engineering Consultants
www.bre.com

Copyright 2020, BRE Group Ltd.

 Outline

• Refrigeration basics

• Simple refrigeration model

• Models that incorporate performance curve and HX rating

• Fixed compressor speed to predict performance

• Adjustable economizer P to minimize power

33
 Refrigeration
Simple Refrigeration Loop

4
 Refrigeration
Refrigeration Cycle
P re s s u re (p s ia )

800

700 (Pure Propane)

600

500

400

300

200

100

0
-56 -54 -52 -50 -48 -46 -44 -42

Enthalpy (MBtu/lbmol)

5
 Refrigeration
Refrigeration Cycle
P re s s u re (p s ia )

800

700 (Pure Propane)

600

500

400

300

200

100

0
-56 -54 -52 -50 -48 -46 -44 -42

Cooling Comp. work

Enthalpy (MBtu/lbmol) 6
C o m p re s s io n (h p /[ M M B t u /h ] ) Refrigeration
Refrigeration Performance

400
Condenser T
350 120°F
100°F
300
80°F

250

200

150

100

50

0
-40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30

Evaporator T (°F)

7
P re s s u re (p s ia ) Refrigeration

800
Why propane?
700
• Can be condensed
600 with an air cooler
500
Air-Cooled
Exchanger • Reaches low
400
temperatures
300

200
• Readily available
100

0
-50 0 50 100 150 200

Temperature (°F)

8
Refrigeration

Why propane?
• Can be condensed
with an air cooler
• Reaches low
temperatures
• Readily available

9
 Refrigeration
Refrigeration Operating Range
P re s s u re (p s ia )

300

250
Condenser

200

150

100

50 Chiller

0
-50 0 50 100 150

Temperature (°F)

10
 Refrigeration
Multistage Loop with Economizer

Compression power savings of 20% are typical

11
 Refrigeration
Multistage Loop with Economizer

13
C o m p re s s io n (h p /[M M B tu /h ])
Refrigeration
Multistage Loop with Economizer

400
Condenser T
350 120°F
120°F-
Economizer
300 100°F
100°F-
Economizer
250
80°F
80°F-Economizer
200

150

100

50

0
-40 -30 -20 -10 0 10 20 30

Evaporator T (°F)
14
 Refrigeration power requirements

• Operating conditions determine relative compression power

• Condenser outlet conditions set the final compressor discharge pressure
• Evaporator outlet conditions set the first compressor suction pressure
• Refrigerant flowrate determined by evaporator inlet vapor fraction and
process cooling duty

• Economizer can reduce total compression power

• Benefit increases as ΔT between condenser and evaporator increases
• There is an optimal economizer pressure

15
 Refrigeration modeling tips

• Suggested setup
• Typically assume saturated conditions at condenser and evaporator outlets.
Not always true, so double-check!
• Supply compressor efficiencies or compressor performance curves.
• Propagation terminal downstream of condenser
• Propagate what is specified (or manipulated by solver) on condenser outlet.
Typically two properties are propagated
• Specify refrigerant composition on outlet of propagation terminal
• If using economizer,
• Set first stage compressor outlet P equal to economizer P
• Set economizer P directly or manipulate with solver

16