Building the basic configuration of compression refrigeration systems with the SYNTHSEP method

The SYNTHSEP method has been proposed as a bottom-up approach to build the basic configuration of energy conversion systems starting from elementary thermodynamic cycles. These elementary cycles, which are considered as the unit bricks forming the basic configuration of any energy conversion system, simply consist of the four fundamental thermodynamic processes (a compression, an expansion, a heating and a cooling). Processes of the same type can be shared between/among different cycles in the basic configuration of the system, according to its topology. In previous works by the same Authors, the SYNTHSEP method has been applied to the optimal synthesis and design of power generation systems (ORCs, steam cycles), the basic configuration of which was made of direct cycles (compression, heating, expansion, cooling). In this work it is shown conceptually how the SYNTHSEP method can be applied to compression refrigeration system as well, using reverse cycles (compression, cooling, expansion, heating) as the unit bricks for the synthesis of the basic configuration of the system. In particular, the focus is on the rules to reconcile the information on the topology of the basic configuration, indicating the processes that are shared between/among the cycles, with the information about the design parameters of the cycles.