Exergoeconomic comparison of double effect and combined ejector-double effect absorption refrigeration systems

Highlights: ► Combined ejector double effect absorption systems are analyzed exergoeconomically. ► Effects of operating conditions on thermoeconomic parameters of the systems are studied. ► Heat transfer coefficients in components of the systems are calculated. ► Evaporator, absorber and solution heat exchangers are the most expensive components. ► In similar conditions the combined cycle is more economical than the series flow one. -- Abstract: At a particular temperature range, heat sources are not hot enough to drive lithium bromide double effect absorption refrigeration systems efficiently and are too hot to be used for the single effect systems because of the risk of crystallization. A combined ejector-double effect absorption cycle is a good choice to make effective use of heat sources at this temperature range for refrigeration purposes. In this study, detailed exergoeconomic analyses are performed for series flow double effect and combined ejector double effect systems in order to investigate and compare the influence of various operating parameters on investment costs of the overall systems and product cost flow rates. In addition, the proportion of component costs in the overall systems costs and exergoeconomic results are obtained. The results show that the combined cycle operates more economically compared to the double effect system.