Crossing CO2 equator with the aid of multi-ejector concept: A comprehensive energy and environmental comparative study

Highlights: • Performance of various supermarket refrigeration systems was exhaustively assessed. • Investigation included 12 locations below "CO₂ equator" as well as AC reclaim. • Multi-ejector concept was estimated to reduce energy intake by 26.9% over HFC units. • Multi-ejector concept was found to decrease TEWI by 90.9% over HFC units. • Multi-ejector concept can potentially push "CO₂ equator" below Northern Africa. The ever-stricter regulations put into effect worldwide to significantly decrease the considerable carbon footprint of commercial refrigeration sector have forced the transition to eco-friendlier working fluids (e.g. CO₂, R290, R1234ze(E), R450A, R513A). However, the identification of the most suitable long-term refrigerant is still today's major challenge for supermarkets located in high ambient temperature countries, especially as their air conditioning (AC) need is considered. The results of this theoretical study revealed that multi-ejector "CO₂ only" systems can outperform R404A-, R290-, R1234ze(E)-, R134a-, R450A- and R513A-based solutions in an average-size supermarket located in various cities below the so-called "CO₂ equator". In fact, energy savings as well as reductions in environmental impact respectively up to 26.9% and 90.9% were estimated over conventional hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)-based solutions for the scenario including the AC demand. Also, the solution using multi-ejector block (in non-optimized operating conditions) enabled reducing the power input up to 50.3% over HFC-based units at outdoor temperatures from −10 °C to 5 °C. Finally, the study demonstrated that transcritical CO₂ multi-ejector systems integrated with the AC unit allow potentially pushing the "CO₂ equator" further South than Northern Africa.