Tecniche di Refrigerazione

Under this headline different topics are included, sharing a common interest on the inverse cycles. The approach to the problems covers both the thermodynamic and the technological aspects. The working method includes both theoretical analysis and experimentation.

Much of the theoretical work concerns the development of numerical simulation models that are used for optimising the design of components, mainly heat exchangers, and for determining the best thermodynamic cycle for different applications. Among the most important tools developed within this framework it is worth mentioning the numerical codes for finned tube heat exchangers (evaporators, condensers and liquid-to-air HX), represented as a three-dimensional array of nodes, the subroutines for the fast evaluation of the thermodynamic and transport properties of refrigerants, the simulation models of the whole refrigerating machine.

On the experimental side the most important achievements have been an advanced testing rig for CO2 refrigerating machines operating on transcritical cycles with air as the secondary fluid at the evaporator and the gas cooler, a prototype of a propane heat pump and a testing rig for the absorption process of steam in LiBr solutions.

Many investigated topics are suggested from industrial companies which sign contracts to get assistance in developing innovative systems. The main fields of these activities are the retail refrigeration and the HVAC and heat pumps systems, under the perspective of improving the energy efficiency and the environmental impact.