In this paper the viability of an air cycle refrigeration system (Joule cycle) is investigated for a moderately low-temperature cooling system with heat recovery. The goal is to determine the best possible cycle configuration of heat exchangers and turbomachinery components for this particular application, and then to determine whether it can compete with a conventional vapour compression system. Simple models were developed for each cycle configuration, and the results were compared with each other on a consistent basis. The sensitivity of the system to heat exchanger effectiveness and expander and compressor efficiency was determined, and contours were plotted.
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