ORIGINAL Exergy analysis of vapor compression refrigeration cycle with two-stage and intercooler Bayram Kılıc ¸ Received: 11 August 2011 / Accepted: 3 January 2012 / Published online: 15 January 2012 Ó Springer-Verlag 2012 Abstract In this study, exergy analyses of vapor com- pression refrigeration cycle with two-stage and intercooler using refrigerants R507, R407c, R404a were carried out. The necessary thermodynamic values for analyses were calculated by Solkane program. The coefficient of perfor- mance, exergetic efficiency and total irreversibility rate of the system in the different operating conditions for these refrigerants were investigated. The coefficient of perfor- mance, exergetic efficiency and total irreversibility rate for alternative refrigerants were compared. 1 Introduction Heat extracted from a low-temperature environment in a vapor-compression refrigeration system is discarded into a higher-temperature environment. Energy from outside is provided while refrigerant fluid is being circulated in the system in order that this process operates. During this process, the refrigerant changes phase subjected to a number of transactions. All these process series is known as cycle [1]. Irreversibility is reduction of the potentiality to work. Shows that the energy converted to work but can not be converted. The formation of irreversibility reduces system performance in refrigeration systems also [2]. Single-stage compression process can run with very satisfactory results in vapor compression refrigeration cycles condensation temperature of which isn’t too high and evaporation tem- peratures may be up to -15°C. However, both performance capacity of refrigeration cycle and performance coefficient fall rapidly under working conditions in very low evapo- ration temperatures. One of the reasons of it is that com- pression process starting with low suction pressure requires to work with a higher compression ratio in order to achieve the same output pressure of condensation. Moreover, the output pressure and temperature tend to rise even more as a result of this high compression ratio. For these reasons; when very low evaporation temperatures needed, stage compression process are applied so as to provide more efficient operation conditions and prevent compressor outlet pressure and temperature. Stage compression is generally provided with two serial compressions and sometimes with three or more serial compressions in case of necessity. Expanded and compressed refrigerant fluid circulating in the system is the same and single type. There have been several studies on the performance and exergy analysis of refrigeration systems. Yumrutas ¸ et al. have carried out exergy analysis for vapor-compression refrigeration cycle. They have investigated the effects of vapor-compression refrigeration cycle’s evaporation and condensation temperatures on pressure drop, exergy losses, the second law efficiency and the performance of the sys- tem [3]. Ahamed et al. have made exergy analysis of vapor- compression refrigeration cycle is used in various sectors. They was used R 407a, R600a, R 410a and R-134a as alternative refrigerant in their studies. They have deter- mined most of the exergy destruction in compressor between each component of the vapor-compression refrigeration system [4]. Zhang and Xu have made exergy analysis of cascade refrigeration system for the efficient use of energy. They have investigated the relationship between the exergy with heat [5]. Tirendazi et al. have made exergy analysis of the multi-stage refrigeration sys- tems used in recovering facilities of ethane and heavier B. Kılıc ¸(&) Bucak Emin Gu ¨lmez Vocational School, Mehmet Akif Ersoy University, Bucak, Burdur, Turkey e-mail: bayramkilic@mehmetakif.edu.tr 123 Heat Mass Transfer (2012) 48:1207–1217 DOI 10.1007/s00231-012-0971-4