CO2 refrigeration system heat recovery and thermal storage modelling for space heating provision in supermarkets: An integrated approach

[EN] The large amount of recoverable heat from CO2 refrigeration systems has led UK food retailers to examine the prospect of using refrigeration integrated heating and cooling systems to provide both the space heating and cooling to food cabinets in supermarkets. This study assesses the performance...

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Detalles Bibliográficos
Autores: Maouris, Georgios, Acha, S., Shah, N., Markides, C., Sarabia Escrivà, Emilio José|||0000-0001-9873-3138
Tipo de recurso: artículo
Fecha de publicación:2020
País:España
Institución:Universitat Politècnica de València (UPV)
Repositorio:RiuNet. Repositorio Institucional de la Universitat Politécnica de Valéncia
Idioma:inglés
OAI Identifier:oai:riunet.upv.es:10251/139161
Acceso en línea:https://riunet.upv.es/handle/10251/139161
Access Level:acceso abierto
Palabra clave:CO2 refrigeration
Supermarkets
Heat recovery
Thermal storage
Natural refrigerants
Integrated heating and cooling
MAQUINAS Y MOTORES TERMICOS
Descripción
Sumario:[EN] The large amount of recoverable heat from CO2 refrigeration systems has led UK food retailers to examine the prospect of using refrigeration integrated heating and cooling systems to provide both the space heating and cooling to food cabinets in supermarkets. This study assesses the performance of a refrigeration integrated heating and cooling system installation with thermal storage in a UK supermarket. This is achieved by developing a thermal storage model and integrating it into a pre-existing CO2 booster refrigeration model. Five scenarios involving different configurations and operation strategies are assessed to understand the techo-economic implications. The results indicate that the integrated heating and cooling system with thermal storage has the potential to reduce energy consumption by 17¿18% and GHG emissions by 12¿13% compared to conventional systems using a gas boiler for space heating. These reductions are achieved despite a marginal increase of 2¿3% in annual operating costs. The maximum amount of heat that can be stored and utilised is constrained by the refrigeration system compressor capacity. These findings suggest that refrigeration integrated heating and cooling systems with thermal storage are a viable heating and cooling strategy that can significantly reduce the environmental footprint of supermarket space heating provision and under the adequate circumstances can forsake the use of conventional fossil-fuel (natural gas) boiler systems in food-retail buildings.