Study of optimal discharge pressure of compressor in CO2 refrigerating trans-critical cycle

In this paper, a carbon dioxide trans-critical refrigerating system which is different from a conventional subcritical refrigerating cycle was studied. The trans-critical carbon dioxide refrigerating systems are based on the Gustav Lorntzen cycle. Emphasis was focused on how to determine the optimal discharge pressure of compressor in CO2 trans-critical cycle. The factors related with the optimal discharge pressure were analyzed. A formula was developed based on cycle simulation, which could be used to predict the optimal discharge pressure of a basic CO2 trans-critical cycle. After further studies on CO2 trans-critical cycles with a regenerator or expander, two more formulas were also developed. These formulas could provide an access to improve the COP of CO2 trans-critical cycle.