Authors: Clito Afonso

In the present work, a comparison was made, in energetic terms, between a vapor refrigeration compression system whose working fluid is the R404A (reference system) and the same system coupled to an aquifer. The space to be cooled has a cooling capacity of 90 kW. While the refrigeration system operates throughout the year, the coupled one runs in the cooler months, from January to May and from September to December where the COP is higher. In the interval of these months is the water from the aquifer which ensures the refrigeration of the space, together with a minimal contribution from the vapor compression system. It was concluded that the average COP value of the vapor compression system operating throughout the year was 5.96 while that of the coupled system the value was 6.75, which shows that the latter is more effective in energetic terms. These figures result in an annual energy saving of 11.8%.

Clito Afonso
FEUP-Faculdade de Engenharia da Universidade do Porto