Thermoeconomic optimization of an irreversible Stirling cryogenic refrigerator cycle

This communication presents the thermoeconomic optimization of an irreversible Stirling cryogenic refrigerator cycle. The external irreversibility is due to finite temperature difference between the working fluid and the external reservoirs while the internal irreversibility is due to the regenerative heat loss. The thermoeconomic function is defined as the cooling load divided by the total cost of the system plus the running cost. The thermoeconomic function is optimized with respect to the working fluid temperatures and the values for various parameters at the optimal operating condition are calculated. The effects of different operating parameters on the performance of the cycle have been studied. It is found that the effect of regenerative effectiveness is more than those of the other parameters on all the performance parameters of the cycle, for the same set of operating condition. (C) 2004 Elsevier Ltd and IIR. All rights reserved.