A novel intercooled series expansion refrigeration/liquefaction cycle using pinch technology

This paper introduces pinch technology into the analysis of large-scale cryogenic processes. This study develops temperature-enthalpy diagrams for different cryogenic cycles based on pinch technology. This enables a better understanding of the development of cryogenic systems to analyze the matching relationships among different components. It is found that the expander has the other functions that parallel or cascade expanders can influence the temperature matched characteristics of the cold and hot streams as well as the irreversibility of heat transfer in cryogenic systems. Based on an analysis of pinch technology, a novel intercooled series expansion refrigeration/liquefaction cycle is proposed and analyzed. In the intercooled series expansion refrigerator/liquefier, the expander and heat exchanger are connected in serial. This paper provides an analysis and design ideas for large-scale cryogenic systems.