Method and apparatus for optimizing refrigeration systems

A method for determining a deviance from optimum of a refrigeration system, comprising:

• defining a first thermodynamic model of a refrigeration system in an optimal state based on measurements of actual operating parameters of the refrigeration system an actual costs of operation of the refrigeration system;
• obtaining physical parameters sufficient for performing a thermodynamic analysis of the refrigeration system at a time when the refrigeration system is not performing optimally;
• automatically performing a thermodynamic analysis of the refrigeration system based on the obtained physical parameters to define a second thermodynamic model;
• comparing the first thermodynamic model to the second thermodynamic model of the refrigeration system;
• and
• outputting a quantitative estimate of an operating cost of deviance of the state of the refrigeration system at the time when the refrigeration system is not performing optimally from the determined optimal state of the refrigeration system based on said comparing.

A method, comprising the steps of:

• thermodynamically modeling operation of a refrigeration system comprising a refrigerant having a refrigerant purity and a compressor operating at a compressor power, by acquiring actual operating parameters, to generate a thermodynamic model, and a determining a sensitivity of the thermodynamic model of the refrigeration system to perturbations with respect to at least the refrigerant purity and a superheat level;
• measuring an actual performance of the refrigeration system;
• predicting a thermodynamic effect of an alteration of the refrigerant purity and the compressor power with respect to the measured actual performance and the determined sensitivity;
• altering the refrigerant purity and the compressor power to in dependence on the predicted thermodynamic effect on the refrigeration system under operating conditions.

A method, comprising the steps of:

• performing a thermodynamic analysis of a refrigeration system based on actual operational parameters to derive a thermodynamic model of the refrigeration system;
• determining an efficiency of the refrigeration system based on the thermodynamic model of the refrigeration system;
• determining a cost-efficient optimum range of operation of the refrigeration system based on the determined efficiency, a cost associated with operation of the refrigeration system in a respective operating state, and a cost associated with an alteration of at least one operating physical parameter of the refrigeration system to a respective different operating state;
• analyzing the thermodynamic model of the refrigeration system with respect to a set of measured thermodynamic data of the refrigeration system during operation at an operating state;
• and
• presenting an estimate of a deviance of the operating state from the optimal range of the refrigeration system, sensitive to at least said analyzing.