Recently, as a result of the depletion of the ozone layer by chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) and the pressure
of increased concern about environmental protection, research on the air refrigeration cycles had a
renaissance [1-3].
Hou and Li (1992a and 1992b)[4, 5] presented both an open heat pump and axial-flow air-vapor
compression installation for air conditioning, in which wet air is a working fluid and the axial compressor
and turbine were used, but these methods have not yet attracted widespread attention.
Braun et al. (2002)[6] gave an energy efficiency analysis of air cycle heat pump dryers where the
feasibility of an air heat pump (reversed Brayton) cycle for tumbler clothes dryers was investigated. An air
cycle heat pump dryer with practical components was found to be capable of significantly improved
efficiency as compared with conventional dryers.
Hou et al. has successfully applied Pinch technology (2005)[7-10] and exergy analysis (2007) [11] to
performance optimization of solar humidification dehumidification desalination process. Hou et al. gave
an open air-vapor compression refrigeration system for air conditioning and hot water cooled by cool water
(2007)[12] , an open air-vapor compression refrigeration system for air conditioning and desalination on
ship (2008)[13] and an open reversed Brayton cycle with regeneration using moist air for deep freeze
cooled by circulating water[14].
Hou and Zhang (2004) [15] presented an axial-flow air-vapor compression refrigerating system for air
conditioning cooled by circulating water, in which wet air is a working fluid, an axial compressor and a
turbine were used and circulating water cooled the wet air. The temperature and relative humidity of airconditioned
rooms (ACR) are usually 23-25 °C and 50%, respectively. It is wasteful if the air is rejected
to outdoor directly. The air can be used to chill the circulative water from the cooling tower further. So, the
temperature of the turbine inlet will decrease and the equivalent COPE will rise. The aim of this paper is to
present an open reversed Brayton cycle with regeneration(ORBCR) using moist air for air conditioning
cooled by circulating water, and give its performance and compare with the cycle with regeneration
(without using the cool from the air rejected to outdoor)