Refrigeration

Vapour-compression refrigeration

State of the art

Vapor compression is the leading technology in refrigeration and heat pumping,
Used in many appliances such as household refrigerators, air conditioning units, commercial systems, heat pumps, etc.

What do we do?

Mathematical modeling and optimization,
Fundamental research,
Experimental validation and research.

Can you imagine your home without a refrigerator or your car without an air conditioner? Worldwide trends predict that in a matter of years refrigerating appliances will consume more energy than heating appliances. With over 40 years of experience in the field of vapor-compression refrigeration, our laboratory specializes in modeling, designing and optimization of refrigeration components and systems. We also focus extensively on researching the fundamental phenomena involved in vapor-compression systems with flash evaporation in capillary tubes being our primary focus.

Experts in the field

prof. dr. Andrej Kitanovski

Recent publications

Recent papers

NEBOT-ANDRÉS, Laura, DEL DUCA, Manuel Gesù, APREA, Ciro, ŽEROVNIK, Andrej, TUŠEK, Jaka, LLOPIS, Rodrigo, MAIORINO, Angelo. Improving efficiency of transcritical CO₂ cycles through a magnetic refrigeration subcooling system. Energy conversion and management. [Print ed.]. Aug. 2022, vol. 265, str. 1-14, ilustr. ISSN 0196-8904. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196890422005623, DOI: 10.1016/j.enconman.2022.115766. [COBISS.SI-ID 113553667]

GATARIĆ, Pero, LORBEK, Luka. Evaluating R450A as a drop-in replacement for R134a in household heat pump tumble dryers. International journal of refrigeration. [Print ed.]. Aug. 2021, vol. 128, str. 22-33, ilustr. ISSN 0140-7007. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0140700721001195, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2021.03.020.

LORBEK, Luka, KATRAŠNIK, Tomaž, KITANOVSKI, Andrej. Impact of neglecting the variations in the relative surface roughnesses of capillary tubes on the accuracy of a capillary tube model. International journal of refrigeration. [Print ed.]. 2021. ISSN 0140-7007. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S014070072100147X#ack0001, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2021.04.022

LORBEK, Luka, KUHELJ, Anja, DULAR, Matevž, KITANOVSKI, Andrej. Two-phase flow patterns in adiabatic refrigerant flow through capillary tubes. International journal of refrigeration, ISSN 0140-7007. [Print ed.], 2020, 1-19, doi: 10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2020.02.030

LORBEK, Luka, POREDOŠ, Primož, KITANOVSKI, Andrej, POREDOŠ, Alojz. Analytical modeling and numerical simulation of heat transfer in a skin evaporator. International journal of refrigeration. [Print ed.]. 2018, vol. 88, 195-203, ISSN 0140-7007, DOI: 10.1016/j.ijrefrig.2018.01.012.
Conferences
1. A numerical framework for the one-dimensional modelling of refrigerator components. In: MINEA, Vasile (ed.). ICR 2019 : refrigeration science and technology proceedings. 25th IIR International Congress of Refrigeration, August 24-30, 2019, Montreal, Canada.
2. Capillary tube optimisation using global optimisation algorithms. Sustainable and clean energy supply for heating and cooling, International conference of SZE 2019, Portorož, Slovenia
3. Optimising heat transfer in a domestic refrigerator evaporator. International Conference on District Energy 2018, Portorož, Slovenia
4. A comparison of thermal characteristics of tube-and-plate vs. Roll-bond evaporators. (European Commission’s clean energy package and digitalization in district energy: International Conference on District Energy 2018, Portorož, Slovenia)
Projects
1. Experimental comparison of roll bond and plate and pipe heat exchangers (2016) – confidential
2. Development of self-adapting methods for household refrigerator – confidential
3. Development of a computer dynamic model for household refrigerating appliances