Transcritical cycle
Encyclopedia
A transcritical cycle is a thermodynamic cycle
where the working fluid goes through both subcritical and supercritical
states. This is often the case when carbon dioxide
, CO2, is the refrigerant
.
The modern transcritical cycle was developed in 1988 - 1991 by the Norwegian professor Gustav Lorentzen
(1915 - 1995) and his team.
Thermodynamic cycle
A thermodynamic cycle consists of a series of thermodynamic processes transferring heat and work, while varying pressure, temperature, and other state variables, eventually returning a system to its initial state...
where the working fluid goes through both subcritical and supercritical
Supercritical fluid
A supercritical fluid is any substance at a temperature and pressure above its critical point, where distinct liquid and gas phases do not exist. It can effuse through solids like a gas, and dissolve materials like a liquid...
states. This is often the case when carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide
Carbon dioxide is a naturally occurring chemical compound composed of two oxygen atoms covalently bonded to a single carbon atom...
, CO2, is the refrigerant
Refrigerant
A refrigerant is a substance used in a heat cycle usually including, for enhanced efficiency, a reversible phase change from a liquid to a gas. Traditionally, fluorocarbons, especially chlorofluorocarbons, were used as refrigerants, but they are being phased out because of their ozone depletion...
.
The modern transcritical cycle was developed in 1988 - 1991 by the Norwegian professor Gustav Lorentzen
Gustav Lorentzen (scientist)
Gustav Fredrik Lorentzen was a thermodynamic scientist from Norway.Gustav Lorentzen was a professor at Norwegian Institute of Technology, and Norwegian University of Science and Technology. In the late 1980s, Gustav Lorentzen rediscovered how CO2 could be used as a refrigerant in heating and...
(1915 - 1995) and his team.