1.
) Paper Used: “Diffusion Absorption Refrigeration Systems: An Overview of
Thermal Mechanisms and Models” (MDPI Energies, 2023)
Recommendation: “future work… should investigate using other less
expensive refrigerants capable of operating such machines and try adding
new components to improve the performance (COP)”
Thesis Topic 1: Optimizing Diffusion-Absorption Cooling Cycles Using DWSIM
Thesis Title: “Simulation of Alternative Refrigerants and Cycle
Enhancements in a Diffusion-Absorption Cooling System using DWSIM.”
A student could swap in alternative working fluids (for example, replacing costly or
toxic refrigerants with cheaper, eco-friendly options) and introduce design
enhancements like additional heat exchangers or a rectifier. The DWSIM simulations
would predict how these changes affect the coefficient of performance (COP) and
cooling capacity. This project directly addresses the call to improve absorption
cooling efficiency by exploring new refrigerant–absorbent pairs and added
components, making it highly relevant to sustainable HVAC development
Existing research link: [Link]
%20limited%20by%20the%20refrigerants,used
2.) Paper Used: “Energy and Exergy Analyses of a Cold Storage Unit Model
Using DWSIM” (Undergraduate thesis, 2023)
Recommendation: future researchers explore adding more stages into the
refrigeration system
Thesis Topic 2: Performance Analysis of Multi-Stage Refrigeration Cycles for
Low-Temperature Storage
Derived Thesis Title: “Multi-Stage Vapor Compression Cycle Optimization
for Cold Storage using DWSIM.”
This thesis topic directly extends the paper’s suggestion by investigating three-
stage or other multi-stage compression refrigeration cycles in DWSIM. A
fourth-year student can simulate a cold storage refrigeration system with additional
compression stages or intercooling loops and compare its performance to the
single- and two-stage setups. Key outputs would include COP improvement, energy
savings, and optimal interstage pressures for maximum efficiency.
Existing research link: [Link]
Exergy-Analyses-of-a-Cold-Storage-Unit-Model-Using-DWSIM-Final-
Draft#:~:text=The%20researchers%20modelled%20a%20simple,refrigeration
%20system%20for%20a%20cold Energy-and-Exergy-Analyses-of-a-Cold-Storage-
[Link]
3.) Paper Used: “Utilization of Waste Heat Recovery from Domestic HVAC
System for Water Heating” (Int. J. of Emerging Trends in Eng. Research, 2020)
recommendation: “In their future outlook, they caution that an “in-depth
technical study” is needed to select an appropriate heat exchanger for such
heat-recovery, to avoid overstressing the compressor, and suggest using
modern inverter compressors to handle varying loads”
Thesis Topic 3: Integrating Waste-Heat Recovery in Residential HVAC using
DWSIM
Thesis Title: “Waste-Heat Recovery from a Domestic Refrigerator/AC for
Water Heating – A DWSIM Simulation Study on Energy Efficiency.”
This thesis idea is inspired by the paper’s recommendation to pursue combined
cooling-and-heating designs for better residential energy efficiency. A student would
use DWSIM to model a standard home refrigerator or split A/C unit and then
add a water-cooled condenser (heat exchanger) into the cycle. By simulating
different heat exchanger sizes or configurations, the student can analyze how much
hot water can be produced and how the modification affects the refrigeration COP,
compressor work, and overall performance. The project would also examine any
trade-offs (e.g. compressor discharge pressure or runtime changes) to ensure the
added water-heating loop does not harm [Link]. This aligns perfectly
with the paper’s “future work” call for technical evaluation of heat-recovery systems
in [Link]. The outcome would be a practical assessment of a hybrid
appliance that provides cooling and useful hot water simultaneously, demonstrating
an innovative energy-efficiency measure for residential HVAC that a fourth-
year engineering student can feasibly simulate and analyze in DWSIM.
Liunk: [Link]
