Performance optimization and parametric evaluation of the cascade vapor compression refrigeration cycle using Taguchi and ANOVA methods

•Vapor compression cascade refrigeration cycle was evaluated for the first time using Taguchi.•The optimum operating conditions were decided for the max COP and exergy efficiency.•The most effective parameter on the performance were decided to be evaporator temperature.•Impact ratios of temperatures of evaporator and condenser for lower cycle were 58% and 14%.•The max COP and exergy efficiency were decided as 3.274 and 37.6% for optimum parameters. In this study, a vapor compression cascade refrigeration cycle was evaluated for the first time by considering the statistical analysis methods, Taguchi and ANOVA approaches, for performance optimization. The analysis was carried out to achieve the optimum operating condition for the maximum COP and exergetic efficiency. The impacts of the operational parameters on the energetic and exergetic performances were investigated. The results show that the most influential parameter on the COP and exergy efficiency was the evaporator temperature, the condenser temperature of the lower cycle, condenser temperature of the overall system and isentropic efficiency of the compressor and the impact ratios were 58.1%, 14.4%, 10.25%, and 7.47%, respectively. The best condition for the multiple performance characteristics was decided to be A3B3C1D1E3F3G3H2J1K2. The COP and exergy efficiency within the range of the operating parameters in the evaluation were found to be 3.274 and 37.63%. These were greater than 27 different combinations of the thermodynamic evaluation results. The temperatures of the evaporator, condenser for the lower cycle, and condenser for the overall system have increment or decrement ratios of 3.92%/°C, 2.2%/°C and 1.61%/°C. The parametric evaluation corroborates the results of the Taguchi and ANOVA methods.