Thermodynamic analysis of a novel vapor-injection Joule-Thomson refrigeration cycle with a binary hydrocarbon mixture for −86 °C freezer

•A novel vapor-injection Joule-Thomson refrigeration cycle is proposed.•R601a/R1150 is a mixed-refrigerant suitable for −86 °C Joule-Thomson cycles.•The cycle performances are analyzed by energy and exergy analysis methods.•The maximum COP of novel cycle is 19.25% higher than that of basic cycle.