A novel refrigeration system called hydrate-based refrigeration system was proposed, and its performance was analyzed by using Aspen Plus. The system consisted of five parts, compressor/pump, hydrate formation tank, hydrate dissociation tank, expander and gas/liquid separator. Compared with conventional compression refrigeration cycle, hydrate-based refrigeration system uses hydrate formation tank to replace condenser to achieve heat release; hydrate dissociation tank for evaporator of achieve refrigeration. There were three types of the hydrate-based refrigeration system, which refrigeration cycles were analyzed through using Aspen Plus. Methyl fluoride, cyclopentane/monofluoro cyclopentane and water were used to form hydrate as the working fluids. For the system of methyl fluoride, cyclopentane and water, the highest coefficient of performance was 8.01-8.97, For the system of methyl fluoride, monofluoro cyclopentane and water, the best coefficient of performance was 7.58-8.49. Based on it, the relation of temperature and entropy during refrigeration process for hydrate-based refrigeration system was analyzed. It's coefficient of performance was 2-4 times of the conventional compression refrigeration. (C) 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.