The objective of this study is to analyze theoretically the performance of an open air-cycle refrigeration system in which environmental concerns increase. The pressure ratio of the external compressor and efficiencies of the components that compose of the system are selected as important parameters. As the pressure ratio of the external compressor increases, the pressure ratio of the ACM compressor is determined high, the refrigerating temperature and capacity increase, the COP decreases, and the total entropy production rate increases. The effect of heat exchanger effectiveness and turbine efficiency on the performance are greater than that of the ACM compressor efficiency. Also the performance of the air-cycle refrigeration system with two heat exchangers has been enhanced like high COP and low total entropy production rate, compared to the system with one heat exchanger.