II.

Simple Ideal Vapor Compression Refrigeration Systems

LEARNING OUTCOME
1. Identify and discuss the basic components of a simple vapor compression
refrigeration system.
2. Explain the different processes involved in the cycle.
3. Explain the thermodynamic analysis and performance measurements of
each component and the system as a whole.
4. Explain the effects of sub-cooling and superheating.
5. Explain heat exchangers.

Refrigeration System – An assembly of different components basically the

compressor, condenser, liquid receiver, expansion valve, and evaporator
arranged in a sequential order and interconnected by pipes through
which a very low boiling point fluid called refrigerant flows so as to
produce refrigerating effect.

3 2
Liquid • Condenser •
Receiver

Expansion Compressor
Valve

4 1
• Evaporator •
3

EVENTS IN THE CYCLE

1. The Vaporizing process:

Low pressure, low temperature refrigerant absorbs the heat
from the material being refrigerated. Such refrigerant turns
from liquid to vapor. The process is constant pressure and
temperature.

2. The compressing process:

The compressor draws the vapor from the evaporator to the
condenser and compresses it to high temperature high
pressure vapor above that of the condensing medium. The
process is Isentropic.

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3. The condensing process:
The heat of the high temperature high pressure vapor will flow
to the condensing medium. The temperature of the
refrigerant therefore lowers while the pressure remains
constant thereby condensing it to its liquid state.
The condensed liquid flows to the liquid receiver for storage
before flowing back to the evaporator through the expansion
valve.

4. The pressure reducing or throttling process:

The liquid refrigerant from the condenser must be kept at low
temperature and pressure so that it will be capable of
absorbing heat again. This is done by a liquid pressure
controlling device called the expansion valve. The process is
adiabatic (h = C).
The expansion valve acts as a dividing point between the
high pressure side and the low pressure side of the system.

DIVISIONS OF THE SYSTEM

1. Low pressure side:

Sometimes called the low side pressure, evaporator pressure,
suction pressure, or back pressure side, this comprises of:
Expansion Valve, Evaporator, and Suction line.

2. High pressure side:

It is also called condensing pressure, discharge pressure, or
head pressure side. It comprises of: compressor, discharge or
hot gas line, condenser, liquid receiver, and liquid line.

METHODS OF REFRIGERATION DISTRIBUTION

1. Direct expansion
The materials or space to be refrigerated is directly exposed
to the evaporator. Used for small capacity refrigeration
where leakage is minimal.

2. Indirect Expansion
The evaporator is immersed inside a brine tank and such
brine is circulated through piping which is used to cool the
materials or products.

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 PROCESSES INVOLVED IN THE CYCLE

P T
3 condensation 2 •2
• P=C •

Expansion Compression 3 T=C

h=C S=C • S=C
h=C

Evaporation T=C
4• P=C •1 •4 •1

H S

1-2  Isentropic compression from saturated vapor

to the condenser pressure (s = c)
Refrigerant is superheated vapor at point 2.

2-3  Heat rejection at constant pressure.

De-superheating and condensation process
Refrigerant is liquid at point 3.

3–4  Expansion at constant enthalpy (h = c) from

saturated
liquid to wet mixture where evaporator pressure is
achieved. Refrigerant is wet at point 4.

4-1  Heat absorption at constant pressure, (P = c), and

constant temperature, (T = c).
Refrigerant is saturated vapor at point 1.

ANALYSIS OF THE CYCLE

1. Compressor
m
1 2
w = h2 - h1 ----- kj/kg Suction • • Discharge
h1 h2
υ1 υ2
= specific work of
compression.

W = m(h2 - h1) ----- kW

= theoretical
compressor power.
w
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 V1 = m(υ1) ------ m3/sec.

= actual volume of
refrigerant drawn or
taken in to the
cylinder.

Where:
h = enthalpy of refrigerant in kJ/kg
υ = Specific volume of refrigerant in m3/kg
Both of the above properties are to be taken from the refrigerant
charts and tables based on the given refrigerant pressures and
temperatures.

2. Condenser
qr

3 2 m
• •
h3 h2

qr = h2 - h3 ----- kj/kg

= heat extracted from the refrigerant per unit mass

Qr = m(h2 - h3) ----- kW

= Total heat extracted from the refrigerant

3. Expansion Valve

m
High 3 • h3
pressure
side
h3 = h4

P3 > P4
Low
pressure
side
4 • h4

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 4. Evaporator

qe

4 1
m • •
h4 h1

qe = h 1 - h4 ----- kj/kg

= h 1 - h3

= heat absorbed by
the refrigerant per unit mass

= refrigerating effect or cooling effect

Qe = m(h1 - h4) ----- kW

= m(h1 - h3)

= Total heat absorbed by the refrigerant

= refrigerating capacity or cooling capacity

TOR, kW, kJ/min, kJ/hr, Btu/min

PERFORMANCE OF THE CYCLE

5. Coefficient of Performance (COP)

Refrigerating Effect QA
COP = =
Work of compression WNET

h1 - h3
COP =
h2 - h 1

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 Note: The higher the COP, the more efficient is the
refrigerating system.

➢ Energy Efficiency Ratio, EER - The ratio of the

cooling effect in kJ/hr over the Power consumption
or power rating in watts.

➢ The minimum EER required by the Philippine

government (DTI) is 9.1

QA, kJ/hr
EER =
WNET, watts

6. Volumetric Efficiency, v

a) Piston displacement, VD - the displacement of the

compressor.
- m3/sec, ft3/min.

π
VD = D2 L N
4

where: D = Diameter of cylinder or bore diameter

= m, ft.

L = Length of stroke, m, ft.

N = Number of cycles per unit time

N = (No. of cylinder)(n)(1)
→ for single acting compressor

N = (No. of cylinder)(n)(2)
→ for double acting compressor

n = Axial speed of compressor.

= revolutions per min -- rpm

= revolutions per second -- rps

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 b) Actual volume of refrigerant, V1 – Actual volumetric flow
rate of refrigerant drawn in to the compressor.

V1 = m(υ1) ------ m3/sec, ft3/min

where: υ1 = specific volume of

refrigerant
entering the compressor,
m3/kg, ft3/lb.
c) Actual Volumetric Efficiency, va

Actual Vol. of refrigerant

va =
Piston Displacement

V1
va =
VD

d) Clearance Volumetric Efficiency, vc

(Considering the compressor alone)

P2

A = πD2/4

P1
V1 L

c b
Pc = Pb = P2 Discharge Pressure

PVk = C

a
Pa = Pd = P1 d Suction Pressure

V1

VC VD

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 V1 = Actual volume of refrigerant drawn in
to the piston.

V1 = Va - Vd

VD = Va - Vc

Vc
Percent clearance = c =
VD
Vc = c VD

Process c to d is isentropic expansion,

k k
PcVc = PdVd
k
Vd Pc
=
Vc Pd

1/k
Pc
Vd = Vc
Pd

Pc = P2

Pd = P 1

V1 Va - Vd
vc = =
VD VD

1/k
Pc
Va - cVD
Pd
vc =
VD

1/k
Pc
VD + cVD - cVD
Pd
vc =
VD

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 1/k
P2
vc = 1 + c - c
P1

υ1
vc = 1 + c - c
υ2

υ1
vc = 1 - c - 1
υ2

where: c = percent clearance

Vc
=
Va - Vc

k = Specific heat ratio of refrigerants

= 1.31 for ammonia = 1.166 for R-22

= 1.13 for R-11 = 1.102 for R-134a
= 1.126 for R-12 = 1.3 for CO2
= 1.33 for H2O = 1.086 for R-600a

7. Compression Efficiency, c

Isentropic Work of Compression

c =
Actual Work of Compression

8. Mechanical Efficiency, m
Indicated Work
m =
Brake Work

WI IHP
m = =
WB BHP

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Example:

1. A four cylinder, 8 cm x 10 cm, single acting, V-type compressor operates at

600 rpm. It is used in a Freon-12 vapor compression system with condenser and
evaporator temperatures of 29OC and -14OC, respectively. If the compression is
dry and isentropic, the clearance is 2 percent. Determine (a) the refrigerating
capacity of the compressor in tons, (b) the heat given off in the condenser, and
(c) the COP. The gas constant, k for R-12 is 1.126.

Given:
Refrigerant used, Freon-12
Number of cylinders, Nc = 4
Cylinder dimensions: D = 8 cm, L = 10 cm, single acting
Speed n = 600 rpm
Condenser temperature = 29OC
Evaporator temperature = -14OC
Clearance c = 2%
K = 1.126

Analysis:
P
29OC
3 2
• • 2
•3 • P2
Condenser

29OC

-14OC • •1
4
• • -14OC
4 1
Evaporator
h

Schematic Diagram Refrigerant PH Diagram

From R-12 Charts and Tables:

h1 = hg @ -14OC = 345.365 kJ/kg

h2 = 369 kJ/kg

υ 1 = 0.090 m3/kg
h3 = hf @ 29OC = 227.557 kJ/kg
h4 = h3

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 h2 = 369 kJ/kg

2
• P2

t2 = 29OC

1
•

t1 = -14OC

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Solution:

a) Refrigerating Capacity, QE in tons of refrigeration

QE = m(h1 – h4)
Solve for the mass of refrigerant, m in kg/sec
π
Piston displacement, VD = 4 (D )(L)(Nc)(n)(1)
2

π
VD = (0.08 m)2(0.10 m)(4)(600 rev/min)(1)
4
VD = 1.206 m3/min = 0.0201 m3/sec

Clearance Volumetric Efficiency, ηc

ηc = V1 x 100%
VD

V1 = ηc x VD
1/k
P2
ηc = 1 + c – c
P1

P2 = Psat @ 29OC
P2 = 725.5 kPa
P1 = Psat @ -14OC
P1 = 189.5 kPa
1/1.126
725.5
ηc = 1 + 0.02 – 0.02 189.5

ηc = 0.954 = 95.4%

ηc = V1 x 100%
VD

V1 = ηc x VD = 0.954 x 0.0201

V1 = 0.0192 m3/sec

V1 = m x υ 1

V1 0.0192 m3/sec
m= =
υ1 0.090 m3/kg

m = 0.213 kg/sec

QE = 0.213 kg/sec(345.365 – 227.557)kJ/kg

QE = 25.103 kW

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 1 TR
QE = 25.103 kW x
3.52 kW

QE = 7.131 TR

b) Total heat given-off in the condenser, QR in kW

QR = m(h2 – h3)
QR = 0.213 kg/sec(369 – 227.557) kJ/kg

QR = 30.127 kW

c) Coefficient of Performance, COP

QE m(h1 – h4) h1 – h4
COP = = =
WC m(h2 – h1) h2 – h1

345.365 – 227.557
COP =
369 – 345.365

COP = 4.984

2. An ammonia refrigerating cycle operates at 247.14 kPa suction pressure and

1203.7 kPa discharge pressure. Other data are the following:

Refrigerating capacity 28kW

Compressor clearance 5%
Compression efficiency 80%
Mechanical efficiency 75%
Gas constant for ammonia 1.31

Calculate (a) the clearance volumetric efficiency, (b) the ideal and actual
COP, (c) the mass flow rate of ammonia (d) the mass of flash gas per kg of
ammonia circulated and (e) the brake work of the prime mover.

Given:
Refrigerant used: Ammonia (NH3)
Suction Pressure, P1 = 247.14 kPa
Discharge Pressure, P2 = 1,203.7 kPa
Refrigerating Capacity, QE = 28 kW
Compressor Clearance, c = 5%
Compression Efficiency, ηc = 80%
Mechanical Efficiency, ηm = 75%
Ammonia gas constant, k = 1.31

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Analysis:
P
1203.7 kPa
3 2
• • 2
•3 • P2 = 1203.7 kPa
Condenser

31OC

247.14 kPa • •1 P1 = 247.14 kPa

4
• • -14OC
4 1
Evaporator
h

Schematic Diagram Refrigerant PH Diagram

From R-12 Charts and Tables:

NOTE: It is recommended that the temperatures at suction and discharge should be

used to determine the enthalpies in the refrigerant chart. It is more accurate
than using the pressures because the pressure graduation in the refrigerant
chart is irregular.

Therefore, first locate the temperatures on the ammonia tables.

t1 = tsat @ 247.14 kPa

t1 = -14OC

t2 = tsat @ 1203.7 kPa

t2 = 31OC

h1 = hg @ -14OC = 1445.2 kJ/kg

h2 = 1,681 kJ/kg

υ 1 = 0.500 m3/kg
h3 = hf @ 29OC = 346.614 kJ/kg
h4 = h3

Solution:

a) Clearance Volumetric Efficiency, ηc

1/k
P2
ηc = 1 + c – c
P1
1/1.31
1203.7
ηc = 1 + 0.05 – 0.05 247.14

ηc = 0.8826 = 88.26%

b) Ideal and actual COP

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 i) Ideal COP

h1 – h4
COP =
h2 – h1

1445.2 – 346.614
COP =
1681 – 1445.2

COP = 4.659

ii) Actual COP = COP’

h1 – h4
COP’ =
h2’ – h1

Where h2’ = Actual enthalpy at the compressor discharge

From the given Compression Efficiency, ηc = 80%

wc
ηc = wI

Where WI = Indicated or Actual work of compression = h2’ – h1

wc h2 – h1 1681 – 1445.2
wI = = =
ηc ηc 0.80

wI = 294.75 kJ/kg = h2’ – h1

h2’ = WI + h1 = 294.75 + 1445.2 = 1739.95 kJ/kg

h 1 – h4 1445.2 – 346.614
COP’ = =
h2’ – h1 1739.95 – 1445.2

COP’ = 3.727

c) Mass flow rate of ammonia, m in kg/sec

From the given Refrigerating Capacity, QE = 28 kW,

QE = 28 kW = m(h1 – h4)
QE 28 kJ/sec
m= =
h1 – h4 (1445.2 – 346.614) kJ/kg

m = 0.025 kg/sec

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d) The mass of flash gas per kg of ammonia circulated, x4 in kg of vapor per kg of
refrigerant
P

2
•3 • P2 = 1203.7 kPa

31OC
4 1
• • P1 = 247.14 kPa

-14OC
h
hf4 h4 h1 = hg1 =hg4

Refrigerant PH Diagram

h4 = hf4 + x4(hg4 – hf4)

h4 – hf4
x4 =
hg4 – hf4

Where:
hg4 = h1 = 1445.2 kJ/kg
hf4 = hf @ -14OC
hf4 = 135.820 kJ/kg

346.614 – 135.820
x4 =
1445.2 – 135.820

x4 = 0.1609 kgvapor/kgrefrigerant

e) Brake work of prime mover, WB

WI
ηm = W
B

mwI
WB =
= ηm

(0.025 kg/sec)(294.75 kJ/kg)

WB =
= 0.75

WB = 9.825 kW
=

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 h2=1,681 kPa

2
• P2=1203.7 kPa

t2 = 31OC

υ 1=0.500 m3/kg

1
• P2=1203.7 kPa

t1 = -14OC

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