Refrigeration Cycles and
Classification of Refrigeration
cycles
Objective of the Chapter
The specific objectives of the lesson:
This lesson discusses the most commonly used refrigeration
system, i.e. Vapor-compression refrigeration system.
The following things are emphasized in detail:
1. The Carnot refrigeration cycle & its practical limitations
2. The ideal Vapor-compression Refrigeration System
3. Analysis of ideal-vapor compression Refrigeration System
4. Actual vapor-compression refrigeration cycle
5. Analysis of actual vapor-compression refrigeration cycle
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REFRIGERATORS AND HEAT PUMPS
The transfer of heat from a low-temperature region to a high-
temperature one requires special devices called refrigerators.
Another device that transfers heat from a low-temperature medium
to a high-temperature one is the heat pump.
Refrigerators and heat pumps are essentially the same devices;
they differ in their objectives only.
2.1. Carnot Cycle
The Carnot cycle is a theoretical ideal thermodynamic cycle.
It provides an upper limit on the efficiency that any classical
thermodynamic engine can achieve during the conversion of
heat into work, or
Conversely, the efficiency of a refrigeration system in creating a
temperature difference by the application of work to the system.
NB: It is not an actual thermodynamic cycle but is a theoretical
construct. It has the maximum thermal efficiency for given
temperature limits, and it serves as a standard against which actual
power cycles can be compared.
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Cont…
Actual Carnot cycle Reversed Carnot cycle
Process1-2: isothermal expansion Process1-2: isentropic compression
Process2-3: isentropic expansion Process2-3: isothermal heat rejection
Process3-4: isothermal compression Process3-4: isentropic expansion
Process4-1: isentropic compression Process4-1: isothermal heat absorption
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Cont…
Example 1:
A refrigerator system operates on the reversed Carnot cycle.
The minimum and maximum temperatures are -250C and 720C,
respectively. If the heat rejected at the condenser is
6000KJ/min,
- Draw T-S diagram
- Find power input required and
- Find tons of refrigeration developed.
Solution:
Ans: cop = 2.556
W = 1684kJ/min
Qa = 20.44TR
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2.2. Vapor compression refrigeration
cycles
Vapour compression refrigeration systems are the most
commonly used among all refrigeration systems.
In a vapor compression refrigeration system, refrigeration is
obtained as the refrigerant evaporates at low
temperatures. The input to the system is in the form of
mechanical energy required to run the compressor. Hence
these systems are also called as mechanical refrigeration
systems.
As the name implies, these systems belong to the general
class of vapour cycles, wherein the working fluid (refrigerant)
undergoes phase change at least during one process.
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Cont…
The process which comprise the standard vapor-compression
refrigeration cycle are:
Process 1-2: reversible and adiabatic compression from
saturated vapor to the condensed pressure
Process 2-3: reversible rejection of heat at constant pressure and
de-superheating and condensation
Process3-4: irreversible expansion at constant enthalpy from
saturated liquid to evaporated pressure
Process 4-1: reversible addition of heat at constant pressure in
evaporation to saturated vapor
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Cont…
Cont…
10
Cont…
Cont…
2.3. Analysis of Vapor compression
refrigeration system
1. Compressor 5. Coefficient of performance
W = m(h2-h1) COP = QH/W= (h1-h4)/(h2-h1)
2. Condenser 6. Efficiency
Qc = m(h2-h3) i. Adiabatic compression efficiency or
3. Expansion valve simple compression efficiency:
h3 = h4 nc = (isentropic work of
4. Evaporator compression)/
QH = m(h1-h4) (actual work of compression)
ii. Mechanical efficiency:
nm = Wi/Wb = IHP/BHP
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Example 2:
Cont…
A simple saturated refrigeration cycle for Refrigerant-12 system operates at an
evaporating temperature of -50C and condensing temperature of 400C. Determine,
a. The refrigerating effect per kg
b. The work per kg
c. The heat rejected per kg
d. The COP
e. For a refrigerating capacity of 1KW, determine the heat rejected at the
condenser, the work and the volume flow rate.
R-12 data:
h1 = hg @ -50C = 238.5KJ/kg
h3 = hf @ 400C = 238.5KJ/kg
v1 = vg @-50C = 0.06496m3/kg
h2 = h @961Kpa = 372KJ/kg
S1 =S2 = 372KJ/kg
Solution:
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Cont…
Example 3:
A refrigerator operates between temperature limit of 300C and -
50C. The refrigerant is 0.97 dry after leaving the evaporator.
Determine,
a. The condition of refrigerant before entering the evaporator
b. The COP of the system
If the temperature of water circulating in condenser is limited to
200C calculate the mass flow rate of the coolant.
Given data: T Hf hg sf sg cpf cpg
30 323.22 1466 1.204 4.984 5.024 3.35
-5 158.26 1432 0.63 5.407 - -
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