Thermodynamic and

refigeration

SHUKLA
1) List some common refrigerants and their properties
Refrigeration

Refrigeration is the process of cooling a space, substance, or system to

lower and maintain its temperature below the ambient temperature by
removing heat and transferring it to a higher temperature
environment. This process is not spontaneous and requires energy
input, often mechanical, electrical, or thermal.The refrigeration cycle
involves four main components: the compressor, condenser, expansion
device, and evaporator.Refrigeration has numerous applications,
including food preservation, air conditioning, and industrial cooling.

Refigerant

A refrigerant is a chemical substance used in refrigeration and air

conditioning systems to absorb heat from the environment and
transfer it elsewhere, thereby cooling the space or object. Refrigerants
undergo phase changes (from liquid to gas and back) to facilitate this
heat transfer process. They are crucial in cooling systems, including
refrigerators and air conditioners, and come in various types, such as
hydrocarbons, halo-carbon compounds, and azeotropes.

Common types

1) R-22 (Monochlorodifluoromethane)

. Chemical Formula: CHClF2

. Boiling Point: -41.4°C
. Molecular weight: 86.47g/mol
. Thermal stability : High
. ODP: 0.05
. GWP : 1,810
. Pressure : Medium to High
. Latent Heat Of Vaporization: 233kj/kg
. Flammability: Non-flammable
. Used in: Domestic, commercial, and industrial applications
2) Ammonia (R-717)

. Chemical Formula: NH3

. Boiling Point: -33.3°C
. Molecular weight : 17.03g/mol
. ODP: 0
. GWP :0
. Pressure : Medium to High
. Latent Heat Of Vaporization: 1368kj/kg
. Flammability:Mildly flammable
. Toxicity : High
. Corrosivity : Corrosive to copper
• Used in: Industrial refrigeration due to its high refrigerating effect

3) Carbon Dioxide (R-744)

. Chemical Formula: CO2

. Boiling Point: -56.6°C at 1 atm
. Molecular weight : 44.01g/mol
. ODP: 0
. GWP :1
. Pressure :High
. Latent Heat Of Vaporization: 574kj/kg
. Flammability:Mildly flammable
. Toxicity : Non-Toxic
. Thermal conductivity: High
. Environment: Natural refigerent
. Used in: Supermarkets and industrial applications for its
environmental gifts
4) CFCs ( chlorofluorocarbons)

. Chemical Formula: CCl2F2

. Boiling Point: -29.8 C
. Molecular weight : 120.91g/mol
. ODP: 1
. GWP :10,900

. Latent Heat Of Vaporization: 165kj/kg

. Flammability:Non- flammable

. Toxicity : Low

. Density: CFCs have high densities

. Boiling point: CFCs have low boiling points
. Viscosity: CFCs have low viscosities
. Surface tension: CFCs have low surface tensions
. Odor: CFCs have a slight ether-like odor at high concentrations

5) R-134a (Tetrafluoroethane)

. Chemical Formula: CF3CH2F

. Boiling Point: -26.3°C
. Molecular weight : 102.03g/mol
. ODP: 0
. GWP :1,430
. Latent Heat Of Vaporization: 215kj/kg
. Flammability: Low flammable
. Thermal conductivity: High
. Environment: Being replaced by lower GWP
. Used in: Automotive air conditioning and refrigeration systems
6) R-410A (Difluoromethane/Pentafluoroethane)

. Composition: 50% R-32, 50% R-125

. Boiling Point: -55.4°C
. Molecular weight: 72.6g/mol(R-32) and 120.02g/mol(R-125)
. Thermal stability : High
. ODP: 0
. GWP :2088
. Pressure : Medium to High
. Latent Heat Of Vaporization: 233kj/kg
. Flammability: Non-flammable
. Used in: Air conditioning systems due to its high energy efficiency

Domestic Electrolux refrigeration system

The Domestic Electrolux refrigeration system is a type of absorption

refrigeration system used in domestic refrigerators and freezers. This
system uses the principle of absorption to provide cooling, where
ammonia is used as the refrigerant and water are used as the absorbent.

Components of Domestic Electrolux refrigeration system:

• Generator: The generator is responsible for heating the mixture
of ammonia and water to separate the ammonia vapor from the
water.
• Condenser: The condenser cools the high-pressure and high-
temperature ammonia vapor to convert it into a liquid state.
• Evaporator: The evaporator is responsible for absorbing heat
from the surrounding environment, which is transferred to the
refrigerant in the system.
• Absorber: The absorber absorbs the ammonia vapor into the
water to form an ammonia-water solution.
• Refrigerant: The refrigerant is the working fluid that circulates
through the system to provide cooling.
 Working of Domestic Electrolux refrigeration system:

n a domestic Electrolux ammonia refrigeration system, the refrigerant

used is ammonia, and water is used as the absorbent. The system
operates by circulating the refrigerant through a series of components,
as follows:

• . The generator heats the mixture of ammonia and water

to separate the ammonia vapor from the water.

• The high-pressure and high-temperature ammonia vapor

then passes through the condenser, where it is cooled and
condensed into a liquid state.

• The liquid ammonia then passes through the evaporator, where

it absorbs heat from the surrounding environment.
• The ammonia vapor then passes through the absorber, where it
is absorbed into the water to form an ammonia-water solution
 • The solution then passes back to the generator, where the cycle
starts over again.

Applications of Domestic Electrolux refrigeration

system:

Domestic Electrolux ammonia refrigeration systems are used in

household refrigerators and freezers.

hese systems provide cooling to the interior of the appliance, keeping

food and other perishables fresh for extended periods.

hey are also designed to be energy efficient and environmentally

friendly, making them a popular choice for residential use.

mmonia refrigeration systems are also commonly used in commercial

and industrial applications, where larger cooling capacities are
required

Three types of fluid absorbing systems

Ammonia-Water System

Key components

1) Absorber: Absorbs ammonia gas into water.

2) Condenser: Cools and condenses ammonia gas into liquid.

3) Evaporator: Evaporates the ammonia-water solution to absorb heat.

4) Pump: Circulates the ammonia solution.

5) Expansion Valve: Regulates ammonia flow into the evaporator.

6) Heat Exchanger: Enhances system efficiency by transferring

heat between solutions.
 Properties:
1)High solubility of ammonia in water.
2) Efficient heat transfer and low freezing point.
3) Environmentally friendly compared to other refrigerants.
4) Corrosive to metals, requiring resistant materials.
5) Energy-efficient due to ammonia's high latent heat of vaporization

Lithium Bromide Water System

Key components .
1) Absorber: Absorbs water vapor into LiBr solution.
2) Generator: Heats the solution to release water vapor.
3) Condenser: Cools and condenses water vapor.
4) Evaporator: Evaporates water to absorb heat for cooling.
5) Expansion Valve: Controls water flow into the evaporator.
6) Pump: Circulates the LiBr solution.

Properties:
• Efficient absorption of water vapor.
• Non-toxic and safer than ammonia.
• Corrosive, requiring resistant materials.
• Energy-efficient, often using waste heat for cooling

Water-Ammonia-Hydrogen system

Components

1)Ammonia

2) Water

3) Hydrogen
 Properties
. Uses hydrogen as auxiliary
. Long lifespane
. Non-flammable
. Zero ODP and GWP
. Ideal for compact systems

Application of refigeration and Air conditioning in food

processing

Preservation of Perishable Foods:

• Refrigeration slows down the growth of bacteria, molds, and
yeasts in perishable foods like dairy, meat, seafood, fruits, and
vegetables, extending shelf life and reducing spoilage.
• Cold storage helps store raw materials or processed food products
at
optimal temperatures to prevent degradation and maintain freshness
during transportation and distribution.
Temperature-Controlled Processing:
• Certain food processes, such as frozen food production, require
low temperatures to preserve texture and flavor while halting
enzymatic activity that could lead to spoilage.
• Controlled atmosphere storage involves using refrigeration along
with
adjusting levels of oxygen, carbon dioxide, and humidity to further slow
down the ripening process in fruits and vegetables.
Maintaining Food Safety:
• Refrigeration is essential to keep food at safe temperatures
(below 40°F or 4°C) to prevent bacterial growth, particularly in ready-
to-eat products, meats, and processed foods.
• In meat processing, refrigeration ensures that raw meat is
stored safely, while in dairy processing, it helps maintain product
quality and prevents bacterial contamination.
 Air Conditioning for Process Control:
• Air conditioning regulates the temperature and
humidity in food processing plants, which is crucial for
maintaining the proper environment for food preparation,
packaging, and storage.
• In chocolate production, air conditioning helps control
temperature
and humidity to avoid problems like blooming or undesirable
texture in the finished product.

Freezing for Long-Term Storage:

• Deep freezing (often at temperatures below -18°C) is a common

technique used in food processing to lock in nutrients, flavors, and
textures, especially for fruits, vegetables, meat, and ready-to-eat
meals.

Air Cooling for Fruits and Vegetables:

. Forced air cooling is a common method for cooling freshly harvested

produce. It involves circulating cold air over fruits and vegetables to
reduce their temperature quickly and slow down ripening.

Dehydration and Drying:

• Some refrigeration systems are used in the dehydration process,

where chilled air helps remove moisture from food products like
fruits, meats, and grains while preserving their nutritional value and
texture.