Republic of Iraq

Ministry of Higher Education

and Scientific Research
University of Baghdad
College of engineering
Mechanical department

Evaluation of Thermal Performance of a Typical

Vapor Compression Refrigeration Cycle

Name : Habib Rasul Aneed

Sec : B
Grp : D
 Evaluation of Thermal Performance of a Typical Vapor
Compression Refrigeration Cycle
The vapor compression refrigeration cycle is the most prevalent method for
cooling and refrigeration due to its efficiency, reliability, and relatively low
cost. This cycle relies on the phase change of a refrigerant to absorb and reject
heat. This report evaluates the thermal performance of a typical vapor
compression refrigeration cycle by examining its key components,
thermodynamic processes, performance parameters, and influencing factors.

Objectives
• Learning the main components of the vapor compression refrigeration cycle.
• Analysis of the vapor compression refrigeration cycle.
• Calculating COP, compressor work (W), absorbed heat (QL), rejected heat
(QH), and using the P-h diagram.
1. Cycle Components and Processes:

A typical vapor compression refrigeration cycle consists of four main

components:

 Compressor: The compressor increases the pressure and temperature of

the refrigerant vapor. This process requires work input.
 Condenser: The high-pressure, high-temperature refrigerant vapor is
cooled and condensed into a high-pressure liquid by rejecting heat to the
surroundings (e.g., air or water).
 Expansion Valve (or Throttling Device): The high-pressure liquid
refrigerant passes through the expansion valve, which reduces its pressure
and temperature through an isenthalpic process (constant enthalpy).
 Evaporator: The low-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant absorbs heat
from the refrigerated space, causing it to evaporate into a low-pressure
vapor.

The cycle follows these thermodynamic processes:

1. Isentropic Compression (1-2): Refrigerant vapor is compressed

isentropically (constant entropy) in the compressor.
2. Isobaric Heat Rejection (2-3): High-pressure refrigerant vapor is
condensed to a saturated liquid at constant pressure in the condenser.
3. Isenthalpic Expansion (3-4): The liquid refrigerant expands through the
expansion valve at constant enthalpy.
4. Isobaric Heat Absorption (4-1): Low-pressure refrigerant absorbs heat
and evaporates at constant pressure in the evaporator.
2. Performance Parameters:

Several key parameters are used to evaluate the performance of the vapor
compression refrigeration cycle:

 Coefficient of Performance (COP): The COP is the ratio of the desired

effect (cooling capacity) to the work input required:

𝑪𝑶𝑷 = 𝑸𝒆 ⁄𝑾𝒄

where:

o 𝑸𝒆 is the heat absorbed in the evaporator (cooling capacity ) .

o 𝑾𝒄 is the work input to the compressor .

A higher COP indicates better efficiency.

 Refrigerating Effect (𝑸𝒆 ): The amount of heat absorbed by the

refrigerant in the evaporator.
 Compressor Work (𝑾𝒄 ): The power consumed by the compressor.
 Condenser and Evaporator Temperatures and Pressures: These
parameters influence the heat transfer rates and the overall cycle
efficiency.
3. Factors Influencing Performance:

Several factors affect the performance of the vapor compression refrigeration

cycle:

 Refrigerant Properties: The thermodynamic properties of the

refrigerant, such as boiling point, critical temperature, latent heat of
vaporization, and ozone depletion potential (ODP) and global warming
potential (GWP), significantly influence the cycle's performance.
 Operating Temperatures: Higher condensing temperatures and lower
evaporating temperatures generally decrease the COP.
 Compressor Efficiency: The isentropic efficiency of the compressor
affects the work input and thus the COP.
 Heat Exchanger Effectiveness: The effectiveness of the condenser and
evaporator in transferring heat affects the cycle's performance.
 Pressure Drops: Pressure drops in the pipelines and heat exchangers can
reduce the cycle efficiency.
 Subcooling and Superheating: Subcooling the liquid refrigerant before
expansion and superheating the vapor refrigerant before compression can
improve the cycle's performance.

4. Conclusion:

The vapor compression refrigeration cycle is a widely used and efficient method
for cooling and refrigeration. Its performance is evaluated using parameters like
COP, refrigerating effect, and compressor work. Factors such as refrigerant
properties, operating conditions, and component efficiencies significantly
influence the cycle's performance. Ongoing research focuses on improving
efficiency, reducing environmental impact (by using refrigerants with lower
ODP and GWP), and optimizing cycle configurations.

This report provides a general overview. A more detailed analysis would

involve thermodynamic calculations, pressure-enthalpy (P-h) diagrams, and
potentially experimental data.
 Readings
1 2
𝑷𝑯 (MPa)
1.85 1.79
Condenser Pressure
𝑷 𝑳 (MPa)
0.21 0.18
Evaporator Pressure
T1 (℃)
52 51.8
Discharge Line Temperature
T2 (℃)
27.4 31.7
Liquid Line Temperature
T3 (℃)
19.4 22.7
Suction Line Temperature
T4 (℃)
Freezer Compartment 5.7 1.9
Temperature
T5 (℃)
20.1 21.7
Food Compartment Temperature

Calculations

1. 𝑷𝑯 = 𝑷𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅 = 𝟏. 𝟖𝟓 𝑴𝒑𝒂 , 𝑻𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅 = 𝟔𝟒 ℃ , 𝑷𝑳 = 𝑷𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒑 =

𝟎. 𝟐𝟏 𝑴𝒑𝒂 , 𝑻𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒑 = −𝟗. 𝟓 ℃
 from the P-h diagram ;
 𝒉𝟏 = 𝟒𝟏𝟕 𝒌𝑱⁄𝒌𝒈 , 𝒉𝟐 = 𝟒𝟕𝟐 𝒌𝑱⁄𝒌𝒈 , 𝒉𝟑 = 𝒉𝟒 = 𝟐𝟑𝟕 𝒌𝑱⁄𝒌𝒈

𝑾𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑 = 𝒉𝟐 − 𝒉𝟏 = 𝟒𝟕𝟐 − 𝟒𝟏𝟕 = 𝟓𝟓 𝒌𝑱⁄𝒌𝒈

𝑹𝑬 = 𝒉𝟏 − 𝒉𝟒 = 𝟒𝟏𝟕 − 𝟐𝟑𝟕 = 𝟏𝟖𝟎 𝒌𝑱⁄𝒌𝒈

𝑹𝑬 𝟏𝟖𝟎
𝑪𝑶𝑷 = = = 𝟑. 𝟐𝟕𝟐
𝑾𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑 𝟓𝟓

( 𝑻𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒑 + 𝟐𝟕𝟑)
𝑪𝑶𝑷𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒐𝒕 =
(𝑻𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅 + 𝟐𝟕𝟑) − ( 𝑻𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒑 + 𝟐𝟕𝟑)
 ( −𝟗. 𝟓 + 𝟐𝟕𝟑)
𝑪𝑶𝑷𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒐𝒕 = = 𝟑. 𝟓𝟖𝟓
(𝟔𝟒 + 𝟐𝟕𝟑) − (−𝟗. 𝟓 + 𝟐𝟕𝟑)

2. 𝑷𝑯 = 𝑷𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅 = 𝟏. 𝟖 𝑴𝒑𝒂 , 𝑻𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅 = 𝟔𝟎 ℃ , 𝑷𝑳 = 𝑷𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒑 =

𝟎. 𝟏𝟖 𝑴𝒑𝒂 , 𝑻𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒑 = −𝟏𝟑 ℃
 from the P-h diagram ;
 𝒉𝟏 = 𝟒𝟏𝟕 𝒌𝑱⁄𝒌𝒈 , 𝒉𝟐 = 𝟒𝟕𝟔 𝒌𝑱⁄𝒌𝒈 , 𝒉𝟑 = 𝒉𝟒 = 𝟐𝟐𝟒 𝒌𝑱⁄𝒌𝒈

𝑾𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑 = 𝒉𝟐 − 𝒉𝟏 = 𝟒𝟕𝟔 − 𝟒𝟏𝟕 = 𝟓𝟗 𝒌𝑱⁄𝒌𝒈

𝑹𝑬 = 𝒉𝟏 − 𝒉𝟒 = 𝟒𝟏𝟕 − 𝟐𝟐𝟒 = 𝟏𝟗𝟑 𝒌𝑱⁄𝒌𝒈

𝑹𝑬 𝟏𝟗𝟑
𝑪𝑶𝑷 = = = 𝟑. 𝟐𝟕𝟏
𝑾𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑 𝟓𝟗

( 𝑻𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒑 + 𝟐𝟕𝟑)
𝑪𝑶𝑷𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒐𝒕 =
(𝑻𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅 + 𝟐𝟕𝟑) − ( 𝑻𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒑 + 𝟐𝟕𝟑)

( −𝟏𝟑 + 𝟐𝟕𝟑)
𝑪𝑶𝑷𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒏𝒐𝒕 = = 𝟑. 𝟓𝟔𝟐
(𝟔𝟎 + 𝟐𝟕𝟑) − (−𝟏𝟑 + 𝟐𝟕𝟑)
Discussion
1. How can we increase the value of COP? Why is 𝐂𝐎𝐏𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐭 the highest?
• Increasing COP: The coefficient of performance (COP) for a
refrigeration system can be increased by:
1. Reducing the temperature difference between the evaporator and
condenser by:
• Lowering the condenser temperature (e.g., improving heat rejection
efficiency).
• Increasing the evaporator temperature (e.g., reducing the cooling
load).
2. Using high-efficiency components:
• High-efficiency compressors, heat exchangers, and expansion
devices.
3. Minimizing losses:
• Insulating pipes to reduce heat loss or gain.
• Reducing pressure drops in the system.
4. Optimal refrigerant selection:
• Using refrigerants with favorable thermodynamic properties.
5. Subcooling and superheating:
• Enhancing subcooling at the condenser and ensuring controlled
superheating at the evaporator.
• Why 𝐂𝐎𝐏𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐨𝐭 is the highest:
COP is the theoretical maximum COP achieved by an idealized refrigeration
cycle operating between two fixed temperatures (source and sink). It is the
highest because:
• It assumes reversible processes (no entropy generation or irreversibility).
• There are no losses such as friction, pressure drops, or non-ideal heat
transfers.

2. Influence of compartment and environment temperatures on COP

• Evaporator (compartment) temperature:
 • Increasing the evaporator temperature improves the COP because the
work required by the compressor decreases as the temperature difference
between the evaporator and condenser reduces.
• Lower evaporator temperatures require more work, reducing COP.
• Condenser (environment) temperature:
• Reducing the condenser temperature improves COP by reducing the
compressor workload.
• Higher condenser temperatures increase the temperature difference and
reduce the cycle’s efficiency.
• The COP is inversely proportional to the temperature difference between
the evaporator and condenser; minimizing this difference enhances
performance.

3. How can we detect refrigerant leakage in a vapor compression

refrigeration cycle?
• Methods to detect refrigerant leakage:
1. Electronic leak detectors:
• Devices that sense the presence of refrigerant vapors using sensors.
2. Ultraviolet (UV) dye detection:
• Injecting a UV-sensitive dye into the system and inspecting for
leaks with a UV light.
3. Soap bubble test:
• Applying soapy water to suspected areas and observing for bubble
formation.
4. Pressure testing:
• Monitoring pressure loss over time in the system.
5. Infrared sensors:
• Detecting refrigerant based on absorption of infrared light.
6. Halide torch (for older refrigerants like R-12):
• A flame changes color in the presence of refrigerant.
7. Visual inspection:
 • Looking for oil stains around joints or connections, which often
accompany leaks.

4. Processes of superheated vapor refrigerant in the condenser

• In the condenser, the superheated vapor refrigerant undergoes the
following processes:
1. De-superheating:
• The refrigerant is cooled from its superheated state to its saturation
temperature (removing sensible heat).
2. Condensation:
• The refrigerant changes phase from vapor to liquid at constant
temperature and pressure (removing latent heat).
3. Subcooling:
• The refrigerant is cooled below its saturation temperature to
prevent flash gas formation in the expansion valve.
• Process with the highest influence on condenser capacity:
• Condensation has the highest influence because the majority of heat
rejection occurs during this phase change (latent heat removal).

5. Functions of specific refrigeration components

• Filter drier:
• Removes moisture and contaminants (e.g., dust, debris, acids) from the
refrigerant to prevent corrosion, freezing, or clogging in the system.
• Liquid receiver:
• Stores excess liquid refrigerant after the condenser and ensures a steady
supply of refrigerant to the expansion device under varying load conditions.
• Accumulator:
• Prevents liquid refrigerant from entering the compressor by trapping and
vaporizing liquid refrigerant from the suction line, protecting the
compressor from damage (liquid slugging).
• Oil separator:
• Removes and recycles oil carried by the refrigerant back to the
compressor, ensuring proper lubrication and reducing oil loss in the system.