~. Refrigeration systems forlov , Understanding the thermodynamics of the vapor-compression cycle provides the basis for practical design of actual refrigeration units. Here is detailed information for designing single-stage, multistage and cascaded systems. Yao R. Mehra, El Paso Hydrocarbons Co. [1] Refrigeration systeins are common in. processes re- Thted to: the, petroleum-refining, petrochemical and chemical industries, The selection ofa reirigerant is {generally based upon its availability and cooling range. fnd previous experience with it. For instance, nan oleins plant, pure ethylene and propylene are readily avilable; whereas in a natural- fas processing plant, ethane and propane are at hand Propane or propylene may not be svitable in an ammo- nia plant because of the rsk of contamination, while ammonia may very well serve the purpose. Fluorocar bons have been used extensively boca of their non flammadle characteristics. Dc to their inherent properties, a variety of refriger- ants'as sted in Table | are used quite economically Over a wide range of cooling temperacurcs. ‘AIL types of compressors-rociprocating, serew and centrifugal are used for refrigeration service The the- fry of refrigeration can be applied to any compressor, but side loads are usually considered only in centrifugal cornpressors, Hence, we will confine our discussion to centrifugal machines. “The retrigeration effec can be achieved by using one ofthe following cycles: (a) vapor compression (reversed Camot), (b) expansion (reversed Brayton), (c) absorp- dion, and (d) s*-2m jet (water-vapor compression). All. “ofthese cycles have been used succesfully in industrial refrigeration, but the majrity of installations use vapor compression’ Therefore, we shall discuss only the re- versed Carnot cycle ‘Thermodynamics of cycles ‘A Camot eyele is composed of two isothermal and two isentropic processes, as represented on the teinpera- tureentropy (T'S) and the, presurcenthalpy (P-H) diagrams in Fig. 1a, Here, Process 1-2 represents expan: sion or pressure reduction; Process 2-8 represents heat rejection at constant temperature; Process 3-4 repre sents compression. or increase in pressure; and Proc ess 4-1 completes the cycle by heat addition at constant temperature, To carry out a Carnot cycle, i is necessary to have an ideal fluid However, real eycles, both direct and reverse, operate with fluids iat undergo phase changes during the cy- cles. It ‘s important to recognize that real processes transfer heat at essentially constant pressure instead of constant temperature. ‘A vapor-compression or a reversed Carnot cycle in- cludes the same processes that occur during the expan- sion of a fluid in the direct Carnot cycle but in a re: versed order. This cycle can be represented on 7-S and P-H diagrams, as shewn in Fig. 1b, Vapor-compression cycle ‘A vapor-comprestion eycle can also be represented by hooking. up equipment’ in the sequence shown in Fig. 2a, In order (0 illustrate the procewes involved in this rftigeration cycle, let us contider each step: Expansion procesThe expansion proces, Point 1 t0 Point 2 (1-2) in Fig. 2a, can also be referred to as.an_ isenthalpic process. In a refrigeration cycle, it ean be accomplished by lashing the liquid refrigerant through 4 control oF expansion valve. ‘The process can be repre- sented on a P-Hf diagram, as in Fig. 2 ‘Every refrigerant as its own P-H diagram that repre- sents all thermodynamic properties. From a reftigera: tion standpoint, the envelope formed by the bubble- point curve and the dew-poine curve joining each cther At the critical point is very important, ‘The area left of the bubble-point curve represents subcocled liquid refrigerant; the area between the bub: ble-point and dev-point curves represcnts the presence 9 TST GREER SOF of w: tight satu abil later start dite apr oft und spor am ish the the lige vap fra Th: par He the for: abs th: inof vapor and liquid refrigerant, while the area to the | vapor formed in the expansion process (I-2) does not Sight ofthe dew-point curve is superheated vapor. Satu- | provide any refrigeration. Physically, the evaporation FERa liquid existe along the bubble-point curve, while | takes place ina heat exchanger—sormetimes referred to . Tiurated vapor is present along the dew-point curve. | as an evaporator or a chiller. The refrigeration is pro- Testarting polit ina tefigeration eyeleis tae avail- | vided by the cold liquid, anc its refrigeration effect can ‘of liquid refrigerant. As will become appareat | be defined as: Tater, this liquid in mest cases is at its satoration pres- pi ture at a given temperature Therefore, Point 1 (the Gin Starting point is Iocated on the bubble-point curve and isat its saturation pressure of P,, psia, at an enthalpy of ‘hua Beu/b. In an expansion proces, the pressure is re- dled by fashing the liquid through a contro! valve to a pressure Py, pia. The lower pressure (F2) isa function of the desired reftigeration temperature 7, °F, as deter- mined by the vapor-presure curve. For pure refriger- fants, the saturation pressure and temperature lines Under the envelope are the same, and run horizontally across the bubblepeint and dew-poirt curves, ‘At the desired refrigeration temperature that corre sponds here to P, the enthalpy of saturated liquid ie Fo, while the corresponding saturated vapor enthalpy 8 Tj. Since the expansion process (1-2) occurs across the control valve and no energy has been exchanged, the enthalpy at the ovtlet of the control valve is the same as atthe inlet, hy. This proces is represented in i 2b by a vertical line between Points 1 and 2 Since Point 2is inside the envelope, both vapor and liquid coexist. In order to determine the amo:nt of vapor formed in the expansion process, let X be the Fraction of liquid at low pressure P, with enthalpy A, ‘Therefore, the fraction of vapor formed during the ex- | pansion proces with an enthalpy Hyp is (1 — X). Hence, we may wite equations for the heat balance, the iraetion of liquid formed, and the fraction of vapor formed as low-temperature processes ~ | 1a) = Hys = hua), Bub (4) (hy: + (1 = Xe = ha ay @ | @) Evaporation process—This portion of the cycle (2-3) absorbs heat by the evaporation of liquid retnigerant through its latent heat. As shown in Fig. 2c, this process | img Veted ateonstantpresure and temperature. The | SEAT NGREERNG TOOT, ae 95,Ce ea ‘The refrigeration effect (or refrigeration capacity) refers to the total amount of heat absorbed in the chiller, and is generally expressed as “tons of refrigera- tion,” ‘or Btu/anit time. A ton of refrigeration equals | We determine Hi from religerant properties at, | eas 12,000 Bru/b, oF 200 Bru/min. To determine the reig- | and an entropy of Sp Since the refrigerant is not an | is c erant flow (m,Ib/s) required through the evaporator, | ideal fluid and since the compressors for such services do. | rea we divide the refrigeration duty (Qayp Btu/h) by the | not operate ideally, adiabatic efficiency, nag, has been | to refrigeration effect (Hyp — A,,), Btu/Ib, or: defined to compensate for the inefficiencies of the com- U pression process. Therelore, the actual work of compres ref 10 = Qe Fyn — fax) ©) | sion, ¥, can be calculated from: be Siete pd t-te oe Wea = chiller or evaporator at its saturation pressure P,, The War o corresponding refrigeration temperature is 7, ‘since peat fae aaa GEE 7) Mh enthalpy of Hog Tho entropy ot is = Fly, — Hy, Bn oO» ‘point is Ss, Btu/(Ib)("F). These vapors are compressed | The enthalpy at discharge is given by | Gea isentropically to pressurs P, along Line 3-4’ (Fig. 2d) blatpr etcetera steal | having an entropy Sy Bie ‘The adiabatic work, W,., for compressing the reftig- . tne tin (a) I Seirom At 2, is grea by The work of compreion can also be converted to | hE Wag = Hg — Ham, Bre /h (6) | horsepower, and expresied as gas horsepower (GHP), | 3° or: | he where ms flow of refigcrant through the compressor, [eae Ib/b; and (Hj, — Hyy) is the adiabatic head, AMZ, con) = ( (n) oe Tee 1 ing where 2,5445 Bru/h =1 hp. For most refrigerants; sor charts and tables of thermodynamic. properties are s readily available {2 con Eq. (6) is very convenient for determining compres- pro |" sion work. Tn order to use Eq. (6), we should know nay a Since commercial compressors have standardized frame @) sizes, compressor manvfacturers provide the nominal polytropic efficiency, 7, for their equipment. Table Il lists the nominal poly\topie efcieney sor one compres- Ac sor manufacturer’ line [/]. Knowing the inlet flow to 1 the compressor at P, and 7, the corresponding poly. | ofp ‘tropic efficiency can be determined; and from this poly- | cian tropic efliciency, the adiabatic efficiency can be ob- | cra tained from: ind (0.77 + 0.16%) 1s Mas = “Cp OssIxy * M8, ~ 0.77) 0) = (Arye — ay oO eh = heat capacity ratio, G,/C, of the gas. Heat cha ratios for several common refrigerants are the Seen ee Beeionner rt shew ia able, a Condensation process~The superheated refrigerr‘t inkv0 HP), ) rants, apres: 9 Maw frame minal (ble IE apres ow t0 poly: + poly- he ob- ina gram, as shown in Fig. 2¢ or 2b. “preston, we caleulate the condensing duty, Qqg from Raed seving ne vmpene Pant T, (Poin 420% 2) | leaving te compan presore unl iy temperature i cele a cine Pe and erga vapor ein re et dnnant emperate ese arneon pros al heat 22d the nee ear praperation and compressions Fran ag oe ele can be comleed by eee Ge nang pout) on the PA dle ‘By adding the refrigeration effect to the heat of com: Qea = mH — Aus) = m{(Hy, — His) + Hn — Hv) (10) Itis important to note that the condensing pressure of the refrigerant is a function of the cooling medium twatlable_ ait, cooling water or another refrigerant ‘The cooling medium removes the heat input, Qeq, from the refrigeration cycle. In other words, the required dis: Charge pressure of the compressor is established by the) Cooling medium, Ifa compressor cannot reach condens- fg pressure. condensation will:not occur; the compres: sonwill surge and the refrigeration unit will shut down, ‘Sometimes the saturated liquid is subcooled in the condenser to eliminate flash gas during the expansion proves (1-2) of the cycle. This helps to reduce the circ. Fiton rate of refrigerant, m, as dovermined from Eq. (2), @). (4) and (3), where X becomes 1 and (1 — X) equals Actual refrigeration system ‘Thhus far in our discussion, we have ignored the effects of pressure drop in th piping and heat excanngers ato- Sistea with the refrigesation cycle. A single-stage reltig- ration system with inclusion of press crops i shown in Fig. Sa. In this system: Pah + AP, Pah - Oy where AP, = pressure drop between compressor dis- Charge noazle and inlet nozzle of the receiver (typically the range is between 5 and 10 psi), and AP, = pressure drop between the outlet of evaporator or chiller and “{nlet nozzle of the compressor (typically 1.5 psi) SRNR SORENTO (2 me ee RE REE ETNA‘The comprestion ratio, r, across the compressor is: rs (Pe ay ‘where N= number of compression stages. For a singlestage machine, the compression ratio then becomes: 1 = Pi/Ps ‘The actual refrigeration cycle on a P-H diagram is shown in Fig. 3b, Note that compression, Process (3-4), does not start at the dew-point eurve, and that the dis ‘charge presure of the compressor is greater than the condensing pressure. The vapors entering the compres: sor, Point 3, are slightly superheated, and the isentropic Tine is slightly to the right in Fig. 3b. This would resule in a compressor discharge temperature 7’, greater than T, if pressure drops were not included. Also, 7, at Point 3 is slightly cooler than refrigeration temperature Tp, Itis important to note that P, is a function of the condensing medium, and P, is 2 function of the re- quived refrigeration temperature. Single-stage system Let us consider a process, as shown in Fig. 4a, where the feed-gas stream should be cooled to —145°F wo maximize liquids recovery before rejecting uncon- densible gases. In order to minimize energy consumption, itis ad- vantageous to recover eryogen from the residue gas by cooling the feed gas. The chilling and heating curves for the feed and residue-gas streams are plotted (Fig. 4b) to perature of —145°F can be easily achi '=150°F refrigeration level. 98 ene system for chilling feed gas ethylene refrigerant is available, we obtain its satu: retion pressure at —150°F as 17.15 psia: from the vapor-pressure curve for ethylene [2,3]. A typical pres- suge drop around the suetion side of a compressor is 1.5 psi. Hence, we find compressor inlet pressure of 15.65 psia (ie., 17.15 — 1.5). Since this inlet pressure is ‘greater than 14.7 psia (atmospheric pressure), itis quite safe to use ethylene refrigerant for this service. ‘The single-stage ethylene reftigeration cycle is shown an Fig. 5. In order to complete the refrigeration cycle, it is assumed that propylene refrigerant will be available at —50°F so that ethylene can be condensed at —45°F, ‘The enthalpy data in Fig. 5 for ethylene refrigerant, necessary to determine the refgjgerant flowrates, arc readily available [2,3] ‘We will now evaluate for this single-stage cycle the refrigerant flowrate, m; adiabatic work, \F/,43 compres- sion ratio, 7; inlet volumetric flowrate, V7 discharge en- thalpy, Hy; and gas horsepower, (GHP). We begin by substituting appropriate values into Eq. (5) to find m: 35x 108 016.3 — 876.05) From Starling (2), we obtain the ethylene entropy at ‘a compressor inlet pressure of 15.63 psia and an en- thalpy of 1,016.3 Buu//b as 1.6783 Btu/(Ib\(*R). There- fore, the isentropic enthalpy at a comprestor discharge pressure of 194.75 psia is 1,085.25 Buu/Ib. Substituting into Eq, (6) yields the adiabatic head: AH, = 1,085.25 — 1,016.3 = 68.95 Buu/b From Table Ill, we find the heat-capacity ratio, K, for ethylene as 1.24. And from Starling [2}, we find the specific volume of ethylene as 7.327 f:3/Ib at 15.65 psia 249,554 Ib/h flow ing uti #H be sp fo 3 1%. 38 z Pe PER TEE PONTE RMN me and 1,016.3 Buu/Ib, Therefore, the inlet volumetric flowrate becomes V;, = (249,554 x 7.327)/60.= 90,474 {4/min “The polytropic efficiency is 0.77 for inlet volumetric ‘lowrates ranging from 20,000 to 35,000 ft?/min. Mak- ing the necessary substitutions into Eq, (8), we deter- mine the adiabatic efficiency, Nag, to be 0.7125. Substi- tuting into Eq. (7a) yields the discharge enthalp) Hy, = (68.95/0.7125) + 1,016.3 = 1,113.07 Buu/Ib From Eq (7b), we determine the compression power: (68.95)(249,554) (0.7125}2,544.5) ‘The gas horsepower, (GHP), does not include losses ‘due to mechanical seals and gears. The brake horse power, (BHP), is defined as: (BHP) = (GHP) + Losses For our discussion, we will riot address these losses because they depend upon the type of scals, operating speeds, compressor designs, ete. Typically, these losses range from 50 hp to 150 hp. From Eq, (10), we establish the condenser duty: Qeg = (1113.07 — 876.05)249,554) 3.15 x 10% Btu/h (GHP) = 9,492 hp ‘Two-stage system Process chilling curves may indicate energy savings. Let us consider the same heating and cooling duties as for the single-stage system. For the projected two-stage system, the heating and cooling curves are shown in Fig. 6a. By splitting the residue-gas heating curve, the cthylene reffigeration duty at —150°F could be re- ‘duced from 39MM Bru/h* to 25MM Btu/h, while the remaining IMM Beu/h can be provided at — 1068°F "The second level of refrigerant was determined by wing — SEAT REET AON Bh 2m ox equal compression ratio between the two stages. The stow schematic for the process is shown in Fig. 6b. Here, the process feed ‘gas it still chilled from —43° to 1 AB'E. The two-stage refrigeration system can be rep- resented by Fig. 7. Tn order to determine the interstage refrigeration level for a two-stage system, we must determine the compression ratio per stage from Eq, (11) 194.75 /15.68)!? = 3.53 “The interstage pressure (Le, the pressure between the first and second stages) is 15.65 X 3.53, or 98.21 psia Henee, the pressure nt the second-stage chiller equals 55.21 + 1.5, or 56.71 psia. From the vapor-pressure curve for ethylene [2,3] the refrigeration temperature is equivalent to —106.8°F. ‘Substituting into Eq. (5), we find the refrigerant Row- rate, m, through each chiller: 25 x 108 Tp163 — 837.65) ____ wx 108 = Tp — 87605) = 67,268 Ib/n where m, is Rowrate through first stage, and m, through second stage! Liquid flow to the first-stage chiller (139,924 Tb/h) is provided by flashing the liquid refrigerant from the.re- Frigerant receiver at —45°P, and bypassing the second- stage chiller. Tn order to determine the flow of liquid refrigerant from the receiver, let us consider the heat and material balances shown in Fig. 8. Here, let X Ib/h denote the refrigerant bypassing the second-stage chiller, whichit ‘produces 67,268 Ib/h of refrigerant vapor at — 106.8°F. ‘These vapors flow through the second-stage suction drum, and leave overhead. The liquid required from the second-stage’ flash drum for the, first-stage chiller ‘comes from the quantity X. By material balance (see Fig. 8), we find the vapors leaving the second-stage suction drum as: X + 67,268 ~ 139,924, or (X — 72,656) Ib/h. By heat bal- lance around the suction drum, we can determine the ‘amount of liquid, X, required for the second-stage s tion drum fro (X= 72.656)(1,024.71) + (139,924(837.69) = (876.05) + (67,268)(1,024.71) X= 176,085 Ib/h Inorder to calculate adiabatic work for the first stage, ‘we need the isentropic enthalpy at 55.21 psia. From Starling {2}, we find the firs-stage inlet entropy as 1.6783 Btu/{Ib)(°R), and the corresponding isentropic enthalpy at 55.21 psia as 1,045.32 Btu/Ib, Substituting into Eq, (6), we find Aifzg = 1,045.32 — 1,016.3 = 29.02 Btu/lb> For etliylene refrigerant, r= 3.53, & Starling (2), we obtain the specific volume for ethylene at 15.65 psia and 1,016.3 Bru/Ib as 7.327 ft/lb. There- fore, the inlet volumetric fowrate for the frst stage is Vy ay = (199,924 x 7.927)/60 = 17,087 2/min The polytropic efficiency, mp, is 0.77 for flowrates ranging from 6,000 to 23,000 fe¥/mia, And from Eq, (8), we calculate the adiabatic efficiency, yy, as 0.74. The required compression power for the first stage is obaineci by using Eq, (7b): (29.02)(139,924) (74125445) 24, From (GHP), = = 2,157 hp Using Eq, (7a), we determine the firs:-stage discharge enthalpy as 4, ‘nas = (29.02/0.74) + 1,016.3 A material balance around the second compression stage yields the second-stage vapor flow: 85 — 72,656 +, 139,924 = 245,353 Ib/h 055.52 Bru/lb ‘A heat balance around the second compression stage yields the second-stage inlet enthalpy. (1,055,52)(139,924) + (1,024.71)(103,429) Bas Som cetera Fa Hyzay = 1,042.43 Bru/lb From Staring (2), we ind inlet entropy at 95.21 and 1,042.43 Bru/ib as 1.6711 Bu/lbjR), and the isentropic enthalpy at 194.75 psia as 1,081.35 Bru/lb. Substituting into Eq, (6), we obtain the adiabatic hhead across the second sage a AFlag = 1,081.35 — 1,082.4 ‘The required compression power for the second stage is determined from Eq (7 (38.92)(243,353) 38.92 Beu/lb (GHP), = 5,030 hp ‘The total compression’ horsepower, (GHP), is (CHP ly = S(CHP), (12) where JV is the number of stages. Hence, the compression horsepower required for the two-stage system becomes: (GHP), = 2,157 + 5,030 = 7,187 hp Using Bq. (7a), we now calculate the second-stage discharge enthalpy Hyg = (38.92/0.74) + 1,012.49 = 1,095 02 Btu/Ibndstage Buu/lb ubetzting into Bq (10) ysis the condenser d= {3095.02 — 876.05)(243,98 % 10°) 53,.29MM Btu/h ‘Three-stage system prveder co conserve energy, an alternative Pro sce ay be considered in which Tiquics 25 Pre scheme mages 12" and —149°F instead of hes rated liquide formed at —}45°F. This helps © 2 ne a yeftigeraton duty from SOMM Ba / ace prafh because Tiquids condensed $1 oT temperatures may not be su (etd chilling curve i shown in Fig. Ss Gar ming an analyan aria £0 that (OF © race ayer, the total compresion honsPews and stage myeuny requirements for a threeeg" AYeTY conden omgned. For a three-stage ethylene ee can deving te duties sown in Fg 9 we So Ne poner far te eines ene! A the condenser duty to Be: (GHP), = 577 Wi Que = 45.94MM Bru/h Effect of interstages ree stace the effect of intratages; Fetus consider Aha cemults for the three ethylene systems stages, N 2 3 (GHP)y, be 9,492, 7,187 5,477 en thum. ois A OOF ‘There isa definite reduction in horsepower and Gt" eae ty requirements. For these reltigeravion 7% cones he condenser duty becomes the reliHer=™ aed forthe propylene or propane rfrigore Ta summary, fore En pression horsepower for ethylene reTsBr=0 can be rostomer Teves the cascaded refrigerant will vevel toe lower compression-power requirement awe Nopane retrgeraion sytem, Table TV tes aoe ie eeer of interstage, without using te TOE, trates the Gntermediat levels. Its cleat from these dat Se conta is ropuced tho munbes Sea Increascd. However, i is important (0 stages he installation cost of such refrigeration SPs" nize tha Mnoreases as the number of stages, The oF. tems ate ny cost wll be a function of the specific Buin and has to be worked out fora set of eit renee ace Pert pli Kt ifthe comp ed by shifting refrigerant Toad from 1” OR case eee erty kos | Based upon experience with several refrigeration sy tears, the following correlation has been developed a5 a General cule for determining the optimam nursber of |. refrigeration levels onal con. § r 2 3 Stages of refrigeration no where R, the compression ratio, isthe condensing PLS vere Fs Jey the lowelevel suction prsrure (P. Bffect of condensing medium irc availabilty and choice of a medium for condens: ine nee Terigerant has «profound effet on the er ing in honsepower and, condensingeluty regu Prato a (a ilustrated the effect of the condensing Fae en refrigeration requirements for single» (00 eee wage systems. Let us consider a single 28 sd ene ragerant system, af summaraed Table V. le ye iluatrates that the colder the condensing ras aa the lower the refrigeration requirements, FoF med ocaions a condensing emperat ire of | moe Gull Cenmon, Ira comparable system i located 101Petra aca) Pcie eaereal Serre ey yes orton c Fee cn Cer erik ucou ero wwiicre eulder-ambicus vemperstures prevail, a. signifi- cant amount of energy could be saved. Table V also indicates to a certain extent the changes between sun mer and winter conditions as well as be:ween day and aight operations. Refrigerant subcooling Subeooling liquid refrigerants is very common in re- frigeration systems. Subcooling the refrigerant reduces the energy requirements. Its carried out when an avxil- jary source of cryogen is readily available, and the source streain needs to be heated. Subcooling can be ‘accomplished by simply installing a heat exchanges on the appropriate refrigerant and process streams s0 a8 to nase best use of available eryogen. ‘Let us consider installing a 3MM-Btu/h subcooler liguid ethylene refrigerant from the receiver at —45°F in the example for the earlier two-stage ethylene refrig- cation system. The second stage of this system and re- Tated data are shown in Fig. 10. Tet ¥, l/h, be the refrigerant flowrate to the sub- cooler, and (Y'— 139,924) the amount of vapor leaving the second-stage suction drum. We determine ¥ by per- Torming the energy balanee around the second stage: 876.03Y + (10 x 108) = 897.6%(139,924) + 1,024.71(Y — 139,924) + (3 X 10) Y = 223,174 Ib/h ‘When we compare this value of ¥ to the value of ¥ for the earlier two-stage system without a subcooler, we find a decrease in the flowrate of 20,179 Ib/h, ie, (243,353 — 223,174). The lower flowrate means re- duced comprestion horsepower and condenser duty. "The enthalpy of the refrigerant leaving the subcooler becomes 87605 — [(3 x 105)/223,174] = 862.61 Beu/Ib From Starling [2], we find the temperature of -65.9°F, Which corresponds to the enthalpy of 862.61 Bru/Ib, "The flowrate of refrigerant through the second-stage chiller becomes: to x 10° 71 = 86261) = 61,690 Ib/h ( As a result of subsooling, the flow of refrigerant through the second-stage chiller has been reduced from 67,268 Ib/h, to 61,690 Ib/is. This subcooling not only saves energy: but alsu reduces the size of piping and ‘equipment, which now handle a lesser amount of circu- lating refrigerant Refrigerant for reboiling Refrigerants have been successfully used for rebuiling services wherever applicable conditions exist. Reboiling is similar in concept to subcooling—heat is taken out of the refrigeration eycle Tn reboiling service, the refrigerast changes phase from vapor to liquid, and is esentally at constant tem perature and pressure. In subcooline service, the tem- perature of the liquid refrigerant is lowered before ashing. The liquid produced in a erboiler service is flashed to the next available stage to produce usefulrefrigeration, The reftigerant condensing pressure is a function of the reboiling temperature plus an appropri- ate temperature difference as a driving force, When refrigerant isused for reboiling se-vice and the liquid is flashed to the next stage, it creates a loop around the compressor, which has to be solved over sev- cral iterations. To illustrate the mechanics, let us con: sides, the reboiler arrangement in Fig. 11, The outline for the iteration is; Step 1—Assume Hyy = He Step 2—Determine My fro! ‘known for saturated liquid: ‘Step 3—Determine my, Step 4—Derermine mg, and Hy Step SIF yg < mg, proceed %0 calculations for the next stage by determining: Paollag P/(Hgg — Hyg), Hog is Hy= SUD 6=HE ngg > May then Hy Ta this case, vapors will be withdrawn from the com= ressor's fourth-stage inlet, and rigs < mga. Step 7—Repeat Steps 2 through 6 unt (Aeontn cate. = Feadin-nen eae Refrigerant cascading Tn the cascading ef refrigerants, warmer reftigerants condense cooler ones, Based on the low-temperatere requirements of a process, a refrigerant that is capable of providing the desired ‘cold temperature is selected For example, the lowest attainable temperature from ethylene refrigerant is ~ 150°F (for a postive compres. sor-surtion pressure), whereas the lowest temperature level for propylene is —50°F (fora similar postive pres sure), The wormest temperature level to condense ethy ene is ite critical temperature of about 50°F, This tem. erature requires unusually high compression BP IRENE er ratios—making an ethylene compressor for such service complicated and ‘uneconomical In a refrigeration cycle, energy is wansferred from lower to higher temperature levels economically by using water or ambient air as the ultimate heat sink. In order to condense ethane at 50°F, a heat sink at about 45°F is necessary. Since most cooling-water tempera tures are higher than 45°F, propane refrigerant can be cascaded with ethane reftigerant to transfer energy from the ethane system into the cooling water: ‘An example of a cascaded system is shown in Fig, 12, where an ethane system cascades into a propane system, ‘The condenser duty fer the ethane system is 30.71MM Btu/h. This duty becomes the refrigeration. load for the propane system along with ic 23MM Bru/h reftigeration at —40°F. Therefore, the propane refrigeration system has to be designed to pro> vide a total of 53.71MM Buu/h at ~40°F in addition to CMM Buu/h at —3.9°F and 7MM Btu/h at 43.9°F, ‘Steven Danae, Eder References 1 Billet Muitage Comprenor, Bal P-23A, Eliot Go. Jeanette, Pa, 1975, 2 Sa "rant een ih Pes Se Bree TSR Bee ‘The author Yur R. Mela isang secs ard sign fl fae rican Teg to ee ‘echnical Frets an MS tn chia! edge from the Unverty af Calne ae eed pi seenbe FASE: Navona Sie of Sie-ot Profesional Byineen Aw TENA RGNTTENE TTS 103