Theory

A refrigeration cycle works to lower and maintain the temperature of a controlled space by
heat transfer region.

Refrigeration duty is another term for the cooling effect of the refrigeration system, which is
the rate of heat being removed from the low temperature region with specified evaporation
and condensation temperatures. The unit for duty measurement is in Watts (for 1 ton of
refrigeration = 3517W).

Ideal refrigeration system follows the theoretical Reversed Carnot Cycle process. In practical
refrigerators, compression and expansion of a gas and vapour mixture presents practical
problems in the compressor and expander. Therefore, in practical refrigeration, compression
usually takes place in the superheated condition and a throttling process is substituted for the
isentropic expansion.
The cycle:

1 - 2 Condensation of the high pressure vapour during which heat is transferred to the high
temperature region.

2 3 Adiabatic throttling of the condensed vapour from the condensing to the evaporating
pressure.

3 4 Evaporation of the low pressure liquid during which heat is absorbed from the low
temperature source.

4 1 Isentropic compression of the vapour, from the evaporating the condensing pressures.

Energy Transfer Analysis

Compressor
41 = 4 1 + 41
If compression is adiabatic,
41 = 0, 41 = 1 4 =

Power requirement, P = ( ), where the flow rate of working fluid per unit time.

Condenser
12 = 2 1 +
W= 0 therefore = and rate of heat rejection Q = ( ),

Expansion Valve
23 = 3 2 +
W= 0, therefore = and process is assumed adiabatic
Therefore =
Evaporator
34 = 4 3 +

W= 0, therefore = and rate of heat absorbed Q = ( )

Coefficient of Performance, :

= =