PROJECT ON

DOMESTIC ELECTROLUX REFRIGERATION

SYSTEM

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

S.NO. TOPIC PAGE NO.

1 CANDIDATE’S DECLARTION 5
2 CERTIFICATE 6
3 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT 7
4 INTRODUCTION 8
5 WHAT IS ELECTROLUX REFRIGERATOR 9
6 VAPOUR ABSORPTION SYSTEM 10
7 SIMPLE VAPOUR ABSORPTION 11
8 UNIT OF REFRIGERATION 14
9 PRINCIPLE & WORKING 15
10 PROPERTIES 18
11 ADVANTAGES 20
12 APPLICATIONS 22
13 CONCLUSION 22

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 CANDIDATE’S DECLARTION

I hereby certify that the work which is being presented by Amit Jaiswal,
Ajay Singh Chauhan, Rajeev Kumar, Raman Kumar, Vijay Kumar in partial
fulfillment of requirement for the award of degree of B.Tech. in
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING submitted at KALPI INSTITUTE OF
TECHNOLOGY under KURUKSHETRA UNIVERSITY, KURUKSHETRA is an
authentic record of my own work carried out under the supervision of Er.
Harish Kumar Sharma (HOD) and Er. Vikas Kunnar.

Project Member:

Amit Jaiswal [5808614]

Ajay Singh Chauhan [5808615]
Rajeev Kumar [5808608]
Raman Kumar [5808606]
Vijay Kumar [5808613]

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 CERTIFICATE

This is to certify that Project Associates Amit Jaiswal (5808614), Vijay

Kumar (5808613), Raman Kumar (5808606), Rajeev Kumar (5808608) ,Ajay
Singh Chauhan (5808615) of Bachelor of Technology 8th sem, Mech. Engg.
have successfully completed the project on DOMESTIC ELECTROLUX
REFRIGERATION SYSTEM . In the partial fulfillment for the award of
Bachelor of Technology degree from KURUKSHETRA UNIVERSITY,
KURUKSHETRA during academic 2014-2015.

We wish him a prosperous, happy and bright future with all the great
silvery success in his career.

Er. Harish Kumar Sharma Er. Vikas Kunnar

Head Of Deptt. Lect. Deptt. Of Mech. Engg.
Mech. Engg.

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 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

I am highly grateful to the Dr. V.P. ANEJA (Director), KALPI INSTITUTE OF

TECHNOLOGY, for providing this opportunity to carry out the project.
The constant guidance and encouragement received from Er. Vikas Kunnar,
Department of Mechanical Engineering, has been of great help in carrying
out work and is acknowledged with reverential thanks. Without the wise
counsel and able guidance, it would have been impossible to complete the
project in this manner.

I express gratitude to order faculty members of Mechanical Engineering

department, KALPI INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, for their intellectual
support throughout the course of this work.

Project Member:

Amit Jaiswal [5808614]

Vijay Kumar [5808613]
Rajeev Kumar [5808608]
Raman Kumar [5808606]
Ajay Singh Chauhan [5808615]

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INTRODUCTION

DOMESTIC ELECTROLUX REFRIGERATOR

• The domestic absorption type refrigerator was developed

from an invention by Carl Munters and Baltzer Von Platen. This
system is often called “Munters Platen System”.

• This type of refrigerator is also called “Three-fluids

absorption system”. The three fluids used in this system are
ammonia, hydrogen and water.

- The “ammonia” is used as a refrigerant because it possesses

most of the desirable properties.

Though it is toxic, and not otherwise preferred in domestic

appliances, it is very safe in this system due to absence of any
moving parts in the system and , therefore, there is the least
chance of any leakage.

- The “hydrogen” being the lightest gas, is used to increase

the rate of evaporation (the lighter the gas, faster is the
evaporation) of the liquid ammonia passing through the
evaporator. The hydrogen is also non-corrosive and insoluble in
water. This is used in the low-pressure side of the system.

- The “water” is used as a solvent because it has the ability to

absorb ammonia readily.

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It is a heat operated system. It is quite similar to Vapour
Compression systems. Condensation and evaporation takes place
at two different pressure levels to achieve refrigeration. The main
motive is to raise the temperature of the refrigerant from
evaporator pressure to condenser pressure. Here refrigerant is
dissolved in inert liquid in absorber and pumped to condenser.
After raising pressure of refrigerant it is separated from solution
by heating. After condensation in condenser, refrigerant is
throttled by expansion valve and then it evaporates in evaporator
providing the refrigeration effect.
What is Electrolux Refrigerators ?

The most popular type of refrigerator which employs vapor

absorption system is the electrolux refrigerator. It works on three
fluid absorption system. A three fluid system employs a
refrigerant, a solvent and an inert gas, and eliminate the aqua
pump from the system thus making it completely free from
moving parts.

The whole plant is separated into two section, the "low

side" in which evaporation is effected by a steadily maintained
low pressure and a high side" where the reclamation of the
refrigerant in a liquid state is achieved under the influence of high
pressure and heat.

Ammonia gas coming out of the boiler is passed through

the rectifier or water separator which is provided between the
boiler and the condenser so as to prevent the entry of any water
vapour into the evaporator where it would freeze and stroke the
machine. After this the gas is liquefied in the condenser from
where it gravities to a U-tube gas seal containing liquid ammonia

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and then enters the evaporator. The whole plant is charged to a
pressure of about 1 kg/cm square. The evaporator contains
hydrogen at a pressure of 12 kg/cm square, Therefore as soon as
ammonia enters the evaporator it pressure falls to 2 kgf/cm-
square according to Dalton law of partial pressure keeping the
same total pressure and corresponding temperature being about
-18C. Due to low temperature; ammonia evaporates taking its
heat from the refrigerated space and thus produce cooling effect.

The heavy mixture of ammonia vapour and hydrogen then

passes into the absorber where it met water coming from the
boiler. In the absorber ammonia is absorbed in water shiest
hydrogen rises up and returns to the evaporator. The strong
solution of ammonia issuing from the absorber is preheated in
the inter charger, and in urn dilute solution on its way to the
absorber, is cooled therefore absorption is accelerated.

Since the total pressure on the high and low sides

are equal so the only pressure head against which the liquid is to
be forced so that it may enter the boiler is"h".The necessary
pumping action to overcome this head is achieved by applying a
small amount of heat to the coil a t"A". This way the ammonia
vapour continuously circulates and thus produces cold in the
evaporator.

What is Vapor Absorption System ?

VAPOR ABSORPTION SYSTEM

The vapor absorption system differs from the compression

system in a way that it uses heat energy instead of mechanical

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energy to make a change in the conditions necessary to complete
the refrigeration cycle. The heat energy for this purpose may be
obtained form a gas burner, kerosene oil lamp or electric heater.
The system uses a minimum number of moving parts. The only
moving part used smaller units are valves and controls bat larger
units use circulating pumps and fans also. Due to the absence of
moving parts such units are quiet in operation and may be used
for both commercial and domestic installation.

The working of an absorption machine depends upon the use of

two substances which have great affinity for each other and
which can be easily separated by the application of heat. The
principal combination euphoric acid water or ammonia and water
the latter deign quite common are use.

SIMPLE VAPOUR ABSORPTION SYSTEM

If the compressor in a vapor compression system were replaced

with a generator is absorber assembly the result would be a
simple absorption system.

In this case the low pressure refrigerant vapor coming from the
evaporator is absorbed in the absorber by the weak solution. Of
refrigerant water, absorption of ammonia lower the pressure in
the absorber, which in turn draws more ammonia vapor from the
evaporator some form of cooling arrangement usually water
cooling, is employed in the absorber to remove the heat of
solution evolved there. This is necessary to increase the
absorption capacity of water because it is tick if refrigerant The
pump draws strong solution from the absorbers builds up a
pressure up to 10 kgf/cm square and forces the strong solution in

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the generator.

In the generator the strong solution of ammonia is heated by

some external source such as gas or steam in the heating process
the ammonia vapor driven our of the solution as a high pressure
vapor leaving behind in the generator a weak solution. The weak
solution flows back to the absorber through a restriction which
maintains the pressure differential between the high and low
sides of the system. From the generator the refrigerant vapor is
conducted to the condenser where it is condensed. Then the high
pressure liquid ammonia is passed through a throttle valve to the
evaporator where it absorbs its latent heat thus procuring cold.

Ammonia vapour from evaporator is absorbed by water in

absorber. Condensation heat released is absorbed by cooling
water.
After being pumped to generator, heat is supplied which gives
ammonia vapour. Weak sol. sent back to absorber.
High pressure vapour is condensed to high pressure liquid
ammonia in condenser.
Liquid ammonia is throttled by expansion valve, and then it
evaporates absorbing heat from evaporator. Simple Vapour
Absorption System
The vapour absorption refrigeration system is one of the method
of producing refrigerating effect.
Uses heat energy instead of mechanical energy as in vapour
compression system.
In the vapour absorption system the compressor is replaced by an
absorber, a pump, a generator, a pressure reducing valve.
These component in vapour absorption system perform the same
function as that of a compressor in vapour compression system.

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The term ‘refrigeration’ may be defined as the process of
removing heat from a substance under controlled condition.
In other words the refrigeration means a continued extraction of
heat from a body whose temperature is already below the
temperature of its surrounding.

Practical Absorption System

The simple absorption system discussed above can function and

provide refrigeration but its operating efficiency will be very low.
In order to make it more refrigeration but its operating efficiency
will be very low. In order to make it more practical it is fitted with
a heat exchanger, an analyzer and a rectifier. These accessories
which help to improve the performance and working f the plant
are described below.

• Heat Exchanger: The location of the heat exchanger between

the generator and absorbers is ideal. The strong solution pumped
from the absorber to the generator must be heated; and the
weak solution form the generator to the absorber must e cold.
The heat exchanger between the two streams therefore reduces
both the cost of heating the generator and the cost of cooling
absorber.

• Analyzer: The analyzer is a direct contact heat exchanger

consisting of series of tray mounted above the generator. Its
function is to remove partly some of the unwanted water particle
associated with ammonia vapor going to the condenser. The
water vapor if allowed to enter to condenser may enter the
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expansion valve where they will freeze and choke the pipe line.

Rectifier:
The final reduction of the percentage of water vapor occurs in
the rectifier, water cooled heat exchanger which condenses
water vapor and returns it to the generator. The net refrigerating
effect of such a machine is the heat extracted in the evaporator.
The total energy supplied for operating the machine is the sum of
the work done by the liquid pump and the heat supplied in the
generator.

UNITS OF REFRIGERATION-

The practical unit of refrigertion is expressed in terms of “tonne

of refrigeration.

REFRIGERANT-

Refrigerant is a heat carrying medium in the refrigeration

system,which absorb heat from the low temp system and discard
heat so absorb to a higher temperature system.
In the vapour absorption refrigeration system we use ammonia as
the refrigerant.

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Principle and Working of Electrolux Refrigerators.

Shows a schematic diagram of an „Electrolux refrigerator‟. It is a

domestic refrigerator and is the best known absorption type of
refrigerator. Here pump is dispensed with. The small energy
supply is by means of a heater which may be electric or gas.

Principle.

The principle involved makes use of the properties of gas-vapor

mixtures. If a liquid is exposed to an inert atmosphere, it will
evaporate until the atmosphere is saturated with the vapor of the

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liquid. This evaporation requires heat which is taken from the
surroundings in which the evaporation takes place. A cooling
effect is thus produced. The partial pressures of the refrigerant
vapor (in this case ammonia) must be low in the evaporator, and
higher in the condenser. The total pressure throughout the circuit
must be constant so that the only movement of the working fluid
is by convection currents. The partial pressure of ammonia is kept
low in requisite parts of the circuit by concentrating hydrogen in
those parts.

Working.

The ammonia liquid leaving the condenser enters the evaporator

and evaporates into the hydrogen at the low temperature
corresponding to its low partial pressure. The mixture of
ammonia and hydrogen passes to the absorber into which is also
admitted water from the separator. The water absorbs the
ammonia and the hydrogen returns to the evaporator. In the
absorber the ammonia therefore passes from the ammonia
circuit into water circuit as ammonia in water solution. This
strong solution passes to the generator where it is heated and
the vapor given off rises to the separator. The water with the
vapor is separated out and a weak solution of ammonia is passed
back to the absorber, thus completing the water circuit. The
ammonia vapor rises from the separator to the condenser where
it is condensed and then returned to the evaporator.

The actual plant includes refinements and practical modifications

(which are not included here). The following points are worth
noting:

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• The complete cycle is carried out entirely by gravity flow of
the refrigerant.

• The hydrogen gas circulates only from the absorber to the

evaporator and back.

• With this type of machine efficiency is not important since

the energy input is small.

• It has not been used for industrial applications as the C.O.P.

of the system is very low.

Role of Hydrogen.

By the presence of hydrogen it is possible to maintain uniform

total pressure throughout the system and at the same time
permit the refrigerant to evaporate at low temperature in the
evaporator corresponding to its partial pressure. Thus the
condenser and evaporator pressures of the refrigerant are
maintained as below:

(i) In the condenser only ammonia is present, and the total

pressure is the condensing pressure.

(ii) In the evaporator hydrogen and ammonia are present; their

relative masses are adjusted such that the partial pressure of
ammonia is the required evaporator pressure.

These are achieved without the use of pumps or valves.

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POINTS WORTH NOTING (FOR ELECTROLUX REF.)
• Complete cycle is carried out entirely by flow of gravity of
refrigerant.
• With this type of machine, efficiency is not important since the
energy input is very small.
• Due to low C.O.P, it cannot be used for industrial purposes.
ROLE OF HYDROGEN
• Helps in maintaining uniform total pressure throughout the
system.
• Permits the refrigerant to evaporate at low temperature in
evaporator, corresponding to its partial pressure.

PROPERTIES OF IDEAL REFRIGERANT & ABSORBENT

Properties of ideal refrigerant :

• It should boil b/w 2˚-10 ˚C and condense at 40 ˚C or above.

(pressure around atmospheric)
• Large latent heat of vaporization.
• High critical temperature.
• Low specific heat.
• Stability in complete cycle. Properties of ideal absorbent :

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• Greater affinity for refrigerant.
• Heat released during absorption of refrigerant should be
minimum.
• High boiling point.
• Low specific heat.
• Chemical stability.

PROPERTIES OF IDEAL REFRIGERANT- ABSORBENT

COMBINATION

• Refrigerant should have high affinity for absorber at low

temperatures & less affinity at high temperatures.
• Mixture should have low specific heat and viscosity.
• It should be non-corrosive.
• Large difference in normal boiling points of refrigerant and
absorbent. Commonly used combinations in air- conditioning
applications :
• Ammonia-water
• Lithium-bromide water

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Advantages and Disadvantages of Electrolux
Refrigerator over Conventional Refrigerators:

Advantages:

As there is no moving part in the entire system, the operation is

essentially quite and subjected to a very little wear.
The load variations does not effect the performance of a vapour
absorption system.
Absorption system may be designed to use any readily available
source of thermal energy such as process steam ,hot exhaust
from furnaces and solar energy, there fore they can be used in
places where electric power is hard to obtain or is very expensive.
Here pump is used for pumping refrigerant absorbant solution,
which consume less power.
Maintance cost is low as because of absence of moving part.

1. No pump or compressor is required.

2. No mechanical troubles, maintenance cost is low.

3. No lubrication problem; no wear and tear.

4. Completely leak proof.

5. Noiseless.

6. No chance of pressure unbalancing and no need of valves.

7. System may be designed to use any available source of

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thermal energy-process steam, exhaust from engines or turbines,
solar energy etc.

8. Easy control, simply by controlling heat input.

Disadvantages:

1. More complicated in construction and working.

2. C.O.P. very low.

3. The major disadvantages of this type of refrigerator are that

if it is spoiled once, it cannot be repaired and has to be replaced
fully.
4. Set up is too large as it consists of three more equipment
those are absorber, generator ,and pump.
5. Initial cost is high.
6. Corrosive in nature.
7. Low working pressure.
8. Due to low working pressure the cop of vapour refrigeraton
is low,it is about 1.1.
9. High heat rejection system is required, as heat is being
rejected from condenser, analyser, rectifier and absorber.

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APPLICATION :

 This system is used in domestic.

 It is also used in power plant.

CONCLUSION :

From the above discussion we conclude that vapour absorption

refrigeration system is one of the important refrigeration system
which can work in the absence of electric current.
And during the operation it produces less noise,because due to
the absence of moving part,so it is more preferable than the
compression refrigeration system.

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