Simple Vapour Compression Cycle

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October 5,
2019

Simple vapour compression cycle is a system where the suitable working substance is
used, called as a refrigerant. It evaporates and condenses at pressure and temperature
closes to atmospheric conditions. The refrigerant used is carbon dioxide, ammonia etc.
The refrigerant used is circulated throughout the evaporating and condensing unit.

The simple vapour compression cycle is nowadays used for all-purpose refrigeration. It is
generally used for a small domestic refrigerator to a big air conditioning plant.

MECHANISM
1. COMPRESSOR: Refrigerant with low pressure and temperature from the
evaporator moves to the compressor through inlet or suction valve where it is
compressed to high temperature and pressure. The high temperature and
pressure vapour refrigerant are discharged into the condenser through discharge
or delivery valve.

2. CONDENSER: The Condenser consists of coils of pipe in which the vapour

refrigerant of high pressure and temperature is cooled and condensed. The
refrigerant gives the latent heat to the surrounding condensing medium which is
water or air in general.

3. RECEIVER: The liquid refrigerant from the condenser unit is stored in the receiver
where it is supplied to the evaporator through the expansion valve.

4. EXPANSION VALVE: It is also known as throttle vale. The main purpose of an

expansion valve is to allow the liquid refrigerant to pass at a controlled rate after
reducing its pressure and temperature. Some of the liquid refrigerants evaporate
as it passes through the expansion valve, but a greater amount is vaporised into
the evaporator at low temperature and pressure.

4. EVAPORATOR: The liquid – vapour refrigerant is evaporated and changed into

vapour refrigerant at low pressure and temperature. In the evaporator, the liquid
vapour refrigerant absorbs the latent heat of vaporisation from the medium i.e. air
or water.

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 Source: Wikipedia

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF SIMPLE VAPOUR

COMPRESSION CYCLE

ADVANTAGES
1. Smaller in size with a given capacity of refrigeration.Less running cost.
2. Employed for a large range of temperatures.
3. O.P is quite high.

DISADVANTAGES
1. The initial cost is high.
2. Leakage of the refrigerant is the major problem in the simple vapour compression
cycle.

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