VAPOUR

COMPRESSION
REFRIGERATION
SYSTEMS
BIBIN CHIDAMBARANATHAN
Simple Vapour Compression Refrigeration Systems
• A vapour compression refrigeration system is an improved type of air
refrigeration system in which a suitable working substance, termed
as refrigerant, is used.

• It condenses and evaporates at temperatures and pressures close to

the atmospheric conditions. The refrigerants, usually, used for this
purpose are ammonia (NH3), carbon dioxide (CO2) and sulphur
dioxide (SO2).
Simple Vapour Compression Refrigeration Systems
• The refrigerant used, does not leave the system, but is circulated
throughout the system alternately condensing and evaporating.

• In evaporating, the refrigerant absorbs its latent heat from the brine (salt
water) which is used for circulating it around the cold chamber.

• While condensing, it gives out its latent heat to the circulating water of the
cooler.

• The vapour compression refrigeration system is, therefore a latent heat

pump, as it pumps its latent heat from the brine and delivers it to the
cooler.
Simple Vapour Compression Refrigeration Systems
• The vapour compression refrigeration system is now-a-days used for
all purpose refrigeration.

• It is generally used for all industrial purposes from a small domestic

refrigerator to a big air conditioning plant.
Advantages over air refrigeration system

• It has smaller size for the given capacity of refrigeration.

• It has less running cost.

• It can be employed over a large range of temperatures.

• The coefficient of performance is quite high.

Disadvantages over air refrigeration system

• The initial cost is high.

• The prevention of leakage of the refrigerant is the major problem in

vapour compression system.
Essential parts
• A simple vapour compression refrigeration system consists of the
following five essential parts:

• Compressor:

• Condenser:

• Receiver

• Expansion valve:

• Evaporator:
Construction
Functions of Parts
• 1. Compressor

• The function of a compressor is to remove the vapour from the

evaporator, and to raise its temperature and pressure to a point such
that it (vapour) can be condensed with available condensing media.

• 2. Discharge line (or hot gas line).

• A hot gas or discharge line delivers the high-pressure, high-

temperature vapour from the discharge of the compressor to the
condenser.
Functions of Parts
• 3. Condenser.

• The function of a condenser is to provide a heat transfer surface

through which heat passes from the hot refrigerant vapour to the
condensing medium.

• 4. Receiver tank.

• A receiver tank is used to provide storage for a condensed liquid so

that a constant supply of liquid is available to the evaporator as
required.
Functions of Parts
• 5. Liquid line.

• A liquid line carries the liquid refrigerant from the receiver tank to
the refrigerant flow control.

• 6. Expansion valve (refrigerant flow control).

• Its function is to meter the proper amount of refrigerant to the

evaporator and to reduce the pressure of liquid entering the
evaporator so that liquid will vapourize in the evaporator at the
desired low temperature and take out sufficient amount of heat.
Functions of Parts
• 7. Evaporator.

• An evaporator provides a heat transfer surface through which heat

can pass from the refrigerated space into the vapourizing refrigerant.

• 8. Suction line.

• The suction line conveys the low pressure vapour from the
evaporator to the suction inlet of the compressor.
Working
• Compressor:

• The low pressure and temperature vapour refrigerant from evaporator is

drawn into the compressor through the inlet or suction valve A, where it
is compressed to a high pressure and temperature.

• This high pressure and temperature vapour refrigerant is discharged into

the condenser through the delivery valve B.
Working
• Condenser:

• The condenser or cooler consists of coils of pipe in which the high

pressure and temperature vapour refrigerant is cooled and condensed.

• The refrigerant, while, passing through the condenser, gives up its latent
heat to the surrounding condensing medium which is normally air or
water.
Working
• Receiver:

• The condensed liquid refrigerant from the condenser is stored in a vessel

known as receiver from where it is supplied to the evaporator through
the expansion valve or refrigerant control valve
Working
• Expansion valve:

• It is also called throttle valve or refrigerant control valve.

• The function of the expansion valve is to allow the liquid refrigerant

under high pressure and temperature to pass at a controlled rate after
reducing its pressure and temperature.

• Some of the liquid refrigerant evaporates as it passes through the

expansion valve, but the greater portion is vaporized in the evaporator at
the low pressure and temperature.
Working
• Evaporator:

• An evaporator consists of coils of pipe in which the liquid-vapour

refrigerant at low pressure and temperature is evaporated and changed
into vapour refrigerant at low pressure and temperature.

• In evaporating, the liquid vapour refrigerant absorbs its latent heat of

vaporization from the medium (air, water or brine) which is to be cooled.
Pressure-Enthalpy (Total Heat) Chart:
• The pressure-total heat, or pressure-
enthalpy chart is probably the most
convenient chart for refrigeration
calculations

• Horizontal lines represent constant

pressure lines, vertical lines are constant
enthalpy lines, while lines of constant
temperature and of constant entropy are
also plotted and are shown in Fig.
Pressure-Enthalpy (Total Heat) Chart:
• A typical chart is shown above. in which a few
important lines of the complete chart are drawn.

• The saturated liquid line and the saturated vapour line

merge into one another at the critical point.

• A saturated liquid is one which has a temperature

equal to the saturation temperature corresponding to
its pressure.

• The space to the left of the saturated liquid line will,

therefore, be sub-cooled liquid region.

• The space between the liquid and the vapour lines is

called wet vapour region and to the right of the
saturated vapour line is a superheated vapour region.
Simple Vapour Compression Cycle on P-h Chart
• A simple vapour compression cycle is shown by
1—2—3—4—1 on P-h chart of Fig.

• 1- 2 Isentropic compression in compressor.

• 2- 3 Constant pressure cooling (Heat rejection).

• 3- 4 Isenthalpic expansion through expansion

valve.

• 4- 1 Constant pressure heat absorption

Actual Vapour Compression Refrigeration Cycle:
• The theoretical vapour compression cycle. The cycle as applied in practice, however,
differs considerably from the theoretical cycle.
• An actual vapour compression cycle is shown in Fig. on T-S diagram
Actual Vapour Compression Refrigeration Cycle:
• The theoretical vapour compression cycle. The cycle as applied in practice, however,
differs considerably from the theoretical cycle.
• An actual vapour compression cycle is shown in Fig. on T-S diagram
Actual Vapour Compression Refrigeration Cycle:
• (i) Process 1-2-3:

• This process represents the passage of refrigerant through the

evaporator coil at 𝑃𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑝𝑜𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 and T., represents the entry of vapour to
compressor in superheated condition.

• Superheating upto this point may be either due to larger removal of heat
from the evaporator; (this is an advantage) or due to heat picked up by
the vapour in suction piping which is a disadvantage.
Actual Vapour Compression Refrigeration Cycle:
• (ii) Process 3-4-5-6-7-8:
• This process represents the passage of vapour through the compressor, and shows
several departures from the theoretical process.
• (a) Both the suctions and discharge valves of the compressor are actuated by pressure
difference.
• Hence the actual suction pressure 𝑝𝑠 in the cylinder is lower than the evaporator
pressure (𝑝𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑝 ).
• Similarly the actual discharge pressure (𝑝𝑑 ) will be higher than the condenser
pressure (𝑝𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 ).
• There is thus throttling effect in both the suction and discharge valves.
• Pressure 3-4 and 7-8 represent this throttling effect through Δ𝑝𝑠 and Δ𝑝𝑑 respectively.
Actual Vapour Compression Refrigeration Cycle:
• (b) As soon as the cold vapour enters the cylinder it gets heated by coming in
contact with the hot cylinder walls.

• Hence the temperature of the vapour increases.

• This heating is represented by process 4—5.

• Similarly there is a cooling effect at the discharge which is represented by

process 6-7.
Actual Vapour Compression Refrigeration Cycle:
• (c) States 5 and 6, therefore, represent the initial and final condition of vapour
during actual compression.

• The compression may neither be isentropic nor polytropic.

• It may be assumed that the heat absorbed by the gas during the first part of
compression is equal to the heat rejected during the latter part.

• The actual compression process is as shown by process 5-6 in Fig.

Actual Vapour Compression Refrigeration Cycle:
• (iii) Process 8-9-10-11:

• This process represents the passage of refrigerant through the condenser

at pressure (𝑝𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 )

• Process 8-9 is actually the removal of superheat,

• 9-10 is the removal of latent heat and

• 10-11 represents the sub-cooling of refrigerant liquid.

Actual Vapour Compression Refrigeration Cycle:
• (iv) Process 11

• This process represents the throttling of sub-cooled liquid from state 11

so as to result in state 1 at the entry to the evaporator, after expansion.
Effect of Under Cooling or Sub-Cooling
• Undercooling or sub-cooling of the liquid takes place when the liquid
is cooled below the saturation temperature corresponding to
condenser pressure, before admitted to the throttle valve or
expansion valve.

• Undercooling of the liquid is generally along the constant pressure

line.
Effect of Under Cooling or Sub-Cooling
• This is represented by line 3-3′ both on T-S and P-h diagrams of Fig.

• Many times this undercooling is shown wrongly along the liquid line of T-S diagram (3-3″).

• Undercooling is brought about by circulating greater quantity of cooling water through the condenser.
Effect of Under Cooling or Sub-Cooling
• Many times undercooling of liquid refrigerant coming out
of the condenser is brought about by the vapours coming
from the evaporator thus vapours are superheated to
some extent.

• The coefficient of performance COP may be increased by

what is known as precooling or undercooling. It will be
noticed from the diagrams of Fig. 36.27 that the net
refrigerating effect has been increased by the area 4’—
4—6—5’— 4′. The work done in compressed is not
increased in that proportion and hence the coefficient of
performance is increased by undercooling the liquid.
Effect of an Expansion Cylinder
• If, instead of expanding the high-pressure liquid at 3
(coming from the condenser) through an expansion valve,
it is expanded in an expansion cylinder or expander, thus
driving the piston, work may be obtained which could be
utilized in helping to drive the compression cylinder or
compressor.

• By this method less external power would be required to

drive or run the refrigerator.
Effect of an Expansion Cylinder
• The work saved by the expansion cylinder is represented by the
area 3—3’—4′.

• The high pressure liquid at 3 is expanded isentropically to 4′ and

the wet vapour is then forced through the brine tank or
refrigerator.

• The net refrigerating effect is now increased by the area 4’—4—

5—6—4′ and the work required to drive the compression is less
and hence the coefficient of performance is increased to a large
extent.

• The expansion cylinder is not used in practice, as the work saved

is insufficient to overcome the friction of the necessary
mechanism
Effect of Superheating
• If the vapour is compressed after it has become dry and
saturated then the vapour becomes superheated.

• This is shown on T-S diagram of Fig.

• The effect of this superheating of vapour on the

performance of the cycle COP can be studied from this
diagram.

• The vapour is drawn in the compressor cylinder at the

condition of 1′ and is compressed to 2′, the temperature
being 𝑇𝑠𝑢𝑝.

• Remaining cycle processes remain unchanged as shown.

 PROBLEM
ON
VAPOUR COMPRESSION
REFRIGERATION CYCLE
01
BIBIN CHIDAMBARANATHAN
PROBLEM 01 :
A vapour compression refrigerator works between the pressure limits of 60 bar and 25
bar. The working fluid is just dry at the end of compression and there is no undercooling
of the liquid before the expansion valve. Determine the
i) C.O.P of the cycle
ii) capacity of the refrigerator if the fluid flow is at the rate of 5 kg /min. Use the below
table.
Saturation Enthalpy (KJ/kg) Entropy(KJ/Kg K)
Pressure
Temperature
(bar) Liquid Vapour Liquid Vapour
(K)

60 295 61.9 208.1 0.197 0.703

25 261 -18.4 234.5 -0.075 0.896

Given Data:
@ state 2; P2 = 60 bar 𝐷𝑟𝑦 𝑠𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑

@ state 3; P3 = 60 bar 𝑁𝑜 𝑢𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑟𝑐𝑜𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔

𝑘𝑔 𝑘𝑔
𝑀𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 ṁ = 5 = 0.0833
𝑚𝑖𝑛 𝑠

@ state 1; P1 = 25 bar p
T
𝟑 𝑝2 = 𝑝3
𝟐
@ state 4; P4 = 25 bar Cond 𝟑 𝑇2 = 𝑇3
𝟐

Exp
Cond
𝑝1 = 𝑝4
𝟒

Comp
To find: Evap
𝟏
𝑇1 = 𝑇4
h 𝟒 𝟏
𝒉𝟒 = 𝒉𝟑 Evap
C.O.P of the cycle (𝐶𝑂𝑃)=?
𝒔𝟏 = 𝒔𝟐 s

Capacity of the refrigerator ( 𝐶𝑅) =?

Formula p

𝟑 𝑝2 = 𝑝3
𝟐
𝑅𝐸 Cond
𝐶𝑂𝑃 𝑜𝑓 𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝐶𝑂𝑃 =
𝑊𝑐

Exp
𝑝1 = 𝑝4
𝟒
Evap
𝟏

𝒉𝟒 = 𝒉𝟑 h
𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑑𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑟 𝑊𝑐 = ℎ2 − ℎ1
T

𝟑 𝑇2 = 𝑇3
𝟐
𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑅𝐸 = ℎ1 − ℎ4 Cond

Comp
𝑇1 = 𝑇4
𝟒 𝟏
Evap

𝐶𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝐶𝑅 = 𝑚.ሶ 𝑅𝐸 𝒔𝟏 = 𝒔𝟐 s

Solution: @ state 2; P2 = 60 bar; 𝐷𝑟𝑦 𝑠𝑎𝑡𝑢𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑

𝑘𝐽
h2 = ℎg2 = 208.1
𝑘𝑔
𝑘𝐽 𝑘𝐽
s2 = sg2 = 0.703 s1 = s2 = 0.703
𝑘𝑔 𝐾 𝑘𝑔 𝐾
 𝑘𝐽
@ state 1; P1 = 25 bar s1 = s2 = 0.703
𝑘𝑔 𝐾

𝑘𝐽
𝑠g1 = 0.896 𝒔1 < 𝒔𝒈1 𝑊𝑒𝑡
𝑘𝑔
 𝑘𝐽
@ state 1; P1 = 25 bar; Wet s2 = s1 = 0.703
𝑘𝑔 𝐾

s1 = sf1 + 𝑥1 . sfg1

s1 = sf1 + 𝑥1 . (sg1 −sf1 ) 𝑘𝐽

𝑠f1 = −0.075
𝑘𝑔 𝐾
0.703 = −0.075 + 𝑥1 . (0.896 − (−0.075)) 𝑘𝐽
𝑠g1 = 0.896
𝑘𝑔 𝐾
x1 = 0.801
@ state 1; P1 = 25 bar; Wet x1 = 0.801

h1 = hf1 + 𝑥1 . hfg1

h1 = hf1 + 𝑥1 . (ℎg1 −hf1 ) 𝑘𝐽

ℎf1 = −18.4
𝑘𝑔
h1 = −18.4 + 0.801 × (234.5 − (−18.4)) 𝑘𝐽
ℎg1 = 234.5
𝑘𝐽 𝑘𝑔
ℎ1 = 184.173
𝑘𝑔
@ state 3; P3 = 60 bar; No under cooling

h3 = ℎf3 𝐹𝑟𝑜𝑚 𝑝 − ℎ 𝑑𝑖𝑎𝑔𝑟𝑎𝑚, h4 = ℎ3

𝑘𝐽 𝑘𝐽
h3 = ℎf3 = 61.9 h4 = ℎ3 = 61.9
𝑘𝑔 𝑘𝑔
 𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑅𝐸 = ℎ1 − ℎ4
𝑘𝐽
ℎ1 = 184.173
𝑅𝐸 = 184.173 − 61.9 𝑘𝑔

𝑘𝐽 𝑘𝐽
𝑅𝐸 = 122.273 h4 = ℎ3 = 61.9
𝑘𝑔
𝑘𝑔

𝐶𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝐶𝑅 = 𝑚.ሶ 𝑅𝐸

𝑘𝑔
ṁ = 0.0833
𝐶𝑅 = 0.0833 × 122.273 𝑠

𝐶𝑅 = 10.185 𝑘𝑊
Answer
Capacity of the refrigerator ( 𝐶𝑅) = 10.185 𝑘𝑊
𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑑𝑜𝑛𝑒 𝑜𝑛 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑟 𝑊𝑐 = ℎ2 − ℎ1
𝑘𝐽
ℎ1 = 184.173
𝑘𝑔

𝑘𝐽
𝑊𝑐 = 208.1 − 184.173 h2 = 208.1
𝑘𝑔

𝑊𝑐 = 23.927 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔
 𝑅𝐸 𝑘𝐽
𝐶𝑂𝑃 𝑜𝑓 𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝐶𝑂𝑃 = 𝑅𝐸 = 122.273
𝑊𝑐 𝑘𝑔

122.273 𝑊𝑐 = 23.927 𝑘𝐽/𝑘𝑔

𝐶𝑂𝑃 =
23.927

𝐶𝑂𝑃 = 5.11

Answer:

C.O.P of the cycle (𝐶𝑂𝑃)= 5.11

Thank You