198 • A Textbook of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

ToH.P. From L.P.

compressor compressor

From
condenser To evaporator
m2hts m1h6
Liquid Intercooler
Fig. 5.2. Thermal equilibrium for liquid intercooler.

and mass of liquid refrigerant evaporated in the intercooler,

ml(Jr,. -h,s) -ml = Jnt(~ -I'J)

m3 = m2- ml = ~ -hts 1"J -hts
We know that refrigerating effect,
Rs =
m1(h 1 - h1) = m1(h1 - ~ 5 ) = 210 Q kJ/min
where Q is the load on the evaporator in tonne of refrigeration.
Total workdone in both the compressors,
w = 11ft(h,_ - hl) + ~(h4 - h3)
:. Power required to drive the system,

p = rt; (hz -}ft)+~(h4 -h.,) kW

60

and C.O.P. of the system

= RE _ m1(~ -hi~} = 210 Q
W m,.(hz -h,.)+~(h4 -~) Px60
In case of ammonia, when liquid refrigerant is used for intercooling, the total power requireme.ut
will decrease. It is due to the fact that the mass of liquid evaporated during intercooling is extremely small
because of its high latent heat of vaporisation and the constant entropy lines of ammonia become very flat
" tbe superheat region. Thus the intercooling by liquid refrigerant is commonly used in multi-stage
ammonia plants, because of less power requirement.
In case of refrigerant R-12, when liquid refrigerant is used for intercooling, the total power
~ may actually increase. It is due to the fact that the latent heat of vaporisation is small and tbe
constant entropy lines of R-12 does not change very much with the temperature. Thus in R-12 systems, the
saving in wort by performing the compression close to the saturated vapour line does not compensate for
the increased mass Dow rate through the high stage compressor. Therefore, intercooling by liquid refrigerant
in R-12 5ysfaDS. ts never employed.

The \"alue of m1 Iml"' he calculated by using Lhe following heat balance equation :
'7s + mt ~ = "'i-~
'"l 1 + m1 ~ = (m1 + m3)h3 ..• ( \" 1n.z =~ + lnJ)
= .'P.j(~ -h3)·
m3 l~]-hf5