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    VARS systems and it's working principle

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    VARS systems and it's working principle

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    © All Rights Reserved
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    7 views15 pages

    Vapor Absorption Refrigeration System

    Uploaded by

    Pragyan Kumar Pradhan
    VARS systems and it's working principle

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF or read online from Scribd
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    yeep so CHAPTER Expansion Devices 12 Introduction. Types of Expansion Devices. Capillary Tube. Hand-operated Expansion Valve. Automatic (or Constant Pressure) Expansion Valve. Thermostatic Expansion Valve. Low-side Float Valve. High-side Float Valve. 12.1 Introduction The expansion device (also known as metering device OF throttling device) is an important device that divides the high pressure side and the low pressure side of a refrigerating system. It is connected between the receiver (containing liquid refrigerant at high pressure) and the evaporator (containing liquid refrigerant at low pressure). The expansion device performs the following functions : 1. It reduces the high pressure liquid refrigerant to low pressure liquid refrigerant before being fed to t evaporator. Chapter 12 : Expansion Devices m 399 2. It maintains the desired pressure difference between the high and low pressure sides of the system, so that the liquid refrigerant vaporises at the designed pressure in the evaporator. 3. It controls the flow of refrigerant according to the load on the evaporator. Note: The expansion devices used with dry expansion evaporators are usually called expansion valves ghereas the expansion devices used with flooded evaporators are known as float valves: 42.2 Types of Expansion Devices Following are the main types of expansion devices used in industrial and commercial refrigeration and air conditioning system. 1. Capillary tube, Hand-operated expansion valve, Automatic or constant pressure expansion valve, Thermostatic expansion valve, Low-side float valve, and . High-side float valve. The above types of expansion devices are discussed, in detail, in the following pages. 12.3 Capillary Tube The capillary tube, as shown in Fig. 12.1, is used as an expansion device in small capacity hermetic sealed refrigeration units such as in domestic refrigerators, water coolers, room air- conditioners and freezers. It is a copper tube of small internal diameter and of varying length depending upon the application. The inside diameter of the tube used in refrigeration work is generally about 0.5 mm to 2.25 mm and the length varies from 0.5 m to 5 m, It is installed in the liguid line between the condenser and the evaporator as shown in Fig. 12.1. A fine mesh screen is provided at the inlet of the tube in order to protect it from contaminants. A small filter drier is used on some systems to provide additional freeze-up application. In its operation, the liquid refrigerant from the condenser enters the capillary tube. Due to the frictional resistance offered by a small diameter tube, the pressure drops. Since the frictional resistance is directly proportional to the length and inversely proportional to the diameter, therefore longer the capillary tube and smaller its inside diameter, greater is the pressure drop created in the refrigerant flow. In other words, greater pressure difference between the condenser and evaporator awe Evaporator Vapour refrigerant out \ capillary tube Stainer + _ Liquid refrigerant in from condenser Fig. 12.1. Capillary tube. Flare type valve, 400 & A Textbook of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Room return air TVXs have remote sensing elements. The thermostat is located in the retumn airsr=- (i.e. high side and low side) is needed for a given flow rate of the refrigerant. The diameter x: length of the capillary tube once selected for a given set of conditions and load cannot ope: efficiently at other conditions. ‘The refrigeration system using capillary tube have the following advantages : 1. The cost of capillary tube is less than all other forms of expansion devices. 2. When the compressor stops, the refrigerant continues to flow into the evaporators ‘equalises the pressure between the high side and low side of the system. This consider) decreases the starting load on the compressor. Thus a low starting torque motor (lows motor) can be used to drive the compressor, which is a great advantage. 3. Since the refrigerant charge in a capillary tube system is critical, therefore no recive is necessary. 12.4 Hand-operated Expansion Valve The — hand-operated expansion valve, as shown in Fig. 12.2, is the most simple type of expansion valve but it Valve stem requires an operator to =| regulate the flow of refrigerant to the evaporator manually. The conical-shaped needle valve extends down into the valve port and restricts the Neate flow area through the port. Nese When closed, the valve rests on its conical seat. The use of hhand-operated valve is limited to systems operating under nearly constant loads for long Valveleoat Periods of time, suet ne 1n $ee Fig. 12.2. Hand operated expansion valve. making plants and cold storages. It is not suitable for installations where the load varies and the compressor intermittently to maintain a constant temperature. Handwheel Liquid fefrigerant in Chapter 12: Expansion Devices = 404 42.5 Automatic (or Constant Pressure) Expansion Valve ‘The automatic expansion valve is also known as constant pressure expansion valve, because jx maintains constant evaporator pressure regardless of the load on the evaporator. Its main moving tore is the evaporator pressure. It is used with dry expansion evaporators where the load is eelatively constant. Adjusting screw Spring Diaphragm \ oe | Evap. a 7 Valve Liquid refrigerant PrESSUTE || seal omnces” OUtto evaporator Strainer [sce || Yecxczzzzet — Liqua Valve refrigerant in Fig. 12.3. Automatic (or constant pressure) expansion valve. The automatic expansion valve, as shown in Fig. 12.3, consists of a needle valve and a seat (which forms an orifice), a metallic diaphragm or bellows, spring and an adjusting screw. The opening and closing of the valve with respect to the seat depends upon the following two opposing forces acting on the diaphragm : 1. The spring pressure and atmospheric pressure acting on the top of the diaphragm, and 2. The evaporator pressure acting below the diaphragm. When the compressor is running, the valve maintains an evaporator pressure in equilibrium with the spring pressure and the atmospheric pressure. The spring pressure can be varied by adjusting the tension of the spring with the help of spring adjusting screw. Once the spring is adjusted for a desired evaporator pressure, then the valve operates automatically to maintain constant evaporator pressure by controlling the flow of refrigerant to the evaporator, When the evaporator pressure falls down, the diaphragm moves downwards to open the valve. This allows more liquid refrigerant to enter into the evaporator and thus increasing the evaporator pressure till the desired evaporator pressure is reached. On the other hand, when the evaporator Pressure rises, the diaphragm moves upwards to reduce the opening of the valve. This decreases the flow of liquid refrigerant ‘Thermostatic or automatic ‘othe evaporator which, in turn, lowers the tai epemeoe ene! evaporator pressure till the desired nostatic or automatic expansion valve may sometimes be inslalled instea 7 ‘ instead ‘aporator pressure is reached. of replacing a capillary tube 402 & A Textbook of Refrigeration and Air Conditi When the compressor stops, the liquid refrigerant continues to flow into the evaporator and increases the pressure in the evaporator. This increase in evaporator pressure causes the diaphragm to move upwards and the valve is closed. It remains closed until the compressor starts again and reduces the pressure in the evaporator. 12.6 Thermostatic Expansion Valve The thermostatic expansion valve is the most commonly used expansion device in commercial and industrial refrigeration systems. This is also called a constant superheat valve because it maintains a constant superheat of the vapour refrigerant at the end of the evaporator coil, by controlling the flow of liquid refrigerant through the evaporator. Suction tine Capitary tube Evaporator E Feeler bulb (é ec ==! Internal Extemal ps ‘equaliser aliser |g. Push Diaphragm — rod. Liquid refrigerant out [Sy ‘Valve’ Valve yo Liquid refrigerant in ‘seat Spring + Strainer Spring adjusting screw Fig. 12. The thermostatic expansion valve, as shown in Fig. 12.4, consists of a needle valve and a seat, a metallic diaphragm, spring and an adjusting screw. In addition to this, it has a feeler or thermal bulb which is mounted on the suction line near the outlet of the evaporator coil. The feeler bulb is partly filled with the same liquid refrigerant as used in the refrigeration system. The opening and closing of the valve depends upon the following forces acting on the diaphragm : 1. The spring pressure (ps) acting on the bottom of the diaphragm, 2. The evaporator pressure (pz) acting on the bottom of the diaphragm, and 3. The feeler bulb pressure (p,) | acting on the top of the | diaphragm. i Since the feeler bulb is installed | on the suction line, therefore it will be at the same temperature as the refrigerant at | that point. Any change in the temperature of the refrigerant will cause a change in pressure in the | | 2 Thermostatic expansion valve. Thermostatic expansion valve Chapter 12 ; Expansion Devices = 403 weler bulb which will be transmitted to the top of the diaphragm. Under normal operating conditions, the fecler bulb pressure acting at the top of the diaphragm is balanced by the spring pessure and the evaporator pressure acting at the bottom of the diaphragm. The force tending to es the valve is dependent upon the spring pressure and the evaporator pressure which, in turn, sepends upon the saturation temperature of the refrigerant in the evaporator coil. The force tending mw open the valve depends upon the feeler bulb pressure which, in turn, depends upon the temperature of refrigerant in the bulb. Thus the operation of valve is controlled by the difference denween the (wo temperatures (i.e, saturation temperature and feeler bulb temperature) which is the saperheat. The degree of superheat of the vapour refrigerant leaving the evaporator depends upon ae initial setting of the spring tension, which can be changed with the help of spring adjusting screw. When the valve is set for a certain superheat, then it maintains that setting under all load coaditions on the evaporator. If the load on the evaporator increases, it causes the liquid refrigerant to boil faster in the sxaporator coil. The temperature of the feeler bulb increases due to early vaporisation of the liquid refrigerant. Thus the feeler bulb pressure increases and this pressure is transmitted through the capillary tube to the diaphragm. The diaphragm moves downwards and opens the valve to admit more quantity of liquid refrigerant to the evaporator. This continues till the pressure equilibrium on te diaphragm is reached. On the other hand, when the load on the evaporator decreases, less liquid reingerant evaporates in the evaporator coil. The excess liquid refrigerant flows towards the saporator outlet which cools the feeler bulb with the result the feeler bulb pressure decreases due to decrease in its temperature. The low feeler bulb pressure is transmitted through the capillary tube to the diaphragm and moves it upward. This reduces the opening of the valve and thus the flow of liguid refrigerant to the evaporator. The evaporator pressure decreases due to reduced quantity of ligaid refrigerant flowing to the evaporator. This continues till the evaporator pressure and the spring pressure maintain equilibrium with the feeler bulb pressure. (¢) Valve with internal equaliser. (6) Valve with external equaliser. Fig. 12.5. Thermostatic expansion valve with equaliser. ‘The thermostatic expansion valve may be either iiifernully egualived ar erge rally egusilivert % shown in Fig. 12.5, The standard thermostatic expansion valves are internally equalised, In a thermostatic expansion valve with internal equaliser, as shown in Fig. 12.5 (a), the Pressure acting on the bottom of the diaphragm is equal to the evaporator inlet pressure, A hole énlled in the valve body transmits this pressure. The standard thermostatic expansion valves work ‘ell on evaporators having low pressure drops below 0.14 bar. If the pressure drop in evaporator © high (above 0.14 bar), then the pressure at the outlet of the evaporator (or at the feeler bully ‘ecation) will be less by the amount equal to the pressure drop. In such a case, the feeler bulb 404 & A Textbook of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning pressure should rise to maintain equilibrium with the inlet evaporator pressure and the spn, pressure, The rise in fecler bulb pressure will raise its temperature and thus the degree superheat, This means that an internally equalised thermostatic expansion valve will operate 4, | excessive superheat. Thus the flow of refrigerant to the evaporator and hence the net refrigersiy effect reduces. In order to overcome this effect due to pressure drop in evaporators, a thermosis expansion valve with external equaliser, as shown in Fig. 12.5 (b), is used. In this type of vat, the pressure at the bottom of the diaphragm is equal to the outlet evaporator pressure, Thus the effect of the evaporator pressure drop is overcome. In an externally equalised thermosts: expansion valve, a small diameter equaliser tube connects the diaphragm with the evaporator out. as shown in Fig. 12.4. This connection is made immediately downstream of the fecler by: location. In this position, the bulb temperature will not be affected by the occasional slugs of. ‘or smalll leaks of the refrigerant past the gland packing of the push rod. The externally equalise; thermostatic expansion valve operates at the desired superheat regardless of the evaporan pressure drop. Notes: 1. The thermostatic expansion valves are usually rated in tonnes of refrigeration. 2. Most thermostatic expansion valves are set for 5°C of superheat. 12.7 Low-side Float Valve [As the name indicates, the low-side float valve, as shown in Fig. 12.6, is located in the lox pressure side (i.e. between the evaporator and compressor suction line) of the refrigeration systex It maintains a constant level of liquid refrigerant in the evaporator and float chamber by openirs and closing a needle valve. A refrigeration system with low-side float valve is shown in Fig. 12° Float ball eZ, — Vapour refrigerant to compressor —> Liquid line + Liquid retrigerant from receiver Float Needle valve chamber and seat Fig. 12.6. Low-side float valve. ‘The float valve is a hollow ball attached to one end of a float arm as shown in Fig. 12.6.1 other end of the arm is connected to a needle valve. The movement of the float ball (rise or fall) transmitted to the needle valve by the float arm which closes or opens the flow of lige refrigerant. Since the float valve is hollow, therefore it floats on the liquid refrigerant, in the fk chamber. When the liquid refrigerant in the evaporator vaporises, its level falls down. This causes float to drop and thus opens the needle valve, thereby allowing liquid refrigerant from the lig line to the float chamber and then to the evaporator to make up for the amount of vaporisat When the desired liquid level is reached, the float rises and closes the needle valve. The m3 advantage of the low-side float valve is that it maintains a constant liquid level in the evapes’ under all loading conditions regardless of the evaporator pressure and temperature. Chapter 12 : Expansion Devices = 405 a Liquid Compressor Liquid receiver [MI High pressure vapour EE] Low pressure lig Low pressure vapour High pressure liquid 12.7. Refrigeration system with low-side float valve. 12.8 High-side Float Valve As the name indicates, the high-side float valve, as shown in Fig. 12.8, is located on the high pressure side (ie. between the condenser and evaporator) of the refrigeration system. It controls the flow of liquid refrigerant to the evaporator according to the load and auintains a constant liquid level in the evaporator and float chamber by opening or closing of a needle valve. SF Liquid refrigerant from condenser Float chamber Liquid level Needle valve A refrigeration system with high-side float valve is me Spa MLA shown in Fig. 12.9. LUPE quid refrigerant to evaporator Fig. 12.8. High-side float valve. The liquid refrigerant from the condenser flows Float arm ‘o the float chamber. As the level of liquid refrigerant in the float chamber rises, the float ball also rises, thereby opening the needle valve. This allows the liquid refrigerant to flow into the evaporator. When the liquid Jevel in the float chamber falls down, the float ball also drops, thereby closing the ‘eedle valve. It may be noted that the condenser supplies the liquid refrigerant at the same rate as “evaporates in the evaporator. Since the rate of vaporisation depends upon the load on the ‘uporator, therefore the high-side float valve functions according to the load, The high-side float valve may be used with dry expansion evaporators. 406 & A Textbook of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning sah Evaporator 4 = Suction line Liquid line —> Oil Compressor Fig. 12.9. Refrigeration system with high-side float valve. The high-side float valve may be installed on the base of the condensing unit or near to evaporator, as it is dependent on the liquid level in the evaporator. When it is installed on the of the condensing unit, the liquid line from the float to the evaporator will frost or sweat. Io oré= to overcome this undesirable condition, the liquid line is insulated. Another way of preventing & frosting or sweating condition is to provide an intermediate pressure valve in the liquid line sex the evaporator, as shown in Fig. 12.10. This valve is essentially a weighted needle valve. The weight Weighted is such that it takes 1.75 bar to 2.1 bar greater than 47 needle vane the low side pressure. It means that the pressure in the liquid line between the high-side float and the 4 to intermediate pressure valve is high enough so that >, saturation temperature of the liquid is above the dew point temperature of the surrounding air at which the frost or sweat begins. Thus there will not + be any frost or sweat. From high side float In those applications where the high-side Fig. 12.10. Intermediate pressure valve. float valve is installed on the top of the refrigerator near to the evaporator, no intermediate pressure valve is needed because the liquid line is ins? the cabinet. The refrigerant liquid level in a high-side float system is critical. Too much liquid reft causes flooding of the suction line and too little liquid refrigerant causes a low evaporator resulting in low capacity of the refrigerating system. 7.1 Introduction The vapour absorption refrigeration system is one of the oldest methods of producing teigerating effect. The principle of vapour absorption was first discovered by Michael Faraday in 1824 while performing a set of periments to liquify certain gases. The first Yapour absorption refrigeration machine was ‘veloped by a French scientist, Ferdinand Carre, '» 1860. This system may be used in both the ‘omestic and large industrial refrigerating plants. The refrigerant, commonly used in a vapour “Sorption system, is ammonia. ‘The vapour absorption system uses heat ‘s88y, instead of mechanical energy as in vapour “pression systems, in order to change the Vapour Absorption Refrigeration Systems Soy Be 10. Introduction. Simple Vapour Absorption System. Practical Vapour Absorption System. ‘Thermodynamic Requirements of Refrigerant-Absorbent Mixture. Properties of Ideal Refrigerant-Absorbent Combination. Comparison of Refrigerant-Liquid Absorbent Combination (say NH,-water) with Refrigerant-Solid Absorbent Combination (say NH,-CaCl,). ‘Advantages of Vapour Absorption Refrigeration System over Vapour Compression Refrigeration System. Coefficient of Performance of an Ideal Vapour Absorption Refrigeration System. Domestic Electrolux (Ammonia-Hydrogen) Refrigerator. Lithium Bromide Absorption Refrigeration System. 274 & A Textbook of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning conditions of the refrigerant required for the operation of the refrigeration cycle. We have discussed in the previous chapters that the function of a compressor, in a vapour compression system, is to withdraw the vapour refrigerant from the evaporator, It then raises its temperature and pressure higher than the cooling agent in the condenser so that the higher pressure vapours can reject heat in the condenser. The liquid refrigerant leaving the condenser is now ready to expand to the evaporator conditions again. In the vapour absorption system, the compressor is replaced by an absorber, a pump, a generator and a pressure reducing valve, These components in vapour absorption system perform the same function as that of a compressor in vapour compression system. In this system, the vapour refrigerant from the evaporator is drawn into an absorber where it is absorbed by the weak solution of the refrigerant forming a strong solution. This strong solution is pumped to the generator where it is heated by some external source. During the heating process, the vapour refrigerant is driven off by the solution and enters into the condenser where it is liquified. The liquid refrigerant then flows into the evaporator and thus the cycle is completed. 7.2 Simple Vapour Absorption System The simple vapour absorption system, as shown in Fig. 7.1, consists of an absorber, a pump, a generator and a pressure reducing valve to replace the compressor of vapour compression system. The other components of the system are condenser, receiver, expansion valve and evaporator as in the vapour compression system, Cooting water, Heat | t rejected (Q.) High pressure ammonia vapour sg 7 | 7 Heat Supplied (Q,) Condenser __ | Generator Liquid } ammonia ay Weak ‘cuan solution or Receiver 3h eating coi) Pressure reducing valve Heat absorbed a (@) Expansion ——f7 ol 2 Low prossure Naw L_ = Evaporator }—<~()—+ strong ammonia vapour 2 8 solution Heat ‘Cooling! rejected (Q,) 7.1. Simple vapour absorption system. In this system, the low pressure ammonia vapour leaving the evaporator enters the absorber where it is absorbed by the cold water in the absorber. The water has the ability to absorb very large quantities of ammonia vapour and the solution, thus formed, is known as aqua-ammonia. The absorption of ammonia vapour in water lowers the pressure in the absorber which in turn draws more ammonia vapour from the evaporator and thus raises the temperature of solution. Some form of cooling arrangement (usually water cooling) is employed in the absorber to remove the heat of solution evolved there. This is necessary in order to increase the absorption capacity of water, Chapter 7 : Vapour Absorption Refrigeration Systems = 275 nevause at higher temperature gater absorbs less ammonia japour. The strong solution thus formed in the absorber is imped to the generator by the quid pump. The pump nereases the pressure of the solution up to 10 bar. The *strong solution of ammonia in the generator is peated by some external source such as gas or steam. During the heating process, the ammonia vapour is driven off the solution at high pressure leaving behind the hot weak Simple vapour absorption machine. ammonia solution in the generator. This weak ammonia solution flows back to the absorber at low pressure after passing through the pressure reducing valve. The high pressure ammonia vapour from the generator is condensed in the condenser to a high pressure liquid ammonia. This liquid ammonia is passed to the expansion valve through the receiver and then to the evaporator. This completes the simple vapour absorption cycle. 7.3 Practical Vapour Absorption System The simple absorption system as discussed in the previous article is not very economics order to make the system more practical, it is fitted with an analyser, a rectifier and two heat exchangers as shown in Fig. 7.2. These accessories help to improve the performance and working of the plant, as discussed below 1. Analyser. When ammonia is vaporised in the generator, some water is also vaporised and will flow into the condenser along with the ammonia vapours in the simple system. If these unwanted water particles are not removed before entering into the condenser, they will enter into the expansion valve where they freeze and choke the pipeline. In order to remove these unwanted particles flowing to the condenser, an analyser is used. The analyser may be built as an integral part of the generator or made as a separate piece of equipment. It consists of a series of trays mounted above the generator. The strong solution from the absorber and the aqua from the rectifier are introduced at the top of the analyser and flow downward over the trays and into the generator. In this way, considerable liquid surface area is exposed to the vapour rising from the generator. The vapour is cooled and most of the water vapour condenses, so that mainly ammonia vapour (approximately 99%) leaves the top of the analyser. Since the aqua is heated by the vapour, less external heat is required in the generator. 2. Rectifier. In case the water vapours are not completely removed in the analyser, a closed type vapour cooler called rectifier (also known as dehydrator) is used. It is generally water cooled and may be of the double pipe. shell and coil or shell and tube type. Its function is to cool further the ammonia vapours leaving the analyser so that the remaining water vapours are condensed. Thus, only dry or anhydrous ammonia vapours flow to the condenser. The condensate from the rectifier is returned to the top of the analyser by a drip return pipe. In * A strong ammonia solution contains as much ammonia as possible whereas a weak ammonia solution contains considerably less ammonia. 276 «@ A Textbook of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning 3. Heat exchangers, The heat exchanger provided between the pump and the generator jy used to cool the weak hot solution returning from the generator to the absorber. The heat removed from the weak solution raises the temperature of the strong solution leaving the pump and going to analyser and generator. This operation reduces the heat supplied to the generator and the amount of cooling required for the absorber. Thus the economy of the plant increases. Cooling Cooling aes ft a f ~ oo] ~ [Condenser “ | Seren it dehydrator ’ ue Analyser | _ b | Generator g| Heating cos Receiver jp Weak solution { Heat Heat exchanger exchanger t < soci Ss reducing Strong valve { ~ solution, ‘Absorber Evaporator |

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