BAHIR DAR UNIVERSITY

BAHIR DAR INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY

FACULTY OF MECHANICAL AND INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING
Mechanical Engineering Program

ASSIGNMENT ONE:
FOR THE COURSE REFRIGERATION AND AIR CONDITIONING
Submitted By:
[Eliyas Adamu]
[I.D.No: 1103091]
Submitted To:
Mr: Robel G.

Submission Date:
[26/05/2015E.C.]
1. Briefly describe the various refrigerant kinds according to their categories with their
advantages and disadvantages with respect to environmental, global, societal, economic,
safety, and health aspects. What are the most widely used refrigerants in domestic
refrigeration recently?

Refrigerant:- is a substance used in air conditioning, refrigeration and heating systems to

transfer heat from one place to another. It typically consists of a mixture of chemical compounds
that evaporate and condense easily, allowing the system to cool or heat a space efficiently.
Examples include chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) and hydrocarbons
(HCs).
Any substance which in the refrigeration system absorbs heat from a low-temperature system
and delivers the heat so absorbed to a higher temperature system is referred to as a refrigerant.

Classification of refrigerant
There are two types of Refrigerants and are as follows.
 Primary Refrigerants
 Secondary Refrigerants

Primary Refrigerants:
The working mediums or heat carries which directly take part in the refrigeration system and
cool the substance by the absorption of latent heat are called as Primary refrigerants.
Primary refrigerants are those which can be directly used for the purpose of refrigeration. If the
refrigerant is allowed to flow freely into the space to be refrigerated and there is no danger of
possible harm to human beings, then primary refrigerants are used. The refrigerants used in home
refrigerators like Freon-12 are primary refrigerants.
Example of Primary Refrigerants are Ammonia, SO2, CO2, Methyl chloride, etc..
The primary refrigerant further classified in to the following four groups
A. Hydrocarbons (HCs)
B. Halocarbons
C. Inorganic compounds, and
D. Azeotropic mixtures

A. Hydrocarbons:- Hydrocarbon refrigerant is a type of environmentally-friendly refrigerant

that can be used in place of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs). This type of refrigerant has been
growing in popularity as it offers a number of benefits over other types, including natural
non-toxicity and no ozone depletion potential.
Advantage of hydrocarbon refrigerants :
 Have high energy efficiency and low global warming potential (GWP).
 Hydrocarbons have no chlorine or fluorine content, which means they do not deplete the
ozone layer. In fact, some blends of hydrocarbon Refrigerants are classified as zero
Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP) gasses.
 Furthermore, hydrocarbons require less energy to operate than most traditional CFCs,
making them an ideal choice for industrial and commercial applications where efficiency
is key.
Disadvantages of hydrocarbon refrigerant:
 They tend to be more flammable than other types of common refrigerants, such as CFCs
and HCFCs. As such, these products must be handled carefully in order to ensure safety
and prevent accidental ignition.
 Additionally, hydrocarbons with higher levels of aromatic compounds can produce
unpleasant odors which can cause health issues if breathed in frequently.
 Finally, hydrocarbon leaks may add a combustible load to certain atmospheres; so
appropriate safety measures are paramount when working with this type of substance.

B. Halocarbons:- Halocarbon refrigerants are synthesized, fluorocarbon-based refrigerants

that contain chlorine, fluorine, or both. These refrigerants have an ozone depletion potential
(ODP) of zero and exhibit near-zero contributions to global warming potential (GWP). They
are widely used in air conditioning, commercial cooling systems and industrial applications
such as marine refrigeration and insulation.

In this group, the halocarbons, consisting of chlorine, fluorine, and carbon, were the most
commonly used refrigerants (so-called chlorofluorocarbons, CFCs). CFCs were
commonly used as refrigerants, solvents, and foam-blowing agents. The most common CFCs
have been CFC-11 or R-11, CFC-12 or R-12, CFC-113 or R-113, CFC-114 or R-114, and
CFC-115 or R-115.

Advantages of halocarbon refrigerant:

 Halocarbons have a wide variety of operating temperature ranges,
 They are generally non-flammable, non-toxic and can provide efficient cooling.
 They are also environmentally friendly and do not contribute to ozone layer depletion.
Disadvantages of halocarbon refrigeration:
 This type of refrigerant can be expensive to purchase and
 Often requires more maintenance than other types of refrigerants due to shorter service
life cycles.
 It can also be more prone to leakage if not properly installed or maintained.
C. Inorganic compounds:- An inorganic compound refrigerant is any artificial chemical
compound used to cool or heat an enclosed environment. Some examples are 66
Refrigeration Systems and Applications ammonia (NH3), water (H2O), air (0.21O2 +
0.78N2 + 0.01Ar), carbon dioxide (CO2), and sulfur dioxide (SO2). And the other common
inorganic compound refrigerants include ammonia, carbon dioxide, hydrocarbons, or
halogenated hydrocarbons.
Advantage of inorganic compound refrigerant
 These compounds is that they have a comparatively low environmental impact and are
fairly efficient at cooling.
Disadvantage of inorganic compound refrigerant
 They are more expensive than organic compounds (such as Freon), may take longer to
cool a given area, and can be corrosive if improperly handled.

Azeotropic mixtures:- An azeotropic refrigerant mixture consists of two substances having

different properties but behaving as a single substance. The two substances cannot be separated
by distillation. The most common azeotropic refrigerant is R-502, which contains 48.8% R-22
and 51.2% R-115. Its COP is higher than that of R-22 and its lesser toxicity provides an
opportunity to use this refrigerant in household refrigeration systems and the food refrigeration
industry. Some other examples of azeotropic mixtures are R-500 , R-503 , and R-504.
Azeotropic mixtures refrigerant is a blend of two or more refrigerants which acts as a single fluid
and has improved properties compared to the base fluid.
Advantages of azeotropic mixture

 The advantage of using this type of refrigerant is that it can maintain constant boiling
point over a wide range of compositions, which helps in making fractional distillation
processes easier
Disadvantages of azeotropic mixture

 Its disadvantage is its cost, as it generally tends to be more expensive than the other
types.

Secondary Refrigerants:
These are circulating substances that are first cooled with the help of primary refrigerants and
then employed for cooling purposes.
There may be certain situations in which we cannot allow the refrigerant to come in direct
contact with the items being refrigerated, and then the refrigerant used is termed as a secondary
refrigerant
A secondary refrigerant is a substance used as an intermediary medium in a heat exchange
system to efficiently transfer heat between two media. Secondary refrigerants are a versatile tool
used in numerous constructions, mainly being used to cool large structures and systems. In
general, these fluids remove the unwanted heat from an industrial process and then transfer it to
another location, cooling down the original process.
The different types of secondary refrigerants include thermal oils like organic hydrocarbons or
glycols, or even water-based solutions such as mineral oil and Propylene Glycol solution. Each
type of fluid has its own series of benefits, making them more suited for specific applications
than others. For example; thermal oils are highly efficient at dispersing heat on contact due to
their low viscosity as compared to both water-based solutions
When selecting which type of secondary refrigerant is best for a given application, parameters
such as temperature range, flow rate capability, compatibility with other materials in the system,
and toxicity should be taken into consideration. Thermal oils have great dielectric properties that
make them suitable for installations that may come in contact with electrical components;
however the high temperatures required by these mean they should never be utilized around
combustible materials.
Example of Secondary Refrigerants are Ice, Solid CO2, etc..

The most widely used refrigerants recently

The most common type of refrigerants used today across the world are hydrofluorocarbons
(HFCs). Previously, chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) were more widely used,
R134a :-is the most widely used refrigerant in recent times. It is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC)
substance and has replaced R12 as the preferred choice for use in new refrigeration systems
because it does not contain chlorine, which was identified as an ozone-depleting agent. R134a
offers excellent cooling capabilities and can be used with either mineral oil or alkylbenzene
refrigerants.
R-32 is a hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerant which has recently become one of the most
commonly used refrigerants in air conditioning and refrigeration applications. It is a single
component HFC that replaced R-410A as a more economical and sustainable option due to its
lower global warming potential (GWP) of 675, compared to R-410A with a GWP of 2088.

The primary benefit of using R-32 is the reduced environmental impact, it emits fewer
greenhouse gases than its predecessor, making it an essential component in transitioning towards
green energy systems. Additionally, its low pressure relationship allows for increased efficiency
throughout the system, reducing energy costs and helping to promote sustainability.
3, Briefly explain types of refrigeration condensers and the benefits of each type in terms of
global, financial, and safety considerations. (From 11-20)

The condenser is used in the high pressure side of the system. Its function is to remove the heat
of the hot vapour refrigerant discharge from the compressor. Atmospheric air and water are the
two most convenient sinks to which the heat can be rejected.

Types of condensers
There are several condensers to be considered when making a selection for installation. They are
air-cooled, water-cooled, shell and tube, shell and coil, tube within a tube, and evaporative
condensers. Each type of condenser has its own unique application. Some determining factors
include the size and the weight of the unit, weather conditions, location (city or rural),
availability of electricity, and availability of water.
There are three types of condensers commonly used in vapour compression refrigeration system.
A. Air cooled condenser
B. Water cooled condenser
C. Evaporative condenser

A. Air-Cooled Condensers

The air-cooled condensers find applications in domestic, commercial, and industrial

refrigerating, chilling, freezing, and air-conditioning systems with a common capacity of 20−120
tons . The centrifugal fan air-cooled condensers (with a capacity of 3−100 tons) are particularly
used for heat recovery and auxiliary ventilation applications. In fact, they employ outside air as
the cooling medium. Fans draw air past the refrigerant coil and the latent heat of the refrigerant is
removed as sensible heat by the air stream.

Figure: air cooled condenser working principle

Benefits of Air-Cooled Condensers
 no water requirement,
 standard outdoor installation,
 elimination of freezing, scaling, and corrosion problems,
 elimination of water piping, circulation pumps, and water treatment,
 low installation cost, and • low maintenance and service requirement.
Some disadvantages of Air-cooled condensers
 high condensing temperatures,
 high refrigerant cost because of long piping runs,
 high power requirements per kW of cooling,
 high noise intensity, and
 multiple units required for large-capacity systems.

B. Water-Cooled Condensers
A Water-Cooled Condenser is a heat exchanger that removes heat from refrigerant vapor
and transfers it to the water running through it. Having the refrigerant vapor condensed on
the outside of a tube achieves this. In doing so, the vapor condenses and gives up heat to the
water running inside the tube.
Water-cooled condensers are of many different types.
• Shell and tube condensers
• Shell and coil condensers
• Double tube (pipe) condensers.
The most common condensers are generally shell and tube type heat exchangers with refrigerant
flow through the shell and water (as coolant) flow through the tubes (SST type ). The lower
portion of the shell acts as a liquid receiver. These condensers are widely used in large heat
capacity refrigerating and chilling applications. If a water-cooled condenser is used, the
following criteria must be examined:
 requirement of cooling water for heat rejection,
 utilization of a cooling tower if inexpensive cooling water is available,
 requirement of auxiliary pumps and piping for recirculating cooling water,
 requirement of water treatment in water recirculation systems,
 space requirements,
 maintenance and service situations, and
 provision of freeze protection substances and tools for winter operation.
In general, water-cooled condensers are used with cooling towers or groundwater (well, lake,
river, etc.).
Figure: water cooled condenser working principle

C. Evaporative Condensers
Evaporative condensers are apparently water-cooled designs and work on the principle of
cooling by evaporating water into a moving air stream. The effectiveness of this evaporative
cooling process depends upon the wet-bulb temperature of the air entering the unit, the volume
of airflow, and the efficiency of the air/water interface.

Evaporative condensers use water sprays and airflow to condense refrigerant vapors inside the
tubes. The condensed refrigerant drains into a tank called a liquid receiver. Refrigerant sub-
cooling can be accomplished by piping the liquid from the receiver back through the water sump
where additional cooling reduces the liquid temperature even further.

In an evaporative condenser , the fluid to be cooled is circulated inside the tubes of the unit’s
heat exchanger. Heat flows from the process fluid through the coil tubes to the water outside,
which is cascading downward over the tubes. Air is forced upward through the coil evaporating a
small percentage of the water, absorbing the latent heat of vaporization, and discharging the heat
to the atmosphere. The remaining water falls to the sump to be recirculated by the pump, while
water entrained in the air stream is reclaimed and returned to the sump by the mist eliminators at
the unit discharge. The only water consumed is the amount evaporated plus a small amount
which is intentionally bled off to limit the concentration of impurities in the pan. With the
optional extended surface coil, the recirculating water pump can be shutoff and the unit operated
dry during periods of below-design ambient temperatures. Air forced upward through the coil,
but the heat is now dissipated to the atmosphere by sensible cooling alone.

Figure: evaporative condenser working principle

The following are some characteristics of these condensers:
 reduced circulating water for a given capacity,
 water treatment is necessary,
 reduced space requirement,
 small piping sizes and short overall lengths,
 small system pumps, and
 availability of large-capacity units and indoor configurations.

6, Describe the differences between vapor compression and vapor absorption refrigeration
system. What are the criteria’s for selecting these systems for specific application?

Vapour absorption Refrigeration system:- is a type of cooling system that uses heat as its
energy source instead of electricity. The system consists of three main components: an absorber,
an evaporator, and a condenser.
Heat from a power source like natural gas or a waste heat recovery system is used to drive the
absorption process between the liquid refrigerant and water. As the refrigerant absorbs the heat,
it evaporates and creates cooling in the evaporator. The condensed refrigerant then returns to the
absorber where it can absorb more heat before being pumped back into the evaporator. This
cycle continues until the desired temperature is achieved.
 Vapour compression refrigeration system:- is a type of refrigeration system that uses a
compressor to condense and pressurize a refrigerant, usually Freon or Ammonia, in order to
move heat from one area to another. The heat is removed from the air or other material being
cooled and transferred to the outside environment. This process is often used in air conditioning
systems and commercial food storage and cooling applications.

Figure: vapor absorption and vapor compression refrigeration system

Vapor compression Refrigeration System Vapor Absorption Refrigeration System

There is very less in noise or you can say it is

Here when the operation is going it produces noise.
quiet in operation.

The refrigerant we use here is Chlorofluorocarbons,

In the Absorption system, we use refrigerant is
Hydrocarbons, and Hydro chlorofluorocarbons. Or you can
Ammonia or water.
say R12 refrigerant is used.

Here the charging of these refrigerants is very simple.

In this case, charging is very difficult.
Whereas
The supply of energy is low. Here the supply of energy is high.

The Absorption system occupies less space and

The compression system occupies more space and It is less
It is more efficient comparatively the
efficient.
Compression refrigeration system.

In the Absorption system, the flow of gas

The compressor is used and The flow of gas depends upon the
depends upon the generator’s working and
compressor only. Whereas
Gravity.

The mechanical energy is supplied as input here. The heat energy is supplied here as input.

Here the chances of wear and tear are very less

Here the chances of wear and tear because the compression
because the Absorption system has not any
system has many moving parts.
moving parts.

Here the refrigerant is being compressed for working In the Absorption system, refrigerant is being
operation. absorbed and heated.

The operating cost is high because here we compressor and it The operating cost is Less because of less heat
consumes more work. energy is required.

The coefficient of Power (COP) is high in the compression The coefficient of Power (COP) is low in the
system. Absorption system.

Maintenance is more. Less Maintenance.

The compressor system is not used for large capacity work as

This system is used for large-capacity works.
it is limited. Whereas

The leakage chance is very less or negligible

The leakage chance is more because of high pressure.
because of low pressure.

What are the criteria’s for selecting these systems

1. Operating cost: The running costs of a vapor absorption system is lower because it does not
require as much electricity as a vapor compression system.
2. Size: Vapor absorption systems are generally larger and less efficient in terms of their size
compared to vapor compression systems.
3. Capacity: For small or medium-scale projects, vapor compression systems have greater
capacity and provide better efficiency than vapor absorption systems.
4. Refrigerant: A key factor when selecting the best refrigeration system is the type of
refrigerant used. Vapor compression systems use an electrically powered compressor and can use
several different types of refrigerants, while vapor absorption systems typically only work with
ammonia or lithium bromide solution as the working fluid.
5. Maintenance: When it comes to maintenance and servicing requirements, both systems need
frequent check-ups and service visits due to wear-and-tear, but opted for a good maintenance
plan, a vapor compression system requires less overall maintenance costs than a vapour
absorption system due to the fact that its components are more easily replaceable, making them
more reliable in terms of extending lifespans past its designed life expectancy rates.
6. Environmentally friendliness: Absorption systems make use of natural refrigerants such as
ammonia-water solutions and lithium bromide-water solutions that are non-toxic and non-
flammable which make them safer and more environment friendly than compressor based
applications that use CFCs or HCFCs, making absorption the preferred choice in many places of
work where environmental protection is a priority.

7, what are the new emerging sciences of refrigeration systems? Explain briefly with their
working mechanisms.

The new emerging sciences of refrigeration systems are being driven by advances in technology,
energy efficiency, and environmental awareness.
1. Advanced Absorption Refrigeration Systems
This technology uses heat instead of electricity to power a cooling cycle. Heat is absorbed from
the environment, usually via a solar collector or waste heat from industrial processes, which
drives the refrigeration cycle and produces chilled water or air.
2. Variable Refrigerant Flow Systems
This type of system utilizes variable speed fans that allow for more precise temperature control
than traditional systems. It also reduces noise and energy consumption compared to single speed
systems.
Figure: variable refrigeration system
3. Air Conditioning Heat Pumps
These systems utilize the same mechanism as an air conditioner but with higher efficiency thanks
to their ability to transfer heat between outdoor and indoor environments. The advantage is that
they can reduce electricity consumption while still providing effective cooling/heating
capabilities in any climate condition.
4. Geothermal Cooling Systems
Geothermal cooling leverages naturally occurring underground temperatures to provide efficient
cooling with minimal environmental impact. Heat is extracted from deep in the Earth’s surface
and transferred into ground loops located around a building which cool the air inside through
evaporation of the heated fluid present within them.

Figure: geothermal heating and cooling system

 5. Magnetic refrigeration
Magnetic refrigeration is a cooling technology based on the magneto-caloric effect. This
technique can be used to attain extremely low temperatures, as well as the ranges used in
common refrigerators.
A magneto-caloric material warms up when a magnetic field is applied. The warming is due to
changes in the internal state of the material releasing heat. When the magnetic field is removed,
the material returns to its original state, reabsorbing the heat, and returning to original
temperature. To achieve refrigeration, the material is allowed to radiate away its heat while in the
magnetized hot state. Removing the magnetism, the material then cools to below its original
temperature.

Figure: magnetic refrigeration system