REFRIGERATION AND AIR CONDITIONING |1

Question: What is refrigeration? Write short note on (i) Ton of

refrigeration (ii) Refrigeration effect (iii) Co-efficient of performance
(COP).

Answer:

Refrigeration: Refrigeration is a process of removal of heat from a space

where it is unwanted and transferring the same to the surrounding
environment where it makes little or no difference.

Ton of refrigeration: The standard unit of refrigeration is ton

refrigeration or simply ton denoted by TR. It is equivalent to the rate of
heat transfer to produce 1 ton (2000lbs) of ice at 32°F from water at 32°F
in one day i.e. 24 hours. The enthalpy of solidification of water from and at
32°F in British thermal unit is 144Btu/lb. Thus
⨉
1 TR = = 12000 Btu/hr = 200Btu/min

Refrigeration effect: Refrigeration effect is an important term in

refrigeration that defines the amount of cooling produced by a system.

Co-efficient of performance: Co-efficient of performance (COP) is defined

as the ratio of the refrigeration effect to the energy input.

COP =

Question: Write down the advantages and disadvantages of vapour

compression refrigeration system over air refrigeration system.
[1B/3B]

Answer: Following are the advantages and disadvantages of the vapour

compression refrigeration system over air refrigeration system:

Advantages:

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

2. It has less running cost.
3. It can be employed over a large range of temperatures.
4. The co-efficient of performance is quite high.

Disadvantages:

Prepared By: Hasan Bin Firoz (533)

Mechanical Engineering Fundamentals (ME-401)
 REFRIGERATION AND AIR CONDITIONING |2

1. The initial cost is high.

2. The prevention of leakage of the refrigerant is the major problem in
vapour compression system.

Question: Draw neat sketch of vapour compression refrigeration

system. [3B]

Answer:

Question: Write down the properties of refrigerant. [2B]/ Write down

the ideal properties of a refrigerant.

Answer: The ideal properties of a refrigerant are given below:

1. A high latent heat of vaporization.

2. A high density of suction gas.
3. Non-corrosive, non-toxic and non-flammable.
4. Critical temperature and triple point outside the working range.
5. Compatibility with component materials and lubricating oil.
6. Reasonable working pressures.
7. High dielectric strength.
8. Low cost.
9. Ease of leak detection.

Prepared By: Hasan Bin Firoz (533)

Mechanical Engineering Fundamentals (ME-401)
 REFRIGERATION AND AIR CONDITIONING |3

10. Environmentally friendly.

Question: Describe the vapour absorption refrigeration system with

neat sketch. [4B]

Answer: The essential components of the absorption system are: an

evaporator, an absorber, a generator, a condenser, an expansion valve, a
reducing valve, a pump.

Thus it is seen that the compressor in the vapour compression system is

replaced by an absorber, generator, a reducing valve and a pump in the
absorption system. The strong solution from the absorber is pumped to the
generator which is at a higher pressure. Heat is added to the generator
from the heating source which may be a gas burner, steam or electric
heating.

As a result of heating, ammonia gas gets expelled from the strong solution
in the generator and passes on the condenser, where it is again condensed
to liquid and passes on to receiver, if there is any, and then to the expansion
valve and the evaporator. The weak solution in the generator after
ammonia is expelled passes through the reducing valve to the absorber.

Prepared By: Hasan Bin Firoz (533)

Mechanical Engineering Fundamentals (ME-401)
 REFRIGERATION AND AIR CONDITIONING |4

Question: Draw neat sketch of vapour absorption refrigeration

system. [1B/2B]

Answer:

Question: Write down the difference between refrigeration and air

conditioning. [4B]

Answer: The difference between refrigeration and air conditioning is given

below:

Refrigeration Air conditioning

1. Refrigeration removes the heat 1. AC cools the air and circulates the
from the enclosed space. air in the enclosed space.
2. Refrigeration does not cater to 2. AC caters both latent as well as
latent heat load. sensible load.
3. It does not have control over 3. It has temperature as well as
humidity. humidity control.
4. Refrigerants used for refrigeration
4. Refrigerants used for air
are Fluro Carbons. conditioning are not Fluro Carbons.
5. Refrigeration has no control over5. AC has filters to improve air
air quality. quality.
6. Refrigeration does not cater to 6. Air conditioning caters to human
human comfort. comfort
Prepared By: Hasan Bin Firoz (533)
Mechanical Engineering Fundamentals (ME-401)
REFRIGERATION AND AIR CONDITIONING |5

Prepared By: Hasan Bin Firoz (533)

Mechanical Engineering Fundamentals (ME-401)