3.

4 Refrigeration Systems
Just as the natural flow of water is from a high level to a low level, the
natural flow of heat too is from a body at high temperature to a body at a
low temperature, and just as we would need a pump to reverse the flow
or pump water upwards, we need mechanical work to be done or a heat
pump to transfer heat from a body at a low temperature and give it to a
body at a high temperature.

In a refrigeration system, gas at a high PR. P¹, low vol. V¹ & high temp T¹
(35°C to 40°C) is obtained from the compressor. It is allowed to expand
slightly & cool in the condenser to a liquid at pressure P², vol. V² & SW
temp T².
This cooled liquid gas is suddenly allowed to expand by passing through
an expansion valve.
The expansion of the gas to vol. V³ is accompanied by a slight fall in its
pressure P³ and a large fall in its temp. to T³(5°C to 25°C).
The gas is now kept in contact with the substance to be cooled.
It absorbs heat from the substance and cools it while in turn, its own
temp rises to T⁴ (25° to 35°C) and pressure & volume to P⁴ & V⁴
It is then compressed in a compressor to its pressure, volume &
temperature at the first stage, i.e. P¹, V¹ & T¹.
The difference between direct cooling systems and indirect cooling
systems, also known as secondary refrigeration, resides in the physical
separation between the primary circuit, where the cold is generated, and
the secondary system, where cooling takes place.
In the indirect system the cold generated in the primary circuit is
transported by the heat transfer fluid to the place where the products
need to be cooled. Temperatures for this application can vary from -40 °C
to 40 °C.

Benefits of Indirect refrigerant systems: Minimal amount of

refrigerant, Reduced risk of leakage of the primary refrigerant, Reduced
system size, less severe demands on piping and pumps, Simpler to
modify.
Transporting refrigerant over a long distance is avoided, as the secondary
fluid can easily be carried away from the system and cooled at a
convenient distance.
In Direct cooling systems, heat transfers directly to the volatile
refrigerant. Any heat transfer in which volatile liquid expands and
evaporates to produce a cooling effect is called direct expansion
evaporator. In many structures, it is not economical to circulate a direct
expansion of the refrigerant for all zones.
However, long refrigerant lines, particularly in the long risers, create
problems with the oil return, the reason for the excessive refrigerant
pressure drops that reduce the capacity and effectiveness of the system.
In addition, the leak is more likely to occur in long lines due to the
increase in exposed pipe and the number of seams. Repair of these
systems after the leak is more time consuming and expensive. In these
applications, indirect refrigeration system works.
Air-cooled chillers are refrigeration systems used in both commercial
and industrial facilities to cool fluids and/or dehumidify air. They are used
in a wide variety of settings including hotels.
Air-cooled chillers actively absorb heat from process water; they then
transfer this heat into the air around the chiller unit.