 Refrigeration is the process of providing and

maintaining the low temperature below that

of surrounding temperature.
 Heat is removed from a place where it is not
required and rejected where it is not
objectionable
 Analogous to transferring of water from
lower level to higher level.
• Usually the refrigeration system capacity
is represented in tons of refrigeration. It is
the quantity of heat required/absorbed to
convert one tonne of ice/water at 0 degree
C into water/ ice at same 0 degree C in 24
hours.
• In British Unit 1 Ton of Refrigeration =200
Btu./ min
• In S I Unit 1 Ton of Refrigeration=3.5
kW
 Useful refrigerating effect
COP = ---------------------------------
Net energy supplied from
external source
• Mechanical vapor compression system

• Vapor absorption refrigeration system

Mechanical vapor compression
system

• The system consists of four processes,

i. vaporization of the refrigerant liquid,
ii. compression of the vapor,
iii. liquefaction of vapor and
iv. Expansion of the liquid refrigerant by
using expansion devices.
Major Components
Compressor
Condenser
Expansion Device
Evaporator
 Components Process
• Compressor Compression
• Condenser Condensation
• Expansion Valve Throttling
• Evaporator Evaporation
 Return air
Motor Compressor

Metering
Device

Condenser
 Compressor Condenser
Compresses the Condenses the high
low pressure & pressure & high
low temp.vapor temp.vapor
refrigerant into
refrigerant into high pressure
high pressure & &high temp.liquid
high temp.vapor refrigerant using a
refrigerant cooling medium
 Expansion Valve Evaporator
It converts the high The low pressure &
pressure & high low temp. liquid
temp. liquid refrigerant is
refrigerant into low converted into low
pressure & low pressure & low
temp.liquid temp temp.vapor
by expansion refrigerant by
absorbing heat
 Types of Compressor
• Reciprocating Compressor
• Rotary Compressor
• Scroll Compressor
• Centrifugal Compressor
• Screw Compressor
Reciprocating Compressor
Rotary Compressor...
Scroll Compressor
 Scroll Compressor
Suction
 Refrigeration cycle
(With Centrifugal Compressor)
 Types of Condenser

Air Cooled Condenser

Water Cooled Condenser
Evaporative Condenser
Air Cooled Condenser
Evaporative Condenser
 Expansion Devices

Capillary Tube
Automatic Expansion Valve
Thermostatic Expansion Valve
Electronic Expansion Valve
Thermostatic Expansion valve
Electronic Expansion Valve
 Evaporators

Flooded Evaporator
Dry Evaporator
DX Evaporator-Shell &Tube type
Water flow thru the shell.
Refrigerant is in tubes.
DX Evaporator- Shell &Tube type
Water flow thru the shell
Refrigerant is in tubes
 Refrigerants

Refrigerants are the working fluids in

refrigeration, air-conditioning, and heat
pumping systems
They absorb heat from one area, such as an
air-conditioned space, and reject it into
another, such as outdoors
 Phase change

phase changes occur both in absorption and

mechanical vapor compression systems.
The design of the refrigeration equipment
depends strongly on the properties of the
selected refrigerant.
 Refrigerant selection
• A refrigerant must satisfy
 Cost,availability, efficiency,and
many requirements, some
compatibility with compressor
of which do not directly
lubricants and materials with
relate to its ability to
which the equipment is
transfer heat.
constructed are other concerns.
• Chemical stability under
 The environmental consequences
conditions of use is the
of a refrigerant that leaks from a
most important
system must also be considered.
characteristic.
• Safety codes may require a
nonflammable refrigerant
of low toxicity for some
applications
 Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs),

Because of chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) great

stability, fully halogenated compounds, it persists
in the atmosphere for many years and eventually
diffuse into the stratosphere.
The molecules of CFCs, such as R-11 and R-12,
contain only carbon and the halogens chlorine
and fluorine. Once in the upper atmosphere, CFC
molecules break down and release chlorine, which
destroys ozone (ozone depletion).
 Hydro chlorofluorocarbons
(HCFCs).
 Substitution of a hydrogen atom for one or more of
the halogens in a CFC molecule greatly reduces its
atmospheric lifetime and lessens its environmental
impact.
 These compounds are called hydro
chlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). These compounds
containing bromine, fluorine, and carbon.
 Like CFCs, halons break down, but release bromine,
which is even more destructive to stratospheric
ozone than chlorine.
 Phase out of refrigerants

 The Montreal Protocol is an international treaty

that controls the production of ozone-depleting
substances, including refrigerants containing
chlorine and/or bromine (U.N. 1994, 1996).
 The original Protocol was signed September 16,
1987, by the European Economic Community
(currently the European Union) and 24 nations,
including the United States. It entered into force on
January 1, 1989, and limits the 1998 production of
specified CFCs to 50% of their 1986 levels.
• Starting in 1992, the production of specified halons
(including R-13B1) was frozen at 1986 levels.
• Developing countries were granted additional time
to meet these deadlines
 Refrigerant properties

Physical Properties Chemical properties

i. Low freezing i. Chemically stable at all
temperature pressures &
ii. High critical temperatures
temperature ii. Easily mix with
lubricating oil
iii. Low specific volume iii. No effect on the stored
iv. High latent heat product
iv. Should not react with
pipe materials
 Refrigerant properties

Thermodynamic
properties Miscellaneous properties
i. Low sp. Heat in i. Leaking should be easily
gas & high sp. Heat detected
in liquid ii. High COP
ii. Non flammable iii. Low power consumption
iii. Non toxic iv. Easily available
iv. Positive pr. in the v. Cheaper price
evaporator
 Leak detection

• Leak detection in refrigeration equipment is a

major problem for manufacturers and service
engineers. The following leak detection methods
are used
• Soap Solution
• Halogen Leak detector
• Electronic Detection
The electronic detector is the most sensitive of the
various leak detection methods.