Vapor Compression Refrigeration

&
Vapor Absorption Refrigeration
 Cyclic Process of Refrigeration
• In the cyclic process of refrigeration the heat is
removed from the low temperature reservoir and is
thrown to high temperature reservoir. As per the
second law of thermodynamics the natural flow of heat
is from the high temperature reservoir to low
temperature reservoir. In the cyclic refrigeration
process since the flow of heat is reversed, the external
work has to be done on the system. The cyclic process
of refrigeration is also reverse of the thermodynamic
power cycle or Carnot cycle in which the heat flows
from high temperature reservoir to low temperature
reservoir; hence the cycle of refrigeration is also called
as Reverse Carnot Cycle.
There are two types of cyclic process of
refrigeration: vapor cycle and gas cycle. The
vapor cycle is classified into vapor
compression cycle and vapor absorption cycle.
Vapor Compression Cycle
• The vapor compression cycle is the mostly widely
used method of refrigeration in the modern
applications. Your household refrigerator, water
cooler, deep freezer, air-conditioner etc, all run on
vapor compression cycle. The cycle is called as
vapor compression cycle, because the vapors of
refrigerant are compressed in the compressor of
the refrigerator system to develop the cooling
effect.
1) Compression: The vapors of refrigerant enter the
compressor and get compressed to high pressure and
high temperature. During this process the entropy of the
refrigerant ideally remains constant and it leaves in
superheated state.

2) Condensation: The superheated refrigerant then

enters the condenser where it is cooled either by air or
water due to which its temperature reduces, but pressure
remains constant and it gets converted into liquid state.
3) Expansion: The liquid refrigerant then enters the
expansion valve or throttling valve where sudden
expansion of the refrigerant occurs, due to which its
temperature and pressure falls down. The refrigerant
leaves expansion valve in partially liquid state and
partially in gaseous state.

4) Evaporation or cooling: The partially liquid and partially

gaseous refrigerant at very low temperature enters the
evaporator where the substance to be cooled is kept. It is
here where the refrigeration effect is produced. The
refrigerant absorbs the heat from the substance to be
cooled and gets converted into vapor state.
This low pressure
refrigerant is then
absorbed by the
compressor where
it is compressed
again and the whole
cycle of
refrigeration
repeats again. The
vapor compression
cyclic process is
used for
refrigeration in
domestic as well as
commercial
applications.
What Is a Compressor and How Does it Work?

An HVACR compressor is a refrigerant gas pump in

which the evaporator supplies gaseous refrigerant at
a low pressure and increases it to a greater pressure.
Upon being compressed, the temperature and
pressure of the vapor are increased. The gaseous
refrigerant is delivered to the condenser at a
pressure at which condensation occurs at an
appropriate temperature.
compressor consists of two components: the power source and
the compressing mechanism (piston, vane, etc.). In the case of an
air compressor, the compressing mechanism is in fact
compressing the atmospheric air. The air compressor works in the
following way:A Compressor That is Commercially Available
Air enters the piston or vane, and it is compressed by increasing
its pressure and at the same time decreasing its volume. As
soon as the pressure reaches a maximum set by the operator or
the manufacturer, a switch mechanism prevents any further air
intake in the compressor. The compressed air is used and
pressure levels decrease. As soon as the pressure reaches a
minimum, also set by the operator or the manufacturer, the
switch allows air to enter the compressor. This procedure is
repeated as long as the compressor is being used.
Performance Factors for Compressors
Three Giant Compressors in an Ice Factory
Factors which affect the performance of compressors are:

speed of rotation
pressure at suction
pressure at discharge and
type of refrigerant being used

Similar compressors can operate at different capacities by varying their

refrigerants and compressor horsepower input. When purchasing any type
of compressor, the buyer should check certain characteristics that include
the machine configuration, the operation type, the price, and the operating
cost. In any case, he should check the performance of the compressor and
consult with the manufacturer about the most suitable and safest
compressor for his budget and requirements.
Types of Compressors
 Rotary: Compressors of the rotary type are generally low capacity
equipment, used normally in home refrigerators and freezers, and not
used for air conditioning. These compressors can consist of one vane,
which is placed in the body, and sealed against the rotor, or multivane
rotary, with vanes located in the rotor.

Centrifugal Compressors: These compressors revolve at high speed,

and refrigerant is compressed by the application of centrifugal force.
These compressors are normally used with refrigerants possessing
higher specific volumes, which need lower compression ratios. Multi-
stage units can be used to attain greater discharge pressures, and the
number of stages is determined by the discharge temperature of the
gas as it exits from the rotor. These compressors are utilized for water
chilling in air conditioning and for low temperature freezing purposes.
Reciprocating Compressor: These compressors have pistons, and move
in cylinders. Types of reciprocating compressors are:

Open Compressors: One extremity of the crankshaft is drawn out of the

crankcase, due to which multiple drives can be used with the compressor.
A mechanical seal is used to check external seepage of refrigerant and oil,
and escape of air towards the inside. These compressors are driven by
electric motors or internal combustion engines. With belt drive, changes
in speed are achieved by altering the dimensions of the pulleys, while with
direct drive units the compressor is planned to operate at the speed of
motor.

Hermetic Compressors: These compressors are serviceable hermetic, in

which motor and compressor are enclosed in the same housing, while the
welded hermetic type has the compressor and motor sealed in a welded
steel shell.
What is Absorption Refrigeration System?
• The vapor absorption refrigeration system comprises of
all the processes in the vapor compression refrigeration
system like compression, condensation, expansion and
evaporation. In the vapor absorption system the
refrigerant used is ammonia, water or lithium bromide.
The refrigerant gets condensed in the condenser and it
gets evaporated in the evaporator. The refrigerant
produces cooling effect in the evaporator and releases
the heat to the atmosphere via the condenser.
The major difference between the two systems is the
method of the suction and compression of the refrigerant
in the refrigeration cycle. In the vapor compression system,
the compressor sucks the refrigerant from evaporator and
compresses it to the high pressure. The compressor also
enables the flow of the refrigerant through the whole
refrigeration cycle. In the vapor absorption cycle, the
process of suction and compression are carried out by two
different devices called as the absorber and the generator.
Thus the absorber and the generator replace the
compressor in the vapor absorption cycle. The absorbent
enables the flow of the refrigerant from the absorber to
the generator by absorbing it.
Another major difference between the vapor compression
and vapor absorption cycle is the method in which the
energy input is given to the system. In the vapor
compression system the energy input is given in the form of
the mechanical work from the electric motor run by the
electricity. In the vapor absorption system the energy input
is given in the form of the heat. This heat can be from the
excess steam from the process or the hot water. The heat
can also be created by other sources like natural gas,
kerosene, heater etc. though these sources are used only in
the small systems.
How Absoption Refrigeration System Works

The absorption refrigeration system comprises of condenser,

expansion valve, evaporator, absorber, pump and generator.
The refrigerant leaving the evaporator enter the absorber,
where it is absorbed by the absorbent. The strong solution of
refrigerant-absorber enters the generator with the help of the
pump. The refrigerant then enters the condenser while the
remaining weak solution enters back to the absorber and the
cycle is repeated.
 Simple Absorption System and How it Works

1) Condenser: Just like in the traditional condenser of the vapor

compression cycle, the refrigerant enters the condenser at high
pressure and temperature and gets condensed. The condenser is of
water cooled type.

2) Expansion valve or restriction: When the refrigerant passes

through the expansion valve, its pressure and temperature reduces
suddenly. This refrigerant (ammonia in this case) then enters the
evaporator.

3) Evaporator: The refrigerant at very low pressure and temperature

enters the evaporator and produces the cooling effect. In the vapor
compression cycle this refrigerant is sucked by the compressor, but
in the vapor absorption cycle, this refrigerant flows to the absorber
that acts as the suction part of the refrigeration cycle.
4) Absorber: The absorber is a sort of vessel consisting of water that
acts as the absorbent, and the previous absorbed refrigerant. Thus
the absorber consists of the weak solution of the refrigerant
(ammonia in this case) and absorbent (water in this case). When
ammonia from the evaporator enters the absorber, it is absorbed by
the absorbent due to which the pressure inside the absorber
reduces further leading to more flow of the refrigerant from the
evaporator to the absorber. At high temperature water absorbs
lesser ammonia, hence it is cooled by the external coolant to
increase it ammonia absorption capacity.
The initial flow of the refrigerant from the evaporator to the
absorber occurs because the vapor pressure of the refrigerant-
absorbent in the absorber is lower than the vapor pressure of the
refrigerant in the evaporator. The vapor pressure of the
refrigerant-absorbent inside the absorbent determines the
pressure on low-pressure side of the system and also the
vaporizing temperature of the refrigerant inside the evaporator.
The vapor pressure of the refrigerant-absorbent solution depends
on the nature of the absorbent, its temperature and
concentration.

When the refrigerant entering in the absorber is absorbed by the

absorbent its volume decreases, thus the compression of the
refrigerant occurs. Thus absorber acts as the suction part of the
compressor. The heat of absorption is also released in the
absorber, which is removed by the external coolant.
5) Pump: When the absorbent absorbs the refrigerant strong solution of
refrigerant-absorbent (ammonia-water) is formed. This solution is pumped
by the pump at high pressure to the generator. Thus pump increases the
pressure of the solution to about 10bar.

6) Generator: The refrigerant-ammonia solution in the generator is heated

by the external source of heat. This is can be steam, hot water or any other
suitable source. Due to heating the temperature of the solution increases.
The refrigerant in the solution gets vaporized and it leaves the solution at
high pressure. The high pressure and the high temperature refrigerant then
enters the condenser, where it is cooled by the coolant, and it then enters
the expansion valve and then finally into the evaporator where it produces
the cooling effect. This refrigerant is then again absorbed by the weak
solution in the absorber.
When the vaporized refrigerant leaves the generator weak solution
is left in it. This solution enters the pressure reducing valve and then
back to the absorber, where it is ready to absorb fresh refrigerant.
In this way, the refrigerant keeps on repeating the cycle.

The pressure of the refrigerant is increased in the generator, hence

it is considered to be equivalent to the compression part of the
compressor.
Absorption Refrigeration versus Compression
Refrigeration

Advantages and Comparison of Vapor

Absorption Refrigeration over Vapor
Compression Refrigeration
Advantages of absorption

1) Method of compression of the refrigerant:

One of the most important parts of any refrigeration
cycle is the compression of the refrigerant since all
the further operations depend on it. In the vapor
compression refrigeration system the compression of
the refrigerant is done by compressor which can be
of reciprocating, rotating or centrifugal type. In the
vapor absorption refrigeration system, the
compression of the refrigerant is done by absorption
of the refrigerant by the absorbent. As the
refrigerant is absorbed, it gets converted from the
vapor state to liquid state so its volume reduces.
2) Power consumption devices: In the vapor compression cycle
the compressor is the major power consuming device while in
the vapor absorption cycle the pump used for pumping
refrigerant-absorbent solution is the major power consuming
device.

• 3) The amount of power required: The compressor of the

vapor compression cycle requires large quantities of power for
its operation and it increases as the size of the refrigeration
system increases. In case of the vapor absorption refrigeration
system, the pump requires very small amount of power and it
remains almost the same (or may increase slightly) even for
higher capacities of refrigeration. Thus the power consumed
by the vapor absorption refrigeration system is much more
than that required by the vapor compression system.
4) Type of energy required: The vapor absorption system runs
mainly on the waste or the extra heat in the plant. Thus one can
utilize the extra steam from the boiler, or generate extra steam
for the purpose and also use the hot available water. Similarly the
waste heat from the diesel engine, hot water from the solar
water heater, etc. can also be utilized. In case of the vapor
compression refrigeration system, the compressor can be run by
electric power supply only; no other types of energy can be
utilized in these systems.
5) Running cost: The vapor compression refrigeration
system can run only on electric power, and they require
large amount of power. These days the electric power has
become very expensive, hence the running cost of the
vapor compression refrigeration system is very high. In
case of the absorption refrigeration system only small
pump requires electric power and it is quite low. In most
of the process industries, where the absorption
refrigeration is used, there is some extra steam available
from the boiler, which can be used for running the system.
Thus in absorption refrigeration system no extra power in
the pure electric form is required and the energy that
would have otherwise gone wasted is utilized in the plant.
Thus the running cost of the absorption refrigeration
system is much lesser than the vapor compression system.
6) Foundations required and noise: The compressor of
the vapor compression system is operated at very high
speeds and it makes lots of vibrations and noise. It also
requires very strong foundation so that it can remain
intact under vibrations and high pressures of the
refrigerant. In the absorption refrigeration system there
are no major moving parts hence they don’t vibrate,
don’t make noise and also don’t require heavy
foundations. The absorption refrigeration systems
operate silently.
7) Maintenance: Compressor is the crucial part of the vapor
compression cycle, and it has number of moving parts. It is very
important to do the thorough lubrication of the compressor and
also keep checking it regularly for any defects. The compressor
also requires changing of the piston, piston rings, cylinder liner
etc. from time-to-time. Thus the vapor compression system
requires lots of maintenance. Failure of compressor can be very
expensive at times as the suction and the discharge valve of the
compressor are very expensive. Even the motor of the compressor
is very heavy and expensive. The compressor also requires
cooling, for which special pump is required to pump the water
from the cooling tower to the compressor. Since there are
number of moving parts of the compressor that move at very fast
speed some or the other failure occurs regularly. In the absorption
refrigeration system the only moving part is the small pump that
fails rarely. Thus the maintenance required by the vapor
compression system is much more than that required by the
vapor absorption system.
8) Capacity control of the system: In the vapor
compression cycle the capacity control of the system is
done from the compressor and in most of the cases
stepwise capacity control is obtained. In case of the
absorption refrigeration system it is possible to obtain
stepless capacity control and zero capacity when there is
no load on the system. Though these days compressors
with stepless capacity control are available, but they will
consume lots of power even if there is zero load on the
refrigeration system. In absorption system, when there is
zero load the power consumption is almost zero.
9) Type of refrigerant used and its cost: In ammonia-water
absorption refrigeration system, ammonia is used as the refrigerant,
which is easily and cheaply available. In lithium bromide system,
water is used as the refrigerant, which is also available cheaply and
easily. In case of the vapor compression refrigeration system
halocarbons are used as the refrigerants, which are very expensive.

10) Leakage of the refrigerant: In the absorption refrigeration

system there are no (or very few) leakages of the refrigerant and the
refrigerant itself is very cheap. Thus there are almost zero
refrigerant recharging costs. In case of the vapor compression
systems there are lots of leakages of the refrigerant thus regular
recharge of the refrigerant is required which is very expensive.
11) Greenhouse effect: Most of the halocarbon refrigerants
used in the compression refrigeration system produces
greenhouse effect. As per the Montreal Protocol, their use has
to stop completely by the year 2020. In the absorption
refrigeration system no refrigerant produces the greenhouse
effect, so their use won’t be stopped in future.
Disadvantages of Absorption Refrigeration
over Vapor Compression Refrigeration Cycle
1) Initial capital cost: Though the running cost of the absorption
refrigeration system is much lesser than the vapor compression
system, its initial capital cost is much higher.

2) Corrosive nature of lithium bromide: In the lithium bromide

absorption refrigeration system, lithium bromide is corrosive in
nature, which reduces the overall life of the system. In case of the
ammonia system, ammonia is corrosive to copper. In the vapor
compression system copper is used with the halocarbon refrigerants
and they are quite safe thus ensuring long life of the refrigeration
system. As such the vapor compression system with reciprocating or
centrifugal compressor has longer life than the lithium bromide
absorption refrigeration system.
3) Low working pressures: The working pressures of the
absorption refrigeration cycle are very low. In case of the lithium
bromide system these pressures are so low that even the
expansion valve is not required since the drop in pressure of the
refrigerant due to its flow is good enough to produce its
expansion. Due to this the refrigeration system should be sealed
thoroughly so that no atmospheric gases would enter the
refrigeration system. As such the system of the compression
refrigeration should also be packed tightly, but this is to prevent
the leakage of the refrigerant to the atmosphere.
4) Coefficient of Performance (COP): The coefficient of
performance of the absorption refrigeration systems is very low
compared to the vapor compression systems. For instance, the
COP of the two stage lithium bromide system is about 1.1, while
that of the vapor compression system used for the air conditioning
applications it is about 4 to 5. Thus the absorption refrigeration
system becomes competitive only if the ratio of the electricity to
fuel (oil, gas or coal used to generate the steam in the boiler)
becomes more than four. If this ratio is lesser there are chances
that excess fuel would be required to generate the steam.
However, if there is excess steam in the industry, this ratio may not
be given importance.
5) Higher heat rejection: In the absorption refrigeration heat
has to be rejected from number of parts like condenser,
absorber, analyzer, rectifier etc. thus heat rejection factor for
absorption refrigeration system is high and it can be around
2.5. In the compression refrigeration system the heat is given
up only from the condenser, so it heat rejection factor is small,
which is about 1.2. Thus the cooling tower and pump
capacities for pumping the cooling water have to be higher in
case of the absorption refrigeration system, which leads to
increase in the running cost of the system.