COMPRESSION

REFRIGERATION RMMR1010

SYSTEMS 1
REFRIGERATION
• Refrigeration follows 2 basic principles.
• Heat moves from the “hotter” space to the “colder” space.
• There is a direct relationship between boiling point and
pressure.
• We modify boiling temperatures by modifying refrigerant pressures.
• We can manipulate refrigerant into boiling by lowering its
pressure.
• It will then remove heat from its surroundings
• We can increase its boiling temperatures by increasing its
pressure.
• At higher temperatures, refrigerant will loose heat to ambient.

02/08/2024 2
 CLOSED CYCLE
REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
• Contains the following parts:
• Evaporator
• Compressor
• Condenser
• Metering device
• Liquid receiver

Sample Footer Text 02/08/2024 3

 CLOSED CYCLE
REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
• Low-Pressure Side
• Downstream metering device, evaporator,
compressor/vacuum, piping
• Design pressure determined by required evaporator
temperature
• High-Pressure Side
• Compressor discharge, condenser, liquid receiver,
upstream metering device, piping
• Design pressure determined by temperature required
to discharge heat into cooling medium.
• High-low pressure sides separated by metering device and
compressor.

Sample Footer Text

REFRIGERATION
SYSTEM

02/08/2024 5
CLOSED CYCLE REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
• Industrial devices may be further complicated by:
• Multiple evaporators: each evaporator may be designed for a different requirement.
• Often industries need different temperatures for each of their productions processes.
• Multiple Compressors: increase redundancy, increase cooling capacity and increase
compression capacity (for cooler temperatures).
• Multiple Condensers: increase redundancy
• Isolation and servicing valves: allow the ability to isolate equipment for servicing and repair
• Allow for the purging of refrigerant in emergencies.
CLOSED CYCLE REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
• Industrial devices may be further complicated by:
• Safety valves and safety limit controls: allow for protection of equipment due to
spikes of pressure.
• Operating temperature and temperature limit controls: used to control temperature
of cooled space.
• Can prevent over-cooling or freezing of cooling medium.
• Pressure-regulating valves: maintain temperature by regulating pressure in
evaporators.
• Especially important if multiple evaporators are present
CLOSED CYCLE
REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
• Compressor Protective Devices:
• Oil pressure cut-off switches
• Cooling water temperatures controls
• High discharge temperature and pressure
cut-off switches
• Safety valves
MECHANICAL REFRIGERATION
• Direct Systems: the evaporator surface is in direct contact with the cooled space.
• Ex: Refrigerators, air conditioners.
• Refrigerant leaks directly affect the cooled space.
• Indirect Systems: evaporator is in contact with a second medium (chilled water,
brine, glycol, etc.) which is then in contact with the cooled space.
• Allows for the separation of the refrigeration system and the cooled space.
• Can be safer and less costly as a lower-cost refrigerant can be used for the
distribution portion of the system.
• Commonly used in large air-conditioning systems.
INDIRECT REFRIGERATION
PACKAGED REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS
• Packaged ice rink plant: all required equipment is skid-
mounted, except for the condenser.
• Can be sold and installed as a unit.
• Uses brine as its distribution system, and contains
brine circulation pumps installed as part of the
package.
• Packaged centrifugal water chillers: sold by manufacturers
to provide chilled water.
• All components are matched so good performance and
efficiency is obtained.
• Can incorporate economizers to improve efficiency
and performance.
REFRIGERATION COMPRESSORS
• Three main functions:
• Removes refrigerant gas from the evaporator – maintains correct pressure to allow boiling
• Raise gas pressure to create the high-side of the refrigeration cycle and supply refrigerant to the
low-side.
• Raise the temperature of the refrigerant so that it will release heat to the cooling medium.
• Three types:
• Reciprocating compressors: positive displacement pump that uses a piston-cylinder system.
• Rotary compressors: positive displacement pump that uses helical rotors or eccentric rotors
• Centrifugal compressors: uses an impeller to increase speed first and then pressure.
 RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORS
• There are three types:
• Open: crankcase is open and available for maintenance.
• Semi-hermetic: crankcase is shared with drive motor.
• Hermetic: motor is integrated with pump.
• Often fitted with safety heads
• A spring-loaded relief valve that opens if an over-pressure condition is detected.
• Protects in case of liquid refrigerant enters compressor.
• Bearings are identical as for air compressors and pumps
• Copper bearings are to be avoided if ammonia is used as refrigerant.
ROTARY
•COMPRESSORS
Several designs:
• Stationary single-blade
• Rotating sliding blade
• Helical rotor or screw
• Scroll
• Produces a low discharge pressure.
• Inter-coolers are used to lower refrigerant density
and so reduce the main compressor load.
• Main compressors tend to be reciprocating or other
high-pressure compressors.
• Overall effect is to reduce input work and so increase
efficiency.
CENTRIFUGAL
COMPRESSORS
• Centrifugal compressors:
increase refrigerant speed,
which then becomes
increased pressure.
• Refrigerant pressure
increases can be
accommodated through
leakage.
HELICAL
COMPRESSORS
• Helical or screw design:
used in medium and high
pressure applications.
• Same as used for air
compression.
SCROLL
COMPRESSORS
• Scroll design: increasingly used
because of their low vibration,
low noise, and high efficiency.
COMPRESSOR
DESIGNS
• New designs are necessary to deal with the
requirements of new refrigerants.
• New refrigerant blends evaporate over a range
of pressures rather than one pressure, so new
compressors need to be able to produce a
range of pressures rather than just one.
• Scroll compressors are capable of creating
pressure ranges.