REFRIGERATION CYCLE

DESCRIPTION Refrigeration is the withdrawl of heat from a substance or space so that temperature lower than that of the natural surroundings is achieved. Refrigeration may be produced by thermoelectric means vapor compression systems expansion of compressed gases throttling or unrestrained expansion of gases.

Vapor compression systems are employed in most refrigeration systems. Here, cooling is accomplished by evaporation of a liquid refrigerant under reduced pressure and temperature. The fluid enters the compressors at state 1 where the temperature is elevated by mechanical compression (state 2). The vapor condenses at this pressure, and the resultant heat is dissipated to the surrounding. The high pressure liquid (state 3) then passes through an expansion valve through which the fluid pressure is lowered. The low-

pressure fluid enters the evaporator at state 4 where it evaporates by absorbing heat from the refrigerated space, and reenters the compressor. The whole cycle is repeated.

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION COMPONENTS

COEFFICIENT OF PERFORMANCE :

Compressor Condenser Expansion valve Evaporator

Refrigeration Cycle
Refrigeration cycle description
The refrigeration cycle uses a fluid called a refrigerant that moves heat from 1 place to another and boils at a much lower temperature than water.

Example of refrigeration
The example below illustrates the refrigeration cycle in an air conditioner.

The refrigeration process

The table below describes the process of an air conditioning refrigeration cycle. Note: This process is typical for all refrigeration cycles. Stage 1 Description Cool, liquid refrigerant enters the indoor coil known as the evaporator. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the home and changes

state from a liquid to a vapor (usually between 40 -50 F). 3 The vapor refrigerant moves into the compressor, which raises the refrigerant

pressure and temperature (roughly 120 -140 F).

The increase in pressure causes the refrigerant to flow into the outdoor coil known as the condenser and

release heat to the outside air by a fan.

The vapor refrigerant then reaches the expansion valve, which causes it to "flash" through the valve, much like the spray of an aerosol can reduce the pressure and

cool the refrigerant to the point where it returns to a liquid state.

The cycle is complete as the cool, liquid refrigerant re-enters the evaporator to pick up room heat.