VAPOUR COMPRESSION

REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
ARNAB GANGULY
 INTRODUCTION
• Refrigeration cycle can be classified as Gas cycle or Vapor cycle depending

on the working fluid in the system

• In Vapor cycle the refrigeration effect is produced by vaporization of the

liquid refrigerant into vapor(in the evaporator).

• During vaporization from liquid to vapor the latent heat of vaporization is

absorbed from the surrounding.

• Vapour cycles can be subdivided into vapour compression systems, vapour

absorption systems, vapour jet systems. Among these the vapour

compression refrigeration systems are predominant.

 Vapour Compression Refrigeration
system (VCRS)
• Vapour compression refrigeration system is the most common cycle used for
refrigeration and air conditioning devices eg. Domestic refrigerator , air conditioner

• VCRS is based on vapor cycle refrigeration in which the refrigeration effect R.E (QL) is
obtained by vaporization of liquid to vapor.

• The refrigeration effect is given as

QL(KW/TR)= mR(Kg/s) × hfg(KJ/kg)

Where mR is the mass flow-rate of refrigerant and hfg is the latent heat of
vaporization of the refrigerant.

• The actual vapour compression cycle is based on Evans-Perkins cycle, which is also
called as reverse Rankine cycle
 Carnot cycle
• Carnot refrigeration cycle is a completely
reversible cycle and therefore it will have the
maximum COP.
• The Carnot cycle can be used as a
thermodynamic cycle for VCRS for maximum
COP
• However as we will see later the actual VCRS is
not based on Carnot VCRS.
 Carnot cycle based VCRS
Supercritical Point

Liquid vapour line

Fig. 3.2 T-S diagram of Carnot cycle

Fig. 3.1 Schematic of Carnot based
VCRS
 Carnot cycle based VCRS
The components of the VCRS are
• Evaporator

• Compressor

• Condensor

• Expander/turbine
 Practical problems with Carnot cycle
VCRS
Wet compression

• During process 1-2, a mixture consisting of liquid and vapour have to be compressed

isoentropically in the compressor. Such a compression is known as wet compression due to

the presence of liquid.

• In practice, wet compression is very difficult especially with reciprocating compressors. This

problem is particularly severe in case of high speed reciprocating compressors, which get

damaged due to the presence of liquid droplets in the vapour.

Turbine work

• The second practical difficulty with Carnot cycle is that using a turbine and extracting work

from the system during the isentropic expansion of liquid refrigerant is not economically

feasible, particularly in case of small capacity systems.

 TYPES VAPOUR COMPRESSION
REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
• Cycle with superheated vapor after
compression

• Cycle with subcoooling of liquid refrigerant

after condenser and superheating of vapour
refrigerant after evaporator
Vapour compression refrigeration
system

Schematic of VCRS T-S diagram of VCRS

P-H chart for VCRS

R.E.
 Refrigeration effect and COP for VCRS
• If mr is the mass flow-rate of the refrigerant in
the system then
• 𝑅. 𝐸 𝑄𝐿 = 𝑚𝑟 (ℎ1 − ℎ4)

• Compressor work 𝑊𝑖𝑛 = 𝑚𝑟(ℎ2 − ℎ1)

(ℎ1−ℎ4)
• COP for the system =
(ℎ2−ℎ1)
 VCRS problem solving
Problems on VCRS can be solved by using 2
methods

Using tabulated values of Refrigerant properties

Using P-H chart or graphical method

Simple VCRS system with saturated vapor
at compressor inlet and saturated liquid at
condenser outlet

R.E.
 Problem
• Problem 1.
A Vapour compression refrigeration system uses methyl chloride
and operates between temperatures limits of -10 C and 45 C . At
entry to the compressor the refrigerant is dry saturated and after
compression it acquires a temperature of 60 C. Find (i)the C.O.P
of the refrigerator (ii) Ideal COP of the refrigerator

Saturation Enthalpy in KJ/kg Entropy in KJ/kgK

Temp in C Liquid Vapour Liquid Vapour
-10 45.4 460.7 0.183 1.637
45 133.0 483.6 0.485 1.587
 Problem
• Problem 1.
A simple refrigerant R 134 a heat pump for space heating operates between
temperature limits of 15 C and 50 C. The heat required to be pumped is 100
MJ/h. Determine
1.Dryness fraction of refrigerant entering the evaporator.
2. The piston displacement assuming a volumetric efficiency of 87 %
3. The theoretical power
4. The theoretical COP
The specific heat of vapour is 0.996 KJ/kg K and the specific volume of R
134a is 0.04185 m3/kg.
Pressure Saturati Enthalpy in KJ/kg Entropy in KJ/kgK
(bar) on Temp Liquid Vapour Liquid Vapour
in C
4.887 15 220.26 413.6 1.0729 1.7439
13.18 50 271.97 430.4 1.2410 1.7312
 Problem
• Problem 3
A refrigeration machine using R 12 works between the pressures
of 2.5 bar and 9 bar. The vapour entering the compressor is dry
saturated and there is no subcoooling in the condenser. If the
capacity of the plant is 20 TR and the relative COP is 65 %
determine (a) Actual COP (b)Actual Compressor work

Pressure Saturatio Enthalpy in KJ/kg Entropy

bar n Temp in in KJ/kgK
C
Liquid Vapour Vapour
9 36 456.4 585.3 4.74
2.5 -7 412.4 570.3 4.76
P-H chart
SUBCOOLED
REGION

SUPERHEATED
REGION

TWO PHASE
REGION
Solving VCRS problem using P-H chart
A vapour compression system using R 12 operates
between -15 C and 35 C as evaporator and Condenser
temperature resp. Using P-H chart determine
• COP
• Mass flow rate of refrigerant per TR
• Piston displacement per TR using volumetric
efficiency of 80%
• Heat rejected in condenser per TR
• Ideal COP
Point state T h Specefic
volume v
1 Saturated -15 344.8 0.09146
vapour m3/kg
2 Superheat 40 372
ed vapour
3 Saturated 35 233.5
liquid
4 Liquid -15 233.5
vapour
mixture

COP = 4.09
mR = 0.0316
V = 3.612 x 10-3 m3/s
QH= 4.37 KW
COP carnot = 5.16
 MODIFICATION OF SIMPLE VCRS TO INCREASE
THE EFFICIENCY OF THE CYCLE

 SUBCOOLING OF THE LIQUID REFRIGERANT IN THE CONDENSOR

 SUPERHEATING OF THE VAPOUR REFRIGERANT IN THE EVAPORATOR BEFORE ENTERING

THE CONDENSOR
 SUBCOOLING OF THE LIQUID REFRIGERANT IN THE CONDENSOR

 WHAT IS SUBCOOLING ?

 It is possible to cool the refrigerant

liquid in the condenser to a few
degrees lower than the condensing
temperature by adding extra area for
heat transfer.

 In such a case, the exit condition of

the condenser will be in the subcooled
liquid region. Hence this process is
known as subcoooling of the
refrigerant.
 Advantages of Liquid Subcoooling
• Subcoooling increases the refrigeration effect
by reducing the throttling loss at no additional
specific work input.
• COP of the cycle increases
• Subcoooling ensures that only liquid enters
into the throttling device leading to its
efficient operation
Advantages of Liquid
Subcoooling
There is an increase in R.E.
due to subcoooling of the
refrigerant as shown in the
Fig.

Without Subcooling R.E. = 4-1

With Subcooling R.E. = 4’-1

SUPERHEATING OF THE VAPOUR REFRIGERANT IN THE
EVAPORATOR BEFORE ENTERING THE CONDENSOR

• It is possible to increase the temperature of

the vapour refrigerant leaving the evaporator
beyond the saturated vapour temperature

• This condition in which the vapour leaving the

evaporator is in superheated state is known
as Superheating.
 Advantages of vapour
• Superheating increases the R.E. in the
evaporator but there is an increase in
compressor work
• The COP of the system may or may not
increase with superheating.
• A minimum amount of superheat is desirable
as it prevents the entry of liquid droplets into
the compressor.
 Problem with subcoooling and
superheating
A vapour compression system using R 717 (NH3) operates
between -15 C and 40 C as evaporator and Condenser
temperature resp. The vapour is superheated by 5 C before
entering the compressor and the liquid is subcooled by 5
C Using P-H chart determine
• COP
• Mass flow rate of refrigerant per TR
• Piston displacement per TR using volumetric efficiency
of 80%
• Heat rejected in condenser per TR
• Ideal COP
Point state T h Specefic
volume v
1 Superheat -10 1457 0.513
ed vapour m3/kg
2 Superheat 130 1743.5
ed vapour
3 Subcooled 35 364
liquid
4 Liquid -15 364
vapour
mixture

COP = 3.81
mR = 0.00322
V = 2.065 x 10-3 m3/s
QH= 4.44 KW
COP carnot = 4.7
Methods of sub-cooling in a VCRS cycle

• Sub cooling of liquid refrigerant by vapour

refrigerant (Liquid to vapour heat exchanger)
• Subcooling of liquid refrigerant by Liquid
refrigerant (Liquid to Liquid heat exchanger )
Liquid – vapour heat exchanger
 Liquid – vapour heat exchanger
• A Liquid vapour heat exchanger is used for subcoooling of
liquid in a VCRS cycle.
• It is a counterblow heat exchanger in which the warm
refrigerant liquid from the condenser exchanges heat with the
cool refrigerant vapour from the evaporator.
• Temperature of the refrigerant liquid at the exit of condenser
is considerably higher than the temperature of refrigerant
vapour at the exit of the evaporator and therefore it is
possible to sub-cool the refrigerant liquid and superheat the
refrigerant vapour by exchanging heat between them.
• The main advantages of the Liquid vapour heat exchanger is it
increases the RE for the system.
Liquid to Liquid heat exchanger

Condenser

HEAT EXCHANGER
EX

Evaporator
 Liquid – Liquid heat exchanger
• A Liquid Liquid heat exchanger is used for subcoooling of liquid in a
VCRS cycle.
• The hot condenser fluid exchanges heat with the cold refrigerant
from the expansion valve which is bypassed from the evaporator
• The cold refrigerant is superheated before it is mixed with the
refrigerant coming out of the evaporator before it enters the
compressor
• The main advantage of the liquid liquid heat exchanger is higher
subcooling can be obtained in the heat exchanger without any
change in COP.
• The Refrigerant entering the evaporator is always saturated vapour
 Flash chamber
• When the liquid refrigerant is passed through
the expansion device some of the refrigerant
evaporates and forms vapour.
• This phenomenon is known as flashing
• The vapour of the refrigerant doesn’t produce
any refrigeration effect in the evaporator
• This refrigerant vapour can be removed with
the help of a flash chamber.
 Flash chamber

Condenser

Saturated T
FLASH CHAMBER
Vapour
refrigerant
m2
EX
m2 -m1
m1
Saturated
Liquid
Evaporator
refrigerant
 Advantages of Flash Chamber
• The COP and the RE of a simple VCRS with a
flash chamber is same as that of the simple
cycle
• The mass flow rate of the refrigerant in the
evaporator is less which results in reduction in
the evaporator size
• There refrigerant entering the compressor
doesn’t contain any liquid which results in the
durability of the compressor.
Effect of evaporator pressure on the
performance of VCRS

Effect of Decrease in evaporator pressure with constant

condenser pressure
 Effect of evaporator pressure on the
performance of VCRS
• Decrease in refrigeration effect
• Increase in volume of suction vapour and
therefore higher capacity compressor is
required
• Decrease in volumetric efficiency
• Increase in compressor work due to increase
in pressure ratio and change from steeper iso-
entropic curve to flatter iso-entropic curves.
• Decrease in COP
Effect of condenser pressure on the
performance of VCRS

Effect of increase in condenser pressure with constant

evaporator pressure
 Effect of condenser pressure on the
performance of VCRS
• Decrease in refrigeration effect
• Increase in mass flow rate for the same
refrigeration capacity (TR)
• Increase in compressor work
• The increase in compressor work is due to
higher pressure ratios and higher mass flow
rate
• Decrease in COP
 Two stage VCR cycle
The simple vapour compression system is a two-
pressure system. Systems with more than two
pressures may arise either due to
• Multistage or compound compression
• Feeding of the refrigerant to a multi-
evaporator system.
Multistage or Compound compression
VCR cycle
• When the pressure ratio between the condenser
and evaporator is greater than 4 or 5 the work
due to a single compression is very high.
• This will happen either as a result of a very high
condensing temperature, and/or a very low
evaporator temperature.
• Multistage or compound compression with inter-
stage cooling is one effective method of reducing
work of compression.
 Two stage VCR cycle
• Two stage VCR cycle with water intercooler
• Two stage VCR with Flash intercooler and
liquid sub cooler
 Two stage VCR cycle with water
intercooler
PC

Condenser HP
5 4
Saturated 3
Vapour Water intercooler
refrigerant

EX
Water
in
PE
6
1 2 Wate
Evaporator LP out
Two stage VCR cycle with water
intercooler

PC

PE
Two stage VCR cycle with Flash
Intercooler
 Two stage VCR cycle with Flash
Intercooler
• For flash intercooling. the compressed vapors from the lower stage are led and bubbled through the liquid

in the flash chamber.

• The vapors are thus cooled to the saturation temperature at the pressure of the flash chamber and a part

of the liquid evaporates which goes to the higher stage along with the vapors from the lower stage.

• Flash intercooling thus enables the higher stage compression to take place along the steeper isentropic,

nearer the saturated vapour line.

• Thus, although the specific work is reduced in the high stage because of working along the steeper

isentropic 3-4 instead of the isentropic 2-2'. the increase of the actual mass flow through the higher stage

may increase the work of the higher stage.

• It is found that in the case of refrigerants such as ammonia. the mass of the liquid evaporated for flash

intercooling is extremely small because of its high latent heat of vaporization and the isentropic become

very flat at higher temperatures. Hence flash intercooling will decrease the power requirement.

• Flash intercoolers are. therefore. commonly used in multistage ammonia plants.

 Two stage VCR cycle with Flash
chamber
5 4
Condenser
m2 3
C
8 Saturated
FLASH CHAMBER
Vapour
refrigerant
EX1
Saturated 2
6 Liquid
7
refrigerant

EX2 Evaporator C
9 1

m1
 Multi-evaporators at different
temperatures
• If varied types of cooling loads are connected
to the same refrigeration system. Each load
may require an evaporator working at a
different refrigeration temperature. The whole
system may, therefore, be operated at a
pressure equal to the lowest evaporator
pressure leading to a single compressor
system, or at various suction pressures with
individual compressors for each evaporator,
leading to a multi compressor system