Principles of Vapour

Compression Refrigeration
Learning Outcomes
Attheendofthislectureyoushouldbeableto
1. Describethep-hchartandbeabletorepresentthe
cycleonthis
2. Describethetermsrefrigerationduty,heatofrejection,
refrigerationeffect,workinputandcoefficientof
performance
3. Determinetherefrigerationeffectandcoefficientof
performance,workinputofasimplerefrigerationcycle
onapressureenthalpychart

The cycle recapped

High pressure

Low pressure

Compressor
Cooling Condenser
medium

Evaporator

3
Expansion device

Cooled
medium

Compressors
Pump
Compress

Reciprocating compressor

Scroll compressor

Screw compressor

Plate Heat exchanger

Evaporators

Shell and tube Evaporators

Plate fin evaporator

Plate Heat exchanger condensers

Shell and tube condensers

Air cooled condensers

Evaporative Condensers

Expansion Device
To expand the fluid
To control superheat at
compressor inlet

The (reversible) Cycle

Condensing

Some
subcooling
pres
sure

High pressure
Isentropic
compression

Isenthalpic
expansion

Low pressure

Evaporation

Inlet to
compressor
Enthalpy
- superheated

Something for you

P=5oC

P=40oC

T=15oC

T=85oC

T=A
Cooling
medium

Condenser

Evaporator

Cooled
medium

T=F
T=13 oC
T=B

T=C

Something for you

1. What pressure is the SUCTION pressure gauge reading?
.bar
2. What pressure is the DISCHARGE pressure gauge reading?
.bar
3.WhatisthedegreeofSuctionSUPERHEAT?.K
4.WhatisthedegreeofDischargeSUPERHEAT?.K
5. What do you consider is a reasonable temperature for the condenser
coolingmedium'A'?0,10,25,40oC
6.Whatreadingwouldyouexpectatthermometer'B'?42,38,21,5 oC
7.Whatreadingwouldyouexpectatthermometer'C'?
-5,5,35,13oC
8.Whatwouldyouseeinsightglass'D'?
a.Gasonly,b.Liquidandafewbubbles,c.Mainlybubbles(foam)
d.Liquidonly,
9.Whatwouldyouseeinsightglass'E'?

The 1st law of thermodynamics

Energy is not destroyed or created
Conservation of energy

The thermodynamic boundary

High pressure

Low pressure

Compressor
Cooling Condenser
medium

Evaporator

3
Expansion device

Cooled
medium

The First Law of Thermodynamics

out

in

m hout
Pump

Q
W
Q - W= m (hout hin) + KE + PE

m hin

The 1st law of thermodynamics

Q is +tive if heat is transferred to the system ie
evaporator
Q is -tive if heat is transferred from the system
ie condenser
W is +tive if work done by the system is ie
turbine
W is -tive if work done on the system is ie
compressor

Applying the first law to the Compressor

m h2
Compressor

W
Q= m (h2 h1) +W
W is the power absorbed, or work input

m h1

First Law to the Condenser

m h2
2

Condenser

Q
m h3

Q= m (h3 h2) +W
Q is the total heat of
rejection

1st law to the expansion device

Q= m (h3 h2) +W

m h3

Expansion device

m h4

First Law to the Evaporator

m h1
1

Evaporator

Q
m h4

Q= m (h1 h4) +W
Q is the refrigeration duty or
cooling capacity
(h1 h4) is the refrigeration
effect

COP coefficient of performance

Q= cooling duty divided by power absorbed
COP is normally between 4 and 1

A worked example
A vapour compression cycle operating with R134a is
used to chill water from 12 to 6oC. The condenser
rejects heat to ambient air at 27oC.
Choose realistic values for following cycle properties.
Assume the compressor operates reversibly.

Evaporating temperature

Evaporating pressure
The superheat at the compressor inlet
Condensing temperature
Condensing pressure
The subcooling at the condenser outlet.

A worked example
Plot the cycle on p-h chart and determine the enthalpy at the

compressor inlet

compressor outlet,

evaporator inlet,

condenser outlet
Assuming that the refrigerant is flowing at 5kg/s and determine

refrigeration effect

work input

heat of rejection

coefficient of performance

water mass flow rate (Cp = 4.18 kJ/kgK)

air mass flow rate (Cp = 1.02 kJ/kgK

Can you
Learning Outcomes
Attheendofthislectureyoushouldbeableto
1. Describethep-hchartandbeabletorepresentthe
cycleonthis
2. Describethetermsrefrigerationduty,heatofrejection,
refrigerationeffect,workinputandcoefficientof
performance
3. Determinetherefrigerationeffectandcoefficientof
performance,workinputofasimplerefrigerationcycle
onapressureenthalpychart