CHAPTER 5

Refrigeration Cycles
 Refrigeration cycle
Carnot Cascade Refrigeration
refrigeration cycle system

Vapor Vapor Absorption

compression Refrigeration
refrigeration cycle cycle
• ideal
• actual

Multistage compression
refrigeration system

3
REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
• Heat transfer usually experienced in direction of decreasing
temperature.
• Reversed process – need a mechanism.
• The purpose of refrigeration is to transfer heat from a chamber so that
the temperature inside is reduced to below that of its surrounding.
• The space inside the chamber is said to be cold and the machine used
to achieve this is called a refrigerator.
• Refrigeration process consists of:
• Continuous circulation of working fluid through a cycle of
processes.
• Used working fluid called refrigerant
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM

• QL = magnitude of heat removed from refrigerated space at temperature

TL.
• QH = magnitude of heat rejected to the warm space at temperature TH.
• Refrigeration has many practical applications in this modern life:
• Domestic refrigerator for preserving food
• Freezer for making ice and extended storage of foods eg. Meat,
vegetable, ice-cream
• Air-conditioning for comfort and hygiene
• Cryogenics i.e very low temperature for purpose of gas liquefaction
and scientific research
REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
❑ The transfer of heat from a lower
temperature region to higher temperature
ones is called refrigeration.

❑ Refrigeration : to transfer heat from a

chamber so that the temperature inside is
reduced to below that of its surrounding.

❑ Device that produce refrigeration are

called refrigerators.

❑ The objective of a refrigerator is to

maintain the refrigerated space at a low
temperature by removing heat from it.

❑ Heat pump: Works essentially as

refrigerators, but its objective is to supply
heat for useful application ; space heating
 THE REVERSED CARNOT CYCLE

Isothermal – same Temp

Isentropic – same entrophy

•A refrigerator that operates on the Carnot cycle is called a Carnot

refrigerator
•Carnot cycle is reversible cycle consists of two reversible isothermal and
isentropic processes.
•It has the maximum thermal cycle efficiency for given temperature limits.
•This cycle can be compared as a standard against with actual power cycles.
7
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
CARNOT REFRIGERATION CYCLE

Process 4→1 : refrigerants absorb heat from low

temp at TL in the amount of QL
Process 1→2 : Compressed isentropically
Process 2→3 : Reject heat at high temperature sink
at TH in the amount of QH.
Refrigerants change from saturated
vapor to saturated liquid
Process 3→4: Expands isentropically (const s)
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
CARNOT REFRIGERATION CYCLE

• T-s diagram for Carnot vapor

refrigeration cycle
• ab41- heat added to refrigerant from
cold region
• ab32 – heat rejected from refrigerant
to warm region
• 1234 – net heat transfer from
refrigerant
= net work done on refrigerant
= WC – WT
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
CARNOT REFRIGERATION CYCLE - performance
• The value cycle efficiency is no more suitable to value the working of
refrigeration cycle.
• The parameter to expressed performance must related the desired effect
as compared to the work input.
• The term used is the criteria of performance or Coefficient of Performance
(COP)
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
CARNOT REFRIGERATION CYCLE - PERFORMANCE
• C.O.P for refrigeration

Desired Output
COPref =
Required Input
QL TL
= =
WC − WT TH − TL
• C.O.P for heat pump
Desired Output Heating Effect
COPhp = =
Required Input Work Input

QH TH
= =
WC − WT TH − TL
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
CARNOT REFRIGERATION CYCLE - PERFORMANCE

The amount of heat removed from the refrigerated space

The net work input.

 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
CARNOT REFRIGERATION CYCLE - EXAMPLE

A steady flow Carnot refrigeration cycle uses refrigerant -134a

as the working fluid. The refrigerant changes from saturated
vapor to saturated liquid at 40C in the condenser as it rejects
heat. The evaporator pressure is 100 kPa. Show the cycle on a
T-s diagram relative to saturation lines, and determine;

i. the coefficient of performance

ii. the amount of heat removed from the refrigerated space
iii. the net work input.
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
CARNOT REFRIGERATION CYCLE - EXAMPLE
Draw the T-s diagram
i. the coefficient of performance

Desired Output
COPref =
Required Input
QL TL
= =
WC − WT TH − TL
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
CARNOT REFRIGERATION CYCLE - EXAMPLE
The amount of heat removed from the refrigerated space The net work input.

From Table A-11;

 Recap – Saturation curve T-S diagram

On the saturated liquid

curve , all properties
read at fluid phase eg hf

On the saturated vapor

curve , all properties
read at vapor phase eg
hg
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
VAPOR-COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
VAPOR-COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION SYSTEM- SCHEMATIC DIAGRAM
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
VAPOR-COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
• COMPRESSOR: Provide the driving force for the entire system by
drawing low pressure refrigerant in and adding pressure such that it
exits at a higher temperature.

• CONDENSER: Exhaust heat from the system by virtue of heat transfer

across a temperature gradient. The refrigerant in the condenser is at a
higher temperature than the ambient temperature.

• EXPANSION VALVE: Allow the refrigerant to expand dramatically in a

controlled process such that it exits the valve at a low quality liquid-
vapor mixture.

• EVAPORATOR: Absorb heat from the cold space by virtue of a

temperature gradient, similar to the condenser.
 Vapour refrigeration system
We have considered a perfect Carnot cycle. In reality, vapour refrigeration
systems should be considered.
Ideal Vapor Compression cycle features:

1. The refrigerant enters the compressor as saturated vapour and is compressed

isentropically to the condenser pressure. The compression begins within the vapour
dome with a fluid-gas mixture for the compression. The fluid droplets in this mixture can
damage the compressor blades. Thus, this wet compression is avoided by starting with
the saturation line (sat. vapour) to ensure dry compression.

The temperature of the refrigerant increases

during isentropic compression to well above
the temperature above its surrounding
 Vapour refrigeration system
Ideal Vapor Compression cycle features:

2. The refrigerant then enters the condenser at state 2 and leaves as saturated liquid at state
3 due to heat rejection to the surroundings. The temperature at this state is still above
the temperature of the surroundings.
3. The saturated liquid refrigerant then throttled to evaporator by passing through capillary
tubes or expansion valve. Temperature drops below the temperature of the refrigerated
space
4. The refrigerant enters the evaporator as a low quality saturated mixture, and is
completely evaporates by absorbing the heat from the refrigerated space.
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM

2. The expansion through the turbine produces little WT compared to WC . Therefore, to

save on capital costs and maintenance costs, the turbine is normally replaced by an
expansion valve
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
VAPOR-COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION SYSTEM- ANALYZING

• The cycles more closely resemble the ideal

vapour compression cycle:
⚫ 1  2s Isentropic compression
Starting with x1 = 1.0 (saturated vapour)
⚫ 2s 3 heat transfer from refrigerant at
constant P in condenser
⚫ 3  4 Throttling process to two-phase
mixture
⚫ 4  1 to refrigerant at constant P in
evaporator to saturated vapour state
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
VAPOR-COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION SYSTEM- ANALYZING
• T-s diagram
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
VAPOR-COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION SYSTEM- ANALYZING
• p-h Diagram
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
VAPOR-COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION SYSTEM- ANALYZING

• Refrigeration effect qL (kJ/ kg) is the heat extracted by a

unit mass of refrigerant during the evaporating process in
the evaporator.

• Refrigerating load QL (kW) is the required rate of heat

extraction by the refrigerant in the evaporator.
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
VAPOR-COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION SYSTEM- ANALYZING

• Refrigerating capacity, or cooling capacity, QRC (kW) is the actual

rate of heat extracted by the refrigerant in the evaporator.
• In practice, the refrigeration capacity of the equipment
selected is often slightly higher than the refrigerating load.
• This is because the manufacturer’s specifications are a series of
fixed capacities.
• Occasionally, equipment can be selected so that its capacity is
just equal to the refrigeration load required.
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
VAPOR-COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION SYSTEM- ANALYZING

Q
• Where m is the mass flow rate of the refrigerant. out = h2 − h3
m

• The heat transfer rate Qin is referred to as the refrigeration

capacity. The capacity is normally expressed in kW.

• Another commonly used unit for the refrigeration capacity is

the ton of refrigeration, which is equal to or about 211 kJ/min.
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
VAPOR-COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION SYSTEM- ANALYZING

• As the refrigerant passes through the evaporator, heat

transfer from the refrigerated space results in vaporization
of the refrigerant. For a control volume enclosing the
refrigerant side of the evaporator, the mass and energy
rate balances reduce to give the rate of heat transfer per
unit mass of refrigerant flowing as;


Q in
= h1 − h 4
m
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
VAPOR-COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION SYSTEM- ANALYZING
• The refrigerant leaving the evaporator
is compressed to a relatively high
pressure and temperature by the
compressor. Assuming no heat transfer
to or from the compressor, the mass
and energy rate balances for a control
volume enclosing the compressor give

W c
= h2 − h1
m


• Where W/m is the rate of power input

per unit mass of refrigerant flowing
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
VAPOR-COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION SYSTEM- ANALYZING

• The refrigerant passes through the condenser, where the

refrigerant condenses and there is heat transfer from the
refrigerant to cooler surroundings. For a control volume
enclosing the refrigerant side of the condenser, the rate of heat
transfer from the refrigerant per unit mass of refrigerant flowing
is


Q out
= h2 − h3
m
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
VAPOR-COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION SYSTEM- ANALYZING
• Finally, the refrigerant at state 3 enters the expansion valve and
expands to the evaporator pressure. This process is usually
modelled as throttling process.
• The refrigerant pressure decrease in the irreversible adiabatic
expansion and there is an accompanying increase in specific
entropy. The refrigerant exits the valve at state 4 as two-phase
liquid-vapour mixture.

h3 = h4
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
VAPOR-COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION SYSTEM- ANALYZING

• In the vapour-compression system, the net power input is equal

to the compressor power, since the expansion valve involve no
power input or output. Using the quantities and expression
introduce before, the Coefficient Of Performance of the vapour
compression refrigeration system is

Cooling Effect 
Q h1 − h 4
COPref = = in
=
Work Input 
W h2 − h1
c
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
VAPOR-COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION SYSTEM- ANALYZING

• The refrigeration capacity decides the mass flow rate of a

given refrigerant when working under specified
conditions, i.e:
• Mass flow rate of refrigerant, m

Refrigerat ion capacity m (h1 − h4 )

m = =
Refrigerat ing effect per unit mass h1 −h 4
 The Ideal Vapor-Compression Refrigeration cycle
Cooling Effect Q h − h4
COPref = = in = 1
Work Input W h2 − h1
c

1  2 Refrigerants enters as saturated vapour, compressed isentropically

2  3 Ref enters as superheated vapour , leaves at saturated liquid at state 3
due to heat rejection to the surroundings
3  4 Temperature dropped below the temperature of refrigerated space in an
expansion device
4  1 Enters evaporator as low quality saturated mixture, evaporate by
absorbing heat from the refrigerated space
35
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
VAPOR-COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION SYSTEM- EXAMPLE 2

• A refrigerator uses R134a as the working fluid and

operates on an ideal vapour-compression refrigeration
cycle between 0.12 Mpa and 0.7 Mpa. If the mass flow
rate of refrigerant is 0.05 kg/s. Show in T-s diagram with
respect to saturation line and determine;

i. The rate of heat removal from the refrigerated space and

power input to the compressor.
ii. The rate of heat rejection to the environment
iii. The coefficient of performance.
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
VAPOR-COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION SYSTEM- EXAMPLE 2
The rate of heat removal from the refrigerated space and power input to
the compressor.

From table A12 and A 13

 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
VAPOR-COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION SYSTEM- EXAMPLE 2

The rate of heat rejection to the environment

The coefficient of performance.

 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
ACTUAL CYCLE (IRREVERSIBLE)
• Adiabatic Irreversible Compression Ideal vapor
compression
cycle
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
ACTUAL CYCLE (IRREVERSIBLE)

•The effect of irreversible compression can be

accounted for by using the isentropic
compressor efficiency, which for states
designated as in figure above is given by

h2s − h1
c =
h2 − h1
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
ACTUAL CYCLE (SUPERHEATED)

• The superheated condition at the evaporator exit (state 1), which

differs from the saturated vapour condition shown in Figure below
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
ACTUAL CYCLE (SUBCOOLING)
• The subcooling of the condenser exit (state 3), which differs from
the saturated vapour condition shown in Figure below

*Subcooling: liquid exist at temp. below its saturation temp.

 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
ACTUAL CYCLE (IRREVERSIBLE) – EXAMPLE 3

• Refrigerant R134a enters the compressor of a

refrigerator as superheated vapor at 0.2 Mpa and -5 C at
a rate of 0.07 kg/s and leaves at 1.2 Mpa and 70 C. The
refrigerant is cooled in the condenser to 44 C and 1.15
MPa and is throttled to 0.21 Mpa, determine;
i. The T-s Diagram
ii. The rate of heat removal from the refrigerated space and
power input to the compressor.
iii. The isentropic efficiency of the compressor
iv. The coefficient of performance for refrigerator and heat pump
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
ACTUAL CYCLE (IRREVERSIBLE) – EXAMPLE 3

The T-s Diagram The rate of heat removal from the refrigerated
space and power input to the compressor.

and

From table A12 and A 13

 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
ACTUAL CYCLE (IRREVERSIBLE) – EXAMPLE 3

The isentropic efficiency of the compressor

The coefficient of performance for refrigerator and heat pump

 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
SELECTION OF REFRIGERANT;

• Ammonia – commercially used for industrial – low cost,

higher COP, good heat transfer coefficient but toxic.
• Sulfur dioxide, ethyl chloride – toxic
• CFC – freon – Low cost – R11 (chiller), R12 (fridge), R22
(commercial building), R502 (supermarket) – ozone
effect.
• Considerations
i) The temperature of refrigerated space and surroundings
ii) Nontoxic, noncorrossive, chemically stable,
nonflammable, low cost.
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
CASCADE REFRIGERATION SYSTEM;
What is Cascade refrigeration system?
The cascade refrigeration system is a freezing system that uses
two kinds of refrigerants having different boiling points, which
run through their own independent freezing cycle and are joined
by a heat exchanger.

How do Cascade refrigeration system works?

• The lower temperature cycle provides the desired refrigeration effect at a relatively low
temperature.
• The condenser in the lower-temperature cycle is thermally coupled to the evaporator in
the higher-temperature cycle.
• Thus, the evaporator in the higher cycle only serves to extract the heat released by the
condenser in the lower cycle.
• Then this heat is rejected into the ambient air or a water stream in the condenser of the
higher cycle.
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
CASCADE REFRIGERATION SYSTEM;
• A cascade refrigeration system can operate with a lower evaporating temperature,
smaller compression ratio and higher compressor volumetric efficiency when compared
with a single-stage refrigeration system
• However, more expensive n more complicated to built

https://youtu.be/QtisdHAhKE0?list=PLCRgaNiBHycVvYEUdQ2JNRYg8KdIlLxuA/
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
VAPOR COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION SYSTEM;

Multistage compression refrigeration system.

• Required due to big temperature difference between

evaporator and condenser. Eg : ( -150 C in natural gas
liquefaction) and heat pump for heating application.
• Better heat transfer characteristics, lead to change the heat
exchanger to the flash chamber / mixing chamber.
• Refrigerant expand at first expansion valve, enter the flash
chamber (same as the compressor interstage pressure ). Part
of the liquid vaporized during this process will then mixed
with superheated vapor exit from low pressure compressor
(state 2), entered the high pressure compressor.
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
When the fluid used
VAPOR COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION SYSTEM; throughout the
cascade refrigeration
Multistage compression refrigeration system. system is the same,
the heat exchanger
between the stages
can be replaced by a
mixing chamber
(called a flash
chamber) since it has
better heat transfer
characteristics.

Flash tank – to
separate and
bypass any flash
gas formed in the
valve
- Refrigerant liquid
A two-stage compression refrigeration and gas are
system with a flash chamber. separated at an
intermediate
pressure62
Multistage compression refrigeration system.
Flash Chamber
A tank which is placed between the expansion valve and evaporator in a
refrigeration system to separate and bypass any flash gas formed in the valve and
it is a pressure vessel, wherein the refrigerant liquid and vapour are separated at
an intermediate pressure.

Use Of Flash Chamber In V-C Cycle :-

Flash chamber reduces the size of evaporator and it does not

have any effect over COP and the system.

At the exit of throttling value the state of the refrigerant is wet

(liquid + vapour) but it is the liquid refrigerant (liquid will able to
take away heat from the storage space faster than vapour ) which
takes the heat from storage space in evaporator and under goes
the phase change. Therefore the vapour refrigerant is separated
form of liquid refrigerant in flash chamber and only liquid
refrigerant is supplying to evaporator.
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
VAPOR ABSORPTION;

⚫ Inexpensive thermal energy source (1000C – 2000C) such as

geothermal energy, solar energy, natural gas etc.
• Involve the absorption of a refrigerant by a transport medium –
widely used ammonia (refrigerant) – water (transport) system,
water-lithium bromide, water-lithium chloride system.
• The system are almost same with refrigeration except the
compressor section seem more complicated – consist an absorber,
a generator, a pump, a regenerator, a valve and a rectifier.
 REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
Process inside ‘the box’:-

a) Ammonia vapor leaves

the evaporator and enter the
absorber to form NH3.H2O.
The absorber need to
maintain cooled in order to
maximize NH3 dissolved in
water because this reaction
Process b) releases heat.
b) Then this NH3 will be
pumped to the generator. In
generator, heat is transferred
to the solution from a source
to vaporize some of the
solution, then this vapor will
go through rectifier where
separates the water and
Process a) return to the generator.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mKQly9uGs7Q&list=PLCRgaNiBHycVvY
EUdQ2JNRYg8KdIlLxuA