ME 183

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

Vapor Compression Cycle

Department of
Mechanical Engineering
Carnot Refrigeration Cycle
One whose efficiency cannot be exceeded
when operating between two given
temperatures.

Transfers energy from a low level of

temperature to a high level of temperature.

Requires the addition of external work for its

operation.
Carnot Refrigeration Cycle

1 2: Adiabatic compression
2 3: Isothermal rejection of heat
3 4: Adiabatic expansion
4 1: Isothermal addition of heat
Carnot Refrigeration Cycle
Coefficient of Performance
index of performance of
the refrigeration cycle

=

Carnot Refrigeration Cycle
Coefficient of
Performance
(Carnot Refrigeration
Cycle)

1 1 4
=
2 1 1 4
1
=
2 1
Carnot Refrigeration Cycle
Coefficient of Performance
(Carnot Refrigeration Cycle)

For a high COP:

operate with T1 high,
operate with T2 low
Refrigerant
the working substance in a refrigeration
system
ammonia, carbon dioxide, propane, R12,
R22, R134a, water
Carnot Heat Pump
Operates for the purpose of delivering heat a
high level of temperature

Performance Factor
2
2 1
Using Vapor as a Refrigerant
Modifications in Reversed
Carnot Cycle
Wet vs Dry Compression
Modifications in Reversed
Carnot Cycle
Throttling vs Isentropic Expansion
Possible work that can be derived from the
engine is a small fraction of that which must
be supplied to the compressor.
Practical difficulties such as lubrication
intrude when a fluid of two phases drive the
engine.
Economics of the power recovery have not
justified the cost of the expansion engine.
Standard Vapor Compression
Cycle (VCC)
1 2: reversible adiabatic
compression
2 3: reversible rejection of
heat at constant pressure
3 4: irreversible expansion
at constant enthalpy
4 1: reversible addition of
heat at constant pressure
Standard Vapor Compression
Cycle (VCC)
Standard Vapor Compression
Cycle (VCC)
Standard Vapor Compression Cycle
(VCC)
Refrigerating Effect (RE)
amount of cooling produced by the system
kJ/kg (metric)

Refrigerating Capacity (RC)

Metric: kW
English:
BTU/h,
TR (ton of refrigeration) = 12,000 BTU/h, 3.517 kW
Standard Vapor Compression Cycle
(VCC)
Heat Rejection Ratio (HRR)
ratio of heat rejected to the heat absorbed
1
= =1+

Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER)

ratio of the cooling capacity in BTU/h, to the
total electrical input in kW
EER = 3.412 COP
Ewings Method for Suction State
with Maximum COP
Ewings Method for Suction State
with Maximum COP

= =
2 4


Ewings Method for Suction State
with Maximum COP
It is valid only if the maximum COP occurs
with the suction state 1 in the two-phase
region.
If state 1 shifts to the superheated region,
the method would not stand.
Standard Rating Cycle and Effect
of Operating Conditions
Effect of Evaporator Pressure
Standard Rating Cycle and Effect
of Operating Conditions
Effect of Evaporator Pressure
Decrease in evaporator temperature results
in:
decrease in refrigerating effect,
increase in the specific volume of suction
vapor,
decrease in volumetric efficiency,
increase in compressor work
Standard Rating Cycle and Effect
of Operating Conditions
Effect of Condenser Pressure
Standard Rating Cycle and Effect
of Operating Conditions
Effect of Condenser Pressure
Increase in evaporator pressure results in:
decrease in refrigerating effect,
increase in compressor work

Note:
The effect of increase in condenser pressure is not as severe,
on the refrigerating capacity and power consumption per ton
of refrigeration, as that of decrease in evaporator pressure.
Standard Rating Cycle and Effect
of Operating Conditions
Effect of Subcooling of Condensate on COP and
Capacity
Refrigerant is further cooled by subcooler between the
condenser and expansion device.
Increases the refrigerating effect and COP.
Magnitude of subcooling is usually kept to be 5 to 10 K.
Standard Rating Cycle and Effect
of Operating Conditions
Effect of Superheating of Vapor before
Compression

Superheat may occur due to the following:

i. Evaporator load is large enough to cause vapor
superheat.
ii. Heat exchange between liquid from the condenser,
and vapor from the evaporator
iii. Heat transfer from surroundings
Standard Rating Cycle and Effect
of Operating Conditions
Effect of Superheating of Vapor before
Compression

The vapor superheat has the following effects:

Increase in refrigerating effect, except case (iii).
Increase of suction specific volume; thus, reduction in
the mass flow rate for the same displacement volume.
Increase in the energy for compression of refrigerant
vapor due to diverging nature of isentropic lines.
Standard Rating Cycle and Effect
of Operating Conditions
Effect of Superheating of Vapor before
Compression
Standard Rating Cycle and Effect
of Operating Conditions
Using Liquid-Vapor Regenerative Heat
Exchanger
=
1 1 = 3 3
Standard Rating Cycle and Effect
of Operating Conditions
Using Liquid-Vapor Regenerative Heat
Exchanger
Degree of Superheat: 1
Degree of Subcooling: 3
Standard Rating Cycle and Effect
of Operating Conditions
Using Liquid-Vapor Regenerative Heat
Exchanger

1 4 + 1 1
=
2 1
Actual Vapor Compression Cycle