Bahir Dar University

Bahir Dar Institute of Technology

Refrigeration and Air conditioning

(Meng 5163)

Chapter 1 – Vapor Compression

Refrigeration Systems
 Outlines
• Refrigeration cycles
• Simple Carnot refrigeration system
• Thermodynamic analysis of the standard vapor refrigeration
cycle
• Standard rating and effect of operating conditions
• Condition for highest coefficient of performance
• Analysis of the complete vapor compression cycle
• Actual vapor compression refrigeration cycle and effect of
frictional pressure drops and heat transfer
• Refrigeration compressors
• Refrigeration condensers
• Expansion devices
• Evaporators
 Refrigeration cycles
Two categories of thermal plants
• Work producing plants: conversion of heat to work(H.E)
• Work consuming plants: not related to conversion of
work to heat since all work consuming machines
dissipates heat (Refrigerator and Heat pump).
A refrigerator is a cyclic device used to transfer heat from
a low to high-temperature medium in order to cool or
maintain a body at temperature below the surrounding.
“ It is impossible to construct a device which operates in a
cycle and produce no effect other than the transfer of heat
from a low temperature body to a high temperature body.”
Clausius statement of 2nd law
There are four stages to complete the cycle of VCRS.
• A working fluid (called refrigerant) enters the compressor as a
vapor and is compressed to the condenser pressure (PH) at high
pressure and temperature.
• The high-temperature (at TH) refrigerant cools in the condenser
by rejecting heat to surrounding.
• The refrigerant after condenser (at high P and medium T)
enters the expansion valve as liquid. It is expanded in an
expansion valve and its pressure and temperature drop.
• The refrigerant is a mixture of vapor and liquid at the inlet of
the evaporator. It absorbs heat from a low-temperature medium
(at TL) as it flows in the evaporator.
• The cycle is completed when the refrigerant leaves the
evaporator as a vapor and enters the compressor.
For a heat pump, since its desire output is heating effect, the COP
becomes;

Recall, the efficiency of heat engine;

Power consumption of refrigeration is in kW, other units include

• For imperial units;

1TR= 211kJ/min=3.5kW

• Similarly for metric units; =>

• From these two, the power consumption and the COP of the
refrigerator are inversely proportional.
 Simple Carnot refrigeration system
• ItH.E
can be concluded that a heat engine can be converted R,H.Pto a
refrigerating machine by running it in reverse direction.
• The Carnot cycle is a theoretical model that is useful for
understanding a refrigeration cycle.
• Carnot cycle is a model cycle for a heat engine where the
addition of heat energy to the engine produces work.
• In some applications, the Carnot refrigeration cycle is known as the
reversed Carnot cycle.
• The maximum theoretical performance can be calculated,
establishing criteria against which real refrigeration cycles can be
compared.
• It have the following ideal cycles (two isothermal
and two isentropic):
– Process(1–2) is the ideal compression at constant
entropy, and work input is required. The temperature of
the refrigerant increases.
– Process(2–3) is the rejection of heat in the condenser at
a constant condensation temperature, TH.
– Process(3–4) is the ideal expansion at constant
entropy. The temperature of the refrigerant decreases.
– Process(4–1) is the absorption of heat in the
evaporator at a constant evaporation temperature, TL.
• The above relation provides the maximum COP for a refrigerator operating
between the temperature limits of TL and TH. The expression show that the
COP of a reversible refrigerator increases with increasing TL and decreasing
TH. COP doesn’t depend on the type of refrigerant used.
• The COP of a Carnot refrigeration cycle can be increased by either (i)
increasing TL or (ii) decreasing TH.
• Actual refrigerators and heat pumps involve inefficiencies and thus they will
The thermodynamic analysis of the reversed carnot per
unit mass of refrigerant for a steady-state steady-flow
energy are;
• Refrigerating effect (qL) = h1 - h4
• Heat rejected (qH) = h2 – h3
• Compressor work (wc) = h2 – h1
• Isentropic expansion work (we) = h3 – h4
• The net work of system (wnet) = |wc| - we
• COPR,rev = qL/wnet = =
 Impracticalities of reversed Carnot cycle
The carnot refrigeration cycle is theoretically the most efficient
refrigeration cycle, but it has a lot of limitations for practical use.
Wet compression Vs. Dry compression:
During process 1-2, a mixture consisting of liquid and vapor have
to be compressed isentropically 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 (which are most commonly used
in refrigeration) because of the following two reasons;
• Liquid refrigerant may trapped in cylinder head which will
damage the compressor valves and cylinder itself,
• Liquid refrigerant may wash lubricating oil in the compressor
which will result wear.
Throttling Vs. Isentropic expansion:
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. On the other hand,
thermodynamic and friction losses associated with the expander
increase the input work.
• A refrigeration system, which incorporates two changes (dry
compression and isenthalpic throttling) in the carnot
refrigerating cycle is known as Evans-Perkins or reversed
Rankine cycle.
• This is the theoretical (ideal) cycle on which the actual vapor
compression refrigeration systems are based.
 Standard Vapor Compression Refrigeration System (VCRS)
• The two isothermal processes in a carnot cycle are replaced by isobaric
processes, and the isentropic expansion by throttling process.
• It consists of
– Process 1-2: Isentropic compression of saturated vapor in compressor
– Process 2-3: Isobaric heat rejection in condenser
– Process 3-4: Isenthalpic expansion of saturated liquid in expansion device
– Process 4-1: Isobaric heat extraction in the evaporator
• By comparing with Carnot cycle, it can be seen that the standard vapor
compression refrigeration cycle introduces two irreversibilities:
1) Irreversibility due to non-isothermal heat rejection (process 2-3) and
2) Irreversibility due to isenthalpic throttling (process 3- 4).
As a result, one would expect the theoretical COP of standard cycle
to be smaller than that of a Carnot system for the same heat source
and sink temperatures.
Due to these irreversibilities, the cooling effect reduces and work
input increases, thus reducing the system COP. This can be explained
easily with the help of the cycle diagrams on T-s charts
• Figure 10.6(a) shows comparison between Carnot and
standard VCRS in terms of refrigeration effect.

• The heat extraction (evaporation) process is reversible for

both the Carnot cycle and VCRS cycle. Hence the
refrigeration effect is given by:
• Thus there is a reduction in refrigeration effect when the
isentropic expansion process of Carnot cycle is replaced by
isenthalpic throttling process of VCRS cycle.
• This reduction is equal to the area d-4-4’-c-d (area A2) and is
known as throttling loss. The throttling loss is equal to the
enthalpy difference between state points 3 and 4’, i.e,

• It is easy to show that the loss in refrigeration effect increases as the

evaporator temperature decreases and/or condenser temperature
increases.
• A practical consequence of this is a requirement of higher refrigerant
mass flow rate. The heat rejection in case of VCRS cycle also
increases when compared to Carnot cycle.
• Hence the increase in heat rejection rate of VCRS compared to Carnot cycle
is equal to the area 2’’- 2-2’ (area A1). This region is known as superheat
horn, and is due to the replacement of isothermal heat rejection process
of Carnot cycle by isobaric heat rejection in case of VCRS. Since the heat
rejection increases and refrigeration effect reduces when the Carnot cycle is
modified to standard VCRS cycle, the net work input to the VCRS
increases compared to Carnot cycle. The net work input in case of Carnot
and VCRS cycles are given by,
 Analysis of standard VCRS
Analysis can be carried out by assuming;
a) Steady flow
b) Negligible kinetic and potential energy changes across each component, and
c) No heat transfer in connecting pipe lines.
The steady flow energy equation is applied to each of the four components.
• Refrigeration effect is,
Where,
– r - refrigerant mass flow rate in kg/s,
– h1 and h4 - the specific enthalpies (kJ/kg) at the exit and inlet to the evaporator,
respectively.
• h1-h4 is known as specific refrigeration effect or simply refrigeration effect,
which is equal to the heat transferred at the evaporator per kilogram of
refrigerant.
• The evaporator pressure Pe is the saturation pressure corresponding to
evaporator temperature Te, i.e.,
• Work input/power consumption :
• Heat rejected at condenser :
• Throttling at expansion valve:
• COPR:
• Mass flow rate of refrigerant r) =
• Theoretical piston displacement () = rv1
• Actual piston displacement () = , volume of vapor/volumetric efficiency

To analyze discharge T0 of the VCRS, 3 methods;

• Using property table, by interpolation or using equations
• Using P-h diagram
• Using saturation properties and specific heat of vapor;
 P-h Diagram

*Second law efficiency or exergetic efficiency for heating and cooling*

Refrigeration effect and unit of refrigeration
• The rate at which heat is absorbed from the space to be
cooled is termed as the refrigeration effect.
• The refrigeration effect can be compared with the
production of ice.
• In the refrigeration industry, the unit used is ton.
• A tone of refrigeration is equivalent to the rate of heat
transfer needed to produce 1 ton of ice at 0 oC from water
at 0 oC in 24 hours.
• A machine capable of producing a net refrigeration effect
of 211 kJ/min or 3.5 kW is called a 1 ton machine/ton of
refrigeration.
• An other unit is BTU (British thermal unit) in which 1W is
3.41 BTU.
The essential components of simple VCRS are the
following;
• Evaporator
• Suction line
• Compressor
• Hot gas discharge line
• Condenser
• Liquid line
• Refrigerant control…
 Condition for highest COP
Ewing’s Construction: if max COP is in mix zone only.
-The COP of VCRS with any refrigerant working on TL and TH is depend on
the state of the suction vapor.
-Limiting case: When the refrigerant is compressed right after
throttling(Process 4-5); qL = 0, COP = 0
-Moving to the right, the COP and qL increases to 1.

Dividing by change in entropy

From, dh = Tds + vdp,

this value is max if is min

At point 1 m
 Gosney gives a method for finding whether the maximum COP
occurs in the two phase region or superheated region.
 ACTUAL VAPOR-COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION CYCLE
An actual vapor-compression refrigeration cycle differs from the
ideal one owing mostly to the irreversibility that occur in various
components, mainly due to heat transfer to or from the surroundings,
fluid friction (causes pressure drops) and loss of efficiency. From the
heat transfer to/from the surrounding, the two cases associated are;
Effect of suction vapor superheat: In actual VCRS, mostly, the
temperature of heat source will be a few degrees higher than the
evaporator temperature (due to friction), hence the vapor at the exit
of the evaporator can be superheated by a few degrees. If the
superheating of refrigerant takes place due to heat transfer with the
refrigerated space (low temperature heat source), then it is called as
useful superheating as it increases the refrigeration effect, otherwise
it is useless superheating. If it is provided in the compressor suction
piping, no useful cooling occurs.
Cont.….
Due to this superheating of the vapor at evaporator, suction
vapor will have;
• Increased specific volume of suction vapor,
• Increase in refrigerating effect,
• Increase in specific work since

• Superheating is used to actuating and modulating the capacity

of the expansion valve.
*Superheating may increase or decrease the performance
depending on the type of refrigerant.*
The power consumption may be offset by the increased
refrigerating effect, since it needs lowered mass flow rate of
refrigerant.
Even though useful superheating may or may not increase the
COP of the system, a minimum amount of superheat is
desirable as it prevents the entry of liquid droplets into the
compressor.
Effect of liquid subcooling/undercooling:
• In actual refrigeration cycles, the temperature of the heat sink will
be several degrees lower than the condensing temperature to
facilitate heat transfer. Hence 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 or oversizing the
condenser.
• In such a case, the exit condition of the condenser will be in the
subcooled liquid region. Hence this process is known as
subcooling.
• Subcooling is beneficial as it increases the refrigeration effect by
reducing the throttling loss at no additional specific work input.
Also subcooling ensures that only liquid enters into the throttling
device leading to its efficient operation.
Use of liquid-suction heat exchanger:
• Required degree of subcooling and superheating may not be possible,
if one were to rely only on heat transfer between the refrigerant and
external heat source and sink.
• Also, if the temperature of refrigerant at the exit of the evaporator is
not sufficiently superheated, then it may get superheated by
exchanging heat with the surroundings as it flows through the
connecting pipelines (useless superheating), which is detrimental to
system performance.
• One way of achieving the required amount of subcooling and
superheating is by the use of a liquid-suction heat exchanger (LSHX).
• A LSHX is a counter flow heat exchanger in which the warm
refrigerant liquid from the condenser exchanges heat with the cool
refrigerant vapor from the evaporator. Figure 11.6 shows the
schematic of a single stage VCRS with a liquid-suction heat exchanger.
 Other features of
Actual Vapor-Compression Cycle
Heat transfers between refrigerant and cold/warm regions are not
reversible. and
• Refrigerant temperature in
evaporator is less than TC.
• Refrigerant temperature in
condenser is greater than TH.
• Irreversible heat transfers have
negative effect on performance.
• This means a pressure drop in
evaporator and increase in
condenser pressure.
Cont.…
• The COP decreases – primarily due to increasing compressor work
input, as the

• temperature of the
refrigerant passing through
the evaporator is reduced
relative to the temperature
of the cold region, TC.

• temperature of the refrigerant passing through the

condenser is increased relative to the temperature of the
warm region, TH.
Cont.…

• Irreversibilities during the compression process are suggested by dashed

line from state 1 to state 2.

• An increase in specific entropy

accompanies an adiabatic
irreversible compression
process. The work input for
compression process 1-2 is
greater than for the counterpart
isentropic compression process
1-2s.
• Since process 4-1, and thus the refrigeration capacity, is the
same for cycles 1-2-3-4-1 and 1-2s-3-4-1, cycle 1-2-3-4-1
has the lower COP.
 Isentropic Compressor Efficiency

• The isentropic compressor efficiency is the ratio of the

minimum theoretical work input to the actual work
input, each per unit of mass flowing:
work required in an isentropic
compression from compressor inlet
state to the exit pressure

work required in an actual

compression from compressor
inlet state to exit pressure
 p-h Diagram
The pressure-enthalpy (p-h) diagram is a thermodynamic property diagram
commonly used in the refrigeration field.
 Other Refrigeration Cycles
Cascade refrigeration systems
Very low temperatures can be achieved by operating two or more
vapor-compression systems in series, called cascading. The COP of a
refrigeration system also increases as a result of cascading.
Multistage compression refrigeration systems
Multipurpose refrigeration systems
A refrigerator with a single compressor can provide refrigeration at
several temperatures by throttling the refrigerant in stages.
Liquefaction of gases
Another way of improving the performance of a vapor-compression
refrigeration system is by using multi­stage compression with
regenerative cooling. The vapor-compression refrigeration cycle can
also be used to liquefy gases after some modifications.
 Compressor
COMPRESSOR
• The compressor is often called the Heart of the
refrigeration system. It compresses the refrigerant
through the system and circulates it again and again in
cycles.
FUNCTION
• The function of any compressor is a establish a
pressure difference in the system and thus to create a
flow of the refrigerant from one part of the system to
the other.
 Classification Of Compressors

I. Based on the method of compression

1. Positive displacement compressors
a. Reciprocating type
b. Rotary type
c. Screw type
2. Dynamic compressors or centrifugal compressors
II. Based on the construction and operation
1. Single cylinder
2. Multi cylinder
III. Based on the location of prime mover
1. Independent or open type compressor
2. Semi-hermetically sealed compressor
3. Hermetically sealed compressor
Positive Displacement Compressors

• Positive displacement type compressors function by reducing the volume

of gas in the confined space, there by raising its pressure.

• Reciprocating, rotary and screw compressors are positive displacement

type compressors.

Rotodynamic Compressors

• In rotodynamic compressors, the pressure rise of refrigerant is achieved

by imparting kinetic energy to a steadily flowing stream of refrigerant by
a rotating mechanical element and then converting into pressure as the
refrigerant flows through a diverging passage.
RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORS

RECIPROCATING COMPRESSORS

• This is the most widely used type, available in different sizes and its
construction is similar to the reciprocating engine / pump, with, pistons,
cylinders, values, connecting rods and crank shaft.

• Reciprocating compressors obtain its name from the back and forth
motion of the piston in the cylinder

1. Independent or open type compressor

2. Semi-hermetically sealed compressor
3. Hermetically sealed compressor
Open type reciprocating compressor

• Construction:

•The upper portion of the compressor consists of piston-cylinder

casing, suction value and discharge value.
•The lower portion is the crank-case which is filled with lubricating oil.
•The outer casing in made of either cast iron iron or
aluminium
•The piston is connected to the crank-shaft through
connecting rod and crank.
•The suction and discharge valve are arranged on the
cylinder head.
•Gas seal is provided in the housing around the crank shaft
to prevent air coming inside the housing and to prevent the
leakage of refrigerant.
•Lubrication of reciprocating compressor is accomplished
by either splash or forced lubrication.
Open type reciprocating compressor
Open type reciprocating compressor

• Suction stroke
• The low-pressure refrigerant vapour from the evaporator is drawn in
through the suction valve during the suction of the piston. 
• Discharge stroke
• The vapour gets compressors to high pressure and high temperature
during dischange stroke of the piston and is sent out of the compressor
through the discharge value to the condenser.
Closed Type Reciprocating Compressors
Or Hermetically Sealed Compressors
Construction
• Hermetic types are usually direct-driven compressors, where the motor directly drives
the compressor.
• In this type, the motor and the compressor are enclosed in the same housing .
• The cylinder is cast integral with the main body casing in which the stator is pressed.
• The motor is located above the compressor operates in a vertical position whereas the
compressor operates in a horizontal position. This permits, operation of the compressor
in oil, simplifying the lubricating problem.
• The only connections to the compressor housing are suction and discharge fittings and
terminals of the motor.
Hermetically Sealed Compressors
Hermetically Sealed Compressors

• Working principle
• Suction stroke
• The low-pressure refrigerant vapour from the evaporator is drawn in
through the suction valve during the suction of the piston.
• Discharge stroke
• The vapour gets compressors to high pressure and high temperature
during discharge stroke of the piston and is sent out of the compressor
through the discharge value to the condenser
 Semi-Hermetically Sealed Compressors
Semi-Hermetically Sealed Compressors Or Bolted Type Compressor
• Semi-hermetically type compressors are directly driven compressors.
• In this type, the motor and compressor are in separate housing as shown in
fig.
• The cylinder heads are bolted to the main body of cylinder, which encloses
the motor, and the compressor as in hermetically sealed compressor.
• The opening of the hermetically sealed compressor is done by hacksaw
cutting, but in semi-hermetically type, it is done by loosening of bolts.
• Other constructional details and the working principles are as same as that
of hermetically sealed compressor.
Semi-Hermetically Sealed Compressors
Semi-Hermetically Sealed Compressors

• Suction stroke
• The low-pressure refrigerant vapour from the evaporator is drawn in
through the suction valve during the suction of the piston.
• Discharge stroke
• The vapour gets compressors to high pressure and high temperature
during dischange stroke of the piston and is sent out of the
compressor through the discharge value to the condenser.
ROTARY COMPRESSORS

ROTARY COMPRESSORS
• Rotary compressors are positive displacement, direct driven compressor.
• Rotary compressor has a rotor eccentric to the casing; as the rotor turns,
if reduces the gas volume and increases its pressure as shown in the fig.
• Rotary compressors are classified in to three types
• Rolling piston type or stationary blade type.
• Rolling vane type or rotating blade type
• Screw compressor
Rolling Type Rotary Compressor

• Construction
• The shaft is eccentric with the cylinder wall and thus when it rotates, a
continuously changing point of the roller is close to the cylinder well as
shown if fig.
• Suction and discharge side of the compressor are separated by a spring
loaded value.
• The whole assembly is enclosed in a housing
• Operation
• The low-pressure suction vapour gets into the increasing space formed
between the roller and cylinder wall when the high side of the roller
revolves.
• The low-pressure vapour already there ahead of the high side of eccentric
roller is compressed and sent out through the discharge port and valve.
Rolling Type Rotary Compressor
 CENTRIFUGAL COMPRESSORS

• These types of compressors are non-positive displacement type

compressors, which are also called dynamic compressors.
• Centrifugal compressors function by increasing the kinetic energy (velocity)
of the gas, which is then converted to an increased pressure by reducing the
velocity.
• Construction
• This type of compressor has vane impellers rotating insider a casing, similar
to a centrifugal pump.
• Inlet casing-to accelerate the fluid to the impeller inlet.
• Impeller -to transfer the energy to the fluid in the form of
static pressure and kinetic energy
• Diffuser -to convert the kinetic energy at the impeller outlet into pressure energy.
• Volute casing-to collect the fluid and to further convert the kinetic energy into
pressure energy.
CENTRIFUGAL COMPRESSORS
CENTRIFUGAL COMPRESSORS

Operation
• The suction vapour enters the rotor impeller through the intake port and
it is taken out at the periphery of the impeller due to centrifugal action.
The high velocity and there by high pressure is thus imparted to the
entering vapour by the impeller wheel.
• The vapour form the impeller then enters diffuser blade where the kinetic
energy of the vapour further gets converted into high pressure vapour &
passing through volute casing to outlet point.
CONDENSERS

• The condenser is used in the high pressure side of the system. Its
function is to remove the heat of the hot vapour refrigerant discharge
from the compressor.
• Atmospheric air and water are the two most convenient sinks to which
the heat can be rejected.
Three types of condensers namely
• Air cooled condenser
• Water cooled condenser
• Evaporative condenser
Air Cooled Condensers

• In air-cooled condenser, the heat is removed by air using either

natural of forced circulation.
• The condensers are made of steel, copper or aluminum tubing
provided with fins (extended surfaces) to improve air – side heat
transfer. The refrigerant flows inside the tubes and the air outside.
• 
• 1.2.1.1. Natural circulation air – cooled condenser
• In this type, a large condensing surface area is required as the
circulated air quantity is less.
• These types of condensers are used in domestic refrigerator, air-
cooler, deep freezers and other small capacity applications.
• 1.2.1.2. Forced circulation air-cooled condensers
• In this type, the air is circulated by means on a fan or blower.
These types of condensers are compact in design like radiator,
called radiator type condenser .
Air Cooled Condensers

• Advantages of air – cooled condensers

• Simple in construction
• Low maintenance cost
• No piping work is involved
• Corrosion & fouling effects are negligible
• Disadvantages of air – cooled condensers
• Suitable for small capacity units only
• Uneven distribution of air results poor condensation
• Heat transfer rate is low
WATER COOLED CONDENSERS

• Water-cooled condensers utilize water to condense the refrigerant in the

system. These types of condensers are used especially in larger
installations.
Water cooled condensers can be of three types
• Shell and tube condensers
• Shell and coil condensers
• Double tube (pipe) condensers.
SHELL AND TUBE CONDENSERS

• It consists of a shell in which number of tubes are fitted. The water circulates
through the tubes.
• On the two sides of the shell, condenser heads are provided which can be
opened for periodic.
• Figure show horizontal shell and tube condenser
• High temperature and high pressure refrigerant from the compressor enter the
condenser from the top and are circulated in the shell.
• Because of the heat transfer between the hot refrigerant and water circulated in
the tubes, the refrigerant condenses on the outside of the tubes and taken out
of the condenser from the bottom.
SHELL AND TUBE CONDENSERS
SHELL AND COIL CONDENSERS
SHELL AND COIL CONDENSERS
• It is a modification of the shell and tube type and is often used on small
packaging units.
• In this type, as shown in figure the water is circulated through a coil,
which is embedded in a shell.
• The high pressure and high temperature refrigerant from compressor
flow down in the condenser shell, come in contact with coil through
which the water is circulated. The refrigerant gets condensed and is
collected at the bottom of the shell.
DOUBLE TUBE CONDENSERS

• It is also called tube – within – tube condenser.

• In the double tube arrangement, (as shown in fig.) the refrigerant
condenses in the outer tubes and water flows through the inner tube
in the opposites (counter flow) direction.
• These types of condensers are easy to fabricate and can be very
conveniently cleaned.
DOUBLE TUBE CONDENSERS
WATER COOLED CONDENSERS

• Advantage of water cooled condensers

• Better heat transfer rate
• Suitable for large capacity refrigeration units
• Even distribution of water results better condensation
• Disadvantage of water cooled condensers
• High maintenance cost
• Problem of corrosion and fouling
• Problem of disposing of used water
EVAPORATIVE CONDENSERS

• Both air and water are used for condensing medium to condense the
hot vapour refrigerant to liquid refrigerant.
• Evaporative condenser perform the combined function of a water
cooled condenser and a cooling tower.
• The water is pumped from the sump to a spray header and sprayed
through nozzle over condenser coils.
• Hot vapour from the compressor is passing through the condenser
coils.
EVAPORATIVE CONDENSER
EVAPORATIVE CONDENSER

• Heat transfer from the refrigerant in to water through the condenser

tubing walls.
• At the same time a fan draws air from the bottom side of the
condenser and discharged out at the top of the condenser.
• The air causes the water from the surface of the condenser coils to
evaporate and absorb the latent heat of evaporation from the
remaining water to cool it.
• The air can also absorb sensible heat from water.
• The cold water drops down in to a sump is recirculated.
EVAPORATORS

• The evaporator is the main component of the refrigeration system it

is used to low pressure side of the refrigeration system.
• The function of the evaporator is to absorb the heat from a
surrounding medium which is to be cooled, by means of refrigerant.
• CLASSIFICATION OF EVAPORATORS
• I . Based on the circulation
• 1. Natural circulation evaporators
• 2. Forced circulation evaporators
• II. Based on the method of liquid (refrigerant) feed:
1. Flooded evaporators
2. Dry Expansion Evaporators
NATURAL CIRCULATION – FLOODED EVAPORATORS

• A flooded evaporator is operated completely filled with liquid refrigerant, which

covers the entire tube surface and provides the highest possible heat transfer
rate.
• A liquid over feed evaporator is one in which the amount of liquid
refrigerant circulated through the evaporator is considerably in excess of
that which can be vapourised.
• An illustration of a flooded evaporator is shown in the figure
• The evaporator coil is kept inside the shell through which the fluid to be
chilled is recirculated again and again to get the required cooling.
• The liquid refrigerant enters the shell through a float value and due to
the heat transfer; the liquid refrigerant gets vapourised which cools the
fluid to be chilled.
• The vapour refrigerant in the top or the shell is drawn be the compressor
through the suction line and liquid refrigerant remains in the evaporator.
NATURAL CIRCULATION – FLOODED EVAPORATORS
FORCED CIRCULATION – DRY EXPANSION
EVAPORATOR

• In the expansion type, the refrigerant flows through tubing, and

there is no liquid storage or refrigerant in the evaporator.
• The amount of liquid refrigerant into the evaporator is limited in such
a way that at the end of the evaporator, the refrigerant is completely
vapourised and only vapour refrigerant enters the suction line.
• The refrigerant flow control employed with this method is usually
either a thermostatic expansion value or a capillary tube
FORCED CIRCULATION – DRY EXPANSION
EVAPORATOR
REFRIGERANT FLOW CONTROLS
• Need
• It reduces the high pressure liquid refrigerant to low pressure liquid
refrigerant before being fed to the evaporator.
• It maintain a pressure difference between the high and low pressure
side of the system.
• To the flow of refrigerant according to the load of evaporator
Basically, the expansion devices are classified as
• Hand expansion value
• Automatic expansion valve (variable – restriction type)
• Thermostatic expansion valve (variable –restriction type)
• Capillary tube (constant – restriction type)
CAPILLARY TUBE

• It is a constant – restriction type expansion value.

• It is the simplest of the refrigerant flow controls, consisting of a fixed
length of small diameter tubing installed between the condenser and
the evaporator.
• It is used to restrict or meter the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator,
and to reduce the pressure of the refrigerant from high pressure to low
pressure.
• It is a copper tube of small internal diameter. It is generally about 0.5mm
to 2.255mm. The length of the tube varies from 0.5m to 5m.
• A fine mesh screen (strainer) is provided at the inlet of the tube, to
protect the tube from contaminants.
CAPILLARY TUBE
• Operation
• The liquid refrigerant from the condenser enters the capillary tube
through a strainer.
• Due to the frictional resistance offered by a small diameter tube, it
reduces the pressure of the refrigerant from high side pressure to low
side pressure.
• The frictional resistance is directly proportional to the length and
inversely proportional to the diameter. Therefore, longer the capillary
tube and smaller its diameter, greater is the pressure drop.
• The diameter and length of the capillary tube once selected for a given
set of operating conditions cannot operate efficiently on other
conditions.
 CAPILLARY TUBE
• Advantages
• Cost is less than all other expansion devices.
• It decreases the starting load on the compressor. Thus a low cost motor
can be used to drive the compressor.
• Simple in construction.
• Reduce the manufacturing costs of the refrigerating system.
• Eliminating the need for a receiver tank.
• Applications
• Capillary tubes are employ almost universally on all types of domestic
refrigeration units, such as refrigerators, freezers and room coolers.
• Also employed on small commercial packaged air conditioners.
CAPILLARY TUBE
 AUTOMATIC EXPANSION VALVE
• It is known as constant pressure expansion valve.
• It consists of needle valve, valve seat, metallic diaphragm, springs and
adjusting screw.
• The opening and closing depends on
• The spring pressure and atmospheric pressure acting on the top of the
diaphragm.
• The evaporator pressure acting below the diaphragm.
AUTOMATIC EXPANSION VALVE
 AUTOMATIC EXPANSION VALVE
• When the compressor is running the valve maintains an evaporator
pressure in equilibrium with the spring pressure and the atmospheric
pressure.
• The spring pressure can be varied by adjusting the tension of the spring
with the help of spring adjusting screw.
• Once the spring is adjusted for a desired evaporator pressure, then the
valve operates automatically.
•When the evaporator pressure falls down,
the diaphragm moves downward to open
the valve. This allows more refrigerant to
enter in to the evaporator. It increases
the evaporator pressure
•When the evaporator pressure rises, the
diaphragm moves upward. It reduces the
opening of the valve. This reduces the
flow of liquid refrigerant to the
evaporator.
THERMOSTATIC EXPANSION VALVE
THERMOSTATIC EXPANSION VALVE

• It is most commonly used expansion valve. It is called costant

superheat valve. It maintains a constant superheat of the vapour
refrigerant at the end of the evaporator coil by controlling the flow of
liquid refrigerant through the evaporator.
• It consists of needle valve , valve seat, metallic diaphragm, spring and
adjusting screw and feeler bulb. The feeler bulb is partially filled with
the same liquid refrigerant as used in the system.
THERMOSTATIC EXPANSION VALVE

• The opening and closing of the valve depends on

• The spring pressure acting on bottom of the diaphragm
• The feeler bulb pressure acting on the top of the diaphragm
• The evaporator pressure acting on the bottom of the diaphragm
Any change the temperature of the refrigerant will cause a change the
pressure in the feeler bulb. It will transmitted to the top of the diaphragm.
 THERMOSTATIC EXPANSION VALVE
• Under normal working condition the feeler bulb pressure acting at the
top of the diaphragm is balanced by the spring pressure and the
evaporator pressure acting at the bottom of the diaphragm.
• When the load on the evaporator increases, it causes the liquid
refrigerant to boil faster in the evaporator coil.
• The temperature of the feeler bulb increases due to early vapourisation
of the liquid refrigerant. This increases the feeler bulb pressure.
• The pressure is transmitted through the capillary tube to the diaphragm.
The diaphragm moves downward. It admits more quantity of refrigerant
to the evaporator.
 THERMOSTATIC EXPANSION VALVE
• When the load on the evaporator decreases, less liquid refrigerant
evaporates in the evaporator coil.
• The excess liquid refrigerant flows towards the evaporator outlet which
cools the feeler bulb.
• Thus the feeler bulb pressure decreases.
• The lower feeler bulb pressure is transmitted through the capillary tube to
the diaphragm.
• Now diaphragm moves upward.
• This reduces the opening of the valve.
• Then the flow of liquid refrigerant reduces the evaporator.
 Exercise

1. Refrigerant-134a enters the compressor of a refrigerator as

superheated vapor at 0.14 MPa and -10°C at a rate of 0.05 kg/s and
leaves at 0.8 Mpa and 50°C. The refrigerant is cooled in the
condenser to 26°C and 0.72 MPa and is throttled to 0.15 MPa.
Disregarding any heat transfer and pressure drops in the connecting
lines between the components, determine (a) the rate of heat
removal from the refrigerated space and the power input to the
compressor, (b) the isentropic efficiency of the compressor, and (c)
the coefficient of performance of the refrigerator.