Chapter 11
REFRIGERATION CYCLES
Dr. Salmiaton Ali
Dr. Tinia Idaty Mohd. Ghazi
2
Objectives
• Introduce the concepts of refrigerators and heat pumps
and the measure of their performance.
• Analyze the ideal vapor-compression refrigeration cycle.
• Analyze the actual vapor-compression refrigeration cycle.
• Review the factors involved in selecting the right
refrigerant for an application.
• Discuss the operation of refrigeration and heat pump
systems.
• Evaluate the performance of innovative vapor-
compression refrigeration systems.
• Analyze gas refrigeration systems.
• Introduce the concepts of absorption-refrigeration
systems.
3
REFRIGERATORS
AND HEAT PUMPS
The objective of a refrigerator is to remove heat
(QL) from the cold medium; the objective of a heat
pump is to supply heat (QH) to a warm medium.
The transfer of heat from a low-temperature
region to a high-temperature one requires
special devices called refrigerators.
Refrigerators and heat pumps are essentially
the same devices; they differ in their
objectives only.
for fixed values of QL and QH
4
THE REVERSED
CARNOT CYCLE
Schematic of a
Carnot refrigerator
and T-s diagram
of the reversed
Carnot cycle.
Both COPs increase
as the difference
between the two
temperatures
decreases, that is, as
TL rises or TH falls.
The reversed Carnot cycle is the most efficient
refrigeration cycle operating between TL and TH.
However, it is not a suitable model for refrigeration
cycles since processes 2-3 and 4-1 are not practical
because:
Process 2-3 involves the compression of a liquid–vapor
mixture, which requires a compressor that will handle
two phases, and Process 4-1 involves the expansion of
high-moisture-content refrigerant in a turbine.
5
THE IDEAL VAPOR-COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION CYCLE
The vapor-compression refrigeration cycle is the ideal model for refrigeration
systems. Unlike the reversed Carnot cycle, the refrigerant is vaporized completely
before it is compressed and the turbine is replaced with a throttling device.
Schematic and T-s diagram for the ideal
vapor-compression refrigeration cycle.
This is the
most widely
used cycle for
refrigerators,
A-C systems,
and heat
pumps.
6
An ordinary
household
refrigerator.
The P-h diagram of an ideal vapor-
compression refrigeration cycle.
The ideal vapor-compression refrigeration cycle involves an irreversible (throttling)
process to make it a more realistic model for the actual systems.
Replacing the expansion valve by a turbine is not practical since the added
benefits cannot justify the added cost and complexity.
Steady-flow
energy balance
7
ACTUAL VAPOR-COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION CYCLE
Schematic and T-s diagram for the actual
vapor-compression refrigeration cycle.
An actual vapor-compression refrigeration cycle differs from the ideal one in
several ways, owing mostly to the irreversibilities that occur in various
components, mainly due to fluid friction (causes pressure drops) and heat transfer
to or from the surroundings. The COP decreases as a result of irreversibilities.
DIFFERENCES
Non-isentropic
compression
Superheated vapor
at evaporator exit
Subcooled liquid at
condenser exit
Pressure drops in
condenser and
evaporator
Example 1
• A refrigerator uses R134a as the working fluid and operates on an ideal vapor-
compression refrigeration cycle between 0.12 and 0.7 MPa. The mass flow rate of
the R134a is 0.05 kg/s. Calculate: (a) rate of heat removal from the refrigerated
space, (b) power input to the compressor, (c) rate of heat rejection to the
environment, (d) COP, (e) new power input to compressor if compressor has
isentropic efficiency of 85%, (f) new COP, (g) if throttling device is replaced by
isentropic turbine, calculate new COP.
9
SELECTING THE RIGHT REFRIGERANT
• Several refrigerants may be used in refrigeration systems such as
chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), ammonia, hydrocarbons (propane, ethane, ethylene,
etc.), carbon dioxide, air (in the air-conditioning of aircraft), and even water (in
applications above the freezing point).
• R-11, R-12, R-22, R-134a, and R-502 account for over 90 percent of the market.
• The industrial and heavy-commercial sectors use ammonia (it is toxic).
• R-11 is used in large-capacity water chillers serving A-C systems in buildings.
• R-134a (replaced R-12, which damages ozone layer) is used in domestic
refrigerators and freezers, as well as automotive air conditioners.
• R-22 is used in window air conditioners, heat pumps, air conditioners of commercial
buildings, and large industrial refrigeration systems, and offers strong competition to
ammonia.
• R-502 (a blend of R-115 and R-22) is the dominant refrigerant used in commercial
refrigeration systems such as those in supermarkets.
• CFCs allow more ultraviolet radiation into the earth’s atmosphere by destroying the
protective ozone layer and thus contributing to the greenhouse effect that causes
global warming. Fully halogenated CFCs (such as R-11, R-12, and R-115) do the
most damage to the ozone layer. Refrigerants that are friendly to the ozone layer
have been developed.
• Two important parameters that need to be considered in the selection of a
refrigerant are the temperatures of the two media (the refrigerated space and the
environment) with which the refrigerant exchanges heat.
10
HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS
A heat pump can be
used to heat a house
in winter and to cool
it in summer.
The most common energy source for
heat pumps is atmospheric air (air-to-
air systems).
Water-source systems usually use
well water and ground-source
(geothermal) heat pumps use earth as
the energy source. They typically have
higher COPs but are more complex
and more expensive to install.
Both the capacity and the efficiency of
a heat pump fall significantly at low
temperatures. Therefore, most air-
source heat pumps require a
supplementary heating system such
as electric resistance heaters or a gas
furnace.
Heat pumps are most competitive in
areas that have a large cooling load
during the cooling season and a
relatively small heating load during the
heating season. In these areas, the
heat pump can meet the entire cooling
and heating needs of residential or
commercial buildings.
Example 2
• R134a enters the condenser of a residential heat pump at 800 kPa and
55oC at a rate of 0.018 kg/s and leaves at 750 kPa subcooled by 3oC. The
R134a enters the compressor at 200 kPa superheated by 4oC. Calculate:
(a) isentropic efficiency of compressor, (b) rate of heat supplied to the
heated room, (c) COP, (d) new COP and new rate of heat supplied to the
heated room if the heat pump is operated on ideal vapor-compression
cycle between pressure limits of 200 and 800 kPa.
12
INNOVATIVE VAPOR-COMPRESSION
REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS
• The simple vapor-compression refrigeration cycle is the most widely
used refrigeration cycle, and it is adequate for most refrigeration
applications.
• The ordinary vapor-compression refrigeration systems are simple,
inexpensive, reliable, and practically maintenance-free.
• However, for large industrial applications efficiency, not simplicity, is
the major concern.
• Also, for some applications the simple vapor-compression
refrigeration cycle is inadequate and needs to be modified.
• For moderately and very low temperature applications some
innovative refrigeration systems are used. The following cycles will be
discussed:
• Cascade refrigeration systems
• Multistage compression refrigeration systems
• Multipurpose refrigeration systems with a single compressor
• Liquefaction of gases
13
Cascade Refrigeration Systems
A two-stage cascade refrigeration system
with the same refrigerant in both stages.
Some industrial applications require moderately low temperatures, and the
temperature range they involve may be too large for a single vapor-compression
refrigeration cycle to be practical. The solution is cascading.
Cascading
improves the
COP of a
refrigeration
system.
Some systems
use three or
four stages of
cascading.
14
Multistage
Compression
Refrigeration Systems
A two-stage compression refrigeration
system with a flash chamber.
When the fluid used throughout the cascade
refrigeration 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.
A two-stage compression refrigeration system operates with R134a between
the pressure limits of 1 and 0.14 MPa. The refrigerant leaves the condenser as
a saturated liquid and is throttled to a flash chamber operating at 0.5 MPa. The
refrigerant leaving the low-pressure compressor at 0.5 MPa is also routed to
the flash chamber. The vapor in the flash chamber is then compressed to the
condenser pressure by the high-pressure compressor and the liquid is throttled
to the evaporator pressure. Assuming the refrigerant leaves the evaporator as
a saturated vapor and both compressors are isentropic, calculate (a) the
fraction of the refrigerant that evaporates as it is throttled to the flash
chamber, (b) rate of heat removed from the refrigerated space for a mass flow
rate of 0.25 kg/s through the condenser, and (c) COP.
Example 3
16
Multipurpose Refrigeration Systems with a Single
Compressor
Schematic and T-s diagram for a refrigerator–freezer unit with one compressor.
Some applications require refrigeration at more than one temperature. A
practical and economical approach is to route all the exit streams from the
evaporators to a single compressor and let it handle the compression process
for the entire system.
17
Liquefaction of Gases
Linde-Hampson system
for liquefying gases.
Many important scientific and engineering processes at cryogenic temperatures (below
about -100°C) depend on liquefied gases including the separation of oxygen and nitrogen
from air, preparation of liquid propellants for rockets, the study of material properties at low
temperatures, and the study of superconductivity.
The storage (i.e., hydrogen) and
transportation of some gases (i.e., natural
gas) are done after they are liquefied at very
low temperatures. Several innovative cycles
are used for the liquefaction of gases.
18
GAS REFRIGERATION CYCLES
Simple gas refrigeration cycle.
The reversed Brayton cycle (the gas
refrigeration cycle) can be used for
refrigeration.
19
An open-cycle aircraft cooling system.
The gas refrigeration cycles have
lower COPs relative to the vapor-
compression refrigeration cycles or
the reversed Carnot cycle.
The reversed Carnot cycle
consumes a fraction of the net work
(area 1A3B) but produces a greater
amount of refrigeration (triangular
area under B1).
Despite their relatively low COPs, the gas
refrigeration cycles involve simple, lighter
components, which make them suitable
for aircraft cooling, and they can
incorporate regeneration
20
Gas refrigeration cycle with regeneration.
Without regeneration, the lowest turbine inlet temperature is T0, the temperature of
the surroundings or any other cooling medium.
With regeneration, the high-pressure gas is further cooled to T4 before expanding in
the turbine.
Lowering the turbine inlet temperature automatically lowers the turbine exit
temperature, which is the minimum temperature in the cycle.
Extremely low temperatures can be achieved
by repeating regeneration process.
21
ABSORPTION REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS
Ammonia absorption refrigeration cycle.
When there is a
source of
inexpensive thermal
energy at a
temperature of 100
to 200°C is
absorption
refrigeration.
Some examples
include geothermal
energy, solar energy,
and waste heat from
cogeneration or
process steam
plants, and even
natural gas when it is
at a relatively low
price.
22
• Absorption refrigeration systems (ARS) involve the absorption of a
refrigerant by a transport medium.
• The most widely used system is the ammonia–water system, where
ammonia (NH3) serves as the refrigerant and water (H2O) as the transport
medium.
• Other systems include water–lithium bromide and water–lithium chloride
systems, where water serves as the refrigerant. These systems are limited
to applications such as A-C where the minimum temperature is above the
freezing point of water.
• Compared with vapor-compression systems, ARS have one major
advantage: A liquid is compressed instead of a vapor and as a result the
work input is very small (on the order of one percent of the heat supplied to
the generator) and often neglected in the cycle analysis.
• ARS are often classified as heat-driven systems.
• ARS are much more expensive than the vapor-compression refrigeration
systems. They are more complex and occupy more space, they are much
less efficient thus requiring much larger cooling towers to reject the waste
heat, and they are more difficult to service since they are less common.
• Therefore, ARS should be considered only when the unit cost of thermal
energy is low and is projected to remain low relative to electricity.
• ARS are primarily used in large commercial and industrial installations.
23
Determining the
maximum COP of
an absorption
refrigeration system.
The COP of actual absorption
refrigeration systems is usually less
than 1.
Air-conditioning systems based on
absorption refrigeration, called
absorption chillers, perform best
when the heat source can supply
heat at a high temperature with little
temperature drop.
END OF CHAPTER 11
THANK YOU
24

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Chapter_11_lecture-new abcdefghijklm.pdf

  • 1. Chapter 11 REFRIGERATION CYCLES Dr. Salmiaton Ali Dr. Tinia Idaty Mohd. Ghazi
  • 2. 2 Objectives • Introduce the concepts of refrigerators and heat pumps and the measure of their performance. • Analyze the ideal vapor-compression refrigeration cycle. • Analyze the actual vapor-compression refrigeration cycle. • Review the factors involved in selecting the right refrigerant for an application. • Discuss the operation of refrigeration and heat pump systems. • Evaluate the performance of innovative vapor- compression refrigeration systems. • Analyze gas refrigeration systems. • Introduce the concepts of absorption-refrigeration systems.
  • 3. 3 REFRIGERATORS AND HEAT PUMPS The objective of a refrigerator is to remove heat (QL) from the cold medium; the objective of a heat pump is to supply heat (QH) to a warm medium. The transfer of heat from a low-temperature region to a high-temperature one requires special devices called refrigerators. Refrigerators and heat pumps are essentially the same devices; they differ in their objectives only. for fixed values of QL and QH
  • 4. 4 THE REVERSED CARNOT CYCLE Schematic of a Carnot refrigerator and T-s diagram of the reversed Carnot cycle. Both COPs increase as the difference between the two temperatures decreases, that is, as TL rises or TH falls. The reversed Carnot cycle is the most efficient refrigeration cycle operating between TL and TH. However, it is not a suitable model for refrigeration cycles since processes 2-3 and 4-1 are not practical because: Process 2-3 involves the compression of a liquid–vapor mixture, which requires a compressor that will handle two phases, and Process 4-1 involves the expansion of high-moisture-content refrigerant in a turbine.
  • 5. 5 THE IDEAL VAPOR-COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION CYCLE The vapor-compression refrigeration cycle is the ideal model for refrigeration systems. Unlike the reversed Carnot cycle, the refrigerant is vaporized completely before it is compressed and the turbine is replaced with a throttling device. Schematic and T-s diagram for the ideal vapor-compression refrigeration cycle. This is the most widely used cycle for refrigerators, A-C systems, and heat pumps.
  • 6. 6 An ordinary household refrigerator. The P-h diagram of an ideal vapor- compression refrigeration cycle. The ideal vapor-compression refrigeration cycle involves an irreversible (throttling) process to make it a more realistic model for the actual systems. Replacing the expansion valve by a turbine is not practical since the added benefits cannot justify the added cost and complexity. Steady-flow energy balance
  • 7. 7 ACTUAL VAPOR-COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION CYCLE Schematic and T-s diagram for the actual vapor-compression refrigeration cycle. An actual vapor-compression refrigeration cycle differs from the ideal one in several ways, owing mostly to the irreversibilities that occur in various components, mainly due to fluid friction (causes pressure drops) and heat transfer to or from the surroundings. The COP decreases as a result of irreversibilities. DIFFERENCES Non-isentropic compression Superheated vapor at evaporator exit Subcooled liquid at condenser exit Pressure drops in condenser and evaporator
  • 8. Example 1 • A refrigerator uses R134a as the working fluid and operates on an ideal vapor- compression refrigeration cycle between 0.12 and 0.7 MPa. The mass flow rate of the R134a is 0.05 kg/s. Calculate: (a) rate of heat removal from the refrigerated space, (b) power input to the compressor, (c) rate of heat rejection to the environment, (d) COP, (e) new power input to compressor if compressor has isentropic efficiency of 85%, (f) new COP, (g) if throttling device is replaced by isentropic turbine, calculate new COP.
  • 9. 9 SELECTING THE RIGHT REFRIGERANT • Several refrigerants may be used in refrigeration systems such as chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), ammonia, hydrocarbons (propane, ethane, ethylene, etc.), carbon dioxide, air (in the air-conditioning of aircraft), and even water (in applications above the freezing point). • R-11, R-12, R-22, R-134a, and R-502 account for over 90 percent of the market. • The industrial and heavy-commercial sectors use ammonia (it is toxic). • R-11 is used in large-capacity water chillers serving A-C systems in buildings. • R-134a (replaced R-12, which damages ozone layer) is used in domestic refrigerators and freezers, as well as automotive air conditioners. • R-22 is used in window air conditioners, heat pumps, air conditioners of commercial buildings, and large industrial refrigeration systems, and offers strong competition to ammonia. • R-502 (a blend of R-115 and R-22) is the dominant refrigerant used in commercial refrigeration systems such as those in supermarkets. • CFCs allow more ultraviolet radiation into the earth’s atmosphere by destroying the protective ozone layer and thus contributing to the greenhouse effect that causes global warming. Fully halogenated CFCs (such as R-11, R-12, and R-115) do the most damage to the ozone layer. Refrigerants that are friendly to the ozone layer have been developed. • Two important parameters that need to be considered in the selection of a refrigerant are the temperatures of the two media (the refrigerated space and the environment) with which the refrigerant exchanges heat.
  • 10. 10 HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS A heat pump can be used to heat a house in winter and to cool it in summer. The most common energy source for heat pumps is atmospheric air (air-to- air systems). Water-source systems usually use well water and ground-source (geothermal) heat pumps use earth as the energy source. They typically have higher COPs but are more complex and more expensive to install. Both the capacity and the efficiency of a heat pump fall significantly at low temperatures. Therefore, most air- source heat pumps require a supplementary heating system such as electric resistance heaters or a gas furnace. Heat pumps are most competitive in areas that have a large cooling load during the cooling season and a relatively small heating load during the heating season. In these areas, the heat pump can meet the entire cooling and heating needs of residential or commercial buildings.
  • 11. Example 2 • R134a enters the condenser of a residential heat pump at 800 kPa and 55oC at a rate of 0.018 kg/s and leaves at 750 kPa subcooled by 3oC. The R134a enters the compressor at 200 kPa superheated by 4oC. Calculate: (a) isentropic efficiency of compressor, (b) rate of heat supplied to the heated room, (c) COP, (d) new COP and new rate of heat supplied to the heated room if the heat pump is operated on ideal vapor-compression cycle between pressure limits of 200 and 800 kPa.
  • 12. 12 INNOVATIVE VAPOR-COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS • The simple vapor-compression refrigeration cycle is the most widely used refrigeration cycle, and it is adequate for most refrigeration applications. • The ordinary vapor-compression refrigeration systems are simple, inexpensive, reliable, and practically maintenance-free. • However, for large industrial applications efficiency, not simplicity, is the major concern. • Also, for some applications the simple vapor-compression refrigeration cycle is inadequate and needs to be modified. • For moderately and very low temperature applications some innovative refrigeration systems are used. The following cycles will be discussed: • Cascade refrigeration systems • Multistage compression refrigeration systems • Multipurpose refrigeration systems with a single compressor • Liquefaction of gases
  • 13. 13 Cascade Refrigeration Systems A two-stage cascade refrigeration system with the same refrigerant in both stages. Some industrial applications require moderately low temperatures, and the temperature range they involve may be too large for a single vapor-compression refrigeration cycle to be practical. The solution is cascading. Cascading improves the COP of a refrigeration system. Some systems use three or four stages of cascading.
  • 14. 14 Multistage Compression Refrigeration Systems A two-stage compression refrigeration system with a flash chamber. When the fluid used throughout the cascade refrigeration 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.
  • 15. A two-stage compression refrigeration system operates with R134a between the pressure limits of 1 and 0.14 MPa. The refrigerant leaves the condenser as a saturated liquid and is throttled to a flash chamber operating at 0.5 MPa. The refrigerant leaving the low-pressure compressor at 0.5 MPa is also routed to the flash chamber. The vapor in the flash chamber is then compressed to the condenser pressure by the high-pressure compressor and the liquid is throttled to the evaporator pressure. Assuming the refrigerant leaves the evaporator as a saturated vapor and both compressors are isentropic, calculate (a) the fraction of the refrigerant that evaporates as it is throttled to the flash chamber, (b) rate of heat removed from the refrigerated space for a mass flow rate of 0.25 kg/s through the condenser, and (c) COP. Example 3
  • 16. 16 Multipurpose Refrigeration Systems with a Single Compressor Schematic and T-s diagram for a refrigerator–freezer unit with one compressor. Some applications require refrigeration at more than one temperature. A practical and economical approach is to route all the exit streams from the evaporators to a single compressor and let it handle the compression process for the entire system.
  • 17. 17 Liquefaction of Gases Linde-Hampson system for liquefying gases. Many important scientific and engineering processes at cryogenic temperatures (below about -100°C) depend on liquefied gases including the separation of oxygen and nitrogen from air, preparation of liquid propellants for rockets, the study of material properties at low temperatures, and the study of superconductivity. The storage (i.e., hydrogen) and transportation of some gases (i.e., natural gas) are done after they are liquefied at very low temperatures. Several innovative cycles are used for the liquefaction of gases.
  • 18. 18 GAS REFRIGERATION CYCLES Simple gas refrigeration cycle. The reversed Brayton cycle (the gas refrigeration cycle) can be used for refrigeration.
  • 19. 19 An open-cycle aircraft cooling system. The gas refrigeration cycles have lower COPs relative to the vapor- compression refrigeration cycles or the reversed Carnot cycle. The reversed Carnot cycle consumes a fraction of the net work (area 1A3B) but produces a greater amount of refrigeration (triangular area under B1). Despite their relatively low COPs, the gas refrigeration cycles involve simple, lighter components, which make them suitable for aircraft cooling, and they can incorporate regeneration
  • 20. 20 Gas refrigeration cycle with regeneration. Without regeneration, the lowest turbine inlet temperature is T0, the temperature of the surroundings or any other cooling medium. With regeneration, the high-pressure gas is further cooled to T4 before expanding in the turbine. Lowering the turbine inlet temperature automatically lowers the turbine exit temperature, which is the minimum temperature in the cycle. Extremely low temperatures can be achieved by repeating regeneration process.
  • 21. 21 ABSORPTION REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS Ammonia absorption refrigeration cycle. When there is a source of inexpensive thermal energy at a temperature of 100 to 200°C is absorption refrigeration. Some examples include geothermal energy, solar energy, and waste heat from cogeneration or process steam plants, and even natural gas when it is at a relatively low price.
  • 22. 22 • Absorption refrigeration systems (ARS) involve the absorption of a refrigerant by a transport medium. • The most widely used system is the ammonia–water system, where ammonia (NH3) serves as the refrigerant and water (H2O) as the transport medium. • Other systems include water–lithium bromide and water–lithium chloride systems, where water serves as the refrigerant. These systems are limited to applications such as A-C where the minimum temperature is above the freezing point of water. • Compared with vapor-compression systems, ARS have one major advantage: A liquid is compressed instead of a vapor and as a result the work input is very small (on the order of one percent of the heat supplied to the generator) and often neglected in the cycle analysis. • ARS are often classified as heat-driven systems. • ARS are much more expensive than the vapor-compression refrigeration systems. They are more complex and occupy more space, they are much less efficient thus requiring much larger cooling towers to reject the waste heat, and they are more difficult to service since they are less common. • Therefore, ARS should be considered only when the unit cost of thermal energy is low and is projected to remain low relative to electricity. • ARS are primarily used in large commercial and industrial installations.
  • 23. 23 Determining the maximum COP of an absorption refrigeration system. The COP of actual absorption refrigeration systems is usually less than 1. Air-conditioning systems based on absorption refrigeration, called absorption chillers, perform best when the heat source can supply heat at a high temperature with little temperature drop.
  • 24. END OF CHAPTER 11 THANK YOU 24