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ql
h1 h4
=
wc
h2 h1
(1)
Example Consider a compression refrigeration cycle using ammonia (NH3 ). The evaporator pressure is 108.37 kPa (Tsat = 32 C) and the condenser pressure is 1166.49 kPa
(Tsat = 30 C). Referring to Figure 1, h1 = 401.6 kJ kg-1 , s1 = 5.8156 kJ kg-1 K-1 . Interpolating for s2 = 5.8156 kJ kg-1 K-1 at p2 = 1166.49 kPa, h2 = 1760 kJ kg-1 . Condensing along
the 1166.49 kPa isobar to the saturated liquid yields h3 = 322.9 kJ kg-1 . Since h3 = h4 ,
h4 = 322.9 kJ kg-1 .
Given these properties, the energy absorbed from the cold reservoir per mass of refrigerant
flowing is
qc = h4 h1 = 1410.6 322.9 = 1090 kJ kg1 ,
the work of the compressor is
wcomp = h1 h2 = 1410.6 1760 = 350 kJ kg1 .
The coefficient of performance is then
=
1090
= 3.11.
350
Note that is usually greater than 1. Furthermore, the energy rejected to the environment
is
qh = h3 h2 = 322.9 1760 = 1440 kJ kg1 ,
which is, of course the difference between qc and wcomp .
Absorption Cycle The work done on the system in the isentropic process of getting from
states 1 to 2 of a compression cycle results in a considerable cost. In a compression
refrigeration system, which is most common for domestic and automobile use, this is done
with a compressor. The compressor is driven either electrically, in the case of a home refrigerator or air-conditioner, or driven by taking power from the automobile engine. Reducing
this cost could have a great benefit.
Consider the circumstance for which there exists a large heat source that might otherwise
go to waste. Consider also that the cost of pumping a liquid from low to high pressure is
trivial compared to the change in enthalpy of vapor between the same two isobars. (You
saw an example of this when calculating the Simon power plant performance with its 93
psig steam.) Is there a means to harness this energy and take advantage of the small cost of
pumping liquid? Yes the absorption refrigeration cycle.
In the absorption refrigeration cycle, two devices, the generator and the absorber, replace
the compressor of the vapor compression refrigeration cycle. The essential idea is that a liquid
mixture of an absorbent and a refrigerant is pumped to the generator. In the generator, the
refrigerant is boiled from this high-pressure solution, creating a pure refrigerant vapor at
that high pressure, and a concentrated absorbent solution. The solution is expanded to
return to the absorber, while the refrigerant runs through the condenser, expansion valve,
and evaporator.
There are several absorbentrefrigerant combinations. If the cold reservoir is to be frozen,
AmmoniaWater is a common combination (ammonia is the refrigerant). If only chilled water
is needed (no freezing), waterlithium bromide is a good choice (water is the refrigerant).
By controlling the LiBr concentration, the pressures of the condenser and evaporator can be
controlled in much the same way that a compressor controls the pressures in a conventional
vapor compression refrigeration system. Water from the plants cooling tower provides both
this cooling and the high temperature heat reservoir in the condenser. The system is shown
in schematically in Figure 2.
Table 1 lists the capacities of some of the chilled water units arounds campus.
3
CONDENSER
WATER OUT
TO TOWER
STEAM IN
GENERATOR
STEAM OUT
HEAT
EXCHANGER
CONDENSER
LOW PRESSURE
WATER VAPOR
CHILLED
WATER IN
ABSORBER
CONDENSER
WATER IN
FROM TOWER
GENERATOR ABSORBER
PUMP
PUMP
CHILLED
WATER OUT
EVAPORATOR
REFRIGERANT
PUMP
Figure 2: Schema of an absorption refrigeration system. The components on the left hand
side replace the compressor.
1. What devices in an absorption refrigeration system replace the compressor of a conventional vapor compression refrigeration system?
2. Describe the four (4) fluid streams within a Trane absorption unit.
4. What is the rated capacity of the chilled water plant in tons of refrigeration, Btu/hr,
and kW?
5. Given the chilled water flow rate (from the pump) and the entering and exiting temperatures of the chilled water stream for one of the absorption units, calculate the actual
cooling load (in tons of refrigeration) the unit is providing.
6. Determine the Carnot cycle COP for the absorption cycle used at the MSU chilled
water plant.
7. Using the Carnot cycle COP and assuming a cooling load of 1250 tons, determine the
required mass flow rate of steam.