Refrigeration Systems (Tutorial 1): Autumn 2009

1. A single stage vapour compression refrigeration system working with ammonia

operates at an evaporator temperature of –17.8oC and condensing temperature of
32.2oC. Assume a saturated cycle with the compression process being polytropic with
an index of 1.24. Assume no pressure drops in piping and compressor valves and no
temperature changes from the exit of the evaporator to the inlet of the compressor.
Calculate: a) Coefficient of Performance (COP) and compare with the COP for
isentropic compression (index of compression = 1.286)

The following data are given for ammonia:

At –17.8oC: saturation pressure = 209.4 kPa, specific volume of saturated vapour =

0.5694 m3/kg and enthalpy of saturated vapour = 1420.9 kJ/kg

At 32.2oC: saturation pressure = 1245.0 kPa, enthalpy of saturated liquid = 333.1 kJ/kg

2. Compare the COP of an ammonia based vapour compression refrigeration system

which uses wet compression with that of the one which uses dry compression. In both
cases the evaporator temperature is –20oC and the condenser temperature is 30oC.
Assume no subcooling and the compression process to be isentropic. In wet
compression the refrigerant vapour enters the compressor in such a condition that it is
saturated vapour upon leaving the compressor. Show both the cycles on T-s and P-h
diagrams. Use the following property data:

at –20oC: saturation pressure = 190.74 kPa,

saturated liquid: enthalpy = 108.594 kJ/kg
saturated vapour: enthalpy = 1437.23 kJ/kg, entropy = 5.9025 kJ/kg.K
at 30oC: saturation pressure = 1168.6 kPa
saturated liquid: enthalpy = 341.769 kJ/kg
saturated vapour: enthalpy = 1486.14 kJ/kg, entropy = 5.2624 kJ/kg.K
at 1168.6 kPa and entropy of 5.9025 kJ/kg.K: enthalpy = 1709.73 kJ/kg

3. In the vapor compression cycle a throttling device is used to reduce the pressure of
the liquid refrigerant (from condenser pressure to evaporator pressure). Determine the
percent improvement in the COP of the cycle if, in place of a throttling device, an
expansion engine could be used to expand saturated liquid refrigerant (HCFC-22)
isentropically from a condensing temperature of 35oC to an evaporator temperature of
0oC. Assume that the compression is isentropic from the saturated vapor state at 0oC to
condenser pressure corresponding to 35oC. Show both the cycles on P-h diagram. The
following are the refrigerant property values:

at 0oC (Saturation pressure = 0.498 MPa):

Saturated liquid and vapor enthalpies = 200 kJ/kg & 404.87 kJ/kg respectively

Saturated liquid and vapor entropies = 1.00 kJ/kg.K & 1.751 kJ/kg.K respectively

at 35oC (Saturation pressure = 1.356 MPa):

Saturated liquid enthalpy = 243.14 kJ/kg, Saturated liquid entropy = 1.146 kJ/kg.K, and

Enthalpy at compressor exit = 429.9 kJ/kg

4. The compressor of a 25 TR (refrigeration capacity) vapour compression refrigeration

system is cooled by circulating cooling water through the water jacket surrounding the
compressor. The refrigerant (ammonia) at the exit of condenser is saturated liquid (P =
12.3 bar, hf = 350.4 kJ/kg) and it is saturated vapour at the exit of the evaporator (T = -
12.2oC, hg = 1448 kJ/kg). The pressure and temperature of the superheated refrigerant
at the exit of compressor are 12.3 bar and 77oC, respectively (hv = 1617 kJ/kg). The
power input to the compressor is 17.3 kW. Find the required mass flow rate of cooling
water if its temperature rises by 5.6oC as it flows through the water jacket surrounding
the compressor. Take the specific heat of water as 4.18 kJ/kg.

5. A R 22 based refrigeration system operates between an evaporator temperature of –

20oC and a condensing temperature of 32o. The system consists of a Liquid-to-Suction
Heat Exchanger (LSHX), which has a heat exchanger effectiveness of 0.77. Assume
the compression process to be reversible, adiabatic and the refrigerant condition at the
exit of evaporator and condenser to be saturated. Draw the system schematic and show
the cycle on T-s and p-h diagrams. Using the data given below find: (a) Specific
refrigeration effect, (b) Volumic refrigeration effect, and (c) COP.

At –20oC: Saturation pressure = 244.83 kPa

Enthalpy of saturated vapour = 397.467 kJ/kg

At 32oC: Saturation pressure = 1255.2 kPa

Enthalpy of saturated liquid = 239.23 kJ/kg

A constant specific heat (cp) value of 0.654 kJ/kg.K may be assumed for the refrigerant
vapour at 244.83 kPa. The specific volume of refrigerant vapour at the entry and exit of
the compressor are 0.1107 m3/kg and 0.027 m3/kg, respectively.

6. The compressor of a 25 TR (refrigeration capacity) vapour compression refrigeration

system is cooled by circulating cooling water through the water jacket surrounding the
compressor. The refrigerant (ammonia) at the exit of condenser is saturated liquid
(P=12.3 bar, hf = 350.4 kJ/kg) and it is saturated vapour at the exit of the evaporator
(T= −12.2oC, hg = 1448 kJ/kg). The pressure and temperature of the superheated
refrigerant at the exit of compressor are 12.3 bar and 77oC, respectively and the
corresponding enthalpy is 1617 kJ/kg. The power input to the compressor is 17.3 kW.
Find the required mass flow rate of cooling water if its temperature rises by 5.6oC as it
flows through the water jacket surrounding the compressor. Take the specific heat of
water as 4.18 kJ/kg.
7. Saturated liquid ammonia is expanded in a throttle valve from 36oC to a temperature
of -30oC. Find a) the dryness fraction of ammonia at the exit of the throttle valve b) Void
fraction (ratio of volume of vapour to total volume) at the exit of throttle valve, c)
Throttling loss and d) Entropy change in the process.

8. Refrigerant R134a has a normal boiling point of 26.07oC. Find the saturation pressure
of R134a at -30oC assuming an average latent heat of vaporization of 117 kJ/kg.
Molecular weight of R134a is 102.03 kg/kmol.

9. Saturated R134a at 40oC is expanded in a throttle valve to a final temperature of -

30oC. Assuming that the energy required for generation of flash gas is supplied by
R134a itself, find average Cp value of R134a liquid. Check the value obtained with the
actual Cp value from property data.