CHAPTER
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Simple Vapour
Compression Refrigeration
4.1 Introduction
‘A. vapour compression refrigeration
systent" is an improved type of air refrigeration
system in which a suitable working substance,
termed as refrigerant, is used. It condenses
and evaporates at temperatures and pressures
close to the atmospheric conditions. The
refrigerants, usually, used for this purpose are
ammonia (NH,), carbon dioxide (CO,) and
sulphur dioxide (SO,). The refrigerant used,
does not leave the system, but is circulated
‘Sinee low pressure vapour refrigerant from
the evaporator is changed into high pressure
vapour refrigerant in the compressor,
therefore it is named as vapour compression
refrigeration system.
1. Introduction,
2. Advantages and Disadvantages of Vapour
‘Compression Refrigeration System over Alt
Refrigeration System.
3, Mechanism of a Simple Vapour
‘Compression Refrigeration System.
44, Pressure-Enthalpy ( p-h) Chart,
5. Types of Vapour Compression Cyeles.
6. Theoretical Vapour Compression Cycle with
Dry Saturated Vapour after Compression.
7. Theoretical Vapour Compression Cyele with
‘Wet Vapour after Compression.
8. Theoretical Vapour Compression Cycle with
Superhested Vapour after Compression,
9, Theoretical Vapour Compression Cycle with
‘Superheated Vapour before Compression.
410. Theoretical Vapour Compression Cycle with
‘Undercooling or Subcooling of Refrigerant.
111. Actual Vapour Compression Cycle,
12. Effect of Suction Pressure.
13. Effect of Discharge Pressure.
14, Improvements in Simple Saturation Cycle.
415, Simple Saturation Cycle with Flash
‘chamber. i
116, Simple Saturation Cycle with Accumulator
or Precooler
37, ‘Simple Saturation Cycle with Subcooting of
LUauid Refrigerant by Vapour Refrigerant.
18, Simple Saturation Cycle with Subcooling of
Liquid Refrigerant by Liquid Refrigerant.126 = A Textbook of Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
‘throughout the system alternately
condensing and evaporating. In
evaporating, the refrigerant
absorbs its latent heat from the
‘brine (salt water) which is used
for circulating it around the cold
chamber. While condensing, it
gives out its latent heat to the
circulating water of the cooler.
The vapour compression
refrigeration system is, therefore
a latent heat pump, as it pumps its
latent heat from the brine and
delivers it to the cooler.
‘The vapour compression
refrigeration system is now-a-
days used for all purpose pane vee
refrigeration. [tis generally used Evaporator Condenser
fo al industrial purposes from a Engine-driven vapour compression heat pump.
small domestic refrigerator to a
big air conditioning plant.
Note: The first vapour compression system was developed in 1834 by Jacob Perkins using hand operation.
4.2 Advantages and Disadvantages of Vapour Compression
Refrigeration System aver Air Refrigeration System
Following are the advantages and disadvantages of the vapour compression refrigeration
system over air refrigeration system :
Advantages
1. Ithas smaller size for the given capacity of refrigeration.
2. Ithas less running cost.
3. It.can be employed over a large range of temperatures.
4, The coefficient of performance is quite high.
Disadvantages |
1, The initial cost is high. .
2. The prevention of leakage of the refrigerant is the major problem in vapour compression
system,
4.3 Mechanism of a Simple Vapour Compression
Refrigeration System
Fig. 4.1 shows the schematic diagram of a simple vapour compression refrigeration system.
It consists of the following five essential parts:
1. Compressor. The low pressure and temperature vapour refrigerant from evaporator is