6.

Vapor compression Cycle

Fig 6.1 Content of this post

Fig 6.2 Vapor Compression System 

Process 1-2(Isentropic Compression)
Low pressure and low temperature refrigerant air passes through compressor. In
compressor it converts into high pressure and high temperature refrigerant air.
Process shown on T-S and P-H diagram (1-2).
Refrigerant air entering at compressor is at dry saturated state (1), hence point lies
on saturated line after isentropic compression air becomes superheated state (2).

Process 2-3(Constant pressure heat rejection)

In this process high temperature and high pressurized refrigerant air reject its heat
to surrounding by converting into liquid as shown as 2-3 process. Condenser
rejects heat to atmosphere maintaining constant pressure.
In this process high temperature and high pressurised air converted into high
temperature and high pressurised liquid refrigerant.

Fig 6.3 T-S and P-H diagram of VCC

Process 3-4 (Throttling -Expansion)
In this process high temperature high pressurised liquid refrigerant converted into
low temperature low pressurised liquid refrigerant. This process is generally
carried out in capillary tube, throttling valve etc.
Fig shows T-S and P-H diagram showing this process by 3-4. At the end of this
process that is at state 4 very cold liquid refrigerant is obtained.
 COP calculations
Process 4-1( Heat Extraction)
It is heat absorption process in which heat is absorbed by cold liquid refrigerant
and converted into air. This process is carried out in Evaporator as shown by 4-1.
Cold refrigerant absorb heat from application and converted into air vapour for
compression process in 1-2 and this cycle continues. 

Types of  Compression:

1. Wet compression
2. Dry Compression

Fig 6.4 Difference between Dry and Wet compression

Above figure shows difference between Dry and Wet Compression . In Wet
compression refrigerant entered in compressor in liquid state.  State 1 is entry to
compressor inlet and it is located inside the saturation curve. 
In Dry compression,  refrigerant enter at vapor state at the entry to compressor,
hence state 1 is outside the saturation curve as shown above figure.
Generally dry compression is preferred most of time in system because due to wet
compression, corrosion of compressor blades take place and hence life of
compressor get reduced.
Effect of Subcooling(undercooling):
first of all we understand the sub cooling process by following diagram as
showing below:
Figure shows process 1-2-3-4 is general Vapor compression cycle  and process 1-
2-3'-4' is modified cycle this is sub-cooled cycle. we can observe that difference in
which cooling of refrigerant in condenser get increased by point 3 to point 3' hence
due to which refrigerant effect get increased by 4-1 to 4'-1.

Fig 6.5 Effect of Subcooling

Advantage of subcooling is when subcooling of liquid carried out refrigerant effect
increases while work supplied by compressor remains same hence resultant effect
is COP get increased.
Following Figure shows COP calculations:
 COP Calculations
Comparing this two COP equations of Refrigerant effect is increases in modified
cycle by an amount H4 to H4' while work supplied(H2-H1) constant in both cycle
hence resultant effect COP increases in subcooling system.

Effect of Superheating:
First of all we understand the superheating process by following diagram.
Figure shows process 1-2-3-4 is general Vapor compression cycle  and process 1'-
2'-3-4 is modified cycle this is superheated cycle. we can observe that difference in
which cooling effect  increased from 1 to 1' and compressed work also get
increased because 2-2' is more than 1-1' process.

Fig 6.6 Effect of Superheating

Advantage of superheating is that refrigerant entering in compressor is in vapor
state hence safety of compressor and longer life of compressor.
COP calculation of system as follows:

COP Calculations
Comparing this two COP equations of Refrigerant effect is increases in modified
cycle by an amount H1 to H1' while work supplied is tremendously
increased (H2'-H1') Hence resultant effect is COP get decreases , but superheating
is carried out for the safety working of compressor.
Effect of increment in discharge pressure:

Fig 6.7 Effect of increment in discharge pressure

Figure shows process 1-2-3-4 is general Vapor compression cycle. Now discharge
pressure increased from Pc to Pc’ and new simple vapor compression cycle is
shown on T-S and P-H diagram (1-2-2’-3-4-1).
By comparing equation 1 and 2 refrigerating effect reduces as well as work
supplied to compressor also increases hence modified VCC resultant COP
decreases tremendously.

Effect of decrements in evaporator pressure:

Fig 6.8 effect of decrements in evaporator pressure

Figure shows process 1-2-3-4 is general Vapor compression cycle. Now
evaporator pressure decreased from Pe to Pe’ and new simple vapor compression
cycle is shown on T-S and P-H diagram (1’-2-3-4’-1).
Refrigerant effect is decreased (h1-h1’) while work supplied also increased by (h1-
h1’)and hence resultant effect is COP decreases tremendously.

7. Methods for Improvement in vapour compression cycle

fig 7.1 content of this post

In this post we are going to discuss different methods of improving vapour
compression cycle and its COP lets start. Following are the types of improvement
in vapour compression cycle:
1. Improvement by adding Flash Chamber.
2. Improvement by adding Accumulator.
3. Improvement by Subcooling of liquid refrigerant by using vapours of
refrigerant. 
4. Improvement by Subcooling of liquid refrigerant by using Liquid refrigerant.

1. Improvement by adding flash chamber:

Fig 7.2 improvement by adding flash chamber

During the expansion process some unwanted vapours are generated. This
unwanted vapour is totally inactive to absorb latent heat in evaporator.
In flash chamber there are baffle plate on which mixer from expansion device
strikes and there is separation of vapour and liquid.
Unwanted vapour is directly supplied to compressor where as only liquid is
supplied to Evaporator. By adding flash chamber there is no effect on refrigerating
effect. Work supplied to compressor remains constant and COP remains constant.
The effect obtained is only reduction in evaporator length of pipe.
Flash chamber is added between expansion device and evaporator. Flash chamber
is an insulating tank. When there is fixed load on our vapour compression cycle
then flash chamber is added in the plant.

2. Improvement by adding Accumulator:

 Fig 7.3 Improvement by adding accumulator
An accumulator is an insulated tank which is installed in between the expansion
device and evaporator. Figure shows block diagram of this system.
Unwanted vapour generating during expansion process are strikes on baffle plates.
The evaporator also supply’s the mixture of liquid and vapour when load on
evaporator is less. This mixture also strikes on the baffle plate.
In accumulator separation of liquid refrigerant and vapour refrigerant is carried
out. Accumulator supplied only liquid to evaporator. It also supplied only vapour
to compressor. When load on our vapour compression cycle varies then
accumulator is added in the system.

3. Improvement by Sub-cooling of liquid refrigerant by using vapours of

refrigerant:
 Fig. 7.5 Fig 7.4 improvement by vapour refrigerant 
Sub-cooling of liquid refrigerant is carried out by using vapour of refrigerant. The
heat exchanger is installed between condenser and expansion device. In heat
exchanger through one pipe of liquid at 45 degree C flowing where another line
vapour refrigerant at -10 degree  C are flowing. 
Liquid rejects its heat energy to vapour refrigerants and sub-cooling of liquid takes
place. Which improves COP of plant. 

4. Improvement by Sub-cooling of liquid refrigerant by using liquid

refrigerant:
 Fig 7.4 improvement by liquid refrigerant
In this method subcooling of liquid refrigerant is carried out by using liquid
refrigerant. A heat exchanger is installed in between condenser and expansion
device. 
One line carries liquid refrigerant of 45 degree C whereas another line carries
liquid refrigerant of -10 degree C temperature. This liquid is taken partially from
after expansion. The heat transfer takes place, if heat exchanger liquid of 45
degree C gives heat energy to partial -10 degree C. 
After absorbing heat energy liquid at -10 degree C. evaporates and it is directly
supplied to compressor.