SUBJECT: MEC161

REFRIGERATION ENGINEERING

TIME: 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM

DAYS: Tuesday and Friday
MEC161
REFRIGERATION ENGINEERING
MEC161
REFRIGERATION ENGINEERING
 MEC161
REFRIGERATION ENGINEERING

TOPICS:
1. Introduction to Refrigeration Systems
2. Refrigerants
3. Standard & Actual Vapor Compression Cycle
4. Functions & Performance of Compressors, Evaporators, Condensers and Expansion Devices
5. Multi-Stage Refrigeration System
6. Absorption Refrigeration Cycle
7. Air Cycle Refrigeration System
8. Steam Jet Refrigeration System
9. Special Topics in Refrigeration Systems (e.g. Thermoacoustic, Thermoelectric, Cryogenics, Solar
Powered Refrigeration System, etc.)
10. Project Design
REFRIGERATION
Definition:
 It is the process of achieving and maintaining temperature below that of
the ambient or surrounding temperature.
 The production and maintenance in a given space of a temperature
lower than that of the atmosphere or lower than the temperature in
adjacent space.
 The process of removing heat from a substance.

Prerequisite principles:
 Principles in physics
 Principles in thermodynamics
 Principles in heat transfer
REFRIGERATION
Applications:
 Preservation of food
• food storage (food freezing after harvesting for fruits and vegetables, meat
freezing after slaughter for meat products)
• food distribution (moving foods from refrigerated warehouses to food
markets)
• food processing (ex. dairy products, beverages, etc.)
 Preservation of medicine
 Chemical and process industries
• manufacturing of chemicals
• petroleum refiners
• petrochemical plants
• paper and pulp industries, etc.
REFRIGERATION
Applications:
 Appliances and other industrial applications
• drinking fountains
• dehumidifiers
• ice makers
• ice-skating rinks
• construction (ex. freezing of soil to facilitate excavations, cooling of
concrete)
• desalting of seawater (desalination of seawater)
REFRIGERATION
Important terms:
 Heat Engine or Thermal Engine – is a closed system (no mass crosses its
boundaries) that exchanges only heat and work with its surroundings
and that operates in cycle.
 Working Substance – a matter that receives heat, rejects heat and does
work.
 Refrigerant - The working substance in a refrigeration system.
 Source of Heat (also called a hot body, or heat reservoir) – it is from
which the working substance receives heat.
 Heat Sink (also called a receiver, or a cold body) – it is to which the
working substance can reject heat.
REFRIGERATION
Essential Terms and Principles in Refrigerating Systems:
 Heat Engine – a system operating in a cycle and producing a net quantity
of work from a supply of heat.
By energy balance (𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦𝑖𝑛 = 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑡 )

𝑄𝐴 = 𝑊 + 𝑄𝑅
𝑊 = 𝑄𝐴 − 𝑄𝑅

Performance of heat engine – is expressed in terms of thermal efficiency.

𝑊 𝑄𝐴 −𝑄𝑅
𝑒= =
𝑄𝐴 𝑄𝐴

where: 𝑄𝐴 = heat supplied

𝑄𝑅 = heat rejected
𝑒 = thermal efficiency of the engine
REFRIGERATION
Essential Terms and Principles in Refrigerating Systems:
 Refrigerating Machine – an equipment that will either cool or maintain a
body at a temperature below that of the surrounding.
By energy balance (𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦𝑖𝑛 = 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦𝑜𝑢𝑡 )

𝑊 + 𝑄𝐴 = 𝑄𝑅
𝑊 = 𝑄𝑅 − 𝑄𝐴

Performance of Refrigerating Machine – is the ratio of useful refrigeration to

net work.

𝑄𝐴 𝑄𝐴
𝐶𝑂𝑃 = =
𝑊 𝑄𝑅 −𝑄𝐴

where: 𝑄𝐴 = heat absorbed from the cold body or refrigeration

produced
𝑄𝑅 = heat rejected to the surroundings
𝐶𝑂𝑃 = coefficient of performance
REFRIGERATION
Essential Terms and Principles in Refrigerating Systems:
 Refrigerating Capacity – is the cooling capacity usually expressed in TR
(Tons of Refrigeration), which is the rate of cooling required to freeze
one ton (2000 lb) of water at 32oF (0oC) into ice at 32oF (0oC) in one day.
𝑙𝑏
1 𝑇𝑅 = 2000 × 𝐿𝑓
𝑑𝑎𝑦
𝑙𝑏 𝐵𝑡𝑢 1 𝑑𝑎𝑦
1 𝑇𝑅 = 2000 × 144 ×
𝑑𝑎𝑦 𝑙𝑏 1440 𝑚𝑖𝑛
𝐵𝑡𝑢
1 𝑇𝑅 = 200
𝑚𝑖𝑛

where: 𝐿𝑓 = latent heat of fusion of water

𝐵𝑡𝑢 𝑘𝐽 𝑐𝑎𝑙
𝐿𝑓 = 144 = 334 = 80
𝑙𝑏 𝑘𝑔 𝑔
REFRIGERATION
Systems of Units:
 SI Units (International Systems d’Unites) – a modification and
refinement of an earlier version of the metric system (MKS) that
designated meter, kilogram and second as fundamental units.
 Newton, N – the SI unit of force
 Pascal, Pa – the SI unit of pressure
 Joule, J or 𝑁 ∙ 𝑚 – the SI unit of work or energy
 Watt, W – the SI unit of power
 Metric Units – CGS system
 English Units – FPS system
REFRIGERATION
Equivalent and Conversion Factors:
𝑚
 Force: 1 𝑁 = 1 𝑘𝑔 ∙ 2  Energy: 1𝐽 =1𝑁∙𝑚
𝑠
1 𝑘𝑔𝑓 = 9.81 𝑁 1 𝑐𝑎𝑙 = 4.187 𝐽
1 𝑘𝑔𝑓 = 2.2046 𝑙𝑏𝑓 1 𝐵𝑡𝑢 = 1.055 𝑘𝐽

 Power: 1 𝑊 = 1 𝐽/𝑠
 Pressure: 1 𝑃𝑎 = 1 𝑁/𝑚2 1 ℎ𝑝 = 0.746 𝑘𝑊
1 𝑏𝑎𝑟 = 100 𝑘𝑃𝑎 = 42.4 𝐵𝑡𝑢/𝑚𝑖𝑛
1 𝑎𝑡𝑚 = 101.325 𝑘𝑃𝑎
= 14.7 𝑝𝑠𝑖  Weight: 1 𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑡𝑜𝑛 = 1000 𝑘𝑔
= 29.92 𝑖𝑛. 𝐻𝑔 1 𝑡𝑜𝑛 𝑜𝑟 𝑠ℎ𝑜𝑟𝑡 𝑡𝑜𝑛 = 2000 𝑙𝑏
= 760 𝑚𝑚 𝐻𝑔 1 𝑙𝑜𝑛𝑔 𝑡𝑜𝑛 = 2240 𝑙𝑏
= 1.0332 𝑘𝑔𝑓 /𝑐𝑚2
The Carnot Cycle:
The Carnot Cycle (courtesy of Processes of a Carnot cycle (T-S-T-S):
Sadi Carnot) is the most
1-2 isothermal expansion (heat addition) (T=C)
efficient hypothetical
2-3 isentropic expansion (S=C)
thermodynamic cycle which is
3-4 isothermal compression (heat rejection) (T=C)
composed of 4 reversible
4-1 isentropic compression (S=C)
processes. A Carnot engine is a
fictitious device that operates
with reversible processes. It
provides the maximum
possible efficiency of an engine
operating between a high
temperature and a low
temperature.
Note: Carnot cycle is not achievable and not realizable in
actual practice. Observe the reversibility and being
frictionless which is impossible to attain.
The Carnot Heat Engine Cycle:
Formulas and Principles of
Calculation: Carnot Engine
 Heat Added, 𝑄𝐴 :
𝑄𝐴 = 𝑇1 𝑆2 − 𝑆1 𝑄𝐴 = 𝑇𝐻 𝑆2 − 𝑆1
𝑣2
𝑄𝐴 = 𝑚𝑅𝑇1 𝑙𝑛
𝑣1
 Heat Rejected, 𝑄𝑅 :
𝑄𝑅 = 𝑇3 𝑆4 − 𝑆3 𝑄𝑅 = 𝑇𝐿 𝑆4 − 𝑆3
𝑣4 where: 𝑄𝐴 = the heat added by the hot body
𝑄𝐴 = 𝑚𝑅𝑇3 𝑙𝑛 𝑄𝑅 = the heat rejected to the body
𝑣3 𝑇𝐻 = the temperature of the source of heat
𝑇𝐿 = the temperature of the sink or receiver of heat
Note: Recall thermodynamic principles to easily understand the process and
easily derive the equations. 𝑒 = thermal efficiency
Formulas and Principles of
Calculation: Carnot Engine
 Work Net, 𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 :
2 3 4 1
𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = ර 𝑑𝑊 = ර 𝑝𝑑𝑉 = න 𝑝𝑑𝑉 + න 𝑝𝑑𝑉 න 𝑝𝑑𝑉 + න 𝑝𝑑𝑉
1 2 3 4

𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡 = 𝑄𝐴 + 𝑄𝑅

 Thermal Efficiency , 𝑒𝑡 :
𝑊𝑛𝑒𝑡
𝑒= where: 𝑄𝐴 = the heat added by the hot body
𝑄𝐴
𝑄𝑅 = the heat rejected to the body
𝑇𝐻 − 𝑇𝐿 𝑇𝐻 = the temperature of the source of heat
𝑒= 𝑇𝐿 = the temperature of the sink or receiver of heat
𝑇𝐻
𝑒 = thermal efficiency
EXAMPLES:
1. A heat engine operates on the Carnot cycle. It produces 80 kW of power while
operating between temperature limits of 900°C and 150°C. Determine the engine
efficiency and the amount of heat added.

2. A Carnot engine uses nitrogen as working fluid. The heat supplied is 53 kJ and the
adiabatic expansion is 16:1. The receiver temperature is 295 K. Determine a) the
thermal efficiency, b) heat rejected, and c) the work.

3. A Carnot engine operates between temperature limits of 1200 K and 400 K using 0.4
kg of air and running at 500 rpm. The pressure at the beginning of heat addition is
1500 kPa and at the end of heat addition is 750 kPa. Determine a) the heat added
per cycle, b) the heat rejected, c) the power, d) volume at the end of heat addition,
e) mean effective pressure, f) and the thermal efficiency.
Reversed Carnot Cycle:
The reversed Carnot cycle or Carnot Processes of a reversed Carnot cycle (S-T-S-T):
refrigeration cycle operates in the
counter clockwise direction as 1-2: isentropic (adiabatic) compression (S = C)
compared to the power producing 2-3: isothermal rejection of heat (T = C)
(heat engine) Carnot cycle. It
transfers energy from a low level of 3-4: isentropic (adiabatic) expansion (S = C)
temperature to a high level of 4-1: isothermal heat absorption (T = C)
temperature which requires the
addition of external work for its
operation. In Carnot engine, heat is
supplied as an energy source and
delivers mechanical work as an
energy output and when the cycle is
reversed, mechanical work is
supplied as an energy input and heat
may be moved from one energy value
(temperature) to another energy
value.
The Carnot Refrigeration Cycle:

Heat added to the cycle, 𝑸𝑨 - is the refrigeration capacity (or the amount of heat gained in the evaporator).
Heat added from the cycle, 𝑸𝑹 - is the amount of heat rejected in the condenser.
Net Work, 𝑾𝑵𝒆𝒕 - is defined as the difference between the heat rejected and the refrigeration capacity.
Coefficient of Performance, 𝑪𝑶𝑷 = the performance of reversed engine which is defined as the ratio of the refrigeration
capacity to the network of the cycle (It is the heat supplied to the cycle at a low temperature (the desired effect) divided
by the net work (what it costs).
Performance Factor, 𝑷𝑭 = is defined as the ratio between the heat rejected to the network of the cycle.
Formulas and Principles of Calculation:
The Reversed Carnot Cycle
 Heat Added, 𝑄𝐴 :  Coefficient of Performance, 𝐶𝑂𝑃:
where: 𝑇1 = 𝑇4 = 𝑇𝐿
𝑄𝐴 = 𝑇1 𝑆1 − 𝑆4 𝑄𝐴 𝑇1 𝑇𝐿
𝑆1 = 𝑆2 𝐶𝑂𝑃 = = =
𝑣1 𝑆3 = 𝑆4 𝑊𝑁𝑒𝑡 𝑇2 − 𝑇1 𝑇𝐻 − 𝑇𝐿
𝑄𝐴 = 𝑚𝑅𝑇𝐿 𝑙𝑛
𝑣4 Note: COP is the amount of work needed in the cycle to
produce or provide cooling.

 Heat Rejected, 𝑄𝑅 :
𝑄𝑅 = 𝑇2 𝑆2 − 𝑆3
where: 𝑇2 = 𝑇3 = 𝑇𝐻  Performance Factor, 𝑃𝐹:
𝑆1 = 𝑆2
𝑆3 = 𝑆4 𝑇𝐻 𝑇𝐿
𝑣3 𝑃𝐹 = = +1
𝑄𝑅 = 𝑚𝑅𝑇𝐻 𝑙𝑛 𝑇𝐻 − 𝑇𝐿 𝑇𝐻 − 𝑇𝐿
𝑣2

 Net Work, 𝑊𝑁𝑒𝑡 : 𝑃𝐹 = 𝐶𝑂𝑃 + 1

𝑊𝑁𝑒𝑡 = 𝑄𝑅 − 𝑄𝐴 Note: Recall from your thermodynamics the difference

between refrigerator, heat engine and heat pump.
EXAMPLES:
1. A Carnot refrigerator rejects 2500 kJ of heat at 80oC while using 1100 kJ of work.
Find (a) the COP; (b) the cycle low temperature; (c) the heat absorbed.

2. A Carnot refrigerator operates between temperature limits of -5°C and 30°C. The
power consumed is 4 kW, and the heat absorbed is 30 kJ/kg. Determine (a) the COP;
(b) the refrigerant flow rate.

3. A refrigerator operating on the reversed Carnot cycle provides a refrigerated space

at 4°C while in a room at 25°C. A wattmeter supplying power to the refrigerator
reads 3.0 kW. What is the amount of cooling being provided?