Vapor compression cycle:
Problems
Dr Rabia Shaukat
Practice problem
A vapor compression cycle using refrigerant R22 operates at
condensing temperature of 34 oC and evaporative temperature of
-10 oC. For a mass flow rate of the refrigerant equal to 0.33 kg/s,
determine the following
(a) The compressor power
(b) The refrigerating effect
(c) The coefficient of performance
Practice problem
A vapor compression cycle using refrigerant R22 operates at
condensing temperature of 36 oC and evaporative temperature of
-16 oC. For a system capacity of 55 kW, determine the
following:
(a) The mass flow rate
(b) The compressor power
(c) The refrigerating effect
(d) The coefficient of performance
Practice problem
A refrigerant using refrigerant R 134a as a working fluid
operates on an ideal vapour compression refrigeration cycle
between 0.10 and 0.7 MPa. The mass flow rate of the refrigerant
is 0.06 kg/s. Show the cycle on Ts and ph diagram, and
determine the following
(a) The rate of heat removal of the refrigerated space and the
power input to the compressor
(b) The rate of heat rejection to the environment
(c) The coefficient of performance
Practice problem
A refrigeration system operating on a vapor compression cycle
with refrigerant R 134a as a working fluid has a cooling capacity
of 10 kW. The refrigerant enters the compressor as saturated
vapor at 0.14 MPa and is compressed isentropically to 1 MPa.
The refrigerant leaves the condenser as saturated liquid and
expands adiabatically through an expansion device. Determine
the following:
(a) The quality of the refrigerant at the end of throttling process
(b) The power input to the compressor
(c) The coefficient of performance
V apour compression cycle with dry
saturated vapor after compression
Example 4.2
• The temperature limits of an ammonia
refrigerating
25 oC and system
-10 oC. If the gas isaredry at the end of compression,
calculate the coefficient of performance of the cycle assuming
no undercooling of the liquid ammonia. Use the following
table for properties of ammonia:
Saturation Liquid Latent heat Liquid entropy
temperature enthalpy
oC
KJ/kg KJ/kg KJ/kgK
25 298.9 1166.94 1.1242
-10 135.37 1297.68 0.5543
Example 4.3
• A vapor compression refrigerator works between the pressure
limits of 60 bar and 25 bar. The working fluid is just dry at
the end of compression and there is no undercooling of the
liquid before the expansion value. Determine : 1. C.O.P of the
cycle; and 2. capacity of the refrigerator if the fluid flow is at
the rate of 5 kg/min.
Saturation Pressure Specific Enthalpy Entropy
temperatur (bar) KJ/kg KJ/kg K
e in K
Liquid vapor Liquid vapor
295 60 151.96 293.29 0.554 1.0332
261 25 56.32 322.58 0.226 1.2464
Example 4.4
• 28 tonnes of ice from and at 0 oC is produced per day in an
ammonia refrigerator. The temperature range in the
compressor is from 25 oC to -15 oC. The vapor is dry and
saturated at the end of compression and an expansion valve is
used. There is no liquid subcooling. Assuming actual C.O.P
of
62% of the theoretical, calculate the power required to drive
the compressor. Following properties of ammonia are given:
Saturation Enthalpy Entropy
temperature kJ/kg kJ/kg K
in oC
Liquid vapor Liquid vapor
25 289.9 1465.84 1.1242 5.0391
-15 112.34 1426.54 0.4572 5.5490
Example 4.7
• A vapor compression refrigerator uses methyl chloride (R-40)
and operates between temperature limits of -10 ºC and 45 ºC. At
entry to the compressor, the refrigerant is dry saturated and
after compression it acquires a temperature of 60 oC. Find the
C.O.P of the refrigerator. The relevant properties of methyl
chloride are as follows.
Saturation Enthalpy in kJ/kg Entropy in kJ/kg K
temperature
in oC
Liquid vapor Liquid vapor
-10 45.4 460.7 0.183 1.637
45 133.0 483.6 0.485 1.587
Example 4.8
A simple refrigerant 134a heat pump for space heating, operates between
temperature limits of 15 oC and 50 oC. The heat required to be pumped is
100 MJ/h.
1. The dryness fraction of refrigerant entering the evaporator;
2. The discharge temperature assuming the specific heat of vapor as 0.996
kJ/kg K;
3. The theoretical piston displacement of the compressor;
4. The theoretical power of the compressor;
5. The C.O.P. The specific volume of refrigerant 134a saturated vapor at
15 oC is 0.04185 m3/kg.
Saturation Pressure Specific Enthalpy in Entropy in kJ/kg K
temperatur (bar) kJ/kg
e in oC
Liquid vapor Liquid vapor
15 4.887 220.26 413.6 1.0729 1.7439
50 13.1 271.97 430.4 1.2410 1.7312
Example 4.10
A simple saturation cycle using R-12 is designed for taking a load of 10
tonnes. The refrigerator and ambient temperature are 0 oC and 30 oC
respectively. A minimum temperature difference of 5 oC is required in the
evaporator and condenser for heat transfer. Find:
1. Mass flow rate through the system;
2. Power required in kW;
3. C.O.P;
4. Cylinder dimensions assuming L/D =1.2, for a single acting compressor
if it runs at 300 rpm with volumetric efficiency of 90%.
Vapor compression cycle with wet
vapor after compression
Example 4.6
• An ammonia refrigerating machine fitted with an expansion
value works between the temperature limits of -10 ºC and 30
ºC. The vapor is 95% dry at the end of isentropic compression
and the fluid leaving the condenser is at 30 ºC. Assuming
actual COP as 60% of the theoretical, calculate the
kilograms of ice produced per kW hour at 0 ºC from water at
10 ºC. Latent heat of ice is 335 kJ/kg. Ammonia has the
following properties.
Saturation Liquid Latent Liquid Total entorpy of dry
temperature enthalpy heat entropy saturated vapor
oC
kJ/kg kJ/kg kJ/kgK kJ/kgK
30 323.08 1145.80 1.2037 4.9842
-10 135.37 1297.68 0.5443 5.47700
V apour compression cycle with
superheated vapor before compression
Example 4.12
• A vapor compression refrigeration plant works between
pressure limits of 5.3 bar and 2.1 bar. The vapor is
superheated at the end of compression, its temperature being
37 ºC. The vapor is superheated by 5 ºC before entering the
compressor. If the specific heat of superheated vapor is 0.63
kJ/kg K, find the COP of the plant. Use the data given below:
Pressure Saturation Liquid Latent heat
temperature heat
bar ºC kJ/kg kJ/kgK
5.3 15.5 56.15 144.9
2.1 -14.0 25.12 158.7
Vapour compression cycle with
undercooling or subcooling
Example 4.21
A refrigeration system of 10.5 tonnes capacity at an evaporator temperature of
-12 ºC and condenser temperature of 27 ºC is needed in a food storage locker.
The refrigerant ammonia is subcooled by 6 ºC before entering the expansion
valve. The vapor is 0.95 dry as it leaves the evaporator coil. The compression
in the compressor is isentropic. Find:
1. Condition of vapor at outlet of the compressor
2. Condition of vapor at entrance to the evaporator
3. C.O.P
4. Power required in kW
Note: Use the properties of Ammonia refrigerant from Table B4 (Ahmadul
Ameen)
Example 4.22
The following data refers to a 20 TR ice plant using ammonia as refrigerant:
The temperature of water entering and leaving the condenser are 20 ºC and
27 ºC and temperature of brine in the evaporator is -15 ºC. Before entering
the expansion valve, ammonia is cooled to 20 ºC and the ammonia enters the
compressor dry saturated. Calculate for one tonne of refrigeration the power
expended, the amount of cooling water in the condenser and the coefficient of
performance of the plant.
Saturation Enthalpy kJ/kg Entropy kJ/kg K Specific heat , kJ/kg
temp K
Liquid Vapor liquid vapor liquid vapor
-15 112.34 1426.5 0.4572 5.5490 4.396 2.303
25 298.90 1465.8 1.1242 5.0391 4.606 2.805
Actual vapor compression refrigeration cycle
Effect of suction pressure and temperature
• Refrigerating effect per pound of refrigerant is 6.5 % greater for
higher vaporizing temperature
• Weight of refrigerant decreases by 6.5 % for higher vaporizing
temperature
• Compressor work input is 39.5% lower at higher vaporizing
temperature
• Coefficient of performance of cycle is 65% higher for higher
vaporizing temperature.
• Heat rejected to the condenser is a little less for higher
vaporizing temperature.
Effect of discharge temperature and pressure
• Refrigerating effect per pound of refrigerant is 10.37 % lower
for higher condensing temperature
• Weight of refrigerant increases by 11 % for higher condensing
temperature
• Compressor work input is 20% higher at higher condensing
temperature
• Coefficient of performance of cycle is 33.7% lower for higher
vaporizing temperature.
• Heat rejected to the condenser is a 41.8% higher for higher
condensing temperature.
Effect of superheating
Superheating…. Continued
Superheating of the suction vapor may take place in any
one or combination of the following places:
• In the end of the evaporator
• In the suction piping installed inside the
refrigerated space.
• In the suction piping located outside the
refrigerated space.
• In a liquid suction line heat exchanger.
Effect of subcooling
Subcooling…. Continued
Subcooling of the liquid refrigerant may take place in
any one or combination of the following places:
• In the liquid receiver tank
• In the liquid line
• Liquid subcooler
• Liquid suction heat exchanger
Improvements in simple vapor
compression cycle
• By introducing the flash chamber between the
expansion valve and the evaporator
• By using the accumulator or pre cooler
• By subcooling the liquid refrigerant leaving the
condenser by liquid refrigerant from the expansion.
• By subcooling the liquid refrigerant by the vapor
refrigerant
Saturation cycle with flash chamber
Saturation cycle with Accumulator
Saturation cycle with subcooling of the
liquid refrigerant by vapor refrigerant
Saturation cycle with subcooling of the
liquid refrigerant by liquid refrigerant
