REFRIGERATION

“Refrigeration is the process of removing heat from an enclosed space, or from a substance, and rejecting it
elsewhere for the primary purpose of lowering the temperature of the enclosed space or substance and then

maintaining the temperature below the general temperature of its surrounding”

It is usually done with the aid of a mechanical device (pump/compressor) using a refrigerant which absorbs heat
from low temperature (objects/space) and releases heat to elsewhere at high temperature.

When refrigerant absorbs the unwanted heat, this raises the refrigerant’s temperature (“Saturation Temperature”)
so that it changes from a liquid to a gas, basically, it evaporates. The system then uses condensation to release

the heat and change the refrigerant back into a liquid. This is called “Latent Heat”.
This cycle is based on the physical principle, that a liquid extracts heat from the surrounding area as it expands
(boils) into a gas. To accomplish this, the refrigerant is pumped through a closed refrigeration system which
stops the refrigerant from becoming contaminated and controls its flow. The refrigerant will be both a vapor and

a liquid in the loop.

Refrigeration systems are also used extensively for providing thermal comfort to human beings by means of air
conditioning which refers to the treatment of air so as to simultaneously control its temperature, moisture

content, cleanliness, odour and circulation, as required by occupants, a process, or products in the space.
 OBJECTIVE

Refrigerator

To maintain the refrigerated space at a low To maintain a heated space at a high

temperature by removing heat from it. temperature. This is accomplished by
Discharging this heat to a higher- absorbing heat from a low-
temperature medium (Surrounding) is temperature source (such as well

Heat Pump
merely a necessary part of the operation, water or outside cold air during
not the purpose. winter) and supplying this heat to a
warmer medium such as a house.
 Unit of refrigeration

• The cooling capacity of a refrigeration system—that is, the rate of heat removal from

the refrigerated space is often expressed in terms of Tonne of Refrigeration (TR).

• The amount of refrigeration effect produced by the uniform melting of 1 tonne of ice

from and at 0°C (32°F) in 24 hour is said to be 1 Tonne of Refrigeration.

• It is equivalent to 210 KJ/min. or 3.5 Kw. The cooling load of a typical 200-m2

residence is in the 3-ton (10 kw) range.

 REFRIGERATORS AND HEAT PUMPS
• The transfer of heat from a low-temperature region to a high-temperature one
requires special devices called refrigerators.
Q2
Q2 • Refrigerators are cyclic devices, and the working fluids used in the
refrigeration cycles are called refrigerants.

• Refrigerators and heat pumps are essentially the same devices; they differ in
their objectives only.

• The performance of refrigerators and heat pumps is expressed in terms of

Q1 Q1
the coefficient of performance (COP), defined as the ratio of heat extracted

in refrigerator to the work done on the refrigerant.

The objective of a refrigerator is to remove heat (Q1)

from the cold medium; the objective of a heat pump is to
supply heat (Q2) to a warm medium. for fixed values of Q1 and Q2
Difference between Refrigerator and Heat pumps
1. Transfer of heat: Both the refrigerator and the heat pumps carry the heat from low temperature reservoir or the sink to the
high temperature reservoir or source. The main purpose of the refrigerator is to chill or cool or freeze the substance, by
maintaining very low temperature in the freezer. It absorbs the heat from the freezer or evaporator and deliver it to the
atmosphere which is at high temperature. The main purpose of the heat pump is to heat the room during winter seasons or
when the atmospheric temperature is very low. It absorbs the heat from the atmosphere which is at low temperature and
delivers it to the room which is at high temperature and which is to be heated.
2. Location of the evaporator: In the refrigerator the evaporator is located in the freezer section. The evaporator absorbs the
heat from the substance, which is to be cooled. In the heat pump the evaporator is located outside the room which is to be
heated. The evaporator absorbs the heat from the atmosphere.
3. Location of the condenser: In the refrigerator the condenser is located outside the refrigerator and it is exposed to the
atmosphere. It is through the condenser that the heat is rejected to the atmosphere. In the heat pump the condenser is
located inside the room and it acts as the heating device.
4. Working of evaporator and condenser: In the refrigerator the evaporator performs the main function of chilling or freezing,
while the condenser performs the function of delivering the heat to the atmosphere. In the heat pump, it is the condenser
that performs the main function of heating the room, while the evaporator performs the function of absorbing the heat from
the atmosphere.
Difference between a Heat Engine, Refrigerator and Heat Pump

Heat engine: the heat is supplied to the engine is converted into useful work. If Q2 heat supplied to the engine
and Q1 is heat rejected from the engine, then net work done is

The performance of a heat engine is expressed by its efficiency.

• A refrigerator is a reversed heat engine which either cool or maintain the temperature of a body (T1) lower than
atmospheric temperature (Ta). This is done by extracting heat (Q1) from a cold body and delivering it to a hot

body (Q2). In doing so, work WR is required to be done on the system.

• The performance of a refrigerator is expressed by the ratio of amount of heat taken from the cold body (Q1) to the

amount of work required to be done on the system.

• A refrigerator used for cooling in summer can be used as a heat pump for heating in winter. There is no

difference between a heat pump and a refrigerator in the case of its cycle of operation.
• The main difference between the heat pump and refrigerator is its operating temperatures.
• The working temperatures of a refrigerator are cold body temperature T1 and atmospheric temperature Ta. Where
as in the case of a heat pump, the working temperatures are atmospheric temperature Ta and hot body
temperature T2.

Wp = Q2 –Q1
• The performance of a heat pump is expressed by the ratio of the amount of the heat delivered to the hot body
(Q2) to the amount of work required to be done on the system (Wp).

• This ratio is called coefficient of performance or energy performance ratio (E.P.R.) of a heat pump.

Mathematically, coefficient of performance or energy performance ratio of a heat pump,

• We see that the C.O.P. may be less than one or greater than one depending on the type of refrigeration system
used. But the C.O.P. of a heat pump is always greater than one.
Air refrigeration cycle systems

• Systems in which air is used as the working fluid.

• The gas does not undergo any phase change during the cycle.
• During operation air is able to take sensible heat only.
• It doesn't absorb or reject latent heat because it doesn't change its phase.
• Power required to operate the unit will be higher and hence C.O.P will decrease
• Obsolete nowadays
• Find applications in aircraft cabin cooling and also in the liquefaction of various gases.
• The aircraft engine already consists of a high speed turbo-compressor, hence separate compressor for cooling
system is not required. This reduces the weight of equipment per kW cooling considerably less than 50% of an
equivalent vapor compression equipment weight.

• Air cycle refrigeration system analysis assumptions:

✓ The working fluid is a fixed mass of air that behaves as an ideal gas
✓ All the processes within the cycle are reversible, i.e., the cycle is internally reversible
✓ The specific heat of air remains constant throughout the cycle
1. Open air refrigeration cycle
• Elements are , compressor, cooler or heat exchanger , expander, and evaporator.
• Air directly passed over the refrigerated space to be cooled (cooled air from the expander enters the cabin and
comes in contact with the occupants).

• Heat absorbed by the air is cooled by circulating it in a cooler after passing through the compressor and the
cycle will be repeated.

Disadvantages :
• Large size of components : Since air is supplied to the
refrigerated space at atmosphere pressure, volume of
air handled by the compressor, cooler and expander is
very large.

• Clogging pipelines and choke valves: Possibility of

moisture to be carried away with air and forms frost at
CABIN
the end of expansion process.

• Thus in an open cycle system, a drier should be used.

2. Closed or dense air refrigeration cycle.
• Circulated air doesn't have contact with refrigerated space. ( no direct contact between the working fluid and

the product being cooled ).

• Air is always passed through pipes of various components of the system at all times.
• Cooled air from expander passes through the coil and a fan circulates and recirculates cabin air over it.
• It is the closed air refrigeration cycle which is employed in actual practice.

Advantages
• Since it can work at a suction pressure higher than that of
atmospheric pressure so, volume of air handled by
compressor and expander are smaller.
• Operating pressure ratio or compression ratio can be
reduced, thus reducing work input which results in higher
C.O.P
 Reversed Carnot Engine

• Carnot cycle is a totally reversible cycle that consists of tw o reversible isothermal and tw o isentropic
processes.

• It has the maximum thermal efficiency for given temperature limits, and it serves as a standard against which

actual power cycles can be compared.

• Since it is a reversible cycle, all four processes that comprise the Carnot cycle can be reversed. Reversing the
cycle does also reverse the directions of any heat and work interactions.

• The result is a cycle that operates in the counterclockwise direction on a T-s diagram, which is called the
Reversed Carnot Cycle.
• A refrigerator or heat pump that operates on the reversed Carnot cycle is called a Carnot refrigerator or a

Carnot Heat Pump.

• A reversed Carnot cycle, using air as the working medium is shown on p-v and T-s diagrams in (a) and (b)
respectively.
• At point 1, let p1, v1, T1 be the pressure, specific volume and temperature of air respectively. The four processes of
the cycle are as follows:
 R

2
QR

3 2

4
A 1
v3 v4 v2 v1

4 1

QA
1. Isentropic Compression Process (1-2)
The air is compressed isentropically as shown by the curve 1-2 on p-v and T-s diagrams. During this process, the
pressure of air increases from p 1 to p2, specific volume decreases from v1 to v2 and temperature increases from T1

to T2. We know that during isentropic compression, no heat is absorbed or rejected by the air.
2. Isothermal Heat rejection Process (2-3)
The heat is rejected isothermally (i.e. at constant temperature, T2 = T3 ) as shown by the curve 2-3 on p-v and T-s
diagrams. During this process, the pressure of air increases from p 2 to p 3 and specific volume decreases from v2 to
v3. We know that the heat rejected by the air during isothermal process per kg of air,

QR = Q2-3 = Area 2-3-3’-2’ = T3 (s2 – s3) = T2 (s2 –s3)

3. Isentropic Expansion Process (3-4)

The air is now expanded isentropically as shown by the curve 3-4 on p-v and T-s diagrams. The pressure of air
decreases from p3 to p4, specific volume increases from v3 to v4 and temperature decreases from T 3 to T4. We know
that during isentropic expansion, no heat is absorbed or rejected by the air.
4. Isothermal Heat Absorption Process (4-1)
The heat is absorbed isothermally (i.e. at constant temperature, T4 = T1) as shown by the curve 4-1 on p-v and T-s
diagrams. During this process, the pressure of air decreases from p 4 to p 1 and specific volume increases from v4 to

v1. We know that the heat absorbed by the air during isothermal pressure per kg of air,

QA= Q4-1 = Area 4-1-2’-3’ = T4 (s1 – s4) = T4 (s2 – s3) = T1 (s2 – s3)

We know that work done during the cycle per kg of air = Heat rejected – Heat absorbed
W R = Q 2-3 – Q 4-1 = T2 (s2 – s3) – T1 (s2 – s3)
Therefore, coefficient of performance of the refrigeration system working on reversed Carnot cycle,

C.O.P
Coefficient of performance of the heat pump system working on reversed Carnot cycle,
Temperature Limitations for Reversed Carnot Cycle T1 = Lower

Where The C.O.P. of the reversed Carnot cycle can be improved by temperature,
T2 = Higher
(a) Decreasing the higher temperature (i.e. temperature of hot body, T2) or
tem perature.
(b) Increasing the lower temperature (i.e. temperature of cold body, T1) .
• Higher temperature (T2) is the temperature of cooling water or air available for rejection of heat and the lower
temperature (T1) is the temperature to be maintained in the refrigerator.
• If the temperature of cooling water or air (i.e. T2) available for heat rejection is low, the C.O.P. will be high.
Since T2 in winter is less than T2 in summer, therefore, C.O.P in winter will be higher than C.O.P in summer.

• In other words, the Carnot refrigerator works more efficiently in winter than in summer.
• If the lower temperature (T1) is high, the C.O.P. of the Carnot refrigerator will be high.
• The lower the refrigeration temperature required, and the higher the temperature of heat rejection to the
surroundings, the larger is the power consumption of the refrigerating machine. Also, the lower is the
refrigeration temperature required, the lower is the refrigerating capacity obtained.

• Carnot refrigerator used for making ice at 00C will have less C.O.P than a Carnot refrigerator used for air

conditioned plant in summer at 200C when the atmospheric temperature is 40 0 C.

• Carnot C.O.P of domestic refrigerator < Carnot C.O.P of domestic air conditioner.
Layout of Domesticrefrigerator
 Throttling Device
 The throttling device obstructs the flow of liquid;
 Cold liquid is produced with the help of this device.
 The throttling device is a capillary tube.
 The capillary tube has an approximate length of 2 m and an inside
diameter of around 0.6 mm.
 Throttling at the inlet, the refrigerant should be a high-pressure
liquid. The throttling device restricts the flow, which causes a
tremendous pressure drop.
 Due to the drop in pressure, the boiling point of the refrigerant
is lowered
 Evaporator - Heat Absorption Process

 Cold liquid refrigerant is

passed over the body that has
to be cooled.
 During the heat absorption
process, the refrigerant further
evaporates and transforms into
pure vapor. A proper heat
exchanger is required to carry the
cold refrigerant over the body.
This heat exchanger is known as
an evaporator.
 Compressor

 The function of a compressor is to increase the

pressure, and corresponding saturation temperature
(boiling point) of the refrigerant vapor to high enough
level so the refrigerant can condense by rejecting its
heat through the condenser.
 Types
Hermetic motor, hermetic compressor
 A hermetic or sealed compressor is one in which both
compressor and motor are confined in a single outer welded
steel shell. The motor and compressor are directly coupled on the
same shaft, with the motor inside the refrigeration circuit.
 Condenser
 This is fitted outside the refrigerator, and the refrigerant
temperature is higher than atmospheric temperature.
So heat will dissipate to the surroundings. The vapor
will be condensed to liquid, and the temperature will
return to a normal level
Defrosting
 Defrosting is
the melting of an object
or bringing a device's
temperature above
the freezing point to
remove ice.
 Over time, as the door
is opened and closed,
letting in new air, water
vapor from the air
condenses on the
cooling elements within
the cabinet.
VCRS
S – entropy means transformation, increases with increase in temperature and decreases with
decrease in temperature
ᵹ Q = T ds
 Vapour Compression Refrigeration System - Construction

▪ This system consists of a compressor, condenser, a receiver

tank, an expansion valve and an evaporator.
▪Compressor : Reciprocating compressors
generally used. For very big plants
centrifugal
compressors directly coupled with high speed
rotating engines (gas turbine) are used.
 Vapour Compression Refrigeration System - Construction

Compressor: For very big plants

Centrifugal compressors directly coupled
with high speed rotating engines
(gas turbine) are used
 Vapour Compression Refrigeration System - Construction

▪ Condenser : It is a coil of tubes made of copper.

▪ Receiver tank: It is the reservoir of liquid refrigerant.
▪ Expansion Valve: This is a throttle valve. High pressure
refrigerant is made to flow at a controlled rate through this
valve.
▪ Evaporator : It is the actual cooler and kept in the space to
be cooled. The evaporator is a coil of tubes made of
copper
 Vapour Compression Refrigeration System -
Working

Working :
1. The low pressure refrigerant vapour coming out of the
evaporator flows into the compressor.
2. The compressor is driven by a prime mover.
3. In the compressor the refrigerant vapour is compressed.
4. The high pressure refrigerant vapour from the compressor is then
passed through the condenser.
5. The refrigerant gives out the heat it had taken in the evaporator (N)
 Vapour Compression RefrigerationSystem
- Working

Working :
6. The heat equivalent of work done on it (w) on the
compressor.
7. This heat is carried by condenser medium which may be
air or water.
8. The high pressure liquid refrigerant then enters the expansion valve.
9. This valve allows the high pressure liquid refrigerant to flow at a
controlled rate into the evaporator.
[Link] passing though this valve the liquid partially evaporates.
 Vapour Compression RefrigerationSystem
- Working

Working :
[Link] of the refrigerant is vapourised only in the evaporator, at a
low pressure.
[Link] the evaporator the liquid refrigerant absorbs its latent heat of
vapourisation from the material which is to be cooled.
13. Thus the refrigerating effect (N) is obtained.
[Link] the low pressure refrigerant enters the compressor and
the cycle is repeated.
 Vapour Absorption Refrigerationsystem

In this system compression process of vapour compression cycle

is eliminated. Instead of that the following three processes are
carried out.
1. Absorbing ammonia vapour into water.
2. Pumping this solution to a high pressure cycle
3. Producing ammonia vapours from ammonia solution by heating.
Vapour Absorption Refrigerationsystem
 Vapour Absorption Refrigeration system -
Construction
Construction:
▪ The vapour absorption system consists of a condenser, an
expansion valve and an evaporator.
▪ They perform the same as they do in vapour compression
method.
▪ In addition to these, this system has an absorber, a heat
exchanger, an analyser and a rectifier.
 Vapour Absorption Refrigeration system –
Working
Working:
1. Dry ammonia vapor at low pressure passes in to the absorber from the
evaporator.
2. In the absorber the dry ammonia vapor is dissolved in cold water and
strong solution of ammonia is formed.
3. Heat evolved during the absorption of ammonia is removed by circulating
cold water through the coils kept in the absorber.
4. The highly concentrated ammonia (known as Aqua Ammonia) is then
pumped by a pump to generator through a heat exchanger.
 Vapour Absorption Refrigeration system -
Construction
Working:
5. In the heat exchanger the strong ammonia solution is heated
by the hot weak solution returning from the generator to the
absorber.
6. In the generator the warm solution is further heated by steam
coils, gas or electricity and the ammonia vapour is driven out of
solution.
7. The boiling point of ammonia is less than that of water.
8. Hence the vapours leaving the generator are mainly of
ammonia.
 Vapour Absorption Refrigeration system-
Working: Construction
9. The weak ammonia solution is left in the generator is
called weak aqua.
10. This weak solution is returned to the absorber through the
heat exchanger.
11. Ammonia vapours leaving the generator may contain some
water vapour.
12. If this water vapour is allowed to the condenser and expansion
valve, it may freeze resulting in chocked flow.
13. Analyser and rectifiers are incorporated in the system before
condenser.
 Vapour Absorption Refrigeration system-
Working:
14. The ammonia vapour from the generator passes through a series of trays in
the analyser and ammonia is separated from water vapour.
15. The separated water vapour returned to generator.
16. Then the ammonia vapour passes through a rectifier.
17. The rectifier resembles a condenser and water vapour still present in
ammonia vapour condenses and the condensate is returned to analyser.
18. The virtually pure ammonia vapour then passes through the
condenser.
 Vapour Absorption Refrigeration system-
Working: Construction
19. The latent heat of ammonia vapour is rejected to the cooling
water circulated through the condenser and the ammonia
vapour is condensed to liquid ammonia.
20. The high pressure liquid ammonia is throttled by an expansion
valve or throttle valve.
21. This reduces the high temperature of the liquid ammonia to a
low value and liquid ammonia partly evaporates.
22. Then this is led to the evaporator.
23. In the evaporator the liquid fully vaporizes.
 Vapour Absorption Refrigeration system-
Working: Construction
24. The latent heat of evaporation is obtained from the brine or
other body which is being cooled.
25. The low pressure ammonia vapour leaving the evaporator
again enters the absorber and the cycle is completed.
26. This cycle is repeated again to provide the refrigerating
effect.
Applications of refrigerationsystem
▪Preservation of food items like vegetables, milk and
eggs.
▪ Preservation of medicines.
▪ Preservation of blood, tissues, etc.,
▪ Preservation and cooling of cool drinks.
▪Preservation of chemicals (Chemical industries)
▪ Cooling of water.
▪ Industrial and comfort airconditioning.
▪ Processing of dairy products.
 Comparison between Vapour compression & Vapour Absorption refrigeration systems

[Link]. Vapour Compression System Vapour Absorption System

1 This system has more wear and tear and Only moving part in this system is an aqua
produces more noise due to the moving pump. Hence the quieter in operation and less
parts of the compressor. wear and tear

2. Electric power is needed to Waste of exhaust steam may be

drive the system used. No need of electric power
3. COP is more COP is less
4. At partial loads performance is At partial loads performance is not
poor. affected.
5. Mechanical energy is supplied Heat energy is utilised
through compressor
6. Energy supplied is ¼ to ½ of Energy supplied is about one and half times
the refrigerating effect (less) the refrigerating effect (more)
 Comparison between Vapour compression & Vapour Absorption
refrigeration systems

[Link]. Vapour Compression System Vapour Absorption System

7. Charging of the refrigerating to Charging of refrigerant is difficult

the system is easy

8. Preventive measure is needed, since Liquid refrigerant has no bad

liquid refrigerant accumulated in the effect on the system.
cylinder may damage to the cylinder
Types Of Refrigeration System :

1. Natural Cooling :
•Art of Ice making by Nocturnal Cooling
•Evaporative Cooling
•Cooling by Salt Solutions

2. Artificial Refrigeration
•Vapour Compression Refrigeration Systems
•Vapour Absorption Refrigeration Systems
•Solar energy based refrigeration systems
•Gas Cycle Refrigeration
•Steam Jet Refrigeration System
•Thermoelectric Refrigeration Systems
•Vortex tube systems
1. Natural Cooling :
In olden days refrigeration was achieved by natural means such as
the use of ice or evaporative cooling. In earlier times, ice was
either:
1. Transported from colder regions,
2. Harvested in winter and stored in ice houses for summer use or,
3. Made during the night by the cooling of water by radiation to the
stratosphere.
Art of Ice making by Nocturnal Cooling:

•The art of making ice by nocturnal cooling was perfected in

India. In this method ice was made by keeping a thin layer of
water in a shallow earthen tray, and then exposing the tray to
the night sky.

•Compacted hay of about 0.3 m thickness was used as

insulation. The water loses heat by radiation to the
stratosphere, which is at around -55°C and by early morning
hours the water in the trays freezes to ice. This method of ice
production was very popular in India.
Evaporative Cooling:

• As the name indicates, evaporative cooling is the process of

reducing the temperature of a system by evaporation of water.

• The water permeates through the pores of the earthen vessel to its
outer surface where it evaporates to the surrounding, absorbing its
latent heat in part from the vessel, which cools the water.

• Evaporative cooling by placing wet straw mats on the windows is

also very common in India.
Cooling by Salt Solutions:

•Certain substances such as common salt, when added to

water dissolve in water and absorb its heat of solution from
water (endothermic process).

•This reduces the temperature of the solution (water+salt).

Sodium Chloride salt (NaCl) can yield temperatures up to -
20°C and Calcium Chloride (CaCl2) up to – 50°C is properly
insulated containers. However, as it is this process has limited
application, as the dissolved salt has to be recovered from its
solution by heating.
Artificial Refrigeration

Refrigeration as it is known these days is produced by artificial means. Though

it is very difficult to make a clear demarcation between natural and artificial
refrigeration, it is generally agreed that the history of artificial refrigeration
began in the year 1755, when the Scottish professor William Cullen made the
first refrigerating machine, which could produce a small quantity of ice in the
laboratory. Based on the working principle, refrigeration systems can be
classified as vapor compression systems, vapor absorption systems, gas cycle
systems, etc.
Vapour Compression Refrigeration Systems:

• Vapour compression cycle is an improved type of air refrigeration cycle in which a

suitable working substance, termed as refrigerant, is used.

• The refrigerants generally used for this purpose are ammonia (NH3), carbon dioxide
(CO2), and sulfur-dioxide (SO2).

• The refrigerant used does not leave the system but is circulated throughout the system
alternately condensing and evaporating. In evaporating, the refrigerant absorbs its latent
heat from the solution which is used for circulating it around the cold chamber and in
condensing; it gives out its latent heat to the circulating water of the cooler.

• The vapor compression cycle which is used in the vapor compression refrigeration
system is nowadays used for all-purpose refrigeration. It is used for all industrial
purposes from a small domestic refrigerator to a big air conditioning plant.
• Vapour Absorption Refrigeration Systems :
• The vapor absorption refrigeration is a heat operated system. It is quite similar to the vapor compression
system. In both systems, there are evaporators and condensers.
• The process of evaporation and condensation of the refrigerant takes place at two different pressure levels
to achieve refrigeration in both cases. The method employed to create the two pressure levels in the system
for evaporation and condensation of the refrigeration makes the two processes different. Circulation of
refrigerant in both the cases is also different.
• In the absorption system the compressor of the vapor compression system is replaced by the combination of
„absorber‟ and „generator‟.
• A solution known as the absorbent, which has an affinity for the refrigerant used, is circulated between the
absorber and the generator by a pump (solution pump).
• The absorbent in the absorber draws (or sucks) the refrigerant vapor formed in the evaporator thus
maintaining a low pressure in the evaporator to enable the refrigerant to evaporate at low temperatures.
• In the generator the absorbent is heated. Thereby releasing the refrigerant vapor (absorbed in the absorber)
as high-pressure vapor, to be condensed in the condenser. Thus the suction function is performed by
absorbent in the absorber and the generator performs the function of the compression and discharge.
• The absorbent solution carries the refrigerant vapor from the low side (evaporator–absorber) to the high
side (generator-condenser). The liquefied refrigerant flows from the condenser to the evaporator due to the
pressure difference between the two vessels; thus establishing the circulation of the refrigerant through the
system.
Solar energy based refrigeration systems:

Attempts have been made to run vapor absorption systems by solar energy with
concentrating and flat plate solar collectors. Several small solar absorption refrigeration
systems have been made around the 1950s in several countries. Professor G.O.G. L f of
America is one of the pioneers in the area of solar refrigeration using flat plate collectors. A
solar refrigeration system that could produce 250 kg of ice per day was installed in Tashkent,
USSR in 1953. This system used a parabolic mirror of 10 m2 area for concentrating the solar
radiation. F. Trombe installed an absorption machine with a cylinder-parabolic mirror of 20
m2 at Montlouis, France, which produced 100 kg of ice per day.
Gas Cycle Refrigeration :

• Just as the vapors are used for cooling in the vapor compression cycle and
vapor absorption cycle, the gas is used for cooling in the gas refrigeration
cycle. When the gas is throttled from very high pressure to low pressure in
the throttling valve, its temperature reduces suddenly while its enthalpy
remains constant. This principle is used in a gas refrigeration system.
• In this system instead of using Freon or ammonia as the refrigerant, the gas
is used as the refrigerant. Throughout the cycle there are no phase changes
of the gas, which are observed in the liquid refrigerants. Air is the most
commonly used gas, also called as refrigerant in this case, in the gas
refrigeration cycles.
Steam Jet Refrigeration System:

• This system uses the principle of boiling the water below 100 Degree C. If
the pressure on the surface of the water is reduced below atmospheric
pressure, water can be made to boil at low temperatures.

• Water boils at 6 degrees C, when the pressure on the surface is 5 cm of

Hg and at 10 degrees C when the pressure is 6.5 cms of Hg. The very low
pressure or high vacuum on the surface of the water can be maintained
by throttling the steam through jets or nozzles.
Thermoelectric Refrigeration Systems:

• Thermoelectric cooling uses the Peltier effect to create a heat flux between
the junctions of two different types of materials. This effect is commonly
used in camping and portable coolers and for cooling electronic components
and small instruments.

• Applying a DC voltage difference across the thermoelectric module, an

electric current will pass through the module, and heat will be absorbed from
one side and released at the opposite side. One module face, therefore, will
be cooled while the opposite face simultaneously is heated.
Vortex tube systems:

• It is one of the non-conventional type refrigerating systems for the production of

refrigeration.

• The vortex tube is a device that separates a high-pressure flow entering

tangentially into two low-pressure flows, thereby producing a temperature
change. The vortex tube has no moving parts and generally consists of a circular
tube with nozzles and throttle valve. High-pressure gas enters the vortex tube
tangentially through the nozzles which increase the angular velocity and thus
produce a swirl effect.

• There are two exits in the vortex tube. The hot exit is located in the outer radius
near the far end of the nozzle and the cold exit is in the center of the tube near
the nozzle. The gas separated into two layers. The gas closer to the axis has a low
temperature which comes out through the hot exit.
 AIR CONDITIONING

AIR CONDITIONING:

Air Conditioning is the process of

conditioning the air according to the human comfort,
irrespective of external conditions.
 AIR CONDITIONING

Applications of Air Conditioning

▪ Used in offices, hotels, buses, cars.,etc
▪ Used in industries having tool room machines.
▪ Used in textile industries to control moisture.
▪ Used in printing press.
▪ Used in Food industries, Chemical plants.
CLASSIFICATIONOF AIR CONDITIONING

Air conditioning systems are classified as

1) According to the purpose
a) Comfort Air conditioning.
b) Industrial Air conditioning.
2) According to Season of the year
a) Summer Air conditioning.
b) Winter Air conditioning.
c) Year round Air conditioning.
AIR CONDITIONING
Types of Air conditioners
a) Room Air conditioners
b) Winter Air conditioners
c)Central Air conditioners Functions of
Air conditioners
d) Cleaning air.
e) Controlling the temp of air.
f) Controlling the moisture content.
g) Circulating the air.
 TERMINOLOGIES

1)Dry air: The atmospheric air with no water vapour

is called dry air.
2)Psychrometry: Psychrometry is the study of the
properties of atmospheric air.
3)Temperature: The degree of hotness (or) Coldness is
called the temperature.
4)Moisture: Moisture is the water vapour present in the
air.
 TERMINOLOGIES
Humidity: mass of water vapor present in 1kg of dry air
Absolute humidity: mass of water vapor present in
1cu.m of dry air
5) Relative humidity: Relative humidity is the ratio of actual
mass of water vapour in a given volume to the mass of water
vapour actually can withhold by the same volume.
6) Dry bulb temperature: The temperature of air measured by
the ordinary thermometer is called dry bulb temperature:
 TERMINOLOGIES
7) Wet bulb Temperature: The temperature of air measured by
the thermometer when it is covered by the wet cloth is
known as wet bulb Temperature.
8) Dew point Temperature:The temperature at which the
water vapour starts condensing is called dew point
Temperature
9)Wet bulb depression: (DBT- WBT) indicates relative
humidity
10) Dew point depression: (DBT- DPT)
Window Type AirConditioner
Window Type Air Conditioner
 Window Type Air Conditioner - Working
▪ The low pressure vapour refigerant from the evaporator is
sucked by compressor through the open inlet valve.
▪ The compressor compresses the vapour
refrigerant.
▪ The high pressure and high temperature vapour
refrigerant then flows to the condenser through the open
outlet valve.
▪ In the condenser, the outside atmospheric temperature in
summer being around 42o C, air is circulated by fan.
▪ After condensation, the high pressure liquid refrigerant
formed passes through an expansion valve which reduces
its pressure
 Window Type Air Conditioner - Working
▪ The low pressure refrigerant then enters the
evaporator and evaporates, thus absorbing latent heat
of vapourisation from the room air.
▪ The equipment which is used for evaporating the
refrigerant is called evaporator.
▪ After evaporation, the refrigerant becomes vapour.
▪ The low pressure vapour is again passed to the
compressor. Thus the cycle is repeated.
▪ A partition separates high temperature side of
condenser, compressor and low temperature side of
evaporator
 Window Type Air Conditioner -
Working
▪ The quantity of air circulated can be
controlled by the dampers.
▪ The moisture in the air passing over the evaporator
coil is dehumidified and dri into the trays. ps
▪ The unit automatically stops when the required
temperature is reached in the room. This is
accomplished by the thermostat and control panel.
▪ Generally, the refrigerant monochloro difluro
methane (CHCLF2) is used in air conditioner. It is
called Freon 22.
 Merits and Demerits of Window type air
conditioner
Merits :
▪ A separate temperature control is provided in each
room.
▪ Ducts are not required for distribution.
▪ Cost is less.
▪ Skilled technician is required for installation.
Demerits:
▪ It makes noise.
▪ Large hole is made in the external wall or a large opening to be created
in the window panel. This leads to insecurity to inmates.
▪ Air quantity cannot be varied.