REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS

Refrigeration Systems Page 1 of 11

Engr. Lester Vincent C. Villanueva
MODULE 1
Introduction to Refrigeration System, Refrigerants, and Standard Refrigeration Cycles
Disclaimer:

 All images such as logos, photos, etc., used in this module are the property of their respective copy
right owners and are used here for educational purposes only

OVERVIEW OF THE MODULE

In this module, we will be provided with the definition of refrigeration system and its useful
information. To begin with, you must be familiarized with thermodynamics and heat transfer as these
subjects are the pre-requisites the course.
The term refrigeration means cooling a space, substance or system to lower and/or maintain its
temperature. The term refrigerant are liquids having a high latent heat, and which are converted into vapors
under small change of pressure. In order to read, study, and be conversant in this course, students have
to master some of the related terminologies, conversion of units, processes and cycle analysis. This is the
thrust of the module of this course. Practical questions such as “How much heat is removed? What was the
cooling load or the refrigerating effect? What was the COP?” involves understanding the components of
different parts of the system.
Also, there are different types of refrigeration processes, methods and its application, which will be
part of the discussion in this first module.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES

 Define the fundamental terms from the field of refrigeration systems
 Determine different types of refrigerants
 Analyze standard refrigeration problems

Refrigeration
A branch of science that deals with the process of reducing and maintining the temperature
of a space or material below the temperature of the surroundings.

Coefficient of Performance (COP)

is defined as refrigerant effect divided by network input, where the refrigerant effect is the
absolute value of the heat transferred from the lower temperature source, and the network input is the
absolute value of the heat transferred to the higher temperature sink minus this refrigerant effect.
Is also defined as the ratio calculated by dividing the total heating capacity in BTU/hr provided
by the refrigeration system, including fan heat, but excluding supplementary resistance by the total
electric input in watts times 3.412. This Definition applies primarily to heat pumps.

Energy Efficiency Ratio

Is a ratio calculated by dividing the cooling capacity in BTU/hr by the power input in watts and
any set of rating conditions expressed in Btu/Watt-hr.

Is also defined as the amount of heat removed from the cooled space in BTU for one Watt-
hour electricity consumed.

EER could be expressed in terms of COP with the following equations:

𝐵𝑇𝑈
EER= 𝑈𝑠𝑒𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡, ÷ 𝑁𝑒𝑡 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝐼𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡, 𝑊 = 𝐶𝑂𝑃(3.412)
ℎ𝑟
Where: 1 Watt = 3.412 BTU/hr
Refrigeration Systems Page 2 of 11
Engr. Lester Vincent C. Villanueva
 EER could be expressed in terms of COP with the following equations:

𝐵𝑇𝑈
EER= 𝑈𝑠𝑒𝑓𝑢𝑙 𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡, ÷ 𝑁𝑒𝑡 𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝐼𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡, 𝑊 = 𝐶𝑂𝑃(3.412)
ℎ𝑟
Where: 1 Watt = 3.412 BTU/hr

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER)

Is the anticipated performance of a refrigerating device over an average season, used
primarily for residential and commercial air conditioning; it is also expressed in BTU/kW-hr.

Heating Season Performance Factor (HSPF)

Is the anticipated performance of a heat pump device during heating season, primarily used
for residential and commercial heat pumps, expressed in BTU/kW-hr.

Reversed Cycle
Is a system that receives heat from a colder body and delivers heat to a hotter body, not in
violation of the Second Law of Thermodynamics, but by virtue of work input.

Refrigeration Cycle
Is a reversed cycle whose objective is to extract heat from the lower temperature reservoir.

Heat Pump
Is a reversed cycle whose objective is to supply energy to the high temperature reservoir.

Methods of Refrigeration
1) Ice Refrigeration
2) Mechanical Refrigeration
3) Absorption Refrigeration
4) Steam Jet Refrigeration
5) Air Cycle Refrigeration

Applications of Refrigeration
1) Food Preservation
2) Ice Making
3) Air conditioning for summer comfort
4) Industrial Applications
5) Cryogenics
6) Heat Pump

Refrigeration Systems Page 3 of 11

Engr. Lester Vincent C. Villanueva
Unit of Refrigeration Capacity
Ton of Refrigeration (TR) - The rate of cooling required to freeze one ton of water at 32 degree F into ice
at 32 degree F in one day.
 1 TR = (2000lbs)(144BTU/lb)/(24hr) = 12000 Btu/lb = 200 Btu/min
 1TR = (12000 Btu/lb)(252 Cal/Btu) = 3024 kCal/hr = 50.4 kCal/min
 1 TR = (200 Btu/min)(1055 J/Btu) = 211kJ/min = 3.517 kW

Properties of Water
Liquid water: Cp = 4.187 kJ/kg-K = 1.0 Btu/lb-R
Latent heat of evaporation: hfg 2257 kJ/kg = 970.3 Btu/lb
Ice water: Cpi = 2.0935 kJ/kg-K = 0.5 Btu/lb-R
Latent heat of fusion of ice: hi = 335 kJ/kg = 144 Btu/lb

Standard Refrigeration Cycle

Evaporation Temperature: 5 oF = -15 oC
Condensing Temperature: 86 oF = 30 oC

JCSF Review Center (2016) Refrigeration Systems

REFRIGERANTS
Any substance that absorbs heat through evaporation is known as refrigerant. It is a medium of
heat transfer which absorbs heat by evaporation at low temperature and gives up heat by condensing at
high temperature and pressure.
Broader definition includes secondary cooling mediums like cold water, brine solutions
Widest applications at present are ammonia or halocarbons.

Desirable Characteristics of Refrigerants

1. Non-poisonous
2. Non corrosive
3. Non inflammable
4. Leaks easily detectable
5. Low boiling point
6. Stable gas
7. Suitable latent heat
8. Low specific volume
9. Minimum difference between evaporating & condensing pressure, one further classification of derivable
properties; they can be categorized as thermodynamic, physical and chemical properties.

Refrigeration Systems Page 4 of 11

Engr. Lester Vincent C. Villanueva
Thermodynamics
1. Normal boiling point: should be low at atmospheric pressure
2. Freezing point: should be low
3. Evaporations & condensing pressure: should be positive and as near to atmospheric pressure
4. Critical temperature & pressure: should be high (ex.co2p n it is just 30°c)
5. Latent heat: should be high
6. Specific heat: low for liquid, high for vapour
7. Specific volume: low for vapour

Physical
1. Dielectric strength: high for use in hermetic compression
2. Thermal conductivity: should be high
3. Viscosity: should be low
4. Leak tendency: detection of leak should be easy
5. Flammability: should not be flammable within range of conditions of operation. Nh3 flammable between
16 to 27% in air

Chemical
Toxicity: should not be toxic
Corrosion properties: should not react in the commonly used metals and materials

Classification of Refrigerants (NRSC, USA)

Group-1: safest: R-11, R-12, R-22, R-744(co2), R-500, R-502
Group-2: toxic& slightly inflammable: R-717, R-764(so2), R-113
Group-3: inflammable: R-600(butane), R-170(ethane), R-290(propane)
(natural refrigerants: h2o, air, nh3, propane, butane)

Color Code for the Cylinders & Composition

R-717: (SHINY) Silver NH3
R-11: ORANGE: (CCL3F) Trichloromonofluoro Methane
R-12: WHITE: (CCL2F2) Dichlorodifluoromethane
R-22: GREEN: (CHCL F2) Monochlorodi Fluoromethane

Refrigeration Systems Page 5 of 11

Engr. Lester Vincent C. Villanueva
REFRIGERANT NUMBERING SYSTEM
Refrigerant Number, Formula: R-# = (C-1) (H+1) (F)
Methane Series:
C – one atom carbon means methane series
From: CHClF
Total number of atoms = C + H + Cl + F = 5 atoms
Name Format: Chloro Fluoro Methane

Ethane Series:

C- two atoms carbon means ethane series

From: CHClF CClF
Total number of atoms = C + H + Cl + F = 8 atoms
Name Format; Chloro Fluoro Ethane

Examples:
1. Determine the chemical formula and the name of refrigerant, R-143
Solution: Determination of the number of atoms of C, H, and F
R-# = (C-1) (H+1) (F)
For the number of atoms: 143 = CHF
F: F=3
C: (C-1) = 1 → C = 1 + 1 =2 → Ethane Series
H: (H+1) = 4 → H= 4-1 = 3
Cl: Cl = 0
Number of atoms = C + H + F = 2 + 3 + 3 = 8 Atoms
For the chemical formula (CHClFCClf), CH3CF3 or C2 H3 F3
For the refrigerant name: Trifluoroethane → (HFC) = Hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant
*Notice that Carbon and Hydrogen does not exist when naming a refrigerant

2. Determine the chemical formula and the name of refrigerant, R-152

Solution: From the formula R#: (C-1) (H+1) (F) → R-152
C=2 ethane series H = 4 F = 2
Chemical Formula: C2H4F2
Refrigerant Name: Difluoroethane → HFC

Refrigeration Systems Page 6 of 11

Engr. Lester Vincent C. Villanueva
3. Determine the chemical formula and the name of the refrigerant R – 23
Solution: From the R# formula (C-1) (H+1) (F); F = 3 and H = 2
C = 1 Methane Series
Refrigerant Name: Trifluoromethane
Chemical Formula: CHF3

4. Determine the name and number of refrigerant, CH3CF3

Solution: For the refrigerant number: R-# = (C-1) (H+1) (F)
(C-1) = 2-1 =1
(H+1) = 3 +1 = 4
(F) = 3
*notice that there are two carbons therefore it is an ethane series
Refrigerant name: Trifluoroethane
Refrigerant number: R-143

NOTE: 1. The first digit on the right is the number of fluorine, F, atoms in compound.
2. The second digit from the right is one more than the number of hydrogen (H) atoms in the
compound
3. The third digit from the right is one less than the number of carbon, C, atoms in the compound.
When the digit is zero, it is omitted from the number.

JCSF Review Center (2016) Refrigeration Systems.

Refrigeration Systems Page 7 of 11

Engr. Lester Vincent C. Villanueva
ICE REFRIGERATION
Amount of Cooling Provided by the ice,

Q = mCpi (tf - t1) + (mhf) + (mCpw) (t2 – tf)

Where:

ICE SOLID LIQUID WATER

t1 tf = 0 oC t2

-
t1 tf = 0 oC t2
Sample Problem:
1. Fish weighing 11 000 kg with a temperature of 20 oC is brought to a cold storage and which shall
be cooled to -10 oC in 11 hours. Find the required plant refrigerating capacity in TR if the specific
heat of fish is 0.7kCal/kg-oC above freezing and 0.30 kCal/kg-oC below freezing point that is -3
oC. The latent heat of freezing is 55.5 kCal/kg.
1
Given: m = 11,000 kg
Latent heat of freezing = 55.5 kCal/kg 20oC
Required: Q in TR 0.7 kCal/kg-C
3
2
-3oC

-10O C 0.30 kCal/kg-C

Solution:

𝑄 = 𝑚𝐶𝑃 (𝑡1 − 𝑡2 ) + (ℎ23 ) + (𝐶𝑝 (𝑡3 − 𝑡4 ))

Refrigeration Systems Page 8 of 11

Engr. Lester Vincent C. Villanueva
 11000 (4.187)[0.7(20 + 3) + 55 ⋅ 5 + (0.30)(−3 + 10)
𝑄=( )[ ] = 𝟐𝟒. 𝟑𝟕 𝑻𝑹
11(3600) 3.517
REVERSED CARNOT CYCLE ENGINE OR REFRIGERATION SYSTEM

Processes:
1-2: Adiabatic or isentropic Compression Process (S = C)
2-3: Isothermal Heat Rejection Process (T H = C)
3-4: Adiabatic or Isentropic Expansion Process (S = C)
4-1: Isothermal Heat Addition Process (TL = C)

Cycle Analysis:
Heat Input to the Reversed Engine: 𝑊 = 𝑄𝐻 − |𝑄𝐿 |
Coefficient of Performance ( Refrigerator ):
𝑄 𝑄𝐿 1 (𝑠1 −𝑆4 )𝑇𝐿 𝑇𝐿
𝐶𝑂𝑃𝑅 = ( 𝐿) = = 𝑄𝐻 = (𝑆 = (𝑇 = 1 − 𝐶𝑂𝑃𝐻𝑃
𝑊 𝑄 𝐻 −𝑄𝐿 −1 1 −𝑆4 )(𝑇𝐻 −𝑇𝐿 ) 𝐻 −𝑇𝐿 )
𝑄𝐿

Coefficient of Performance ( Heat Pump ):

𝑄𝐻 𝑄𝐻 (𝑠2 − 𝑠3 )𝑇𝐻 𝑇𝐻
𝐶𝑂𝑃𝐻𝑃 = ( )= = =
𝑊 𝑄𝐻 − 𝑄𝐿 (𝑠2 − 𝑠3 )𝑇𝐻 − 𝑇𝐿 𝑇𝐻 − 𝑇𝐿

Refrigeration Systems Page 9 of 11

Engr. Lester Vincent C. Villanueva
Sample Problems:
1. A Carnot engine requires 35 kJ/s from the hot source. The engine produces 15 kW of power and
the temperature of the sink is 26oC. What is the temperature of the hot source in oC?
Given: QH = 35 kJ/s
W = 15 kW
TL = 26oC
𝑇𝐻 𝑄𝐻 𝑇𝐻 35
Solution: =( )= = ( ) = 523.25 𝐾 = 250.25 degC
𝑇𝐻−𝑇𝐿 𝑊 𝑇𝐻−(26+273) 15

2. A Carnot Refrigeration System is used to maintain a cold storage room at -12oC when cooling
water at an entering temperature of 20 oC. If the temperature drop from storage room to
refrigerant in the evaporator is 6 oC and from refrigerant in condenser to mean cooling water
temperature is 5 oC, and if the temperature rise of cooling water is 5 oC, calculate the COP of the
system.
Given: TL = -12 – 6 + 273 = 255 K
20+25 𝑇𝐿 255
TH =
2
+ 5 + 273 = 300.5 𝐾 COP =
(𝑇𝐻 −𝑇𝐿 )
= (300.5−255) = 5.604 = 6

3. A refrigerating system, operates on a reversed carnot cycle. The higher temperature of the
refrigerant in the system is 49 oC and the lower temperature is -12 oC. The capacity is 20 tons.
Neglected losses, determine the COP, heat rejected from the system, in kW, and the Network in
Hp.
Given: TH = 49 oC Solution:
TL = -12 oC a) COP,
𝑇𝐿 −12+273
QH = 20 tons COP = = (49+273)−(−12+273) = 4.28
(𝑇𝐻 −𝑇𝐿 )

Required: b) QL,
𝑄𝐿 𝐿𝑄
a) COP COP = ; 4.28 = 20(3.517)−𝑄 ; QL = - 57.02 kW
𝑄𝐻 −𝑄𝐿 𝐿

b) QL c) W,
c) W 𝑊 = 𝑄𝐻 − 𝑄𝐿 = 70.34 kW – 57.02 = 13.32 kW
1 𝐻𝑃
𝑊 = 13.32 𝑘𝑊 ( ) = 𝟏𝟕. 𝟖𝟔 𝑯𝒑
0.746 𝑘𝑊
JCSF Review Center (2016) Refrigeration Systems

Refrigeration Systems Page 10 of 11

Engr. Lester Vincent C. Villanueva
ASSESSMENT TASK:
1. Determine the refrigerant name and chemical formula of R-22.
2. An ice plant produces 20 tons of ice per day at -15oC from water at 25 oC. If
miscellaneous losses are 12 % of the freezing and chilling load, calculate the
refrigeration capacity of the plant, in TR.
3. A refrigeration system operates on the reversed carnot cycle. The minimum and
maximum temperature are -25 and 72 oC, respectively. If the heat rejected at the
condenser is 6000kJ/min, find the power input required, in kW, and the tons of
refrigeration required.

Refrigeration Systems Page 11 of 11

Engr. Lester Vincent C. Villanueva