LECTURE NOTES ON

REFRIGERATION & AIR-CONDITIONING

5TH SEMESTER MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

PREPARED BY: -
Mr. ANEES P BTech (Mech), ME(CAD/CAM)
LECTURER
KUTTUKARAN POLYTECHNIC COLLEGE
PARAVUR
SYLLABUS
CO1
Contents:
Introduction to Refrigeration: Definition of Refrigeration; Refrigerating effect-unit of refrigeration-
Coefficient of performance; Types of Refrigeration-Ice, Throttling; Carnot Refrigeration Cycle, Air
refrigeration-open and closed air refrigeration cycles,
Bell - Coleman cycle, Principle of air refrigeration-working based on reversed Carnot cycle. Advantage
and disadvantages in air refrigeration; Simple problems.
CO2
Contents:
Refrigeration systems: Basic Components. Flow diagram of working of vapour compression cycle;
Representation of the vapour compression cycle on P-H ,T-S Diagram; expression for refrigerating
effect, work done and power required; Types of vapour compression cycle; Effect of suction pressure
,effect of discharge pressure, Effects of super heating and under cooling, its advantages and
disadvantages; advantages and disadvantages of VC system over air refrigerationsystem;State the
function of accumulator and flash chamber in a vapour compression refrigeration system.
Principle of simple vapour absorption system; Comparison of Vapour absorption and vapour
compression system;
Refrigerants: Definition, desirable properties,Distinguish between primary refrigerant and
secondary refrigerant with examples , properties of ammonia, carbon dioxide,R-11,R-12, R-
22;environmental impacts of refrigerants –Ozone depletion and global warming;
environmentally safe refrigerants -R123, R 134a, R152a. Detection of refrigerants leakage;
CO3
Contents:
Refrigeration Equipment: Compressors – Classification of compressors; Principle of working of
reciprocating compressors- rotary compressor – roller and vane type – centrifugal compressor (Explanation
with simple diagram only), Hermetically sealed and Semi hermetically sealed compressor; Condensers - Air
Cooled, water cooled-shell and tube, shell - coil , double tube type (Explanation with line diagram)
Evaporators-types-dry and flooded type, natural, forced convection type
Refrigerant flow controls: Capillary tube; Automatic Expansion valve; Thermostatic expansion valve.
Application of refrigeration: Domestic refrigerator, water cooler and ice plant Introduction to
cryogenics- Definition of Cryogenics-List Advantages and applications of cryogenicrefrigeration, Explain
Cascade refrigeration, Explain Joule –Thomson effect, Explain Liquefaction of Nitrogen and Hydrogen.

CO4
Contents:
Psychrometry-Definition- Dry air- moist air- saturated- unsaturated -supersaturated air- degree of
saturation- dry bulb temperature- wet bulb temperature- dew point temperature- Dalton’s law of partial
pressures absolute humidity-relative humidity- specific humidity- Enthalpy of moist air-psychrometer-
psychrometric chart and tables- (Simple problems using tables and charts).
Psychrometric Processes- Sensible heating - sensible cooling - humidifying- dehumidifying, heating and
humidifying- cooling and dehumidifying-- bypass factor, sensible heat factor, efficiency of heating and
cooling coil- Simple problems using psychrometric chart and tables.
Air conditioning: Air Conditioning- Definition- factors affecting human comfort- effective temperature-
comfort chart, Air conditioning systems-classification – industrial- comfort air conditioning-
working of summer air conditioning- winter - year-round air conditioning with line sketches; working of
window type- package type, central plant systems – Design and Load estimation of Airconditioning systems,
Explain the sources of heat gain or loss, concept of HVAC.
 1. INTRODUCTION
Refrigeration may be defined as the process of achieving and maintaining a temperature below that of
the surroundings, the aim being to cool some product or space to the required temperature.

DEFINITION-:
The term ‘refrigeration’ may be defined as the process of removing heat from a substance under controlled conditions.
It also includes the process of reducing and maintaining the temperature of a body below the general temperature of
its surroundings.
AIR CONDITIONING SYSTEMS-:
The air conditioning is that branch of engineering science which deals with the study of conditioning of
air, supplying and maintaining desirable internal atmospheric conditions for human comfort, irrespective
of external conditions. This subject, in its broad sense, also deals with the conditioning of air for
industrial purposes, food processing, storage of food and other materials.

HEAT ENGINE-:
In a heat engine, the heat supplied to the engine is converted into useful work. If Q 2 is the heat supplied
to the engine and Q1 is the heat rejected from the engine, then the net work done by the engine is given
by

WE = Q2-Q1

The performance of a heat engine is expressed by its efficiency. We know that the efficiency or
coefficient of performance of an engine,

E or (C.O.P.)E = = =

REFRIGERATOR-:
A refrigerator is a reversed heat engine which either cool or maintain the temperature of a body (T 1)
lower than the atmospheric temperature (Ta). This is done by extracting the heat (Q1) from a cold body
and delivering it to a hot body (Q2).
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 (WR). This ratio is called coefficient of
performance. Mathematically, coefficient of performance of a refrigerator,

(C.O.P.)R = =

HEAT PUMP-:
The heat pump which extracts heat (Q1) from a cold body and delivers it to a hot body. Thus there is no
difference between the cycle of operations of a heat pump and a refrigerator. The main difference
between the two is in their operating temperatures.
The performance of a heat pump is expressed by the ratio of the amount of 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 heat pump,

(C.O.P.)P or E.P.R. = =

= + 1 = (C.O.P.)R + 1
Heat pump & Refrigerator Heat Engine

Refrigerator Heat Pump Heat Engine

A refrigerator is
a reversed heat
engine, where
Any refrigerating system is a
heat is pumped
heat pump, which extracts
from a body at
heat from a cold body and A heat engine is a system which converts Thermal
low temperature
delivers it to a hot body. energy into Mechanical Energy.
to a body at high
temperature.

The network
done by the The network done by the
refrigerator is heat pump is given by Wp= The network done by the engine is given We= Q2-
Q2-Q1 Q1
given by WR=
Q2-Q1

The C.O.P.
of Refrigerator is
The C.O.P. of heat pump is
(C.O.P)R =
(C.O.P)hp = Q2/ WR = Q2 / The C.O.P. of heat engine is
Q1/ WR = Q1 /
(Q2-Q1) (C.O.P)e= (Q2-Q1)/Q2
(Q2-Q1)

UNITS OF REFRIGERATION-:

A tonne of refrigeration is defined as the amount of refrigeration effect produced by the uniform
melting of one tonne (1000kg) of ice from and at 0°C in 24 hours.
Since the latent heat of ice is 335 kJ/kg, therefore one tonne of refrigeration, 1 TR = 1000X335 kJ in 24
hours
= = 232.6 kJ/min
In actual practice, one tonne of refrigeration is taken as equivalent to 210 kJ/min or 3.5 kW (3.5kJ/s).
 COEFFICIENT OF PERFORMANCE OF A REFRIGERATOR-:

The coefficient of performance (C.O.P.) is the ratio of heat extracted in the refrigerator to the work done
on the refrigerant.
Mathematically,
Theoretical C.O.P. =

Where Q= Amount of heat extracted in the refrigerator (or the amount of refrigeration
produced, or the capacity of a refrigerator), and W= Amount of work done.

AIR REFRIGERATION CYCLE

Air cycle refrigeration is one of the earliest methods used for cooling. The key features of this method is that,
the refrigerant air remain gaseous state throughout the refrigeration cycle.

Based on the operation, the air refrigeration system can be classified into
1. Open air refrigeration cycle
2. Closed refrigeration cycle
Open air refrigeration cycle

In an open refrigeration system, the air is directly passed over the space is to be cooled,
and allowed to circulate through the cooler. The pressure of open refrigeration cycle is limited to the
atmospheric pressure. A simple diagram of the open-air Refrigeration system is given below.
Advantages and application

 It eliminates the need of a heat exchanger.

 It is used in aircraft because it helps to achieve cabin pressurization and air conditioning
at once.
Disadvantages

One of the disadvantages of this system is that its large size. The air supplied to the refrigeration system is
at atmospheric pressure, so the volume of air handled by the system is large. Thus, the size of compressor
and expander also should be large. Another disadvantage of the open cycle system is that the moisture is
regularly carried away by the circulating air, this leads to the formation of frost at the end of the expansion
process and clogs the line, and hence a use of dryer is preferable to the open-air refrigeration system.
 Open air refrigeration system

Closed refrigeration system / Dense air refrigeration cycle

In closed or dense air refrigeration cycle, air refrigerant is contained within pipes and
component part of the system at all time. The circulated air does not have to direct contact with the space to
be cooled. The air is used to cool another fluid (brine), and this fluid is circulated into the space to be
cooled. So, the disadvantages listed in open air refrigeration can be eliminated. The advantages of closed
air refrigeration system are listed below.

Advantages

 The suction to the compressor may be at high pressure, therefore the volume of air handled
by the compressor and expander is low when compared to an open system. Hence the size
of compressor and expander is small compared to the open air system.
 The chance of freezing of moister and choke the valve is eliminated.
 In this system, higher coefficient of performance can be achieved by reducing operating
pressure ratio.

AIR REFRIGERATOR WORKING ON REVERSED CARNOT CYCLE-:

 A reversed Carnot cycle, using air as working medium (refrigerant) is shown on p-v and T-s diagrams.
1. Isentropic compression process. 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
p1 to p2, specific volume decreases v1 to v2 and temperature increases fromT1 to T2.
We know that during isentropic compression, no heat is absorbed or rejected by the air.
2. Isothermal compression process. The air is now compressed isothermally (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 p2 to p3 and specific volume decreases from
v2 to v3. we know that the heat rejected by the air during isothermal compression per kg
of air,
q2-3 = Area 2-3-3’-2’
= T3 (s2-s3)= T2 (s2-s3)
3. Isentropic expansion process. 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 the temperature decreases from T3 to T4, we known
that during isentropic expansion no heat is absorbed or rejected by the air.
4. Isothermal expansion process. The air is now expanded isothermally (at constant
temperature, T4 = T1) as shown by the curve 4-1 on p-v and T-s diagrams. The pressure
of air decreases from p4 to p1, and specific volume increases from v 4 to v3. We know
that the heat absorbed by the air (or heat extracted from the cold body) during isothermal
expansion per kg or air,
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 = q2-3 – q4-1
= T2 (s2-s3)- T1 (s2-s3) = (T2-T1)(s2-s3)
Coefficient of performance of the refrigeration system working on reversed Carnot cycle,

(C.O.P.) R = =

= = T1 / (T2 -T1)

AIR REFRIGERATOR WORKING ON A BELL-COLEMAN CYCLE (REVERSED BRAYTON OR JOULE CYCLE):

A Bell-Coleman air refrigeration machine was developed by Bell-Coleman and light foot by
reversing the Joule’s air cycle.
The Bell-Coleman cycle (reversed Brayton or Joule cycle) is a modification of reversed Carnot
cycle. The cycle is shown on p-v and T-s diagrams.
1. Isentropic compression process. The cold air from the refrigerator is drawn into the
compressor cylinder where it is compressed isentropically in the compressor as shown by
the curve 1-2 on p-v and T-s diagrams.
2. Constant pressure cooling process. The warm air from the compressor is now passed into
the cooler where it is cooled at constant pressure p3 (equal to p2), reducing the
temperature from T2 to T3 (the temperature of cooling water) as shown by the curve 2-
3 on p-v and T-s diagrams. The specific volume also reduces from v2 to v3. We know that
heat rejected by the air during constant pressure per kg of air,
Q2-3 = cp(T2-T3)

3. Isentropic expansion process. The air from the cooler is now drawn into the expander
cylinder where it is expanded isentropically from pressure p3 to the refrigerator pressure
p4 which is equal to the atmospheric pressure. The temperature of air during expansion
falls from T3 to T4.
4. Constant pressure expansion process. The cold air from the expander is now passed to
the refrigerator where it is expanded at constant pressure p4 (equal to p1). The
temperature of air increases from T4 to T1. This process is shown by the curve 4-1 on the
p-v and T-s diagrams. Heat absorbed by the air (heat extracted from the refrigerator)
during constant pressure expansion per kg of air is:
q4-1 = cp (T1-T4)
We know that work done during the cycle per kg of air
= Heat rejected – Heat absorbed
= cp(T2-T3) - cp (T1-T4)

Coefficient of performance,

C.O.P. = =

= …(i)

We know that for isentropic compression process 1-2,

= …(ii)

Similarly, for isentropic expansion process 3-4.

= …(iii)
Since p2= p3 and p1=p4, therefore from equation (ii) and (iii),
 = or = …(iv)

Now substituting these values in equation (i), we get

C.O.P. = =

= = = ….(v)

Where rp = Compression or Expansion ratio = =

SIMPLE PROBLEMS

1. A machine working on a Carnot cycle operates between 305oK and 260oK determine the C.O.P.
when it is operated as 1. Refrigerator; 2. Heat pump; 3. Heat engine.
Solution-:
Given: T2 = 305oK T1 = 260oK
1. C.O.P. of a refrigerating machine
We know that C.O.P. of a refrigerating machine,
(C.O.P.)R = = = 5.78 (Ans)
2. C.O.P. of a heat pump
We know that C.O.P. of a heat pump,
(C.O.P.)P = = = 6.78 (Ans)

3. C.O.P. of a heat engine

We know that C.O.P. of a heat engine,
(C.O.P.)E = = = 0.147 or 14.7% (Ans)
2. A Carnot refrigeration cycle absorbs heat at 270oK and rejects it at 300oK
1. Calculate the coefficient of performance of this refrigeration cycle.
2. If the cycle is absorbing 1130 KJ/min at 270oK, how many KJ of work is required per second?
3. If the Carnot heat pump operates between the same temperatures as the above
refrigeration cycle, what is the Coefficient of performance?
4. How many KJ/min will the heat pump deliver at 300oK if it absorbs 1130 KJ/min at270oK.

Solution -
Given: T1 = 270o K; T2 = 300o K
1. Coefficient of performance of Carnot refrigeration cycle
We know that coefficient of performance of Carnot refrigeration cycle, (C. O.P.) R=
= = =9 (Ans)

2. Work required per second

Let WR = work required per second.
Heat absorbed at 270oK (T1)
Q1 = 1130 KJ/min = 18.83 KJ/s
We know that (C.O.P)R = or 9

= WR = 2.1 KJ/s or
 2.1 KW
3. Coefficient of performance of Carnot heat pump.
We know that coefficient of performance of a Carnot heat pump,
(C.O.P.) P = = = 10 (Ans)

4. Heat delivered by heat pump at 300oK

Let Q2 = Heat delivered by heat pump at
300oK. Heat absorbed at (T1),
Q1 = 1130
KJ/min We know that
(C.O.P.) p = = OR 10 =

10 Q2 – 11300 = Q2 o r Q2 = 1256 KJ/min (Ans)

3. A cold storage is to be maintained at -5oC while the surroundings are at 35oC. The heat leakage
from the surroundings into the cold storage is estimated to be 29kW. The actual C.O.P. of the
refrigeration plant is one – third of an ideal plant working between the same temperatures. Find
the power required to drive the plant.
Solution -
Given-: T1 = -5oC = -5+273 = 268oK ; T2 = 35 oC = 35+273= 308oK ; Q1 = 29 kW;
(C.O.P.)actual = (C.O.P.)ideal

The refrigerating plant operating between the temperatures T1and T2.

Let WR = Work or power required to drive the plant.
We know that the coefficient of performance of an ideal refrigeration
plant, (C.O.P.)ideal = = = 6.7

Actual coefficient of performance,

(C.O.P.)actual = (C.O.P.)ideal = x 6.7 = 2.233
We also know that (C.O.P.)actual =

WR = = = 12.987 Kw (Ans)

4. 1.5 kW per tonne of refrigeration is required to maintain the temperature of -40oC in the
refrigerator. If the refrigeration cycle works on Carnot cycle, determine the following:
1. C.O.P. of the cycle; 2. Temperature of the sink; 3. Heat rejected to the sink per tonne of
refrigerator;
4. Heat supplied and E.P.R., if the cycle is used as a heat pump.

Solution-
Given: WR= 1.5 KW; Q1 = 1 TR; T1= -40oC = -40+273 = 233oK
1. C.O.P. of the cycle
Since 1.5 kW per tonne of refrigeration is required to maintain the temperature in the
refrigerator, therefore amount of work required to be done,
WR = 1.5 kW =1.5KJ/s = 1.5X60 = 90 KJ/min
And heat extracted from the cold
body, Q1 = 1 TR = 210 KJ/min
We know that (C.O.P.) R = = = 2.33 (Ans)

1. Temperature of the sink

Let T2 = Temperature of sink.
We know that (C.O.P.)R = or 2.33 =

T2 = + 233 =333 K = 60o C (Ans)

2. Heat rejected to the sink per tonne of refrigeration We know that heat rejected to
the sink,
Q2 = Q1 + WR = 210+90=300 JK/min

3. Heat supplied and E.P.R., if the cycle is used as a heat pump. We know that heat supplied
when the cycle is used as a heat pump is
Q2 =300Jk/min (Ans)
And E.P.R. = (C.O.P.)R +1 =2.33 +1 =3.33 (Ans)

5. The capacity of a refrigerator is 200 TR when working between -6oC and 25oC. Determine the
mass of ice produce per day from water at 25oC. Also find the power required to drive the unit.
Assume that the cycle operates on reversed Carnot cycle and latent heat of ice is 335 KJ/kg.
Solution . Given: Q= 200 TR ; T1= -6oC= -
6+273 = 267oK T2= 25 oC = 25+273 = 298 K ;
hfg(ice) = 335 KJ/kg
Mass of ice produced per day
We know that heat extraction capacity of the refrigerator
= 200 x 210 = 42000 KJ/min ..( ITR =210 KJ/min)
And heat removed from 1 kg of water at 25oC to form
ice at 0oC
= mass x Sp. Heat x Rise in temperature + hfg(ice)
= 1 x4.187(25-0)+ 335 = 439.7 KJ/kg
Mass of ice produced per min
= = 95.52
kg/min And mass of ice
produced per day
= 95.52 60 24 = 137550 kg = 137.55 tonnes (Ans)
Power required to drive the unit
We know that C.O.P. of the reversed Carnot cycle
= = = 8.6
Also C.O.P. = Heat Extraction Capacity
Work Done
8.6 =

Or Work done per min = 42000 /8.6 = 4884 KJ/min

Power required to drive the unit =4884/60 = 81.4 Kw (Ans)

6. A cold storage plant is required to store 20 tonnes of fish. The fish is supplied at a temperature
of 30oC. the specific heat of fish above freezing point is 2.93 kJ/kg K. The specific heat of fish
 below freezing point is 1.26 kJ/kg K. The fish is stored in cold storage which is maintained at -
8oC. The freezing point of fish is -4oC. The latent heat of fish is 235 kJ/kg. If the plant requires 75
kW to drive it, find:
The capacity of plant and 2. Time taken to achieve cooling. Assume actual C.O.P. of the plant as
0.3 of the Carnot C.O.P.

1. Solution -:
Given: m= 20 t = 20,000 kg; T2 = 30 oC = 30 +273 = 303oK;
cAF = 2.93 kJ/kgoK; cBF = 1.26 kJ/kgoK ; T1 = -8oC = -8 + 273 =265oK ;
T3 = -4oC = -4 +273 = 269o K hfg(Fish) = 235 kJ/kg ; P = 75 kJ/s
 Capacity of the plant
We know that Carnot C.O.P.
= = = 6.97

Actual C.O.P. = 0.3x 6.97 = 2.091

And heat removed by the plant
= Actual C.O.P. x Work required
= 2.091x 75 = 156.8 kJ/s = 156.8 x 60 = 9408 kJ/min
Capacity of the plant
= 9408/210 =44.8 TR (1 TR = 210 kJ/min) (ans)

Time taken to achieve cooling

We know that heat removed from the fish above
freezing point, Q1 = m x cAF (T2-T3)
= 20000 x 2.93(303-269) = 1.992 x 106 kJ
Similarly, heat removed from the fish below
freezing point, Q2 = m x cBF (T3-T1)
= 20000 x 1.26 (269-265) = 0.101 x 106 kJ
And total latent heat of fish,
Q3 = m x hfg (Fish) = 20000 x 235
=4.7 x 106 Kj
Total heat removed by the plant

= Q1+Q2+Q3

= 1.992 X 106 +0.101 X 106 +4.7 X 106 = 6.793 X 106 kJ

And time taken to achieve cooling
= = = 722 min
= 12.03 h (Ans)
SIMPLE VAPOUR COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION SYSTEM

INTRODUCTION-:
A vapour compression refrigeration system is an improved type of air refrigeration system in which
a suitable working substance, termed as refrigerant, is used. It condenses and evaporates at
temperatures and pressures close to the atmospheric conditions. The refrigerants, usually, used for
this purpose are ammonia (NH3), carbon dioxide (CO2) and sulphur dioxide (SO2).

ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF VAPOUR COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION

SYSTEM OVER AIR REFRIGERATION SYSTEM.
Following are the advantages and disadvantages of the vapour compression refrigeration system
over air refrigeration system.
Advantages
1. It has smaller size for the given capacity of refrigeration.
2. It has less running cost.
3. It can be employed over a large range of temperatures.
4. The coefficient of performance is quite high.

Disadvantages
1. The initial cost is high.
2. The prevention of leakage of the refrigerant is the major problem in vapour compression
system.

Fig shows the schematic diagram of a simple vapour compression refrigeration system. It
consists of the following five essential parts.
1. Compressor. The low pressure and temperature vapour refrigerant from evaporator is
drawn into the compressor through the inlet or suction valve A, where it is compressed
to a high pressure and temperature. This high pressure and temperature vapour
refrigerant is discharged into the condenser through the delivery or discharge valve B.
2. Condenser. The condenser or cooler consists coils of pipe in which the high pressure and
 temperature vapour refrigerant is cooled and condensed. The refrigerant, while passing
through the condenser, gives up its latent heat to the surrounding condensing medium
which is normally air or water.
3. Receiver. The condensed liquid refrigerant from the condenser is stored in a vessel known
as receiver from where it is supplied to the evaporator through the expansion valve or
refrigerant control valve.
4. Expansion valve. It is also called throttle valve or refrigerant control valve. The function of
the expansion valve is to allow the liquid refrigerant under high pressure and temperature
to pass at a controlled rate after reducing its pressure and temperature. Some of the liquid
refrigerant evaporates as it passes through the expansion valve, but the greater portion
is vaporized in the evaporator at the low pressure and temperature.
5. Evaporator. An evaporator consists of coils of pipe in which the liquid-vapour refrigerant
at low pressure and temperature is evaporated and changed into vapour refrigerant at
low pressure and temperature. In evaporating, the liquid vapour refrigerant absorbs its
latent heat of vaporization from the medium (air, water or brine) which is to be cooled.

VAPOUR ABSORPTION REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS

Introduction-:
The vapour absorption system uses heat energy, instead of mechanical energy as in vapour
compression systems, in order to change the conditions of the refrigerant required for the operation
of the refrigeration cycle.
In the vapour absorption system, the compressor is replaced by absorber, a pump, a generator and
a pressure reducing valve.

Simple vapour absorption system-:

The simple vapour absorption system, as shown in figure, consists of an absorber, a pump, a
generator and a pressure reducing valve to replace the compressor of vapour compression system.
The other components of the system are condenser, receiver, expansion valve and evaporator as in
the vapour compression system.
 In this system, the low pressure ammonia vapour leaving the evaporator, enters the absorber where
it is absorbed by the cold water in the absorber. The water has the ability to absorb very large
quantities of ammonia vapour and the solution thus formed, is known as aqua-ammonia. The
absorption of ammonia vapour in water lowers the pressure in the absorber which in turn draws
more ammonia vapour from the evaporator and thus raises the temperature of solution.

The strong solution of ammonia in the generator is heated by some external source such as gas or
steam. During the heating process, the ammonia vapour is driven off the solution at high pressure
leaving behind the hot weak ammonia solution in the generator. This weak ammonia solution flows
back to the absorber at low pressure after passing through the pressure reducing valve. The high
pressure ammonia vapour from the generator is condensed in the condenser to a high pressure
liquid ammonia. This liquid ammonia is passed to the expansion valve through the receiver and
then to the evaporator. This completes the simple vapour absorption cycle.

Practical vapour absorption system-:

These accessories help to improve the performance and working of the plant, as discussed below-:
1. Analyser: When ammonia is vaporized in the generator, some water is also vaporized and
will flow into the condenser along with the ammonia vapour in the simple system. If these
unwanted water particles are not removed before entering into the condenser, they will
enter into the expansion valve where they freeze and choke the pipe line. In order to
remove these unwanted particles flowing to the condenser, an analyser is used.
2. Rectifier: In case the water vapours are not completely removed in the analyser, a closed
type vapour cooler called rectifier (also known as dehydrator) is used. It is generally water
cooled and may be of the double pipe, shell and coil or shell and tube type. Its function is
to cool further the ammonia vapours leaving the analyser so that the remaining water
vapours are condensed.
3. Heat exchangers: The heat exchanger provided between the pump and the generator is
used to cool the weak hot solution returning from the generator to the absorber.

Advantages of vapour absorption refrigeration system over vapour compression refrigeration system.
1. In the vapour absorption system, the only moving part of the entire system is a pump
which has a small motor. thus, the operation of this system is essentially quiet and is
subjected to little wear.
The vapour compression system of the same capacity has more wear, tear and noise due to
moving parts of the compressor.
2. The vapour absorption system uses heat energy to change the condition of the refrigerant
from the evaporator. The vapour compression system uses mechanical energy to change
the condition of the refrigerant from the evaporator.
3. The vapour absorption systems are usually designed to use steam, either at high pressure
or low pressure. The exhaust steam from furnaces and solar energy may also be used.
Thus this system can be used where the electric power is difficult to obtain or is very
expensive.
4. The load variations does not effect the performance of a vapour absorption system. The
load variations are met by controlling the quantity of aqua circulated and the quantity of
steam supplied to the generator.
The performance of a vapour compression system at partial loads is poor.