Department of Mechanical Engineering

National Institute of Technology Tiruchirappalli

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Endsem Question Paper MEPE15
Total Marks 30, Duration 120 minutes
A Vapor compression refrigeration system operates with R134a as refrigerant. The isentropic efficiency
of the compressor varies as 0.65, 0.75, 0.85 and 1.0. The degree of superheat varies as 5 K, 10 K and 15
K. Similarly degree of subcooling also varies as 5 K, 10 K and 15 K. The suction and discharge pressures of
the compressor are 2 bar and 10 bar respectively. An expander is used to reduce the compressor
pressure to the evaporator pressure. For all the cases assume the mass flow rate of the refrigerant to be
unity. All the properties can be derived from data banks or charts.

(a) Plot the variation of COP, work output at the expander with degree of subcooling (assuming
degree of superheat 0 K, 100 % isentropic efficiency of the compressor) for different cases of
isentropic efficiency of expander (0.65, 0.75, 0.85 and 1.0). Discuss the results.
(b) Plot the variation of COP,work output at the expander with degree of superheat (assuming
degree of subcooling 0 K, 100 % isentropic efficiency of the compressor) for different cases of
isentropic efficiency of expander (0.65, 0.75, 0.85 and 1.0). Discuss the results.
(c) Further the same VCR system is operated with an internal heat exchanger. Assume the heat
exchanger effectiveness varies as 0.7 and 1.0 with isentropic efficiencies of expander and
compressor to be unity and the exit state of the refrigerant at evaporator and condenser to be
saturated. Plot the variation of COP with effectiveness of the heat exchanger. Discuss the
results.
(d) Assume SSS cycle without internal heat exchanger and estimate the exergy losses in each
component of the VCR system and represent the same in the form of a pie chart.

Note: Solve the problem by representing all the steps with numerical and then list out the solution
for each step. Represent all the properties at different state points in the form of table for all the
cases.