University of Cebu

College of Engineering

Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering

Final Project
Vapor Cycle Refrigeration System

Christian Dave T. Rolloque

Student

Engr. Julieto Negapatan

Instructor
 Refrigeration is the process of removing heat from an enclosed
space or from a substance for the purpose of lowering the
temperature. Heat is extracted from a low-temperature reservoir and
transported to a high-temperature reservoir. Energy transfer work is
generally powered by mechanical means, but it can also be powered
by heat, magnetic, electricity, laser, or other means. Household
refrigerators, industrial freezers, cryogenics, and air conditioning are
all examples of refrigeration uses. Heat pumps, like air conditioning
devices, may employ the heat output of the refrigeration process and
may be engineered to be reversible.

The zeroth law of thermodynamics states that if two bodies are

each in thermal equilibrium with some third body, then they are also
in equilibrium with each other. Thermal equilibrium means that
when two bodies are brought into contact with each other and
separated by a barrier that is permeable to heat, there will be no
transfer of heat from one to the other.
First law of thermodynamics: Energy can neither be created nor be
destroyed, it can only be transferred from one form to another.

Second law of thermodynamics: The entropy of any isolated system

always increases.

Third law of thermodynamics: The entropy of a system approaches a

constant value as the temperature approaches absolute zero.

Entropy is the measure of the number of possible arrangements the

atoms in a system can have.

Enthalpy is the measurement of energy in a thermodynamic system.

The Vapor Compression

Refrigeration Cycle is made
up of four parts: the
compressor, the condenser,
the expansion valve/throttle
valve, and the evaporator. It
is a compression technique
that aims to increase the
pressure of the refrigerant
as it flows from an evaporator. The high-pressure refrigerant passes
via a condenser/heat exchanger before returning to the evaporator at
the initial low pressure. A fuller description of the steps is provided
below.
Step 1: Compression

At low temperature and pressure, the refrigerant (for example,

R-717) enters the compressor. It is gaseous at the moment.
Compression occurs here to increase the temperature and refrigerant
pressure. The refrigerant is discharged from the compressor and
enters the condenser. Because this process necessitates labor, an
electric motor may be employed. Compressors might be of the scroll,
screw, centrifugal, or reciprocating variety.

Step 2: Condensation

The condenser functions primarily as a heat exchanger. The

heat from the refrigerant is transferred to a flow of water. In the case
of water-cooled condensation, this water is routed to a cooling tower
for cooling. It should be noted that seawater and air-cooling
technologies may also have a part in this. The refrigerant is under
constant pressure as it passes through the condenser. Condenser
safety and performance must be overlooked. Pressure control, in
particular, is critical for both safety and efficiency.

Step 3: Throttling and Expansion

The refrigerant expands and releases pressure when it enters

the throttling valve. As a result, the temperature drops at this point.
Because of these modifications, the refrigerant exits the throttle valve
as a liquid vapor combination, typically in quantities of roughly 75%
and 25%. Throttling valves serve two important functions in the
vapor compression cycle.

Step 4: Evaporation

The refrigerant is at a lower temperature than its surroundings

at this point in the Vapor Compression Refrigeration Cycle. As a
result, it evaporates and absorbs vaporization latent heat. At low
pressure and temperature, heat is extracted from the refrigerant. The
suction effect of the compressor aids in maintaining the low pressure.

The Vapor absorption refrigeration systems include all

processes in a vapor compression refrigeration system, such as
compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation—the
refrigerant used in Vapor absorption systems as ammonia, water, or
lithium bromide. The refrigerant condenses in the condenser &
evaporates in evaporation. The refrigerants produce a cooling effect
in the evaporator & release heat to the atmosphere through the
condenser.

In an absorption chiller, the generator uses a high-temperature

energy source, typically steam or hot water, which then flows through
the tubes and boils off the refrigerant into vapor. The vapor moves to
the condenser and the concentrated solution returns to the absorber.
In the absorber, refrigerant vapor is absorbed by the solution and
condenses into a vapor, releasing the heat it acquired in the
evaporator. There are three types of absorption chillers, which are all
slightly different to one another:
1. Single-Effect Absorption Chillers

In a single-effect chiller, the chilled water is cooled down once

by a refrigerant from a double tray in the evaporator. The vaporized
refrigerant is then absorbed into a concentrated solution, which
comes from the Generator. The solution is then diluted as it absorbs
the evaporated refrigerant while the heat is being absorbed into the
cooling water. The diluted solution in the absorber then flows to the
generator through a heat exchanger.

2. Double-Effect Absorption Chillers

A double-effect absorption chiller has the same basic components as

single-effect, but also includes an additional generator, heat
exchanger and pump. Within this kind of chiller there are two cycles:
a main cycle, and an auxiliary cycle. The chilled water is cooled down
twice by the refrigerant from a double tray in the evaporator and the
vaporized refrigerant is absorbed into concentrated solution which is
coming from the 2nd generator.
3. Direct-Fired Absorption Chillers

Direct-fired absorption chillers are most similar to single-effect

absorption chillers. The main difference is that instead of using hot
water to regenerate the absorption solution, the solution gets heated

directly by the gas flame to regenerate the solution and the

refrigerant.