Multistage Refrigeration System

Multi-Evaporator System
A multi- evaporator system of vapor compression refrigeration cycle is a special
arrangement of evaporator and expansion valve to cope with the temperature
requirements in the evaporator as required in industries. Since different product to be
cooled have different storage temperature, the need to design a suitable evaporator
temperature to correspond this need is very important.

Model 1 - Two-evaporator with parallel expansion valve arrangement and with

desuperheater.

Fig. 3-1 System and P-h diagram of the model

Note: A Desuperheater lowers or controls the temperature of superheated steam by

injecting a calculated amount of water droplets into the flow stream.
Fig. 3-1 System and P-h diagram of the model

(a) Determine the mass flow rate of refrigerant m1, m2, Ws

(b) Determine the total work of compression
(c) Determine the COP
Model 2 - Two-evaporator with series expansion valve arrangement and single
compressor

Fig. 3-2 System and P-h diagram of the model

(a) Enthalpy at different section of the system

(b) Mass flowrate, m1, vapor part y, and m2
(c) COP of the system
Model 3 - Multi-Evaporator (3), series expansion valve, with desuperheater (Use R-22
for the cycle)

Fig. 3-1 System and P-h diagram of the model

(a) Enthalpy at different section of the system

(b) m1, Ws1, Y1, m2, Ws2, Y2, m3, mt
(c) Wkc1, Wkc2. Wkc3, Wkt
(d) COP of the system
Problem 2
The Ammonia Refrigeration system has 3- evaporators at different temperatures so
arrange similar to Fig.3-4 shown below. The evaporator design temperature are arranged from
the lowest temperature of -40°C, -10°C, and 10°C. The evaporator design capacity, assign to
the lowest temperature are 260Kw, 250 Kw, and 240 Kw respectively. The condensing
temperature is 30°C. Prepared and determine the following:

a) Draw the P-h diagram of the system of refrigeration and indicate all necessary data to
determine the enthalpy at different section of the system.
b) Determine all the enthalpy in the 12 respective points shown in the diagram.
c) Determine the mass flow rate of Ammonia refrigerant designated as m1,Ws1,y1, M2, Ws2,
Y2, M3, and mt.
d) Determine the total work of compression.
e) Determine the COP of the System.
Problem 3
This problem is similar to Model #2 but using Ammonia refrigerant. Calculate the
following:
a) Enthalpy at different section of the System.
b) Mass flow rate, m1, vapor part y, m2 and mi.
c) COP of the system.
 Cascade Systems
A cascade system combines two vapor-compression units, with the condenser of the
low-temperature system discharging its heat to the evaporator of the high-temperature system.
Cascade systems can normally furnish refrigeration down to about -100oC. There are two types
of cascade systems, the closed cascade condenser and the direct-contact heat exchanger.

 In the closed cascade condenser, fluids in the high pressure and Low-pressure system
may be different.
 In the direct-contact heat exchanger the same fluid is used through the system. The
direct-contact heat exchanger type is most common used.

Closed Cascade Condenser

Problem 1
A cascade refrigerating system uses refrigerant 22 in the low temperature unit and
refrigerant 12 in the high temperature unit. The system develops 28 KW of refrigeration at -
40°C. The refrigerant 12 system operates at -10°C evaporating and 38°C condensing
temperature. There is a 10-degree overlap of temperatures in the cascade condenser.
Calculate:
(a) the mass flow rate of refrigerant 22,
(b) the mass flow rate of refrigerant 12,
(c) the power required by the refrigerant 22 compressor, and
(d) the power required by the refrigerant 12 compressor.
Direct-Contact Heat Exchanger.
Problem 2
The events of a cascade, split-stage, low temperature refrigerating cycle are as follows:
A refrigerant 12 vapor compression system operates between -10°C and 33°C with saturated
liquid on the high side of the expansion valve and saturated vapor entering the compressor
whose volumetric efficiency is 88 percent. An ammonia compression system operates between
-35°C and 0°C with saturated liquid entering the expansion valve and saturated vapor entering
the compressor whose volumetric efficiency is 85 percent. The refrigerant 12 evaporator serves
as the condenser for the ammonia.

For the ideal cycle and 10 kW of refrigeration, find

(a) the displacement rate of each compressor, and
(b) the total actual power required for compression efficiencies of 85 percent
 Problem Set Part 3
Problem 1
In a certain refrigeration system for low temperature application, a two stage operation is
desirable which employs ammonia system that serves a 30-ton evaporator at -30°C. The
system uses a direct-contact cascade condenser, and the condenser temperature is 40°C. Find
the following:
(a) Sketch the schematic diagram of the system and draw the complete process on the ph
diagram.
(b) The cascade condenser pressure in kPa for minimum work.
(c) The mass flow rate in the low - and high-pressure loops in kg/s
(d) The total work.
Problem 2
The Cascade Refrigeration System can use different type of refrigerant in the system. It
is a combination of two vapor compression system that has evaporator- condenser on which the
low temperature evaporator can be as low as -40°C to -60°C if desired. The evaporator -
condenser serves as heat exchanger for the two cycle and has a design temperature of -10°C.
Consider a condensing temperature of 40°C in the high cycle and an evaporating temperature
of -40°C in the low cycle with a 25 KW capacity. The low cycle use refrigerant 11 while the high
cycle use refrigerant 12. The system diagram is shown in Fig. 3-5. Determine the following;
a) Enthalpy at different section of the system.
b) Mass flow rate of refrigerant in the low cycle.
c) If the high temperature cycle could have 15 Kw additional cooling to product at -10°C,
determine the mass of refrigerant 12 circulating the high cycle.
d) Determine the cop of the System.