UNIT V

REFRIGERATION AND AIR CONDITIONING

PART A

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. What is commonly used unit of refrigeration?

The Ton of Refrigeration is the commonly used unit for refrigeration. It is defined as the quantity of heat
required to extract the heat from 1000 kg of water at 0o C into 1000 kg of ice at

0o C within 24 hours.

1 Ton of refrigeration 3.5 kW

2. Distinguish between summer air conditioning and winter air conditioning.

In summer air conditioning the air gains both sensible and latent heat. Hence the conditioning of air is
done by both cooling and dehumidification. In winter air conditioning, heating and humidification is done
to the air.

3. Define RSHF line. (May 2003)

It is Room Sensible Heat Factor (RSHF) line. This line is drawn parallel to the base line in the
psychrometric chart.

4. Define by pass factor of a heating coil. `(Apr 2011)

The ratio of the difference between the mean surface temperature of the coil and leaving air temperature to
the difference between the mean temperature and the entering air temperature

is known as by pass factor.

BPF = td 3 - td 2

td3 - td1

5. What is the effect of sub cooling a refrigerant in a vapour compression cycle? `(Apr 2011)

(i) Refrigerating effect is increased

(ii) COP of the plant is increased.

(iii) Liquid refrigerant below the condensing temperature.

6. What is dew point temperature? (Nov 2010) It is the temperature of air when the water vapour
present, begins to condense. It is measured by thermometer.

7. Define the COP of refrigeration. (Nov 2010) The coefficient of performance is the ratio of heat
extracted in the refrigerator to the work done on the refrigerant.
8. What is the basic difference between vapour compression and vapour absorption refrigeration
system? (Apr 2008) In vapour compression system a compressor is used, hence it is noisy. In vapour
absorption system compressor is not used, hence it is noiseless.

Vapour absorption differs from vapour compression system with a principle that, it uses heat energy
instead of mechanical energy.

9. Define relative humidity and wet bulb temperature.

Relative humidity is the ratio of mass of water vapour in the air in a given volume at a given

temperature to the mass of water vapour contained in the same volume at same temperature when the air is
saturated.

Wet bulb temperature, is the quantity of temperature measured by the thermometer

when the bulb of the thermometer is wrapped with a wet cloth.

10. Differentiate between heat pump and refrigerator. (Apr 2003)

Heat pump takes the atmospheric air and supplies the heat to the air and the heat is rejected to the space to
be warmed.

Refrigerator extracts the heat from the space to be cooled and heat is given out to the atmosphere.
 PART B

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Explain the working principle of vapour compression refrigeration cycle with
neat sketch.

Vapour compression refrigeration system uses a liquefiable vapour as the refrigerant.In this system, the
main parts are Compressor, Condenser, Receiver, Throttle valve or Expansion valve, Evaporator

The Compressor in the system increases the temperature and pressure and changes the phase of
the working fluid which is the input power to the system. The working fluid is then passes through
the condenser which transfers the fluid heat to the surrounding keeping pressure constant. The high
pressure fluid is collected in the receiver The fluid is expanded using throttle valve which reduces
the pressure of the fluid, immediately the fluid passes through evaporator The evaporator is part
which absorbs the heat from the surrounding to make the fluid boil which phase changes back the
fluid to initial condition.
2. Explain the working principle of vapour absorption refrigeration cycle with
neat sketch.
Lithium Bromide water based vapour absorption system

Evaporator:Water as a

Refrigerant enters the evaporator at very low pressure and temperature. Since very low pressure is
maintained inside the evaporator the water exists in the partial liquid state and partial vapor state. This
water refrigerant absorbs the heat from the substance to be chilled and gets fully evaporated. It then
enters the absorber.

Absorber: In the absorber concentrated solution of lithium bromide is already available. Since water
is highly soluble in lithium bromide, solution of water-lithium bromide is formed. This solution is
pumped by the pump to the generator.

Generator: The heat is supplied to the refrigerant water and absorbent lithium bromide solution in the
generator from the steam or hot water. Due to heating water gets vaporized and it moves to the
condenser, where it gets cooled. As water refrigerant moves further in the refrigeration piping and
though nozzles, it pressure reduces and so also the temperature. This water refrigerant then enters the
evaporator where it produces the cooling effect. This cycle is repeated continuously. Lithium bromide
on the other hand, leaves the generator and reenters the absorber for absorbing water refrigerant.

The condenser water is used to cool the water refrigerant in the condenser and the water-Li Br
solution in the absorber. Steam is used for heating water-Li Br solution in the generator. To change the
capacity of this water-Li Br absorption refrigeration system the concentration of Li Br can be
changed.

3. A refrigeration machine is required to produce i.e., at 0C from water at 20C.

The machine has a condenser temperature of 298 K while the evaporator
temperature is 268 K. The relative efficiency of the machine is 50% and 6 kg of
Freon-12 refrigerant is circulated through the system per minute. The
refrigerant enters the compressor with a dryness fraction of 0.6. Specific heat
of water is 4.187 kJ/kg K and the latent heat of ice is 335 kJ/kg. Calculate the
amount of ice produced on 24 hours. The table of properties of Freon-12 is
given below :
 Temperature Liquid heat Latent heat Entropy of liquid
(K) (kJ/kg) (kJ/kg) (kJ/kgK)
298 59.7 138.0 0.2232
268 31.4 154.0 0.1251

4. 28 tonnes of ice from and at 0C is produced per day in an ammonia

refrigerator. The temperature range in the compressor is from 25C to 15C.
The vapour is dry and saturated at the end of compression and an expansion
valve is used. Assuming a co-efficient of performance of 62% of the
theoretical, calculate the power required to drive the compressor.

5. Explain various types of air conditioning systems with neat sketch.

There are two main type of air conditioning system
(i) Summer Air-Conditioning System (ii) Winter Air Conditioning System
a) Summer Air Conditioning System
 In this there two types according to the ambient conditions
i) For Hot-Wet weather
ii) For Hot-Dry Weather
Hot-Dry Weather:
When the air is hot and wet, since the water vapour content is high it has to be reduced by
dehumidification

Hot-Wet Weather:
When the air is hot and dry, humidification process has to be carried out
Sketch:

b) Winter Air Conditioning System

In winter condition the air has to be heated up, so air has to pass through condenser coil.
Sketch:

6. Explain various psychrometric processes with the help of psychrometric chart.

The important Psychrometric process are
1. Mixing of air streams 2. Sensible heating 3. Sensible cooling
4. Cooling and dehumidification 5. Cooling and humidification
6. Heating and dehumidification 7. Heating and humidification

Mixing of air streams

Mixing of streams is very frequently used in air conditioning, with addition or rejection of either
heat or moisture

Sensible heating:
When the air is passed over a surface with the temperature greater than air dry bulb
temperature, it undergoes sensible heating. It is achieved by passing the air over heater coils or
resistance coils.

Sensible cooling:
When the air is passed over a surface with the temperature less than air dry bulb
temperature, it undergoes sensible cooling. It is achieved by passing the air over evaporator coils.

Cooling and dehumidification

Whenever air is made to pass over a surface through a spray of water that is a temperature
less than dew point temperature of the air, condensation of some of the water vapour in air will
occur simultaneously with the sensible cooling process.
 Cooling and humidification:
If unsaturated air is passed through a spray of continuously recirculated water. The specific
humidity will increase while the dry bulb temperature decreases. This is the process of adiabatic
saturation or evaporative cooling.

Heating and dehumidification:

If air is passed over a solid absorbent surface or through a liquid absorbent spray
simultaneous heating and dehumidification is accompanied.

Heating and humidification:

If air is passed through a humidifier which has heated water sprays instead of simply
recirculated spray, the air is humidified and maybe heated or cooled. in such process the air
increases in specific humidity, enthalpy and dry bulb temperature will increase or decrease
according to the initial temperature of air and that of spray.

7. The sling psychrometer in a laboratory test recorded the following readings :

Dry bulb temperature = 35C Wet bulb temperature = 25CAtmospheric pressure = 1.0132
barCalculate, (i) Specific humidity, (ii) Relative humidity, (iii) Vapour density in air, (iv) Dew
point temperature and (v) Enthalpy of mixture per kg of dry air.

8. An air-water vapour mixture enters an air-conditioning unit at a pressure of

1.0 bar. 38C DBT, and a relative humidity of 75%. The mass of dry air entering
is 1 kg/s. The air-vapour mixture leaves the air-conditioning unit at 1.0 bar,
18C, 85% relative humidity. The moisture condensed leaves at 18C.
Determine the heat transfer rate for the process.
9. Saturated air at 3C is required to be supplied to a room where the
temperature must be held at 22C with a relative humidity of 55%. The air is
heated and then water at 10C is sprayed to give the required humidity.
Determine, (i) The mass of spray water required per m 3 of air at room
conditions.

10. A small-size cooling tower is designed to cool 5.5 litres of water per second,
the inlet temperature of which is 44C. The motor-driven fan induces 9 m3/s of
air through the tower and the power absorbed is 4.75 kW. The air entering the
tower is at 18C, and has a relative humidity of 60%. The air leaving the tower
can be assumed to be saturated and its temperature is 26C. Calculate, (i) The
amount of cooling water (make-up) required per second. (ii) The final
temperature of the water. Assume that the pressure remains constant
throughout the tower at 1.013 bar.

, ,
11. An ammonia refrigerator produces 30 tons of ice at 0 oC in a day of 24 hours.
The temperature range in the compressor is from 25 o C to -15oC. The vapour is
dry saturated at the end of compression. Assume a COP of 60 % of theoretical
value. Find power required to drive compressor. Assume latent heat of ice is
335 kJ/kg. For properties of ammonia refer table below: (AU May 2013)

Temperature Sg (kJ/kgK)
hf (kJ/kg) hg (kJ/kg) Sf (kJ/kgK)
(oC)
25 298.9 1465.8 1.124 5.039
-15 112.3 1426.5 1.4572 5.549

Vapour is dry saturated at the end of compression

h3 = hg @ 25 oC = 1465.8 kJ/kg

for isentropic compression s2 = s3

sf2 + x2 (sg2-sf2) = sg3 x2 = 0.875

h2 = hf2 + x2( hg2 hf2) = 1262.23 kJ/kg

h1 = h4 = hf4 = 298.9 kJ/kg

C.O.P theoretical = 4.73

C.O.P actual = 4.73 x 0.6 = 2.84

Refrigeration effect = C.O.P actual x work done = 2.84 x (h3-h2) = 578.13 kJ/kg

Refrigeration capacity = 30 x 1000 x 335 kJ/per day = 10050000 / (24 x 60 x 60) kJ/s =
116.32 kJ/s

Mass flow rate of refrigerant = Refrigeration capacity / Refrigeration effect = 0.2 kg/s

Power required to drive the compressor = Mass flow rate of refrigerant x work done =
40 kW

12. (a) An office is to be air- conditioned for 50 staff when the outdoor conditions
are 30o C DBT and 75% RH if the quantity of air supplied is 0.4 m 3/ min /
person, find the following: (i) Capacity of the cooling coil in tones of
refrigeration, (ii) Capacity of the heating coil in kW, (iii) Amount of water
vapour removed per hour. Assume that required inlet conditions are 20 0 C DBT
and 60% RH. Air is first conditioned by cooling and dehumidifying and then by
heating. (12)
(b) Describe the factors that affect human comfort. (4) (AU May
2013)

(a) From psychometric chart

@ 30o C DBT and 75% RH h1 = 82.5 kJ/kg of dry air vs1 = 0.89
3
m /kg of dry air

@ dew point temperature 12o C h2 = 34 kJ/kg of dry air

 @200 C DBT and 60% RH h3 = 43 kJ/kg of dry air

capacity = 50 staff V1 = 0.4m3/min/person = 20 m3/min

Mass of air supplied = V1 / Vs1 = 22.47 kg/min

(i) capacity of cooling coil = ma (h1 h2) = 1089.8 kJ/min = 5.19 tons of
refrigeration
(ii) capacity of heating coil = ma (h3 h2) = 3.37 kW
(iii) amount of water vapour removed = ma(w1-w2) x 60 = 16.18 kg/hr

(b) The comfort of the human body depends primarily on three factors: the(dry-bulb)
temperature, relative humidity, and air motion .The temperature of the environment is the
single most important index of comfort.

Most people feel comfortable when the environment temperature is between 22 and 27C
(72 and 80F). The relative humidity also has a considerable effect on comfort since it
affects the amount of heat a body can dissipate through evaporation. Relative humidity is a
measure of airs ability to absorb more moisture. High relative humidity slows down heat
rejection by evaporation, and low relative humidity speeds it up. Most people prefer a

relative humidity of 40 to 60 %. Air motion also plays an important role in human comfort. It
removes the

warm, moist air that builds up around the body and replaces it with fresh air. Therefore, air
motion improves heat rejection by both convection and evaporation. Air motion should be
strong enough to remove heat and moisture

from the vicinity of the body, but gentle enough to be unnoticed. Most people feel
comfortable at an airspeed of about 15 m/min. Very-high-speed air motion causes
discomfort instead of comfort.

13. The temperature limits of an ammonia refrigeration system are 25 o C and

-10oC. If the gas is dry at the end of compression , Calculate the COP
assumi8ng no-under cooling of the system. The properties of ammonia are
given below. (AU Nov .2013)

Temperature Liquid heat (kJ/kg) Latent heat Liquid entropy (kJ/kgK)

(oC) (kJ/kg)
25 298.90 1166.94 1.2420
-10 135.37 1297.68 0.5443

Refrigerant is dry at the end of compression

h3 = hg @ 25 oC = 298 +1166.94 kJ/kg h1 = h4 = hf4 = 298.9 kJ/kg

for isentropic compression s2 = s3

sf2 + x2 (hfg2 / T2) = sf3 + (hfg3 / )

T3 x2 = 0.94

h2 = hf2 + x2 hfg2 = 1355.19 kJ/kg

C.O.P theoretical = 9.62

14. Explain briefly various absorption system, and give the comparison vapour compression
system and vapour absorption system. (AU May/ June 2014)

Some liquids like water have great affinity for absorbing large quantities of certain
vapors (NH3) and reduce the total volume greatly. The absorption refrigeration
system differs fundamentally from vapor compression system only in the method of
compressing the refrigerant. An absorber, generator and pump in the absorption
refrigerating system replace the compressor of a vapor compression system. Figure
shows the schematic diagram of a vapor absorption system. Ammonia vapor is
produced in the generator at high pressure from the strong solution of NH3 by an
external heating source. The water vapor carried with ammonia is removed in the
rectifier and only the dehydrated ammonia gas enters into the condenser. High
pressure NH3 vapor is condensed in the condenser. The cooled NH3 solution is passed
through a throttle valve and the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant are
reduced below the temperature to be maintained in the evaporator. The low
temperature refrigerant enters the evaporator and absorbs the required heat from the
evaporator and leaves the evaporator as saturated vapor. Slightly superheated, low
pressure NH3 vapor is absorbed by the weak solution of NH3 which is sprayed in the
absorber. Weak NH3 solution (aquaammonia) entering the absorber becomes strong
solution after absorbing NH3 vapor and then it is pumped to the generator through
the heat exchanger. The pump increases the pressure of the strong solution to
generator pressure. The strong NH3 solution coming from the absorber absorbs heat
form high temperature weak NH3 solution in the heat exchanger. The solution in the
generator becomes weak as NH3 vapor comes out of it. The weak high temperature
ammonia solution from the generator is passed to the heat exchanger through the
throttle valve. The pressure of the liquid is reduced to the absorber pressure by the
throttle valve.

Absorption system Compression System

a) Uses low grade energy like heat. a) Using high-grade energy like
Therefore, may be worked on exhaust mechanical work.
systems from I.C engines, etc.
b) Moving parts are only in the pump, b) Moving parts are in the compressor.
which is a small element of the system. Therefore, more wear, tear and noise.
Hence operation is smooth.
c) The system can work on lower c) The COP decreases considerably with
evaporator pressures also without decrease in evaporator pressure.
affecting the COP.
d) No effect of reducing the load on d) Performance is adversely affected at
performance. partial loads.
e) Liquid traces of refrigerant present in e) Liquid traces in suction line may
piping at the exit of evaporator constitute damage the compressor.
no danger.
f) Automatic operation for controlling f) It is difficult.
the capacity is easy.