Chapter 5

The maximum coefficient of performance β for the refrigeration cycle is given by

QC QC TC
β = = =
Wcycle QH − QC TH − TC

The maximum coefficient of performance γfor the heat pump cycle is given by

QH QH TH
γ = = =
Wcycle QH − QC TH − TC

Example 5.4-23. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

By steadily circulating a refrigerant at low temperature through passages in the walls of the
freezer compartment, a refrigerator maintains the freezer compartment at −5°C when the air
surrounding the refrigerator is at 22°C. The rate of heat transfer from the freezer
compartment to the refrigerant is 8000 kJ/h and the power input required to operate the
refrigerator is 3200 kJ/h. Determine the coefficient of performance of the refrigerator and
compare with the coefficient of performance of a reversible refrigeration cycle operating
between reservoirs at the same two temperatures.
Solution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

High T = 295 K
Hot reservoir

QH
System
Wcycle = 3200 kJ/h
QC
Qc = 8000 kJ/h
Low T = 268K
Cold reservoir

Refrigeration cycle

The coefficient of performance β for the refrigeration cycle is given by

QC QC 8,000 kJ/h
β = = = = 2.5
Wcycle Wcycle 3,200 kJ/h

The maximum coefficient of performance β for the refrigeration cycle is given by

3 Moran, M. J. and Shapiro H. N., Fundamentals of Engineering Thermodynamics, Wiley, 2008, pg. 236
5-9
 QC QC TC 268 K
β max = = = = = 9.93
Wcycle QH − QC TH − TC 295 K-268 K

Example 5.4-34. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A dwelling requires 6×105 Btu per day to maintain its temperature at 70°F when the outside
temperature is 32°F. (a) If an electric heat pump is used to supply this energy, determine the
minimum theoretical work input for one day of operation, in Btu/day. (b) Evaluating
electricity at 8 cents per kW⋅h, determine the minimum theoretical cost to operate the heat
pump, in $/day.
Solution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

High T = 530 R
Hot reservoir
5
QH = 6x10 Btu/h
QH
System
Wcycle = ?
QC

Low T = 492 R
Cold reservoir

Heat Pump cycle

The maximum coefficient of performance γ for the heat pump cycle is given by

QH QH TH
γmax = = =
Wcycle QH − QC TH − TC

QH TH − TC
The minimum theoretical work input is then: Wmin = = QH
γ max TH

Wmin = QH
TH − TC
= (6×105 Btu/day)
( 530 - 492 ) R = 4.3×104 Btu/day
TH 530 R

The minimum cost is

1 kW ⋅ h 0.08 $
Cost = (4.3×104 Btu/day) = 1.01 $/day
3413 Btu kW ⋅ h

4 Moran, M. J. and Shapiro H. N., Fundamentals of Engineering Thermodynamics, Wiley, 2008, pg. 238
5-10
5.5 Carnot Cycles

A Carnot cycle is the most efficient type of cycle we can possibly have. Figure 5.5-1 shows
an ideal gas in a piston-cylinder assembly undergoing a Carnot cycle. In this cycle, the gas
goes through four reversible processes through which it returns to its initial state.

Constant TH
Isothermal
QH expansion

Adiabatic Adiabatic
compression expansion
2 3

Isothermal
2 1 compression 3 4

QC
1 4
Constant TC

Figure 5.5-1 Carnot power cycle for an ideal gas.

The four processes of the cycle are

Process 1-2: The gas is compress adiabatically to state 2, where the temperature is TH.

Process 2–3: The gas expands isothermally while receiving energy QH from the hot reservoir
at TH by heat transfer.

Process 3–4: The gas is allowed to continue to expand adiabatically until the temperature
drops to TC.

Process 4–1: The gas is compressed isothermally to its initial state while it discharges energy
QC to the cold reservoir at TC by heat transfer.

The net work obtained in a Carnot cycle is given by the sum of the work obtained in all
processes:

− Wcycle = W23 + W34 − W41 − W12

5-11
 Figure 5.5-2 pv diagram for a Carnot cycle.

The sign of Wcycle is negative since the overall effect of the Carnot cycle shown in Figure 5.5-
1 is to deliver work from the system to the surroundings. The Carnot power cycle can be
operated in the opposite direction to act as a refrigeration or heat pump cycle.

Example 5.5-15. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Consider 1 mole of an ideal gas in a piston-cylinder assembly. This gas undergoes a power
cycle, which is described below. The heat capacity is constant, cv = 1.5 R = (1.5) (8.314
J/mol⋅K).
1) A reversible, isothermal expansion from 10.1 bar to 8 bar.
2) A reversible, adiabatic expansion from 8 bar and 1000 K to 850 K.
3) A reversible, isothermal compression at 850 K.
4) A reversible, adiabatic compression from 850 K to 1000 K and 10.1 bar.

Perform the following analysis:

a) Calculate Q, W, and ∆U for each of the steps in the cycle.

b) Draw the cycle on a pv diagram.
c) Calculate the efficiency of the cycle and compare with that of the Carnot
cycle.

Solution ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
a) Calculate Q, W, and ∆U for each of the steps in the cycle.

5 Koretsky M.D., Engineering and Chemical Thermodynamics, Wiley, 2004, pg. 89

5-12
Step 1: A reversible, isothermal expansion at 1000 K and10.1 bar to 8 bar.

∆U = 0 for isothermal, ideal gas

8 bar
W=− pdV
10.1 bar

nRT nRT 8 bar nRT

Since V = dV = − dp W= dp = − n R T ln(10.1/8)
p p2 10.1 bar p

W = − (1 mol)(8.314 J/mol⋅K)(1000 K) ln(10.1/8) = − 1,938 J

∆U = 0 = QH + W QH = − W = 1,938 J

nRT1 (1 mol)(8.314 J/mol ⋅ K)(1000 K)

V1 = = = 0.00823 m3
p1 10.1× 10 Pa
5

Step 2: A reversible, adiabatic expansion from 8 bar and 1000 K to 850 K.

Q = 0 for adiabatic process

∆U = n cv (T3 − T2) = (1 mol)(1.5*8.314 J/mol⋅K)(850 − 1000) K = − 1,871 J

W = ∆U = − 1,871 J

nRT2 (1 mol)(8.314 J/mol ⋅ K)(1000 K)

V2 = = = 0.01039 m3
p2 8.0 × 10 Pa
5

Step 3: A reversible, isothermal compression at 850 K.

∆U = 0 for isothermal, ideal gas

p4 p4 nRT
W=− pdV = dp = n R T ln(p4/p3)
p3 p3 p

cp cv + R
Since process 2-3 is adiabatic and reversible: p2V2k = p3V3k where k = =
cv cv

1.5 R + R 5
k= = = 1.67
1.5 R 3

Using ideal gas law

5-13
 ( nRT ) ( nRT )
k k
k 2 3
p 2 V2 = k −1
= 390 = k −1
(Note: p2 = 8 bar, V2 = 0.01039 m3)
p 2 p 3

Solving for p3 we get

1.5
( nRT )
k
3
p3 = = 6.7×105 Pa = 6.7 bar
390

Similarly for p4 we have p1V1k = p4V4k

( nRT ) ( nRT )
k k
k 1 4
p 1 V1 = k −1
= 333.6 = k −1
(Note: p2 = 10.1 bar, V1 = 0.00823 m3)
p1 p 4

Solving for p4 we get

1.5
( nRT )
k
3
p4 = = 7.2×105 Pa = 7.2 bar
333.6

W = n R T ln(p4/p3) = (1mol)(8.314 J/mol⋅K)(850 K) ln(7.2/6.7) = 1,656 J

∆U = 0 = QL + W QL = − W = − 1,656 J

Step 4: A reversible, adiabatic compression from 7.2 bar and 850 K to 10.1 bar and
1000 K.

Q = 0 for adiabatic process

∆U = n cv (T4 − T1) = (1 mol)(1.5*8.314 J/mol⋅K)(1000 − 850) K = 1,871 J

W = ∆U = 1,871 J

Table E5.5-1 Results of the calculation

Process ∆U(J) W(J) Q(J)
State 1 to 2 0 − 1,938 1,938
State 2 to 3 − 1,871 − 1,871 0
State 3 to 4 0 1,656 − 1,656
State 4 to 1 1,871 1,871 0
Total 0 − 282 282

5-14
 Table E5.5-2 T , p, and V for the cycle
State T(K) p(bat) V(m3)
(1) 1000 10.1 0.00823
(2) 1000 8.0 0.01039
(3) 850 6.7 0.0124
(4) 850 7.2 0.00981

b) Draw the cycle on a pv diagram.

The pv diagram can be plotted from the following Matlab program

% pv diagram
Th=1000;Tc=850;R=8.314;
ph=10.1e5;pl=8e5;
v1=R*Th/ph;
v2=R*Th/pl;
% Process 1 to 2 (isothermal expansion)
v12=linspace(v1,v2,50);
p12=R*Th./v12;
% Process 2 to 3 (adiabatic expansion)
k=5/3;con=(R*Th)^k/pl^(k-1);
T=linspace(Th,Tc,50);
p23=(((R*T).^k)/con).^1.5;
v23=R*T./p23;v3=v23(50);
% Process 3 to 4 (isothermal compression)
con2=(R*Th)^k/ph^(k-1);
p4=(((R*Tc)^k)/con2)^1.5;
v4=R*Tc/p4;
v34=linspace(v4,v3);
p34=R*Tc./v34;
% Process 4 to 1 (adiabatic compression)
p41=(((R*T).^k)/con2).^1.5;
v41=R*T./p41;
plot(v12,p12,v23,p23,v34,p34,v41,p41)
grid on
ylabel('p(Pa)');xlabel('v(m^3)')

5-15
 Figure E5.5-1 pv diagram

c) Calculate the efficiency of the cycle and compare with that of the Carnot
cycle.

The thermal efficiency η of the power cycle is given by

Wcycle 282
η= = = 0.1455
QH 1938

The thermal efficiency η of the Carnot power cycle is given by

Wcycle QC T 850
η= =1− =1− C =1− = 0.150
QH QH TH 1000

Therefore the given power cycle is a Carnot cycle. The small difference is due to round off
error.

5-16