Pressure Enthalpy Diagram

(P-h Diagram)

LINES OF CONSTANT ENTHALPY

Pressure (psia)

P
R
E
S
S
U
R
E

LINES OF CONSTANT PRESSURE

P
R
E
S
S
HEAT CONTENT DECREASES
U
R
E

D
R
R HEAT CONTENT INCREASESO
I
P
S
S
E
S
Btu/lb

Heat Content

Pressure (psia)

SATURATION CURVE

Btu/lb
Btu/lb

Heat Content

THE SATURATION CURVE

Under the curve, the refrigerant follows the
pressure-temperature relationship
The left side of the saturation curve
represents 100% liquid
The right side of the saturation curve
represents 100% vapor
For non-blended refrigerants, one
pressure corresponds to one temperature

Pressure (psia)

LINES OF CONSTANT TEMPERATURE

Btu/lb

Heat Content

Pressure (psia)
LINES OF CONSTANT VOLUME (ft3/lb)

Btu/lb

Heat Content

Pressure (psia)
LINES OF CONSTANT ENTROPY

Btu/lb

Heat Content

Pressure (psia)
LINES OF CONSTANT QUALITY

Btu/lb

Heat Content

Pressure (psia)

PUT IT ALL TOGETHER

Btu/lb

Heat Content

Pressure-Enthalpy (p-h) Diagram for R-12 (Simplified)

Pressure
(psia)

160F

140F

221

120F

172

100F

132

80F

99

60F

72

40F

52

20F

36

0F

24

12

20

25 31

35

8 8 8 8 8 9 9 9 9 9 1 1 1 1 1
0 2 4 6 8 0 2 4 6 8 0 0 0 0 0

Enthalpy in btu/lb (Heat Content)

0 2 4

6 8

Pressure-Enthalpy (p-h) Diagram for R-22 (Simplified)

Pressure
(psia)

160F

140F

352

120F

275

100F

211

80F

159

60F

117

40F

84

20F

58

0F

39

15

24 31

40

46

Enthalpy in btu/lb (Heat Content)

1
1
0

1
1
2

1
1
9

1
2
3

Example: An R-22 A/C System

Condenser saturation temperature 120F

Condenser outlet temperature 100F
Evaporator saturation temperature 40F
Compressor inlet temperature 60F
Compressor Horsepower: 4 hp

Pressure-Enthalpy (p-h) Diagram for R-22 (Simplified)

Pressure
(psia)

180F
160F
140F

352

0.7

120F

275

100F

211

80F

159

60F

117

40F

84

20F

58

0F

39

-20F

25

-40F

3 4 4 5
2 0 6 3

Enthalpy in btu/lb (Heat Content)

1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 2 2
0 2 7 1 5

Pressure-Enthalpy (p-h) Diagram for R-22 (Simplified)

Pressure
(psia)

180F
160F
140F

352

0.7

120F

275

100F

211

80F

159

60F

117

40F

84

20F

58

0F

39

-20F

25

-40F

3 4 4 5
2 0 6 3

Enthalpy in btu/lb (Heat Content)

1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 2 2
0 2 7 1 5

Pressure-Enthalpy (p-h) Diagram for R-22 (Simplified)

Pressure
(psia)

180F
160F

352
275

140F

100F

211

80F

159

60F

117
84
58

0.7

120F

40F

20F

0F

39

-20F

25

-40F

3 4 4 5
2 0 6 3

Enthalpy in btu/lb (Heat Content)

1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 2 2
0 2 7 1 5

Pressure-Enthalpy (p-h) Diagram for R-22 (Simplified)

Pressure
(psia)

180F
160F

352
275

140F

100F

211

80F

159

60F

117
84
58

0.7

120F

40F

20F

0F

39

-20F

25

-40F

3 4 4 5
2 0 6 3

Enthalpy in btu/lb (Heat Content)

1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 2 2
0 2 7 1 5

Pressure-Enthalpy (p-h) Diagram for R-22 (Simplified)

Pressure
(psia)

180F
160F

352
275

140F

100F

211

80F

159

60F

117
84
58

120F

40F

20F

0F

39

-20F

25

-40F

3 4 4 5
2 0 6 3

Enthalpy in btu/lb (Heat Content)

1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 2 2
0 2 7 1 5

0.7

Pressure-Enthalpy (p-h) Diagram for R-22 (Simplified)

Pressure
(psia)

180F
160F

352
275

140F

80F

159

60F

117

58

0.7

100F

211

84

120F

40F

20F

0F

39

High: 275 psia

-20F

25

-40F

Low: 84 psia
A: 40 btu/lb
B: 40 btu/lb
C: 112 btu/lb
D: 125 btu/lb

3 4 4 5
2 0 6 3

Enthalpy in btu/lb (Heat Content)

1 1 1 1 1
1 1 1 2 2
0 2 7 1 5

High: 275 psia

Low: 84 psia

WORK INPUT

A: 40 btu/lb

= ENTHALPY AT D HEAT CONTENT AT C

B: 40 btu/lb

= 125 btu/lb 112 btu/lb = 13 btu/lb

C: 112 btu/lb
D: 125 btu/lb

COOLING EFFECT
= ENTHALPY AT C HEAT CONTENT AT B

= 112 btu/lb 40 btu/lb = 72 btu/lb

HEATING EFFECT
= ENTHALPY AT D HEAT CONTENT AT A

= 125 btu/lb 40 btu/lb = 85 btu/lb

Desired output Cooling effect

QL
COPR

Required input
Work input
Wnet ,in
COPHP

Desired output Heating effect

QH

Required input
Work input
Wnet ,in