AE-202

FINAL
PRESENTATION
produced in the requirement of completion of
MTE project for 4th semester in the course of
Heat and Mass Transfer.
Thermodynamic Analysis of
Vapor Compression
Refrigeration Cycle
By:
Bhavesh (2K20/AE/22)
Manshu Lakesh (2K20/AE/37)
Pankaj Garhwal (2K20/AE/51)

Under the Supervision of:

Dr. R. S. Mishra
Professor
Department of Mechanical Engg.
Our Mentor
Prof. R. S. Mishra
Prof.(Dr.) R.S. Mishra Ph.D-Solar Energy IITD 1986),member BOM, Dean (O),
Ex-HOD (Mech,PIED ,Auto.) Professor of Eminence.

Prof. R.S Mishra acquired his Ph.D from IIT Delhi in solar thermal technology in 1986. He is involved in
teaching and research activities in field of Alternate energy sources, RAC, Applied thermodynamics,
Heat & Mass Transfer, Thermal engineering for over 4 years. He has made remarkable contributions
towards research in the domain of thermodynamics and its applied field, even worked extensively in the
mechanical engineering field. He is the highest contributor and has the maximum number of research
papers published and has made invaluable contribution to the education and research by his dedicated
efforts. We got the opportunity to learn from his rich experience and work on this project.

We extend our sincerest gratitude for his valuable guidance and mentorship
 ABSTRACT
This study presents a comparison of energetic and exergetic
performance of a vapor compression refrigeration system using pure
hydrocarbon (HC) refrigerants. In this study, pure Tetrafluoroethane
(CF3CH2F) from the family of HFC refrigerant R134a and other pure
different, butane (R600), isobutane (R600a) are used in theoretical
analysis. For the analysis, EES package program was used for
solving thermodynamic equations of the refrigerant R134a. Results
have been presented graphically.
Contents

01. 02. 03.

Introduction Literature System
Review Description

04. 05. 06.

Thermodynamic Result and Conclusion
Analysis Discussion
01.
Introduction
 Introduction
• Refrigeration systems operate by removing heat from cold objects and expelling it to a warm
room, and they require the operation of a compressor that performs work during the process.
The work of energy transfer is traditionally driven by mechanical means, but can also be
driven by heat, magnetism, electricity, laser, or other means.

• Existing refrigerator models often use a constant conductance modeling approach. However,
they fail to account for changes in heat transfer resistance due to changes in refrigerant flow
characteristics. Characteristics that may affect the resistance to heat transfer include
refrigerant mass flow rate and refrigerant properties In addition to being more accurate than
the constant conductance model, the variable conductance model is also more flexible. The
variable conductance model takes the properties of the refrigerant into account. The
coefficients of the variable conductance model need to be determined once; after that the
model can be used for different operating conditions, tube diameters, and refrigerants.
 Applications
Process of refrigeration is used at many different temperature levels to condense or
cool gases, vapors, or liquids. Refrigeration systems are common in the natural gas
processing industry, processes of petroleum refining, petrochemicals and chemical
process industries in the manufacturing of synthetic rubber, textiles, plastics, etc.

Some other major applications include, household refrigerators, industrial freezers,

cryogenics, and air conditioning. Heat pumps may use the heat output of the
refrigeration process, and also may be designed to be reversible, but are otherwise
similar to air conditioning unit.
 Motivation
• The phase-out of CFCs by the year 1995 and the impending phaseout of HCFCs in the
future has created a need for redesigning new refrigerators and retrofitting old ones
with new refrigerants.
• This project describes an extensive experimental and analytical effort aimed at
predicting the performance of evaporators and condensers using alternative
refrigerants.

Utility
Through this project, we will analyze the vapour compression refrigeration cycle. We
will see if there is an option for further improvement to this. We will also provide
solutions to any gaps in research work that is undergoing.
02.
Literature
Review
[1] R.S. Mishra (2013) presented research paper on Methods for improving thermal
performance of vapour compression refrigeration system using multiple vaporators
compressors system detailed energy and exergy analysis of multi-evaporators at different
temperatures with multiple compressors and multiple expansion valves in parallel and
series with intercooler and flash chambers in the six type vapour compression refrigeration
systems have been done in terms of performance parameter for R410a, R290,
R600,R600a, R1234yf, R502, R404a and R152a refrigerants. The numerical computations
were carried out for six systems. It was observed that first law and second law efficiency
improved by 22%.
[2] R.S Mishra (2020) carried out research on Performance improvement of vapour
compression refrigeration system (VCRS) using eco-friendly refrigerants.The study founds
that the coefficient of performance (COP) of vapour compression refrigeration system can
be improved either by increasing evaporator load (i.e. Refrigeration effect) or by reducing
high grade energy in terms of exergy of fuel (i.e. work input) given to the system.
[3] S C Kaushik et al. (2008) had done the Theoretical analysis of a vapour compression
refrigeration system with R502, R404A and R507A. This study was done for evaporator
and condenser temperatures in the range of 50 C to 0 C and 40 C to 55 C, respectively.The
results indicate that R507A is a better substitute to R502 than R404A. The efficiency defect
in condenser is highest, and lowest in liquid vapour heat exchanger for the refrigerants
considered.
[4] Akhilesh Arora, SC Kaushik (2008) had done study in which energy and exergy analysis
of a two-stage vapour compression refrigeration system has been carried out with an
objective to evaluate optimum interstage temperature (pressure) for refrigerants HCFC22,
R410A and R717. The efficiency defects, computed corresponding to optimum interstage
temperature in the condenser, are higher in comparison to the other components. Finally, it
is deduced that R717 is a better alternative refrigerant to HCFC22 than R410A in a
two-stage VCR system.
[5] S K Tyagi et al. (2012) carried out study on exergy analysis and experimental study of a
vapor compression refrigeration cycle of 2TR (ton of refrigeration) and found that the total
exergy destruction is highest when the system is 100% charged, whereas it is found to be
least when the system is 25% charged.
[6] Kapil Chopra, V. Sahni et al.(2015) carried out exergy, energy and sustainability analysis
of two-stage vapour compression refrigeration system r comparative analysis of R152a,
R600, R600a, R410a, R290, R1234yf, R404a and R134a as refrigerants in two stage
vapour compression refrigeration system has been done on the basis of energetic and
exergetic performance.It was found that both energy and exergy efficiencies of R134a is
8.97% and 5.38% lower than R152a and R600 respectively at -50 oC evaporating and 45
oC condensing temperatures.
[7] Vaibhav Jain et al. (2011 ) had done the comparative performance study of vapour
compression refrigeration system with R22/R134a/R410A/ R407C/M20. In this study a
refrigerant property dependent thermodynamic model of a simple reciprocating system,
which can simulate the performance of actual system as closely as possible, has been used
to compare the characteristics of various refrigerants [R22, R134a, R410A, R407C and
M20] used by world manufacturers to meet the challenges of higher efficiency and
environmental responsibility while keeping their system affordable. R407C can be a
potential HFC refrigerant replacement for new and existing systems presently using R22
with minimum investment and efforts.
[8] Huang, et. al. (2017) carried out energy and exergy analysis on a compact air-cooled
heat exchanger. The required amount of heat transfer provides an insight about the capital
cost and power requirement of heat exchanger. the EES software will provide with images
and data, which predict the performance of that design. It can be concluded that a lot of
work has been done in the field of Design & analysis of heat exchanger.

[9] ADL (Merriam et. aI., 1992), et al. (1993) , carried out study on conductance modelling
approach in condensers and evaporators. These models are better than the single-zone
constant-VA model used by the V.S. Department of Energy to set the 1993 energy
standards (ADL, 1982). However, they fail to account for changes in heat transfer
resistance due to changes in refrigerant flow characteristics. Characteristics that may affect
the resistance to heat transfer include refrigerant mass flow rate and refrigerant properties.
[10] Kedezierski, M.A. et al. (1999). , had done a study on, Horizontal convective
condensation of alternative refrigerants within a micro-fin tube. This deals with recent
advances on heat and mass transfer processes and on heat transfer equipment of
air-conditioning and refrigeration systems. These topics include boiling, evaporation, and
condensation of natural refrigerants and of low global warming potential (LGWP)
refrigerants, refrigerant and nano lubricant mixtures, pulsating two-phase flow boiling,
modeling, analysis, and optimization of novel and compact refrigerant-to-air heat
exchangers, and feasibility study of membrane-based heat exchangers for building
air-conditioning application
Research Gaps Identified
1. An obvious gap is seen in the lack of articles addressing some specific cooling strategies,
such as the use of thermal mass, evaporative and ground cooling, when comparing with
sun shading or ventilation strategies.

2. Even though these strategies have also experienced an increase in terms of number of
related articles, there is room for much more growth regarding both performance and
application issues.

3. There is room for exploration of thermomechanical systems, along with research about
compact sized adsorption chillers and liquid desiccant-based technologies.
03.
System
Description
04.
Thermodynamic
Analysis
Energy and exergy analyses need some mathematical formulations for the
simple vapor compression refrigeration cycle. External energy (power) is
supplied to the compressor and heat is added to the system in the evaporator
whereas in the condenser heat rejection is occurred from the system. Heat
rejection and heat addition are changed for different refrigerants which causes
a change in energy efficiency for the refrigerants. Exergy losses in the
different components of the system are not the same. Surrounding ambient
temperature and pressure are denoted by T0 and P0 respectively. Exergy is
consumed or destroyed due to the entropy created depending on the associated
processes.
Specific Exergy in any state

ψ = (h-h0)-T0(s-s0) -----------(1)

For Evaporator:

Heat addition in evaporator

Q = m (h1-h4) ----------- (2)

Exergy losses,

Iev = m (ψ4-ψ1) + Q (1- T0/Tev)

= m[(h4-h1)-T0(s4-s1)] + Q (1- T0/Tev) ----------- (3)

For Compressor,

Exergy loss,

Icomp = m (ψ1-ψ2)+ Wel

= m[(h1-h2)-T0(s1-s2)]+ Wel ----------- (4)

For Condenser,

Qcond = m (h2 – h3) ----------- (5)

Exergy loss,

Icond = m (ψ2-ψ3) – Qcond (1- T0/Tcond)

= m[(h2-h3)-T0(s2-s3)] – Qcond (1- T0/Tcond) ----------- (6)

For Expansion Valve,

Exergy destruction,

Iexp = m (ψ4-ψ3)

= m (s4-s3) [Throttling, h4 = h3] ----------- (7)

Coefficient of performance,

COP = Qev/ Wel ----------- (8)

Total destruction,

Itotal = Icond + Iexp+ Icomp+ Iev ----------- (9)

Exergetic efficiency, ηx= (Ψ1- Ψ4)/Wel

5. Results
In this section, thermodynamic performance
parameters are calculated from the
experimental data for the refrigerants using
the different equations mentioned and
discussed. Here the results are compared and
analyzed for three different refrigerants
R134a, R600 and R600a. The comparison of
exergy destruction, exergy efficiency, energy
consumption and performances are given
below for each of the refrigerant used in the
present study
OPERATING CONDITIONS
Reference temperature (T0) = 293 K
Reference pressure (P0) = 100 kPa
Refrigeration capacity (Qev) = 1 kW
Evaporator temperature range (Tev) = 248–273 K
Condenser temperature range (Tcond) = 303–323 K
Subcooling temperature (DTSC) = 0K
Superheating temperature (DTSH) = 3K
Superheating temperature in IHX (DTSH,IHX) = 3 K
Compressor isentropic efficiency (ZC) = 80%
Compressor mechanical efficiency (ZMC) = 90%
Electric motor efficiency (ZEM) = 90%

Mass flow rate range of refrigerants

R134a 0.06905 kg s-1
R600 0.0042 kg s-1
R600a 0.0050 kg s-1
EES Code
EES Result
PYTHON Code

COP = 1.45
R134a

Variation of evaporating temperature with thermal

performance
Variation of condensing temperature with thermal
performance
R1243 ze (Z)

Variation of evaporating temperature with thermal

performance
Variation of condensing temperature with thermal
performance
 R1234ze (E)

Variation of evaporating temperature with thermal

performance
Variation of condensing temperature with thermal
performance
 R1224YD (Z)

Variation of evaporating temperature with thermal

performance
Variation of condensing temperature with thermal
performance
R1141

Variation of evaporating temperature

with thermal performance
Variation of condensing temperature
with thermal performance
R1243 ZF

Variation of evaporating temperature

with thermal performance
Variation of condensing temperature with
thermal performance
It has been observed that with increase in evaporator temperature,

● COP increases
● efficiency decreases
It has been observed that with decrease
● Qcond decreases
● Wc decreases in Condenser temperature,
● Exergy product decreases
● COP increases
● Qevap. Increases
● EDR system increases ● efficiency increases
● Qcond. increases
● Wc decreases
● exergy product increases
● Qevap. increases
● EDR decreases
 Comparison between refrigerants

On the basis of detailed analysis and comparison, it has been observed that R1243 ZE (Z)is the
most efficient refrigerant.
6.
Conclusion
It can be inferred that, to improve the overall performance of
the vapor compression system it is necessary to minimize the
temperature difference between the evaporator and
condenser. To improve the performance of the compressor, it
is necessary to improve the motor efficiency and the
lubricating system as well. For getting high COP and low
exergy loss it is necessary to operate the system at low
condensing and high evaporating temperature ranges.
The following conclusions were made : Exergy (or availability) is a
thermodynamic parameter that represents the greatest work that a fluid
stream can do in a reversible process until it reaches thermodynamic
equilibrium with its surroundings. Exergy analysis can be used to assess
a thermodynamic system's performance. Exergy, unlike energy, is not
conserved and can be destroyed. Exergy efficiency decreases with
increase in evaporator temperature. This is due to the increase of
irreversibility of the components when the evaporator temperature
increases.
 References
[1] Kapil Chopra, V. Sahni, R. S. Mishra 2015 Energy, exergy and sustainability analysis of two-stage vapour
compression refrigeration system Journal of Thermal Engineering Yildiz Technical University Press, Istanbul,
Turkey Vol. 1, No. 4, pp. 440-445
[2] R.S Mishra 2020 Performance improvement of vapour compression refrigeration system (VCRS) using
eco-friendly refrigerants International Journal of Research in Engineering and Innovation Vol-4, Issue-3 (2020),
174-178
[3] Akhilesh Arora and S. C. Kaushik 2009 Energy and exergy analyses of a two-stage vapour compression
refrigeration system INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENERGY RESEARCH Int. J. Energy Res. 2010;
34:907–923
[4] S. Anand, S. K. Tyagi 2012 Exergy analysis and experimental study of a vapor compression refrigeration
cycle J Therm Anal Calorim (2012) 110:961–971
[5] R.S. Mishra 2013 METHODS FOR IMPROVING THERMAL PERFORMANCE OF VAPOUR COMPRESSION
REFRIGERATION SYSTEM USING MULTIPLE EVAPORATORS COMPRESSORS SYSTEM Journal of Multi
Disciplinary Engineering Technologies Volume 7 No.2 July-Dec.
[6] Vaibhav Jain1 , S. S. Kachhwaha , R. S. Mishra 2011 Comparative performance study of vapour
compression refrigeration system with R22/R134a/R410A/R407C/M20 INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF
ENERGY AND ENVIRONMENT Volume 2, Issue 2, 2011 pp.297-310
 References
[7] Arthur D. Little, Inc., Refrigerator and Freezer Computer Model User's Guide, U.S. Department of Energy,
Washington D.C., 1982.
[8] Bullard, C., personal communication, University of lllinois, Urbana, IL, 1993
[9] Cavallaro, A., personal communication, University of lllinois, Urbana, IL, 1993
[10] Dobson, M. K., Chato, J. C., Hinde, D. K., and Wang, S. P.,
[11] Experimental Evaluation of Internal Condensation of Refrigerants
[12] R-134a and R-12, ACRC TR-38, Air Conditioning and Refrigeration
[13] Center, University of lllinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1993
[14] Incropera, F. P., and De Witt, D. P., Fundamentals of Heat and Mass Transfer, 3rd ed., John Wiley &
Sons, Inc., New York, 1990.
[15] Kays, W. M., and London, A. L., Compact Heat Exchangers, 3rd ed., McGraw Hill, New York, 1984
[16] Krause, P., personal communication, University of lllinois, Urbana, IL, 1993.
[16] Merriam, Richard, Varone, A., and Feng, H., EPA Refrigerator Analysis Program User Manual, Draft
Version, Arthur D. Little, Inc., 1992.
[17] Smith, M. K., Wattelet, J. P., and Newell, T. A., A Study of Evaporation Heat Transfer Coefficient
Correlations at Low Heat and Mass Fluxes for Pure Refrigerants and Refrigerant Mixtures, ACRC TR-32, Air
Conditioning and Refrigeration Center, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1992.
Thanks

CREDITS: This presentation template was created by Slidesgo,

including icons by Flaticon, and infographics & images by Freepik