Lesson

18
Refrigeration System
Components:
Compressors
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The objectives of this lesson are to:
1. Discuss basic components of a vapour compression refrigeration system
(Section 18.1)
2. Present classification of refrigerant compressors based on working
principle and based on the arrangement of compressor motor or external
drive (Section 18.2.1)
3. Describe the working principle of reciprocating compressors (Section 18.3)
4. Discuss the performance aspects of ideal reciprocating compressors with
and without clearance (Section 18.3.1)

At the end of the lesson, the student should be able to:

1. List important components of a vapour compression refrigeration system

2. Classify refrigerant compressors based on their working principle and
based on the arrangement of compressor motor/external drive
3. Enumerate salient features of positive displacement type compressors,
dynamic compressors, open and hermetic compressors
4. Draw the schematic of a reciprocating compressor and explain its working
principle
5. Define an ideal reciprocating compressor without clearance using
pressure-volume and pressure-crank angle diagrams
6. Calculate the required displacement rate and power input of an ideal
compressor without clearance
7. Define an ideal reciprocating compressor with clearance using pressure-
volume and pressure-crank angle diagrams
8. Calculate the volumetric efficiency and power input of an ideal compressor
with clearance, and
9. Discuss the effects of compression ratio and index of compression on the
volumetric efficiency of a reciprocating compressor with clearance

18.1. Introduction
A typical refrigeration system consists of several basic components such
as compressors, condensers, expansion devices, evaporators, in addition to
several accessories such as controls, filters, driers, oil separators etc. For
efficient operation of the refrigeration system, it is essential that there be a proper
matching between various components. Before analyzing the balanced
performance of the complete system, it is essential to study the design and
performance characteristics of individual components. Except in special
applications, the refrigeration system components are standard components
manufactured by industries specializing in individual components. Generally for
large systems, depending upon the design specifications, components are
selected from the manufacturers’ catalogs and are assembled at site. Even
though most of the components are standard off-the-shelf items, sometimes
components such as evaporator may be made to order. Small capacity
refrigeration systems such as refrigerators, room and package air conditioners,

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water coolers are available as complete systems. In this case the manufacturer
himself designs or selects the system components, assembles them at the
factory, tests them for performance and then sells the complete system as a unit.

18.2. Compressors
A compressor is the most important and often the costliest component
(typically 30 to 40 percent of total cost) of any vapour compression refrigeration
system (VCRS). The function of a compressor in a VCRS is to continuously draw
the refrigerant vapour from the evaporator, so that a low pressure and low
temperature can be maintained in the evaporator at which the refrigerant can boil
extracting heat from the refrigerated space. The compressor then has to raise the
pressure of the refrigerant to a level at which it can condense by rejecting heat to
the cooling medium in the condenser.

18.2.1. Classification of compressors

Compressors used in refrigeration systems can be classified in several

ways:

a) Based on the working principle:

i. Positive displacement type

ii. Roto-dynamic type

In positive displacement type compressors, compression is achieved by

trapping a refrigerant vapour into an enclosed space and then reducing its
volume. Since a fixed amount of refrigerant is trapped each time, its pressure
rises as its volume is reduced. When the pressure rises to a level that is slightly
higher than the condensing pressure, then it is expelled from the enclosed space
and a fresh charge of low-pressure refrigerant is drawn in and the cycle
continues. Since the flow of refrigerant to the compressor is not steady, the
positive displacement type compressor is a pulsating flow device. However, since
the operating speeds are normally very high the flow appears to be almost steady
on macroscopic time scale. Since the flow is pulsating on a microscopic time
scale, positive displacement type compressors are prone to high wear, vibration
and noise level. Depending upon the construction, positive displacement type
compressors used in refrigeration and air conditioning can be classified into:

i. Reciprocating type
ii. Rotary type with sliding vanes (rolling piston type or multiple vane type)
iii. Rotary screw type (single screw or twin-screw type)
iv. Orbital compressors, and
v. Acoustic compressors

In roto-dynamic compressors, the pressure rise of refrigerant is achieved

by imparting kinetic energy to a steadily flowing stream of refrigerant by a rotating
mechanical element and then converting into pressure as the refrigerant flows
through a diverging passage. Unlike positive displacement type, the roto-dynamic
type compressors are steady flow devices, hence are subjected to less wear and

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vibration. Depending upon the construction, roto-dynamic type compressors can
be classified into:

i. Radial flow type, or

ii. Axial flow type

Centrifugal compressors (also known as turbo-compressors) are radial flow

type, roto-dynamic compressors. These compressors are widely used in large
capacity refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Axial flow compressors are
normally used in gas liquefaction applications.

b) Based on arrangement of compressor motor or external drive:

i. Open type
ii. Hermetic (or sealed) type
iii. Semi-hermetic (or semi-sealed) type

In open type compressors the rotating shaft of the compressor extends

through a seal in the crankcase for an external drive. The external drive may be
an electrical motor or an engine (e.g. diesel engine). The compressor may be belt
driven or gear driven. Open type compressors are normally used in medium to
large capacity refrigeration system for all refrigerants and for ammonia (due to its
incompatibility with hermetic motor materials). Open type compressors are
characterized by high efficiency, flexibility, better compressor cooling and
serviceability. However, since the shaft has to extend through the seal, refrigerant
leakage from the system cannot be eliminated completely. Hence refrigeration
systems using open type compressors require a refrigerant reservoir to take care
of the refrigerant leakage for some time, and then regular maintenance for
charging the system with refrigerant, changing of seals, gaskets etc.

In hermetic compressors, the motor and the compressor are enclosed in

the same housing to prevent refrigerant leakage. The housing has welded
connections for refrigerant inlet and outlet and for power input socket. As a result
of this, there is virtually no possibility of refrigerant leakage from the compressor.
All motors reject a part of the power supplied to it due to eddy currents and
friction, that is, inefficiencies. Similarly the compressor also gets heated-up due to
friction and also due to temperature rise of the vapor during compression. In
Open type, both the compressor and the motor normally reject heat to the
surrounding air for efficient operation. In hermetic compressors heat cannot be
rejected to the surrounding air since both are enclosed in a shell. Hence, the cold
suction gas is made to flow over the motor and the compressor before entering
the compressor. This keeps the motor cool. The motor winding is in direct contact
with the refrigerant hence only those refrigerants, which have high dielectric
strength, can be used in hermetic compressors. The cooling rate depends upon
the flow rate of the refrigerant, its temperature and the thermal properties of the
refrigerant. If flow rate is not sufficient and/or if the temperature is not low enough
the insulation on the winding of the motor can burn out and short-circuiting may
occur. Hence, hermetically sealed compressors give satisfactory and safe
performance over a very narrow range of design temperature and should not be
used for off-design conditions.

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 The COP of the hermetic compressor based systems is lower than that of the
open compressor based systems since a part of the refrigeration effect is lost in
cooling the motor and the compressor. However, hermetic compressors are
almost universally used in small systems such as domestic refrigerators, water
coolers, air conditioners etc, where efficiency is not as important as customer
convenience (due to absence of continuous maintenance). In addition to this, the
use of hermetic compressors is ideal in systems, which use capillary tubes as
expansion devices and are critically charged systems. Hermetic compressors are
normally not serviceable. They are not very flexible as it is difficult to vary their
speed to control the cooling capacity.

In some (usually larger) hermetic units, the cylinder head is usually removable
so that the valves and the piston can be serviced. This type of unit is called a
semi-hermetic (or semi-sealed) compressor.

18.3. Reciprocating compressors

Reciprocating compressor is the workhorse of the refrigeration and air
conditioning industry. It is the most widely used compressor with cooling
capacities ranging from a few Watts to hundreds of kilowatts. Modern day
reciprocating compressors are high speed (≈ 3000 to 3600 rpm), single acting,
single or multi-cylinder (upto 16 cylinders) type.

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Figure 18.1 shows the schematic of a reciprocating compressor. Reciprocating
compressors consist of a piston moving back and forth in a cylinder, with suction
and discharge valves to achieve suction and compression of the refrigerant
vapor. Its construction and working are somewhat similar to a two-stroke engine,
as suction and compression of the refrigerant vapor are completed in one
revolution of the crank. The suction side of the compressor is connected to the
exit of the evaporator, while the discharge side of the compressor is connected to

Fig 18.1: Schematic of a reciprocating compressor

the condenser inlet. The suction (inlet) and the discharge (outlet) valves open
and close due to pressure differences between the cylinder and inlet or outlet
manifolds respectively. The pressure in the inlet manifold is equal to or slightly
less than the evaporator pressure. Similarly the pressure in the outlet manifold is
equal to or slightly greater than the condenser pressure. The purpose of the
manifolds is to provide stable inlet and outlet pressures for the smooth operation
of the valves and also provide a space for mounting the valves.

The valves used are of reed or plate type, which are either floating or
clamped. Usually, backstops are provided to limit the valve displacement and
springs may be provided for smooth return after opening or closing. The piston
speed is decided by valve type. Too high a speed will give excessive vapor
velocities that will decrease the volumetric efficiency and the throttling loss will
decrease the compression efficiency.

18.3.1. Performance of reciprocating compressors

For a given evaporator and condenser pressures, the important

performance parameters of a refrigerant compressor are:

a) The mass flow rate (m) of the compressor for a given displacement rate
b) Power consumption of the compressor (Wc)
c) Temperature of the refrigerant at compressor exit, Td, and
d) Performance under part load conditions

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 The mass flow rate decides the refrigeration capacity of the system and for
a given compressor inlet condition, it depends on the volumetric efficiency of the
compressor. The volumetric efficiency, ηV is defined as the ratio of volumetric
flow rate of refrigerant to the maximum possible volumetric flow rate, which is
equal to the compressor displacement rate, i.e.,

.
Volumetric flow rate m .v
ηV = = . e (18.1)
Compressor Displacement rate V
SW
. .
where m and V SW are the mass flow rate of refrigerant (kg/s) and compressor
displacement rate (m3/s) respectively, and vi is the specific volume (m3/kg) of the
refrigerant at compressor inlet.

For a given evaporator and condenser temperatures, one can also use the
volumetric refrigeration capacity (kW/m3) to indicate the volumetric efficiency of
the compressor. The actual volumetric efficiency (or volumetric capacity) of the
compressor depends on the operating conditions and the design of the
compressor.

The power consumption (kW) or alternately the power input per unit
refrigeration capacity (kW/kW) depends on the compressor efficiency (ηC),
efficiency of the mechanical drive (ηmech) and the motor efficiency (ηmotor). For a
refrigerant compressor, the power input (Wc) is given by:

Wideal
WC = (18.2)
η C η mech η motor

where Wideal is the power input to an ideal compressor.

The temperature at the exit of the compressor (discharge compressor)

depends on the type of refrigerant used and the type of compressor cooling. This
parameter has a bearing on the life of the compressor.

The performance of the compressor under part load conditions depends

on the type and design of the compressor.

a) Ideal reciprocating compressor:

An ideal reciprocating compressor is one in which:

i. The clearance volume is zero, i.e., at the end of discharge process, the
volume of refrigerant inside the cylinder is zero.
ii. No pressure drops during suction and compression
iii. Suction, compression and discharge are reversible and adiabatic

Figure 180.2 shows the schematic of an ideal compression process on

pressure-volume and pressure-crank angle (θ) diagrams. As shown in the figures,
the cycle of operations consists of:

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Process D-A: This is an isobaric suction process, during which the piston moves
from the Inner Dead Centre (IDC) to the Outer Dead Centre (ODC). The suction
valve remains open during this process and refrigerant at a constant pressure Pe
flows into the cylinder.
Process A-B: This is an isentropic compression process. During this process, the
piston moves from ODC towards IDC. Both the suction and discharge valves
remain closed during the process and the pressure of refrigerant increases from
Pe to Pc.
Process B-C: This is an isobaric discharge process. During this process, the
suction valve remains closed and the discharge valve opens. Refrigerant at a
constant Pc is expelled from the compressor as the piston moves to IDC.

Pc
B Pc
C B C

P
P
Pe
D
D Pe A A

(0,0) θ
V

L
θ
D

IDC ODC

Fig.18.2. Ideal reciprocating compressor on P-V and P-θ diagrams

Since the clearance volume is zero for an ideal compressor, no gas is left
in the compressor at the end of the discharge stroke, as a result the suction
process D-A starts as soon as the piston starts moving again towards ODC. The
volumetric flow rate of refrigerant at suction conditions is equal to the compressor
displacement rate hence, the volumetric efficiency of the ideal compressor is 100
percent. The mass flow rate of refrigerant of an ideal compressor is given by:

.
. V SW
m= (18.3)
ve

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 Thus for a given refrigeration capacity, the required size of the compressor
will be minimum if the compressor behaves as an ideal compressor.
.
The swept volume V SW of the compressor is given by:

. πD 2
V SW = nN L (18.4)
4
where n = Number of cylinders
N = Rotational speed of compressor, revolutions per second
D = Bore of the cylinder, m
L = Stroke length, m

Work input to the ideal compressor:

The total work input to the compressor in one cycle is given by:

Wid = WD-A + WA-B + WB-C (18.5)

Where,
WD-A = Work done by the refrigerant on the piston during process D-A
= Area under line D-A on P-V diagram = -Pe.VA
WA-B = Work done by the piston on refrigerant during compression A-B
VB
= Area under the curve A-B on P-V diagram = ∫ P.dV
VA
WB-C = Work done by the piston on the refrigerant during discharge B-C
= Area under line B-C = Pc.VB

VB Pc
∴Wid = -Pe.VA + ∫ P.dV + PcVB = Area A-B-C-D on P-V diagram = ∫ V.dP
VA Pe
Thus the work input to the ideal compressor per cycle is equal to the area
of the cycle on P-V diagram.

The specific work input, wid (kJ/kg) to the ideal compressor is given by:

Wid Pc
w id = = ∫ v.dP (18.6)
M r Pe

where Mr is the mass of refrigerant compressed in one cycle and v is the specific
volume of the refrigerant.

The power input to the compressor Wc is given by:

.
. VSW Pc
Wc = m w id = ∫ v.dP (18.7)
ve Pe
The mean effective pressure (mep) for the ideal compressor is given by:

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 Wid 1 Pc
mep = .
= ∫ v.dP (18.8)
V SW v e Pe
The concept of mean effective pressure is useful for real compressors as
the power input to the compressor is a product of mep and the swept volume
rate.

Thus the power input to the compressor and its mean effective pressure
can be obtained from the above equation if the relation between v and P during
the compression process A-B is known. The above equation is valid for both
isentropic and non-isentropic compression processes, however, the compression
process must be reversible, as the path of the process should be known for the
integration to be performed.

For the isentropic process, Pvk = constant, hence the specific work of
compression wid can be obtained by integration, and it can be shown to be equal
to:

⎡ k −1
⎤
Pc
⎛ k ⎞ ⎢⎛ Pc ⎞ k
w id = ∫ v.dP = Pe v e ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ − 1⎥ (18.9)
Pe ⎝ k − 1 ⎠ ⎢⎝ Pe ⎠ ⎥
⎣ ⎦

In the above equation, k is the index of isentropic compression. If the

refrigerant behaves as an ideal gas, then k = γ. In general, the value of k for
refrigerants varies from point to point, and if its value is not known, then an
approximate value of it can be obtained from the values of pressure and specific
ln(Pc / Pe )
volume at the suction and discharge states as k ≈ .
ln( v e / v c )

The work of compression for the ideal compressor can also be obtained by
applying energy balance across the compressor, Fig.18.3. Since the process is
assumed to be reversible and adiabatic and if we assume changes in potential
and kinetic energy to be negligible, then from energy balance across the
compressor:
Wc
w id = .
= (h c − h e ) (18.10)
m
The above expression can also be obtained from the thermodynamic relation:

Tds = dh − vdP ⇒ dh = vdP (∵ds = 0 for isentropic process)

Pc Pc
(18.11)
∴w id = ∫ vdP = ∫ dh = (h d − h e )
Pe Pe

The above expression is valid only for reversible, adiabatic compression.

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 Qc

m, Pe, Te, he, se m, Pc, Td, hd, sd

Wc

Fig.18.3. Energy balance across a steady flow compressor

b) Ideal compressor with clearance:

In actual compressors, a small clearance is left between the cylinder head

and piston to accommodate the valves and to take care of thermal expansion and
machining tolerances. As a thumb rule, the clearance C in millimetres is given by:

C = (0.005L + 0.5) mm, where L is stroke length in mm (18.12)

This space along with all other spaces between the closed valves and the piston
at the inner dead center (IDC) is called as Clearance volume, Vc. The ratio of the
clearance volume to the swept volume is called as Clearance ratio, ε, i.e.,
Vc
ε= (18.13)
VSW

The clearance ratio ε depends on the arrangement of the valves in the

cylinder and the mean piston velocity. Normally ε is less than 5 percent for well
designed compressors with moderate piston velocities (≈ 3 m/s), however, it can
be higher for higher piston speeds.

Due to the presence of the clearance volume, at the end of the discharge
stroke, some amount of refrigerant at the discharge pressure Pc will be left in the
clearance volume. As a result, suction does not begin as soon as the piston
starts moving away from the IDC, since the pressure inside the cylinder is higher
than the suction pressure (Pc > Pe). As shown in Fig. 18.4, suction starts only
when the pressure inside the cylinder falls to the suction pressure in an ideal
compressor with clearance. This implies that even though the compressor swept
volume, VSW = VA-VC, the actual volume of the refrigerant that entered the
cylinder during suction stroke is VA-VD. As a result, the volumetric efficiency of the
compressor with clearance, ηV,cl is less than 100 percent, i.e.,

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 Actual volume of refrigerant compressed ⎛ VA − VD ⎞
η V ,cl = = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ (18.14)
Swept volume of the compressor ⎝ A
V − VC ⎠

C B C B C

P
P
D A
D A θ

Fig.18.4. Ideal reciprocating compressor with clearance

From Fig.18.4, the clearance volumetric efficiency can be written as:

⎛ V − VD ⎞ (VA − VC ) + (VC − VD ) ⎛ (V − VD ) ⎞
η V ,cl = ⎜⎜ A ⎟⎟ = =1 + ⎜⎜ C ⎟⎟ (18.15)
⎝ A
V − VC ⎠ ( VA − V C ) ⎝ A
( V − VC ⎠
)

Vc VC V
Since the clearance ratio, ε = = ⇒ (VA − VC ) = C (18.16)
VSW VA − VC ε

Substituting the above equation in the expression for clearance volumetric

efficiency; we can show that:
⎛ (V − VD ) ⎞ ε(VC − VD ) ⎛V ⎞
η V ,cl = 1 + ⎜⎜ C ⎟⎟ =1 + =1 + ε − ε⎜⎜ D ⎟⎟ (18.17)
⎝ (VA − VC ) ⎠ VC ⎝ VC ⎠

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 Since the mass of refrigerant in the cylinder at points C and D are same,
we can express the ratio of cylinder volumes at points D and C in terms of ratio of
specific volumes of refrigerant at D and C, i.e.,
⎛ VD ⎞ ⎛ v D ⎞
⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ (18.18)
⎝ C ⎠ ⎝ vC ⎠
V

Hence, the clearance volumetric efficiency is given by:

⎛V ⎞ ⎛v ⎞
η V ,cl = 1 + ε − ε⎜⎜ D ⎟⎟ =1 + ε − ε⎜⎜ D ⎟⎟ (18.19)
⎝ VC ⎠ ⎝ vC ⎠

If we assume the re-expansion process also to follow the equation

Pvk=constant, then:

1/ k 1/ k
⎛ v D ⎞ ⎛ PC ⎞ ⎛P ⎞
⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = ⎜⎜ c ⎟⎟ (18.20)
⎝ v C ⎠ ⎝ PD ⎠ ⎝ Pe ⎠

Hence the clearance volumetric efficiency is given by:

[ ]
1/ k
⎛P ⎞
η V ,cl = 1 + ε − ε⎜⎜ c ⎟⎟ =1 − ε rp −1
1/ k
(18.21)
⎝ Pe ⎠
where rp is the pressure ratio, Pc/Pe.

The above expression holds good for any reversible compression process
with clearance. If the process is not reversible, adiabatic (i.e., non-isentropic) but
a reversible polytropic process with an index of compression and expansion
equal to n, then k in the above equation has to be replaced by n, i.e., in general
for any reversible compression process;

[ ]
1/ n
⎛P ⎞
η V ,cl = 1 + ε − ε⎜⎜ c ⎟⎟ =1 − ε rp −1
1/ n
(18.22)
⎝ Pe ⎠

The above expression shows that ηV,cl ↓ as rp↑ and ε↑ as shown in Fig.18.5. It
can also be seen that for a given compressor with fixed clearance ratio ε, there is
a limiting pressure ratio at which the clearance volumetric efficiency becomes
zero. This limiting pressure ratio is obtained from the equation:

[
η V ,cl = 1 − ε rp
1/ n
]
−1 = 0
⎡1 + ε ⎤
n
(18.23)
⇒ rp ,max = ⎢
⎣ ε ⎥⎦

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 .
The mass flow rate of refrigerant compressed with clearance m cl is given by:
.
. V SW
m cl = η V ,cl (18.24)
ve

Thus the mass flow rate and hence the refrigeration capacity of the system
decreases as the volumetric efficiency reduces, in other words, the required size
of the compressor increases as the volumetric efficiency decreases.

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 ηV,cl

0,1
rp
Fig.18.5. Effect of pressure ratio (rp) and index of compression (n) on
clearance volumetric efficiency (ηV cl)

Work input to the compressor with clearance:

If we assume that both compression and expansion follow the same

equation Pvn = constant (i.e., the index of compression is equal to the index of
expansion), then the extra work required to compress the vapour that is left in the
clearance volume will be exactly equal to the work output obtained during the re-
expansion process. Hence, the clearance for this special case does not impose
any penalty on work input to the compressor. The total work input to the
compressor during one cycle will then be equal to the area A-B-C-D-A on P-V
diagram.

The specific work with and without clearance will be given by the same
expression:

⎡ n −1
⎤
Pc
⎛ n ⎞ ⎢⎛ Pc ⎞ n
w id = ∫ v.dP = Pe v e ⎜ ⎟ ⎜ ⎟ − 1⎥ (18.25)
Pe ⎝ − ⎠ ⎢⎝ Pe ⎠
n 1 ⎥
⎣ ⎦

However, since the mass of refrigerant compressed during one cycle is different
with and without clearance, the power input to the compressor will be different
with and without clearance. The power input to the compressor and mean
effective pressure (mep) with clearance are given by:

⎛ .
⎞
Wc = m w id = ⎜⎜ η V ,cl ⎟w
. V SW
(18.26)
⎜ ve ⎟⎟ id
⎝ ⎠

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 w id
mep = η V ,cl (18.27)
ve

Thus the power input to the compressor and mep decrease with clearance
due to decrease in mass flow rate with clearance.

If the process is reversible and adiabatic (i.e., n = k), then the power input
to the compressor with clearance is given by:

⎛ .
⎞ ⎛ .
⎞
⎜
Wc = = ⎜ η V ,cl
V SW ⎟(h − h ) = ⎜ η V SW ⎟ Δh (18.28)
⎜ ve ⎟⎟ B A ⎜⎜ V ,cl v ⎟⎟ c ,s
⎝ ⎠ ⎝ e
⎠

where Δhc,s is the isentropic work of compression (kJ/kg)

Questions and answers:

1. Which of the following is not positive displacement type compressor?

a. Rotary vane compressor

b. Rotary screw type compressor
c. Centrifugal compressor
d. Acoustic compressor

Ans.: c)

2. Compared to a hermetic compressor, an open type compressor:

a. Offers higher efficiency

b. Offers lower noise
c. Offers better compressor cooling
d. Offers serviceability and flexibility

Ans.: a), c) and d)

3. Hermetic compressors are used mainly in smaller systems as they:

a. Yield higher COP

b. Do not require frequent servicing
c. Offer the flexibility of using any refrigerant
d. Can be used under different load conditions efficiently

Ans.: b)

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4. In reciprocating compressors, clearance is provided:

a. To improve the volumetric efficiency of the compressor

b. To accommodate valves
c. To account for thermal expansion due to temperature variation
d. To reduce power consumption of the compressor

Ans.: b) and c)

5. The clearance volumetric efficiency of a reciprocating compressor depends on:

a. Properties of the refrigerant

b. Operating temperatures
c. Clearance volume
d. All of the above

Ans.: d)

6. A spacer is used in reciprocating compressors to introduce clearance volume.

A refrigerant manufacturer wishes to standardize the components of a
reciprocating compressor for refrigeration systems of capacities of 2 kW and 2.5
kW by varying only the spacer. Both the systems use the same refrigerant, which
has an isentropic index of compression of 1.116 and operate over a pressure
ratio of 5. The operating temperatures are also same for both the systems. If the
required clearance factor for the 2.5 kW system is 0.03, what should be the
clearance factor for the 2.0 kW system?

Ans.: Given:

Pressure ratio, rp = 5 and index of compression γ = 1.116 for both the

compressors. The clearance factor for the 2.5 kW compressor ε2.5 = 0.03

When all other parameters are same except the capacity, then:

(Qe,2.5/Qe,2.0) = 2.5/2.0 = 1.25 = (mr,2.5/mr,2.0) = (ηv,2.5/ηv,2.0)

where Qe is the refrigeration capacity, mr is the refrigerant mass flow rate and ηv
is the clearance volumetric efficiency of the compressor.

Substituting the expression for volumetric efficiency;

η V ,2.5 1 − ε 2.5 ( rp 1 / γ − 1)
η V ,2.0
= =
(
1 − ε 2.0 rp 1 / γ − 1 ) = 1.25
substituting the values of pressure ratio, index of compression and the clearance
factor of 2.5 kW compressor in the above expression, we obtain:

ε2.0 = 0.086 (Ans.)

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7. Water is used in a Standard Single Stage (SSS) vapour compression
refrigeration system. The system operates at an evaporator temperature of 4.5oC
(pressure = 0.8424 kPa) and a condenser temperature of 38oC (pressure = 6.624
kPa). Assume that the water vapour behaves as an ideal gas with cp/cv = 1.322
and calculate the discharge temperature if compression is isentropic. Also
calculate COP and volumic refrigeration effect if the refrigeration effect is 2355
kJ/kg. Molecular weight of water = 18 kg/kmol, Universal gas constant = 8.314
kJ/kmol.K

Ans.: Given:

Evaporator temperature, Te = 4.5oC = 277.5 K

Evaporator pressure, Pe = 0.8424 kPa
Condenser temperature, Te = 38oC = 311 K
Condenser pressure, Pc = 6.624 kPa
Isentropic index of compression, γ = cp/cv = 1.322
Refrigeration effect, qe = 2355 kJ/kg

Gas constant, R = 8.314/18 = 0.462 kJ/kg.K

⎛ RT ⎞
Specific volume of refrigerant at compressor inlet, v e = ⎜⎜ e ⎟⎟ = 152.19 m 3 / kg
⎝ Pe ⎠

a) Discharge temperature, Td:

γ −1
⎛P ⎞ γ
Td = Te ⎜⎜ c ⎟⎟ = 458.6 K
⎝ Pe ⎠
b) Work of compression, wc:
⎡ γ −1 ⎤
⎛ γ ⎞ ⎢⎛ Pc ⎞ γ ⎥
w c = RTe ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎢⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ − 1⎥ = 343.45 kJ / kg
⎝ γ − 1⎠ ⎢⎝ Pe ⎠ ⎥
⎣ ⎦
c) COP:
q
COP = e = 6.86
wc
d) Volumic refrigeration effect, qv:
⎛q ⎞
q v = ⎜ e ⎟ = 15.4 kJ / m 3
⎝ v ⎠

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8. An ammonia based refrigeration system with a refrigeration capacity of 100TR
(1TR=3.5167 kW) operates at an evaporating temperature of –36oC (saturation
pressure = 0.8845 bar) and a condensing temperature of 30oC (saturation
pressure = 11.67 bar). Assume the system to operate on a single stage saturated
(SSS) cycle. The compression process may be assumed to be isentropic. Under
these conditions, the following property data are available:

Enthalpy of saturated vapour at the exit of evaporator, h1 = 1414 kJ/kg

Enthalpy of saturated liquid at the exit of condenser,h4 = 341.8 kJ/kg
Isentropic index of compression, γ = 1.304
The compressor is an 8-cylinder, reciprocating type with a clearance ratio of 0.05
and speed of 1750 RPM. The stroke-to-bore ratio is 0.8. In the absence of
superheat data, the refrigerant vapour may be assumed to behave as a perfect
gas. The molecular weight of ammonia is 17.03 kg/kmol. Fnd:

a) Power input to the compressor

b) COP and cycle (second law) efficiency
c) Compressor discharge temperature, and
d) Compressor dimensions (diameter and stroke length)

Ans.: Given:

Refrigeration capacity, Qe = 100 TR = 351.67 kW

Evaporator temperature, Te = –36oC = 237 K
Evaporator pressure, Pe = 0.8845 bar = 88.45 kPa
Condenser temperature, Te = –36oC = 237 K
Condenser pressure, Pc = 11.67 bar = 1167 kPa
Molecular weight , M = 17.04 kg/kmol
Gas constant, R = 8.314/17.04 = 0.4882 kJ/kg.K
Speed of compressor, N = 1750 RPM
Clearance factor, ε = 0.05
No. of cylinders, n = 8
Stroke-to-bore (L/D) ratio,θ = 0.8

a) Power input to compressor, Wc:

Wc = mr .w c

where the mass flow rate mr is given by:

⎛ Qe ⎞
mr = ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ = 0.328 kg / s
⎝ h1 − h 4 ⎠

work of compression, wc is given by:

Version 1 ME, IIT Kharagpur 19

 ⎡ γ −1 ⎤
⎛ γ ⎞ ⎢⎛ Pc ⎞ γ ⎥
w c = RTe ⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ ⎢⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ − 1⎥ = 409.6 kJ / kg
⎝ γ − 1⎠ ⎢⎝ Pe ⎠ ⎥
⎣ ⎦
Substituting these values, we find that the power input to the compressor is given
by:
Wc = 134.35 kW

b) COP and second law efficiency

Qe
COP = = 2.618
Wc
Second law efficiency, ηII:

COP ⎛ T − Te ⎞
η II = = COP⎜⎜ c ⎟⎟ = 0.729
COPCarnot ⎝ Te ⎠
c) Discharge temperature, Td:

γ −1
⎛P ⎞ γ
Td = Te ⎜⎜ c ⎟⎟ = 432.7 K
⎝ Pe ⎠

d) Compressor dimensions, L and D

Swept volume, Vsw is given by:

π 2 π V
Vsw = D L.N.n = D 3 .θ.N.n = e
4 4 ηv

The volumetric efficiency ηv is given by:

⎡ 1 ⎤
⎢⎛ Pc ⎞ γ ⎥
η v = 1 − ε ⎢⎜⎜ ⎟⎟ − 1⎥ = 0.6885
⎢⎝ Pe ⎠ ⎥
⎣ ⎦

The actual volumetric flow rate of refrigerant at compressor inlet, Ve is given by:

RTe
Ve = mr .v e = mr . = 0.4293 m 3 / s
Pe

Substituting these values in the expression for swept volume Vsw, we obtain:

Vsw = 0.6235 m3/s, and

D = 0.162 m and L = 0.8D = 0.1296 m (ans.)

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