Ltrs erseeeeeee UU RAC Vapocurd Ca mpnession —Relugenslinn cg cle : - Loos gressune teow beng A Regwqenen' Expansio wiga preside * rede bod ey Loquid Rniger - ) oo ee cy, @- c = ercponctlort | ) — Recivent — - ——_——— ® fad ® Low presune / > Wigh_ PHEAINE ow mn wer \emnR sien Oy Nagourt magnon Rednigenten! component 7 P Saluraliory | ou_Compne sso Loud emmpenalurre — Nagoue Bdaigran The lod poe sane and dro exciponalort fs ara voto Rha. Compcressort Foros} Inlet orf, Scio Vedye A ene IE % compressed fo a Rab pe ssurre £ Nempe nalarre Ans Richy pressure & femngenalare —-Yagours — Redigeen | 3 avsthamng d who tna Condenser Yonousln ane deers om duschange Nalve 8. | The condenser consis’ of GANS ok REP esc ho | Be pressure cand demenolarté Negourt Re{ngenaor & caded and — Condensed The Reduigenent ake pening Throws Ao condensent , ques 0° Ws head 40 he sunmoad84 Condensing lates medium — Sw fs nowrally ony ose Omdery | ites condensed \iquid Rearenent know = ad gyorr Yho Condensery . . sored i aNessel 1 Recivert vor) supied do the exogonals ‘is cdene We 1S Anouglo he expand rodve -2 i eT —— — etloos «We uid Rehuige- The — expansion Aide Ys i passe S oa undert Rig pressute and. erg ew Reducing Ws yressuse ancl | : | | 1S went a Controlled Rale temp —Evqponcrbont The — Nquid Re dnigertent Than \ows reat cro tn Redngenated SHE a | Nenoucls aan exagonictot \E abbsetlos evoprdes # Changes i Stale roo \nqur ek te Negours & produce coldnass- Faclons —__edeclng “The reafptnance of Nipoutl Compucssco- Sask) © Edfect 4 Subcodvng Cunders cooing) @ Eyect of Super’ ‘eating | @ exec! oh suchon pressune O eyed od pisdhange presume . be ete .5.10 FACTORS EFFECTING THE PERFORMANCE OF A VAPOUR COMPRESSION SYSTEM : (March/April 2013) 5.10.1 Effect of Sub Cooling : The effect of under cooling is shown below on T-S and P-H diagrams by 3-3' When the liquid refrigerant is under cooled from 3 to 3' then throttling follows the line 3'-4' instead of 3-4. The refrigerating effect increases from 4 - 1 to 4' - 1. The extra refrigerating effect achieved due to sub-cooling is 4'~4. As no extra work is required, the net effect of under cooling is to increase the COP of the cycle. Therefore net effect of sub-cooling is Increases the refrigerating effect / kg of refrigerant circulated. 1. 2. The rate of flow of refrigerant / min. per ton of refrigeration will be less. 3. The volume of vapour handled by the compressor per ton of refrigeration is less. 4. Increases the COP of the cycle te owesessoses oeeeoeeaes Module - 1 Qe. chante“ 5 1 Vapour Compression Refrigeration System 7 5.11 ES SS Rae ee a ec a ee, ao MWC Ts (a) i) | Fig. 5.6 J L— 5.10.2 Effect of Super Heating : The liquid refrigerant passes through the evaporator and it absorbs latent heat and gets converted in to vapour before it leaves the evaporator. The refrigerant continues to absorb latent heat and then sensible heat from the refrigerated space and gets super heated. The effect of super heating is shown in the P - H diagram 1, Super heating increases the refrigerating effect. The increase in refrigerating effect is shown by 1 - 1) in the P - H diagram. 2. The work of compression in the super heated cycle is more than for simple saturated cycle. The extra refrigerating effect by super heating of vapour is always undesirable. 3. As the increase in the compressor work is more than the refrigerating effect, the net over all effect of superheating is to have low value of COP. 4. As more heat is to be rejected, the load on condenser increases. Fig. 5.7 P— H Diagram Module - I bnscegee es cd bsoreerh ot esse ee eoeeee SEE aoaeenneer® vees Refrigeration and Airc Onditioning 512 snossaccosesrseree® 5.10.3 Effect of Suction Pressure = on pressure is shown in the Pp - H diagram, |, the d to Ps! then the refrigerating effect decrease, The effect of decrease in sucti k of the compressor is increased from (} _ suction pressure Pg is nee h, — hy) to (h' - ba) / rita h - hy. Therefore the net effect Is ee : _—___—— | Fig, 5.8 (i) Decrease in refrigerating effect (ii) Increase in compressor work due to increase in pressure ratio (iii) Decrease in COP (iv) Refrigeration cost increases (v) Specific volume of vapour increases (vi) Decrease in volumetric efficiency due to increase in pressure ratio Therefore it is desirable to have highest possible suction pressure depending upon the requirement of temperature at evaporator. 5.10.4 Effect of Discharge Pressure : Let Pp be the discharge pressure of condenser. The effect of increase of discharge pressure from Pp to P!, is shown in P~H diagram dule - 1 saesosooosoos _ FOeeooee SOwesosoosoos sore!apter - 5 VAPOUT Compression Refrigeration Systems al ecoeccecoos 5.13 | Fig. 5.9 P-H Diagram | Now the refrigerating effect is decreased from (hy ~ h,) to (hi, - hy) and compressor work is increased from (h, — hy) to (hy! = hy). Therefore the net effect of increasing discharge pressure of condenser is (i) Decrease in refrigerating capacity (ii) Decrease in volumetric efficiency (iii) Decrease in COP (iv) Increase in power consumption (v) Increase in compressor work Hence discharge pressure should be kept as low as possible depending upon the temperature of cooling medium available From the above it is seen that the effect of increasing the discharge pressure is similar to the effect of decreasing the suction pressure. The only difference is the effect of decreasing the suction pressure is more severe on the refrigerating capacity of the system than the effect of increasing the discharge pressure. 5.11 USE OF ACCUMULATOR AND FLASH CHAMBER : 5.11.1 Flash Chamber : The partly evaporated liquid refrigerant is known as flash. It is a mixture of liquid and vapour. A flash chamber is an insulated tank fitted after the expansion valve but before the evaporator in the vapour compression system as shown in the figure. The liquid refrigerant when passed through the expansion valve it evaporates partly. The purpose of flash tank is to separate the vapour and liquid and supply only liquid to the evaporator. The liquid refrigerant collects vevesensccenccencsoncsssocsscasooasnsscs sacs see e eee" Module - 1Refrigeration and Airconditiony 5.14 vapour is directly connected to th, in the flash chamber is taken to, ator. If the wet vapour is supplier he top. The at the bottom and vapour at t P collected compressor in take. The only liquid the evaporator. This reduces the size © ny heat and just pass ov) to the evaporator, the vapour part w! t on thermodyne serving no purpose. The use of flash chamber has no effec ynanin jred etc., remain same. |; cycle. The refrigerating effect, COP and power sae the evaporator hie only reduces the mass of refrigerant flowing throug ’ helps to reduce the size of evaporator, METERING | _eVAPORTORS 6} DEVICE ft ACCUMULATOR =} CONDENSER | = COMPRESSOR) tt | — STRAINER DRIER | Fig. 5.10 5.11.2 Accumulator : w cylinder fitted at the end of evaporator. Any liquid that may be carried over from the evaporator falls in to bottom of the Accumulator and prevents liquid entering in to the compressor. The refrigerant vapour alone enters in to the compressor. The liquid collected in the accumulator slowly vapourises or some times liquid refrigerant may be pumped back to evaporator. sbi The Accumulator is a small hollo ee__syslero ovens _fub_Rengenalo _ayslera. Advan. 2 G “We Cejmanent absavbs bo% senate te behent heats «The Redreprent Regiggnating elect paodured %s Specter Bary and cule avd Requiies Small ee exaponalos — ort producing. sama REAmGe ndion eect 0 @® Whe or fs quant nib: @ Runny cosk 08 Napourt Refoge tabion ayslen | ‘sony = of anes Remigenatory aypleo cred on Qhround level @ it can be empoyed oved a wide Rane Oy Jem: ©® Pequuresl Lempertcbuste ve adialed ey odystng Aon Aonatle — wallve of Ya = Sard nit * oX oa exaigonalorr cary| Disadvanylages Tre Wa «= cost eqqipron % Vp. 2 The = MQIow priotlems ane Rawat | Leokasge oy Toric, » Moweve’ catty Xo yenytove- Nayour’s we many} Ww design Mose. problenos \nave beer) oven Comes «10 Marg exten - conden sed Expunsi0o Pressure \ Reducing ie Purp vlc Yabue _ - cooling wale evagortcilod _—7-G} Albsonbed SES GE yr %s SY Ceegenen Lb 8 Rmnonia 3 eee Armabrood pressure moni, Neagourt Coron, Shor Mag eyerponctert is etesotbed — oy ha csc —salution Aissolved wm condett ind lowes Myo The — eeormonia aphs 4 Pressune — chidy i) dunn Anas rome cammonia, Atom Yo evayonabon coclers cocking, fs empoyed Ne lbsonbert Jo Renoul Mo ead Of slution = evewed dua Jo absontlion 19 Hee of ammonia wy cadens) Now he Sduhion iH the Absnbes is Snogg, Sst because 1B Rich Regnige nent - Nhe womp anows Snot sduhon qnom the alsonben and nes inbdtho — gensnabors v> Ane — gpranatot Aw nong sclion # 1s healed «= and = Smmoniaa Vapour fs dntven od sky tS heb poessurie agouti ond enters 1 The Bemonning, coeak solulion ny Ye Ay Wo Abosowloers Annouglo Jo Condensed - Senatiatort Phos — boack Sno Phessune Reduting Nolue at lad Pressure - Tho. ify pressute — Nopourt cordenssts to hgh Preset’ quid iy he Condense- cinch Rejects ‘nea Joho Sunriounding & - The Viquick ammonia enkas In vty evaponchor — Haneugh He expunsiory valle ab toooPressme — &eipsonbs Nolen} neck anh «changes “AS Slade wm Viquiad to Vapour Ypaaducres cddess ty the | evatonalon - “Wis Comfeakes na Simple. Nagours etesonptin eycle We eagle Reread agai and again and 3S a end} continous —_absonption Sgsero °LCUMERESSION STSTEMDS ¢ S.No. di, 10. Vapour Compression System This system has a compressor. It produces 1. noise. Wear and tear of moving parts is more. High grade mechanical energy is supplied. | 2. Cost for large tonnage system is more. 3. Maintenance cost is more. 4. The energy supplied is less. +5. . 1 1 ecto Ht It is only vA to M% of refrigerating effect. The performance of this system at partial | 6. load is poor. This system is used where high grade 7. mechanical energy or electrical energy is available. Charging of refrigerant is quite simple. | 8. The chances of refrigerant leakage is 9. more. Liquid traces present in the suction line 10. may damage the compressor. Vapour Absorption System | This system has minimum number of moving parts like pump and controls. It produces no noise. | Low grade heat energy is supplied to the system. Less costly. | Comparatively less. | More energy is supplied. It is about 1 A | times the refrigerating effect. The performance is not effected by load changes. It can be used at remote places also. It requires only simple kerosene oil lamp | for its working. | Charging of the system is difficult. There is no compressor and therefore there is no chance for leakage of refrigerant. | Liquid traces of refrigerant present any | part of the system constitute no danger. owe eC MPFrVANRAILID APCMDDTION! CVCTEAA OVER| Richieste , | 8.2 CLASSIFICATION OF REFRIGERANTS : Refrigerants may be classified into two groups a' heat is extracted from the Refrigerated place. (March/April 2013) cording to the manner in which 1. Primary Refrigerants. 2. Secondary Refrigerants. 8.3. PRIMARY REFRIGERANTS : s cool the substances directly in the refrigerating system The refrigerant changes its phase from liquid to produces coldness in the refrigerated place. The substances are directly cooled in the evaporator. These refrigerants are mosily employed in the vapour compression refrigeration system. Examples of primary refrigerants are Ammonia (NH,), Carbon dioxide (CO,), Sulphur dioxide (SO,), Methyl chloride, Methylene chloride, Freon group and aqua ammonia (absorption system). 8.4 SECONDARY REFRIGERANTS : The secondary refrigerants cool the substances by absorbing their sensible heat. Secondary refrigerants are first cooled by Primary refrigerants and are then used for cooling purposes in the desired place. The toxic primary refrigerants like ammonia can not be used as a refrigerant for air conditioning of residential buildings. Similarly the amount of refrigerant required for circulating in @ big cold storage plant is very large, costly and not economical. Therefore in such circumstances the cheaper grade suitable secondary refrigerant such as water, (Oct./Nov. 2013) The primary refrigerant: by absorption of latent heat. vapour in the evaporator and Module - I] 2226200004006 06900%000¢ 00900 O26F 000908800 00% ae om8.4 8.5 8.6 8.7 a Refrigeration and Airconditioning DARY REFRIGERANTS : na large building can be cooled to differen; he quantity of flow of the secondary refrigeranj ADVANTAGES OF SECON : The different portions i temperatures by varying t ; ’ The specific volume of secondary refrigerant is less and therefore smalle; size of pipe line is sufficient. . The chances of leakage of secondary refrigerant is less as the variation of pressure in the pipe line is less. . This refrigerant is not subjected to therefore handling and controlling of SELECTION OF A REFRIGERANT : There are many types of refrigerants available in the mark to know which of these refrigerants is best suited for a particular system, working under given conditions. There is no one refrigerant that can be used for all types of applications. There is no ideal refrigerant used for all purposes. If one refrigerant has certain good advantages, it will have some disadvantages also. Therefore a refrigerant is to be selected that has greater advantages and less disadvantages. Further it should be non toxic and non flammable. compression and expansion and secondary refrigerant is easy. et. Therefore it is necessary The desirable properties of ideal refrigerant are described below in order to select correct refrigerant which satisfies most of the requirements. These properties have been grouped into Thermodynamic properties, chemical properties physical properties, safety properties and economic consideration DESIRABLE PROPERTIES OF AN IDEAL REFRIGERANT : A refrigerant is said to be ideal if it posses all the following properties. . Low boiling point + High critical temperature * High latent heat of vapourisation . Low specific heat of liquid . Low specific volume of vapour ° Non corrosive to metals . Non flammable and non explosive . Safe and non toxic . Low cost Easy to condense at moderate pressure and temperature Module - II ++ « 2006646000 0bb CH bae—_—_—_—_—rlrl— Chapter - 8 [Refrigerants ossoecesecreonssncsacmaosessesceuc eee’ 8.5 8.8 8.9 (a) (b) . Easy to detect leaks either by odour or indicator . Ability to operate on above atmospheric pressures * Mix well with oil. DESIRABLE PROPERTIES OF A REFRIGERANT : The above important desirable properties of good refrigerant may be grouped into the following. 1. | Thermodynamic properties 2 Chemical properties 3 Physical properties 4. Safety properties 5. Economic consideration THERMODYNAMIC PROPERTIES : Boiling temperature : A good refrigerant should have low boiling point at atmospheric pressure. If the boiling temperature of the refrigerant is high the compressor has to be operated at high vacuums. The boiling points of some commonly used refrigerants are given below. Table 8.2 Refrigerant Boiling point at atmospheric pressure | NH, — 33.2°C co, — 73.5°C sO, — 10°C Freon - 11 + 233°C Freon - 12 — 29.8°C Freon - 22 = 41.2°C | Freezing point : The freezing temperature of the refrigerant should be well below the evaporator temperature so that the refrigerant does not freeze in the evaporator. The freezing temperatures of some of the commonly used refrigerants are given below. 10008 00000 6O F400 F00F SEES EO SHOBESOSEGESHHSIES OHS SOS Module - Ilgeration and Airconditioning woe Refi 8.6 ° eaveee oe [Refrigerant | NHs | co, sO, | Freon -11 Freon -12 Freon - 22 (c) Latent heat of evaporation = The refrigerant should have high latent heat of evaporation to produce more refrigerating effect per Kg. of refrigerant circulated. This reduces the mass of refrigerant to be circulated per ton of refrigeration. This reduces the initial cost of refrigerant. (4) Evaporator and condenser pressures The operating pressures in the evaporator and condenser should be positive and near to the atmospheric pressure to the extent possible. Positive pressure in evaporator and condenser is desirable to aveid leakage of air or moisture into the system. The table indicates the evaporator and condenser pressures for some of the refrigerants. Table 8.4 Refrigerant] Evaporator pressure | Condenser Pressure | at - 15°C in bar at 30°C inbar | NH, 2.3634 | 11.67 | co, 22.9 71.93 | SO, 0.8415 4.583 | Freon - 11 0.2021 1.2607 | Freon - 12 1.8262 7.451 Freon - 22 2.9670 12.034 | Module - II soeeos soc soot eos soseosoveseosseesoo ouChapter - 8 OJ Refrigerants (e) 8.7 Co-efficient of performance and power per ton These two are very important in selecting a refrigerant. For an ideal refrigerant operating between - 15°C evaporator temperature and 30°C condenser temperature the theoretical COP for reversed carnot cycle is 5.74. The table below indicates theoretical COP and HP per ton of refrigeration for some common refrigerants operating between -15°C evaporator temperature and 30°C condenser temperature. Table 8.5 [ Refrigerant | Co-efficient of performance | HP/Ton | NH, 4.76 0.989 co, 2.56 1.84 sO, 4.73 0.995 Freon - 11 5.09 0.93 Freon - 12 4.70 1.00 Freon - 22 4,66 1.01 (f) Critical temperature and pressure : The critical temperature of a vapour is the temperature above which the vapour can not be condensed irrespective of the pressure on the system. Always the critical temperature of the refrigerant should be above the condenser temperature so that refrigerant condenses easily. The critical temperature and pressure of some of the refrigerants are given below. Table 8.6 Refrigerant | Critical Temperature | Critical Pressure | in°C in bar | NH, 11.3 113.86 | co, 30.5 73.8 | so, 157.0 78.7 Freon - 11 197.5 43.8 Freon - 12 112.1 41.2 Freon - 22 95.4 49.38 Soaesooovossordsowsavscenegvegoeessooasooeeee Module - Il»»« Refrigeration and Airconditioning BB sovsewosoeso pacanesosee” o 8.10 CHEMICAL PROPERTIES = The main chemical properties of good refrigerants are (a) Flammability and explosiveness : Some times the refrigerant is subjected to high compression and over heated conditions. The refrigerant should be non-explosive and non flammable in such conditions and also when mixed with air or oil Hydro carbon refrigerants such as ethane, propane etc. are highly flammable and explosive. Ammonia is also flammable and becomes explosive when mixed with air in the ratio of 16 to 25% of gas by volume. The widely used halo carbon refrigerants are non flammable and non explosive. (b) Toxicity : The refrigerant may leak from the refrigeration system due to various reasons. The refrigerant should be non toxic in nature. If the refrigerant is toxic it can cause serious injury even resulting death if its concentration in the air is increased. It is one of the most important consideration in selecting a refrigerant. The table gives the toxic effect of some of the refrigerants. Table 8.7 [ Refrigerant | % of refrigerant by | Time in minutes after | volume which it will produce | | when mixed in air adverse effect | | NH, 0.5 30 | | co, 30 30 to 45 | sO, 0.7 5 Freon - 11 10 120 | Freon - 12 30 120 | | Freon - 22 10 30 | (c) Corrosion : The refrigerant should be non-corrosive to the materials used in the refrigeration ystem, Ammonia in the presence of water re: \ n acts with copper bi dit a : per brass and its ae he to use iron and steel in the construction of refrigeration vi ee onia is refrigerant. Sulphur dioxide is non-corrosive to all Ce eae Sy water because sulphur dioxide reacts with water and Ip acid. Freon group of refrigerants do not react with steel, coppe': Module - I] ssccoceccsoossuscsoee PesovesoeeceoosChapter - 8 O) Refrigerants 8.9 (d) brass, zinc, tin but it is corrosive to magnesium and aluminium. Freon group of refrigerants react with natural rubber. Therefore the gaskets used in the system should be of synthetic rubber not natural rubber. Effect on refrigerated products : In case of leakage of refrigerant in cold storage plants and domestic refrigerator it comes in direct contact with the products stored in the refrigerated space The Freon group of refrigerants have no effect upon dairy products, meats vegetables, flowers and furs. There will be no change in colour, taste of materials when exposed to Freon. But when exposed to Ammonia the taste of fruits and vegetables will be spoiled because ammonia is alkaline in nature when dissolved in water. Fruits and vegetables are acidic in nature and reaction takes place between them. SO, becomes acidic in nature when dissolved in water and will therefore it does not effect fruits and vegetables which are also acidic in nature. 8.11 PHYSICAL PROPERTIES : (b) (c) The main Physical properties are Leak - tendency : The refrigerant may leak out of the system due to wearing out of joints or materials used in the system. The detection of leaks should be easy to avoid loss of refrigerant from the system. An Ammonia leak is easily detected by the odour. Freon group refrigerants are odourless and may leak out un noticed. The method of detecting leaks of such refrigerants is observed with the flame of an alcohol or prestolite gas torch. The flame light is blue when there is no leak and turns to blue green colour in the presence of refrigerant. Electronic leak detector is also used for detection of leakage Viscosity and thermal conductivity : n The heat transfer rate in evaporator and condenser depends upon viscosity and thermal conductivity. For efficient heat transfer the viscosity should be low and thermal conductivity high. Dielectric strength : The dielectric strength is important in hermetically sealed compressors in which electric motor is exposed to the refrigerant. The relative dielectric strength of nitrogen and the refrigerant vapour mixture to the dielectric strength of Nitrogen The table indicates the relative dielectric strengths of common refrigerants soos sasenw soee »ee* Module - II8.12 It is only used for | Refrigeration and Airconditionin, 5 temperature applications, particularly for the jow production of dry ice. The disadvantages are . It has low refrige Operating pressures @ . Soap wat 8.14.5 Methyl Chloride: * It was widely us ‘ of good thermal and physical properties. . It is corrosive to aluminil and synthetic rubber and * It is poisonous refr chloride leads to the suspension of the res: rating effect and HP/ton of refrigeration is very high re high. er solution is used for its leakage detection ed prior to invention of freon group refrigerants because c. It reacts with natural um, magnesium and zin sed as gasket materials hence these can not be u: sufficient quantities of methyl igerant. The enhaling of piratory systems and causes damages to liver, kidney, nervous system etc. . . The leaks may be detected by soap solutio It is combustible and explosive when mixed with air. n or electronic leak detector. 8.14.6 Refrigerant - 11: . + It is non corr’ It is mainly used in air conditioning of small office buildings, factories osive, non toxic and non flammable and dissolves natural rubber departmental stores, theatres etc. This refrigerant is used as a flushing agent for cleaning the internal parts of a refrigerator when over-hauling the systems. Leaks may be detected by electronic detector or by halide torch. It is employed for 50 tons capacity and over in small office buildings and factories. Its boiling point at atmospheric pressure is 23. 3°C, freezing point - 111°C, evaporator pressure at -15°C is 0.2021 bar and condenser pressure at 30 IC is 1.2607 bar. Due to low operating pressures this refrigerant is used in large centrifugal compressor systems. . Its cylinder colour code is orange. 8.14.7 Refrigerant - 12: i ; 7 - is safe, non toxic, non flammable and non ex: ivi highly stable t fe t b! id plosive and is highly Module - Il eeseoeeosee eeISSO O(U“USsi&C CSCS Chapter - 8 Refrigerants 8.13 It is most widely used refrigerant i gerant in the pres challenged in some areas by refrigerant. om days and its supremacy is . . It is colourless, odour less liquid wi i . pressure. quid with boiling point of - 29°C at atmospheric It is very popular refrigerant and is used in domestic and commercial applications such as refrigerators fre r ns s\ eezes, water coolers, room and window air conditioning units etc. , “ames + Its pressure at - 15% is 1.8262 bar and 7.451 a heat at -15°C is 159 ki/kg, 51 pressure at 30°C. The latent + The leaks may be detected by soap solution, halide torch or an electronic leak detector. «It is available in abundance and is cheaper than refrigerant -22. . Its main disadvantage is low refrigerating effect. However it is not seriously taken because of other advantages. Its cylinder colour code is white. 8.14.8 Refrigerant - 22 : * This refrigerant is safe, non toxic, non-corrosive and non-flammable and is stable compound. . The evaporator pressure of this refrigerant at -15°C is 2.967 bar. Its boiling temperature at atmospheric pressure is - 41 20C freezing point is -160°C Latent heat at -15°C is 216.5 kJ/kg. COP is 4.66, HP/tan 1.01. . Its refrigerating capacity is 60% more than that of refrigerant - 12 for a given compressor displacement. + Low temperatures can be obtained at above atmospheric pressures. * This refrigerant is widely used for large commercial refrigeration systems and fast freezing units. It is used for packaged air conditioners because of space limitations. It is also used in house hold refrigerators. . The leakages may be detected by soap solution, a halide torch or with an electronic leak detector. Its cylinder colour code is green. 8.15 DRAW BACK OF USING COMPLETELY ODOURLESS REFRIGERANT: There is a probability of leakage of refrigerant from the system due to wear and tear in the pipes and joints. If the refrigerant is completely odourless, it may leak out and escape un noticed from the system. But detection of leaks should be easy to avoid loss of refrigerant from the system. Strong odour of refrigerant helps to detect leakages. eeeesoewone 4 . Module - IlRefrigeration and Aircondit ioning 4 16 ENVIRONMENTALLY SAFE REFRIGERANTS 7 The major activity of power generation through out the ee if one a load of CO, into the atmosphere. The destruction 7 the ari hn 7 i the CO, absorption capacity of the earth. The overall effect is the eve of CO, in the atmosphere is increasing presently created a threat to the existance of the human life. -11, R- 12, R- 22 etc for the past Most commonly used refrigerants are R : onment in two ways. (1) Ozone several decades have impact on the envir depletion (2) Global warming (green house effect). The ozone layer (O3 - layer) protects the life on earth from harmful effects of UV radiation. The leakages of CFCs are causing O, - layer destruction and create a hole through which large amount harmful heat in the form of UV rays falls on earth and increases earth temperature. The gases like COy, CHy effects the earth temperature Both these effects are undesirable and harmful to the human life and causes health hazards such as skin cancer, severe infectious deceases, environmental problems like global warming, melting of polar ice caps, rising of sea level, droughts etc Therefore the safe gases which will be used in future for refrigeration purposes must have low green house effect (reduction of global warming) and low ozone destruction tendency. Therefore there is a need for substitutes which are environmentally safe refrigerants. At present the following substitutes are available. 1) HCFC R-123 (CHCl, - CFs) in place of CFC R - 11 (CCI,F) 2) HFC R-134a (CH,F - CF,) and isobutance of CFC R-12 (CCI,F») 3) R-69S in place of R - 22 and R - 502 Characteristics of environmentally safe refrigerants : R-123(CHCL,CF,) Future refrigerant (Replacement for R - 11) o Its ozone depleting potential (ODP) is 0.02 @ — Global warming potential (GWP 99) is - 93 Acceptable exposure limit (AEL) is - 50 PPM Module - IIChapter - 8 CO Refrigerants 8.15 4 R123, a HCFC is a replacement for the CFC R - 11 and it is a low - pressure refrigerant. 4 Its physical, thermodynamic properties are similar to R -11 and has same operating efficiency. 4 It is classified as carcinogen (long time exposure to which can cause cancer) category 3 and maximum AEL is 50 PPM. é It is very suitable for use in refrigeration systems with centrifugal compressor as its vapour specific volume is high. @ _R- 123 has a boiling point of 27.19C and molecular weight of 153. & — Itdoes not present a flammability problems like R - 11. R - 134a as Alternative to R - 12 o o o e Its ODP - O, GWP - 1300, AEL - 1000 PPM R - 134a has higher specific heat capacity hence absorbs more heat from the surroudnings than R - 12. More subcooling of R134a gives greater refrigerant effect for the same amount of subcooling as compared to R - 12. It is inflammable if mixed with inflammable liquid or gases. It absorbs more than R - 12 in liquid phase. Hence careful processing is required. It is not miscible with mineral oil. It has smaller molecular size hence it tends to leak more readily. Conventional methods of leak detection can be employed but electronic leak detectors will give better indications. Existing tube sizes of R- 12 system are suitable for R - 134a system. Because of lower density estimated charge size is 90% that of R 12. Paraffin compounds, waxes, grease etc need to be strictly eleminated. R - 125, a HFC (CF, CHF,) This is used as a component for blends, through it can be, toa limited range, a replacement for R - 502 and R - 22.A blend is a mixture of two or more refrigerants in various proportions. deeoesoesoeens aoe aoe sans OO STOO SD PEHOSMOOES Module - Iaenceroeer Refrigeration a B16 ceoeccssocsnsoosoneeee® efrigeration and Aircondityy, Advantages : 4 Its ODP is zero. GWP3 99 @ It is non-flammable and low isentropic compression exponent - 3200, AEL - 1000 PPM. @ High volumetric efficiency in reciprocating compressors, requires hig mass flow rate and advantageous for suction gas cooling. . Disadvantages : ¢ — Relatively high GWP. @ Steep pressure curve (higher compression ratio) ¢ Low critical temperature of 66°C. o COP drops, as the condensing temperature approaches the critical temperature. The disadvantages renders it suitable only to a limited range of application and not suitable for air-cooled applications. Module - I] #02 00%000e0ceeaea Chi Pa