Lab 4

Abstract: This study investigates the components and types of the vapor compression cycle
used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems. Key components such as compressors
(including reciprocating, rotary, screw, and centrifugal types), condensers (including air-cooled,
water-cooled, evaporative, and shell and tube designs), evaporators (including bare-tube, plate,
finned plate, and shell and tube configurations), and expansion valves (including thermostatic,
electronic, capillary tube, and float valves) are analyzed. Understanding these components and
their variations is crucial for designing efficient and reliable cooling systems tailored to specific
applications

Objective: To study different components and their type of vapor compression cycle.
Introduction: The “vapor compression cycle” is a thermodynamic refrigeration cycle used in
refrigeration and air conditioning systems to transfer heat from a lower temperature region to a
higher temperature region by utilizing the phase change (evaporation and condensation) of a
refrigerant.

Figure 4-1 (Vapor compression cycle)

Components of Vapor compression cycle:

1. Compressor: A compressor is a mechanical device used to increase the pressure of a gas
by reducing its volume. In the context of refrigeration and air conditioning systems,
 compressors are crucial components that elevate the pressure of refrigerant vapor, enabling it
to be condensed into a liquid state and then circulated through the system to absorb heat.
Types of Compressors:
1. Reciprocating Compressor:
 A reciprocating compressor utilizes a piston driven by a crankshaft to compress
the refrigerant vapor.
 It operates with a reciprocating motion, where the piston moves back and forth
inside a cylinder.
 Commonly used in smaller capacity refrigeration systems and air conditioning
units.
 Advantages include simplicity of design, good efficiency at lower capacities, and
suitability for varying loads.
2. Rotary Compressor:
 A rotary compressor employs a rotating mechanism (such as vanes, blades, or
scrolls) to compress the refrigerant vapor.
 It operates with continuous rotary motion, offering smooth and quiet operation.
 Suitable for smaller to medium-sized air conditioning and refrigeration systems.
 Advantages include compact size, low vibration, and relatively high efficiency.
3. Screw Compressor:
 A screw compressor features two intermeshing rotors (screws) that compress the
refrigerant vapor as it moves along the screw threads.
 It operates with rotary motion and is capable of handling larger refrigeration
capacities.
 Commonly used in medium to large industrial refrigeration and HVAC systems.
 Advantages include high efficiency, continuous operation, and good reliability.
4. Centrifugal Compressor:
 A centrifugal compressor uses a rotating impeller to compress the refrigerant
vapor by centrifugal force.
 It operates by accelerating the refrigerant gas to high speeds, followed by
deceleration and compression in a diffuser.
 Ideal for large capacity refrigeration and air conditioning applications.
 Advantages include high efficiency, low maintenance, and suitability for high-
volume applications.
2. Condenser:
A condenser is a heat exchanger component in refrigeration and air conditioning systems that is
responsible for removing heat from the hot, high-pressure refrigerant vapor and converting it into
a liquid state. The condenser transfers heat from the refrigerant to a cooling medium (such as air
or water), causing the refrigerant to condense and release latent heat.
Types of Condensers:
1. Air-Cooled Condenser:
 An air-cooled condenser uses ambient air as the cooling medium to remove heat
from the refrigerant vapor.
 Heat transfer occurs as air passes over finned coils containing the hot refrigerant
vapor, causing it to condense.
 Typically used in smaller to medium-sized air conditioning and refrigeration
systems, especially in locations where water availability is limited.
 Advantages include simplicity, independence from water supply, and ease of
maintenance.
2. Water-Cooled Condenser:
 A water-cooled condenser uses water as the cooling medium to remove heat from
the refrigerant vapor.
 Heat transfer occurs as water flows through tubes or plates, absorbing heat from
the refrigerant and causing it to condense.
 Commonly used in larger capacity air conditioning and refrigeration systems,
where water availability is not an issue.
 Advantages include efficient heat transfer, lower condensing temperatures, and
less impact on ambient air temperature.
3. Evaporative Condenser:
 An evaporative condenser combines elements of both air-cooled and water-cooled
designs.
 Water is sprayed over the condenser coils, enhancing the heat transfer process
through evaporation.
 Heat from the refrigerant vapor causes some of the water to evaporate, cooling the
remaining water and aiding in heat removal.
 Suitable for applications where water conservation and efficient heat transfer are
priorities.
4. Shell and Tube Condenser:
  A shell and tube condenser consists of a series of tubes (through which the
refrigerant flows) enclosed within a larger shell.
 Cooling water flows around the outside of the tubes, facilitating heat transfer and
condensation of the refrigerant vapor.
 Commonly used in industrial refrigeration systems and large air conditioning
systems due to their robustness and efficiency.
 Advantages include high heat transfer rates, resistance to fouling, and suitability
for high-pressure applications.
3. Evaporator:
An evaporator is a heat exchanger component in refrigeration and air conditioning systems that
absorbs heat from the surroundings (refrigerated space or substance) and causes the liquid
refrigerant to evaporate into a low-pressure vapor. This process results in cooling of the
surroundings.
Types of Evaporators:
1. Bare-Tube Evaporator:
 A bare-tube evaporator consists of bare (un-finned) tubes through which the
refrigerant flows.
 Heat transfer occurs between the refrigerant and the surroundings (air or water)
directly through the tube walls.
 Simple design commonly used in smaller refrigeration systems and household
refrigerators.
2. Plate Evaporator:
 A plate evaporator comprises flat plates with refrigerant passages sandwiched
between them.
 Heat transfer occurs between the refrigerant and the surroundings (air or water)
through the plates.
 Compact design suitable for applications where space is limited, such as in
refrigerated display cases.
3. Finned Plate Evaporator:
 A finned plate evaporator consists of plates with attached fins (either on one or
both sides) to increase the surface area for heat transfer.
 Heat transfer occurs between the refrigerant and the surroundings (air) with
enhanced efficiency due to increased surface area.
 Commonly used in commercial refrigeration systems and air conditioning units.
4. Shell and Tube Evaporator:
  A shell and tube evaporator consists of a series of tubes through which the
refrigerant flows, enclosed within a larger shell.
 Heat transfer occurs between the refrigerant inside the tubes and the surroundings
(water or air) outside the tubes.
 Suitable for applications requiring efficient heat transfer and resistance to fouling,
commonly used in industrial refrigeration systems.
Expansion Valve:
An expansion valve is a device used in refrigeration and air conditioning systems to regulate the
flow of refrigerant into the evaporator. The expansion valve controls the amount of refrigerant
entering the evaporator coil, thereby maintaining proper refrigerant flow and ensuring efficient
operation of the system.
Types of Expansion Valves:
1. Thermostatic Expansion Valve (TXV):
 A thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) is a commonly used type of expansion
valve that regulates refrigerant flow based on the temperature and pressure
conditions at the evaporator outlet.
 It consists of a sensing bulb connected to the evaporator outlet, which senses the
temperature of the refrigerant leaving the evaporator.
 The TXV modulates the flow of refrigerant by adjusting the size of the valve
opening, maintaining a constant superheat (temperature difference between the
refrigerant vapor and its saturation temperature) at the evaporator outlet.
 TXVs are widely used in air conditioning and refrigeration systems for precise
control over refrigerant flow and system efficiency.
2. Electronic Expansion Valve (EEV):
 An electronic expansion valve (EEV) is a type of expansion valve that uses
electronic control to adjust the refrigerant flow based on system parameters such
as temperature, pressure, and superheat.
 EEVs are controlled by electronic signals from the system controller, allowing for
precise modulation of refrigerant flow rates.
 They are commonly used in advanced refrigeration and air conditioning systems
where electronic control and high efficiency are desired.
3. Capillary Tube:
 A capillary tube is a simple, fixed-orifice expansion device consisting of a small-
diameter tube.
 It creates a pressure drop as refrigerant flows through it, resulting in the expansion
of refrigerant from high pressure to low pressure.
  Capillary tubes are passive devices with no moving parts and are often used in
small, low-cost refrigeration systems such as household refrigerators and freezers.
4. Float Valve (Float-Type Expansion Valve):
 A float valve, also known as a float-type expansion valve, controls refrigerant
flow by using a float mechanism to regulate the opening of the valve.
 The float responds to the liquid refrigerant level in the evaporator, adjusting the
valve opening to maintain proper liquid refrigerant level and prevent flooding of
the compressor.
 Float valves are commonly used in refrigeration systems with varying loads or in
systems where maintaining constant evaporator pressure is critical.
Discussion: