By: Robbie Jones

Definitions
Refrigeration: withdrawal of heat from a substance/space so that its temperature is lower than that of the natural surroundings Air Conditioning: process of treating air to control simultaneously its temperature, humidity, cleanliness, and distribution to meet the requirements of the conditioned space

Applications of Refrigeration
Supermarkets Florist Cabinets Soda Fountains Water Coolers Automatic Ice Makers Vending Machines Industrial Freezing of Foods Freeze Drying Industrial Storage of Frozen Foods

More Definitions
Compressor-removes heat-laden vapor refrigerant from the evaporator Condenser-removes the condensation heat from the refrigerant vapor Evaporator-picks up the heat removed by the condenser

Thermal Laws of Refrigeration

1. Fluids absorb heat while changing from liquid to vapor and give up heat during the change 2. Temperature is constant, if pressure remains constant 3. Heat flows from hot to cold 4. Metallic parts use metals that have a high heat conductivity 5. Heat and other forms of energy are interchangeable (electricity to heat, heat to electrical energy, and heat to mechanical energy)

Refrigeration Cycle
Compressor compresses the refrigerant in gas formtemperature rises Coil lets the gas dissipate the heat and cool down Gas condenses into liquid form again Liquid form of gas immediately boils, then vaporizes (causes refrigerator to be cold) Gas form of refrigerant sucked back into compressor and the process begins again

Refrigeration Cycle Simplified

Condenser
Step Three Step Two

Expansion Valve Step Four Evaporator

Compressor

Step One

Refrigerants
Classified into four areas: 1)Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) 2)Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) 3)Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) 4)Refrigerant Blends (azeotropic/zeotropic) Identified by # Cylinders identified by color Many requirements to meet EPA standards

Common Refrigerants
Ammonia-penetrating odor, soluble in water, harmless in small concentrations, non-flammable, explosive R-22-little odor, colorless as gas or liquid, non-toxic, non-irritating, non-flammable, non-corrosive, stable

CFC Refrigerants
Low toxicity, noncorrosive, and compatible with other materials Not flammable or explosive Heat can cause them to break down into their elements (harmful to humansrespiratory system especially) Harmful to environment (must follow strict EPA regulations)

HCFC Refrigerants
Composed of methane/ethane in combo. With a halogen Have shorter life Cause less ozone depletion (reduced global warming potential) Used as replacements until long term alternatives are available EPA requires phaseout by 2030

HFC Refrigerants
Contain one or more hydrogen atoms & no chlorine atoms Have no ozone depletion potential (very little effect on global warming) Typically used in new systems specially designed for their use Synthetic oils must be used Retrofitting of old systems to meet standards necessary to use these

Refrigerant Blends
Azeotropic blends-dont change or separate in composition when used in systems Zeotropic blends-comprised of various refrigerants Volumetric composition & saturation temperature dont change

Refrigerant Recovery/ Recycling/Reclaiming

Recovery: move refrigerant from a system & store it in an external container Recycling: Clean refrigerant for reuse by oil separation or other devices capable of doing the job Reclaiming: reprocess refrigerant to new product specs.-usually requires chemical analysis to meet specs.

Air Conditioning
Freon gas compressed by compressor (its at a cool temp.) Hot gas flows through tubing and condenses into a liquid Flows through expansion valve-evaporates and goes into gas form again Gas goes through a set of pipes to dissipate the heat it has gained Process starts again

Window Units
Operate the same as previous cycle, except for fans The fans blow air on the coils (increases efficiency, keeps refrigerant cooler) The hot air is outside and the cool air is inside (hot side and cool side)

Window Unit Efficiency

Measured in BTUs EER (Energy Efficiency Rating) EER=BTU rating/wattage SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating)-better rating-uses average values instead of values at any given point in the cycle COP (Coefficient of Performance)=SEER*0.293

Split-System Units
Partially inside and partially outside (separate hot side from cold side) Hot side=condensing unit=outside Cold side=coils and expansion valve-air ducts to carry air

Cooling Towers
More expensive-more efficient Dependent on relative humidity & barometric pressure Air blows through stream of water causing some to evaporate Water flows through thick sheet of mesh plastic Air blown through plastic at right angles to water flow Water cooled by evaporation Water constantly added to compensate for evaporation

Continuous-Cycle Absorption Systems

Used in most domestic refrigerators, recreational vehicles, some homes, and large buildings Consists of : boiler, condenser, evaporator, & absorber Operates by gas, electricity, or kerosene Ammonia, Water, and Hydrogen present No moving parts-advantage

Absorption System Steps

Pressure causes ammonia to condense (room temperature) Ammonia gas bubbles & mixes with water Ammonia/water mix flows through pipes Passes through water condenser, where water condenses & returns to boiler Ammonia travels to condenser & cools (condenses) Travels to the evaporator Hydrogen in evaporator causes ammonia to evaporate (heat removed) Hydrogen/Ammonia mix goes to absorber, where ammonia is absorbed & hydrogen returns to evaporator Ammonia returns to boiler and process starts again

Compression Cycle
Refrigerant starts at liquid receiver Refrigerant (liquid form at a high pressure) flows through refrigerant control Refrigerant Control=pressure reducer Refrigerant moves into evaporator Evaporator under low pressure Liquid refrigerant vaporizes/absorbs heat Vapor flows into the compressor and temperature rises (pressure increases=Boyles and Charles Laws)

Compression Cycle Cont.

Compressed high-temperature vapor pushed through exhaust valve into condenser Heat passed on to surrounding air Refrigerant returns to liquid after giving up heat Liquid stored in the receiver Process repeats Important-Heat transfer (like a sponge) Must have a temperature difference (heat absorber and heat dissipater)

Compressor Volumetric Efficiency

Volumetric Efficiency=(Actual Volume/Calculated Volume)*100 Actual Volume=volume of refrigerant gas pumped Calculated Volume=calculated volume of compressor cylinder Efficient=highest # possible