Lesson

11
Vapour Compression
Refrigeration Systems:
Performance Aspects
And Cycle Modifications
Version 1 ME, IIT Kharagpur 1
The objectives of this lecture are to discuss
1. Performance aspects of SSS cycle and the effects of evaporator and condensing
temperatures on system performance (Section 11.1)
2. Modifications to the basic SSS cycle by way of subcooling and superheating and
effects of these modifications on system performance (Section 11.2.1)
3. Performance aspects of single stage VCRS cycle with Liquid-to-Suction Heat
Exchanger and the concept of Grindley’s cycle (Section 11.2.2)
4. Effect of superheat and criteria for optimum superheat (Section 11.3)
5. Actual vapour compression refrigeration systems (Section 11.4)
6. Complete vapour compression refrigeration systems (Section 11.5)

At the end of the lecture the student should be able to:

1. Show and discuss qualitatively the effects of evaporator and condensing

temperatures on specific and volumic refrigeration effects, on specific and
volumic work of compression and on system COP
2. Discuss and evaluate the performance of single stage VCRS with subcooling and
superheating from given inputs and known refrigerant property data
3. Evaluate the performance of the system with a LSHX
4. Establish the existence of optimum superheat condition using Ewings-Gosney
criteria
5. Evaluate the COP of actual VCRS from condensing and evaporator temperatures,
efficiency of motor and compressor
6. Draw an actual VCRS cycle on T-s and P-h diagrams and discuss the effects of
various irreversibilities due to pressure drops, heat transfer and non-ideal
compression
7. Describe briefly a complete vapour compression refrigeration system

11.1. Performance of SSS cycle

The performance of a standard VCRS cycle can be obtained by varying
evaporator and condensing temperatures over the required range. Figure 11.1 shows the
effects of evaporator and condensing temperatures on specific and volumic refrigeration
effects of a standard VCRS cycle. As shown in the figure, for a given condenser
temperature as evaporator temperature increases the specific refrigeration effect increases
marginally. It can be seen that for a given evaporator temperature, the refrigeration effect
decreases as condenser temperature increases. These trends can be explained easily with
the help of the P-h diagram. It can also be observed that the volumetric refrigeration
effect increases rapidly with evaporator temperature due to the increase in specific
refrigeration effect and decrease in specific volume of refrigerant vapour at the inlet to
the compressor. Volumetric refrigeration effect increases marginally as condenser
temperature decreases.

Version 1 ME, IIT Kharagpur 2

 qe
wc qv, (kJ/m3)
qe, (kJ/kg)
Tc
Tc
Tc
wc, kJ/kg wv, kJ/m3
qv Tc

Te
wv
Fig.11.1: Effects of evaporator and condenser temperatures on specific (qe)
and volumic (qv) refrigeration effects of a standard VCRS cycle
Te

Fig.11.2: Effect of evaporator and condenser temperatures on specific

and volumic works of compression of a standard VCRS cycle

Figure 11.2 shows that the specific work of compression decreases rapidly as the
evaporator temperature increases and condenser temperature decreases. Once again these
effects can be explained using a T s or P h diagram. For a given condenser temperature,
the volumic work of compression increases initially, reaches a peak, then starts
decreasing. This is due to the fact that as evaporator temperature increases the specific
work of compression decreases and the specific volume at the inlet to the compressor also
decreases. As a result, an optimum evaporator temperature exists at which the volumic
work of compression reaches a maximum. Physically, the volumic work of compression
is analogous to mean effective pressure of the compressor, as multiplying this with the
volumetric flow rate gives the power input to the compressor. For a given power input, a
high volumic work of compression implies smaller volumetric flow rates and hence a
smaller compressor.

Figure 11.3 shows the effect of evaporator and condenser temperatures on COP of
the SSS cycle. As expected, for a given condenser temperature the COP increases rapidly
with evaporator temperature, particularly at low condensing temperatures. For a given
evaporator temperature, the COP decreases as condenser temperature increases.
However, the effect of condenser temperature becomes marginal at low evaporator
temperatures.

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 The above results show that at very low evaporator temperatures, the COP
becomes very low and also the size of the compressor becomes large (due to small
volumic refrigeration effect). It can also be shown that the compressor discharge
temperatures also increase as the evaporator temperature decreases. Hence, single stage
vapour compression refrigeration systems are not viable for very low evaporator
temperatures. One has to use multistage or cascade systems for these applications. These
systems will be discussed in the next lecture. One can also observe the similarities in
performance trends between SSS cycle and Carnot cycle, which is to be expected as the
VCRS cycle is obtained by modifying the SSS cycle.

Tc
COP

Te

Fig.11.3: Effect of evaporator and condenser temperatures on COP of a

standard VCRS cycle

Version 1 ME, IIT Kharagpur 4

11.2. Modifications to SSS cycle
11.2.1. Subcooling and superheating:

In actual refrigeration cycles, the temperature of the heat sink will be several
degrees lower than the condensing temperature to facilitate heat transfer. Hence it is
possible to cool the refrigerant liquid in the condenser to a few degrees lower than the
condensing temperature by adding extra area for heat transfer. In such a case, the exit
condition of the condenser will be in the subcooled liquid region. Hence this process is
known as subcooling. Similarly, the temperature of heat source will be a few degrees
higher than the evaporator temperature, hence the vapour at the exit of the evaporator can
be superheated by a few degrees. If the superheating of refrigerant takes place due to heat
transfer with the refrigerated space (low temperature heat source) then it is called as
useful superheating as it increases the refrigeration effect. On the other hand, it is
possible for the refrigerant vapour to become superheated by exchanging heat with the
surroundings as it flows through the connecting pipelines. Such a superheating is called
as useless superheating as it does not increase refrigeration effect.

Subcooling is beneficial as it increases the refrigeration effect by reducing the

throttling loss at no additional specific work input. Also subcooling ensures that only
liquid enters into the throttling device leading to its efficient operation. Figure 11.4 shows
the VCRS cycle without and with subcooling on P-h and T-s coordinates. It can be seen
from the T-s diagram that without subcooling the throttling loss is equal to the hatched
area b-4’-4-c, whereas with subcooling the throttling loss is given by the area a-4”-4’-b.
Thus the refrigeration effect increases by an amount equal to (h4-h4’) = (h3-h3’). Another
practical advantage of subcooling is that there is less vapour at the inlet to the evaporator
which leads to lower pressure drop in the evaporator.

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 (a)
P
3’
3 2' 2

4’ 1
4

T (b)

2
3 2'
2''
ΔTsub
3’

f 1
4” 4' 4

a b c S

Fig.11.4: Comparison between a VCRS cycle without and with subcooling

(a) on P-h diagram (b) on T-s diagram

Useful superheating increases both the refrigeration effect as well as the work of
compression. Hence the COP (ratio of refrigeration effect and work of compression) may
or may not increase with superheat, depending mainly upon the nature of the working
fluid. Even though useful superheating may or may not increase the COP of the system, a
minimum amount of superheat is desirable as it prevents the entry of liquid droplets into
the compressor. Figure 11.5 shows the VCRS cycle with superheating on P-h and T-s
coordinates. As shown in the figure, with useful superheating, the refrigeration effect,
specific volume at the inlet to the compressor and work of compression increase.
Whether the volumic refrigeration effect (ratio of refrigeration effect by specific volume
at compressor inlet) and COP increase or not depends upon the relative increase in
refrigeration effect and work of compression, which in turn depends upon the nature of

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the refrigerant used. The temperature of refrigerant at the exit of the compressor increases
with superheat as the isentropes in the vapour region gradually diverge.

(a)

P 3 2 2'

4 1

T (b) 2'
Increase in work
2 of compression
3

4 1
Increase in specific
refrigeration effect

Fig.11.5: Effect of superheat on specific refrigeration effect and work of

compression (a) on P-h diagram (b) on T-s diagram

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11.2.2. Use of liquid-suction heat exchanger:

Required degree of subcooling and superheating may not be possible, if one were
to rely only on heat transfer between the refrigerant and external heat source and sink.
Also, if the temperature of refrigerant at the exit of the evaporator is not sufficiently
superheated, then it may get superheated by exchanging heat with the surroundings as it
flows through the connecting pipelines (useless superheating), which is detrimental to
system performance. One way of achieving the required amount of subcooling and
superheating is by the use of a liquid-suction heat exchanger (LSHX). A LSHX is a
counterflow heat exchanger in which the warm refrigerant liquid from the condenser
exchanges heat with the cool refrigerant vapour from the evaporator. Figure 11.6 shows
the schematic of a single stage VCRS with a liquid-suction heat exchanger. Figure 11.7
shows the modified cycle on T-s and P-h diagrams. As shown in the T-s diagram, since
the temperature of the refrigerant liquid at the exit of condenser is considerably higher
than the temperature of refrigerant vapour at the exit of the evaporator, it is possible to
subcool the refrigerant liquid and superheat the refrigerant vapour by exchanging heat
between them.

Qc
3
Condenser
2

Compressor
Liquid Suction HX Wc
4
1
Exp. device

Evaporator 6
5
Qe

Fig.11.6: A single stage VCRS system with Liquid-to-Suction Heat Exchanger (LSHX)

Version 1 ME, IIT Kharagpur 8

 T
(a)
2

3
4 heat

1
5 6

P (b)

4 3 2
heat

5 6 1

Fig.11.7: Single stage VCRS cycle with LSHX (a) on T-s diagram; (b) on P-h diagram

If we assume that there is no heat exchange between the surroundings and the
LSHX and negligible kinetic and potential energy changes across the LSHX, then, the
heat transferred between the refrigerant liquid and vapour in the LSHX, QLSHX is given
by:

Version 1 ME, IIT Kharagpur 9

 . . .
Q LSHX = m r (h 3 − h 4 ) = m r (h 1 − h 6 )
(11.1)
⇒ (h 3 − h 4 ) = (h 1 − h 6 )

if we take average values of specific heats for the vapour and liquid, then we can write
the above equation as;

c p ,l (T3 − T4 ) = c p , v (T1 − T6 ) (11.2)

since the specific heat of liquid (cp,l) is larger than that of vapour (cp,v), i.e., cp,l > cp,l, we
can write:

(T3 − T4 ) < (T1 − T6 ) (11.3)

This means that, the degree of subcooling (T3-T4) will always be less than the
degree of superheating, (T1-T6). If we define the effectiveness of the LSHX, εLSHX as the
ratio of actual heat transfer rate in the LSHX to maximum possible heat transfer rate,
then:

.
Q m r c p, v (T1 − T6 ) (T − T6 )
ε LSHX = act = . = 1 (11.4)
Q max (T3 − T6 )
m r c p, v (T3 − T6 )

.
The maximum possible heat transfer rate is equal to Q max = m r c p, v (T3 − T6 ) ,
because the vapour has a lower thermal capacity, hence only it can attain the maximum
possible temperature difference, which is equal to (T3 − T6 ) . If we have a perfect LSHX
with 100 percent effectiveness (εLSHX = 1.0), then from the above discussion it is clear
that the temperature of the refrigerant vapour at the exit of LSHX will be equal to the
condensing temperature, Tc, i.e., (T1 = T3 = Tc ) . This gives rise to the possibility of an
interesting cycle called as Grindley cycle, wherein the isentropic compression process
can be replaced by an isothermal compression leading to improved COP. The Grindley
cycle on T-s diagram is shown in Fig.11.8. Though theoretically the Grindley cycle offers
higher COP, achieving isothermal compression with modern high-speed reciprocating
and centrifugal compressors is difficult in practice. However, this may be possible with
screw compressor where the lubricating oil provides large heat transfer rates.

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 T

P=Pc

3 2 1
4 heat

P=Pe
5 6

S
Fig.11.8: Grindley cycle on T-s coordinates (1-2 is isothermal compression)

11.3 Effect of superheat on system COP

As mentioned before, when the refrigerant is superheated usefully (either in the
LSHX or the evaporator itself), the refrigeration effect increases. However, at the same
time the work of compression also increases, primarily due to increase in specific volume
of the refrigerant due to superheat. As a result, the volumic refrigeration effect and COP
may increase or decrease with superheating depending on the relative increase in
refrigeration effect and specific volume. It is observed that for some refrigerants the COP
is maximum when the inlet to the compressor is inside the two-phase region and
decreases as the suction condition moves into the superheated region. For other
refrigerants the COP does not reach a maximum and increases monotonically with
superheat. It was shown by Ewing and Gosney that a maximum COP occurs inside the
two-phase region if the following criterion is satisfied:

Te
COPsat > (11.5)
T2,sat − Te

where COPsat is the COP of the system with saturated suction condition, Te is the
evaporator temperature and T2,sat is the compressor discharge temperature when the
vapour at suction condition is saturated (see Fig.11.9). For example, at an evaporator
temperature of –15oC (258 K) and a condenser temperature of 30oC (303 K), the Table
11.1 shows that for refrigerants such as R11, R22, ammonia the maximum COP occurs
inside the two-phase region and superheating reduces the COP and also volumic
refrigeration effect, whereas for refrigerants such as R12, carbon dioxide and R502, no
maxima exists and the COP and volumic refrigeration effect increase with superheat.

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 T2,sat

Fig.11.9: Ewing-Gosney criteria for optimum suction condition

Refrigerant COPsat T2,sat Te Maximum

(K) T2,sat − Te COP
Ammonia 4.77 372 2.26 Yes
CO2 2.72 341 3.11 No
R11 5.03 317 4.38 Yes
R12 4.70 311 4.87 No
R22 4.66 326 3.80 Yes
R502 4.35 310 4.96 No

Table 11.1. Existence of maximum COP, Te = 258 K, Tc = 303 K (Gosney)

It should be noted that the above discussion holds under the assumption that the
superheat is a useful superheat. Even though superheat appears to be not desirable for
refrigerants such as ammonia, still a minimum amount of superheat is provided even for
these refrigerants to prevent the entry of refrigerant liquid into the compressor. Also it is
observed experimentally that some amount of superheat is good for the volumetric
efficiency of the compressor, hence in practice almost all the systems operate with some
superheat.

11.4 Actual VCRS systems

The cycles considered so far are internally reversible and no change of refrigerant
state takes place in the connecting pipelines. However, in actual VCRS several
irreversibilities exist. These are due to:

1. Pressure drops in evaporator, condenser and LSHX

2. Pressure drop across suction and discharge valves of the compressor
3. Heat transfer in compressor
4. Pressure drop and heat transfer in connecting pipe lines

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 Figures 11.10 shows the actual VCRS cycle on P-h and T-s diagrams indicating
various irreversibilities. From performance point of view, the pressure drop in the
evaporator, in the suction line and across the suction valve has a significant effect on
system performance. This is due to the reason that as suction side pressure drop increases
the specific volume at suction, compression ratio (hence volumetric efficiency) and
discharge temperature increase. All these effects lead to reduction in system capacity,
increase in power input and also affect the life of the compressor due to higher discharge
temperature. Hence this pressure drop should be as small as possible for good
performance. The pressure drop depends on the refrigerant velocity, length of refrigerant
tubing and layout (bends, joints etc.). Pressure drop can be reduced by reducing
refrigerant velocity (e.g. by increasing the inner diameter of the refrigerant tubes),
however, this affects the heat transfer coefficient in evaporator. More importantly a
certain minimum velocity is required to carry the lubricating oil back to the compressor
for proper operation of the compressor.

Heat transfer in the suction line is detrimental as it reduces the density of refrigerant
vapour and increases the discharge temperature of the compressor. Hence, the suction
lines are normally insulated to minimize heat transfer.

In actual systems the compression process involves frictional effects and heat
transfer. As a result, it cannot be reversible, adiabatic (eventhough it can be isentropic).
In many cases cooling of the compressor is provided deliberately to maintain the
maximum compressor temperature within safe limits. This is particularly true in case of
refrigerants such as ammonia. Pressure drops across the valves of the compressor
increase the work of compression and reduce the volumetric efficiency of the
compressor. Hence they should be as small as possible.

Compared to the vapour lines, the system is less sensitive to pressure drop in the
condenser and liquid lines. However, this also should be kept as low as possible. Heat
transfer in the condenser connecting pipes is not detrimental in case of refrigeration
systems. However, heat transfer in the subcooled liquid lines may affect the performance.

In addition to the above, actual systems are also different from the theoretical cycles
due to the presence of foreign matter such as lubricating oil, water, air, particulate matter
inside the system. The presence of lubricating oil cannot be avoided, however, the system
design must ensure that the lubricating oil is carried over properly to the compressor.
This depends on the miscibility of refrigerant-lubricating oil. Presence of other foreign
materials such as air (non-condensing gas), moisture, particulate matter is detrimental to
system performance. Hence systems are designed and operated such that the
concentration of these materials is as low as possible.

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P

2
2c 2a
3a 3b 3 2b

4 1d 1c 1b
1a
1

T 2 2a
2b
2c

3
3b
3a

1b
4 1c
1a 1
1d

S
Fig.11.10: Actual VCRS cycle on P-h and T-s diagrams

Process State
Pressure drop in evaporator 4-1d
Superheat of vapour in evaporator 1d-1c
Useless superheat in suction line 1c-1b
Suction line pressure drop 1b-1a
Pressure drop across suction valve 1a-1
Non-isentropic compression 1-2
Pressure drop across discharge valve 2-2a
Pressure drop in the delivery line 2a-2b
Desuperheating of vapour in delivery pipe 2b-2c
Pressure drop in the condenser 2b-3
Subcooling of liquid refrigerant 3-3a
Heat gain in liquid line 3a-3b

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 The COP of actual refrigeration systems is sometimes written in terms of the
COP of Carnot refrigeration system operating between the condensing and evaporator
temperatures (COPCarnot), cycle efficiency (ηcyc), isentropic efficiency of the compressor
(ηis) and efficiency of the electric motor (ηmotor), as given by the equation shown below:

COPact = η cyc η is η motor COPCarnot (11.6)

An approximate expression for cycle efficiency (ηcyc) in the evaporator

temperature range of –50oC to +40oC and condensing temperature range of +10oC to
+60oC for refrigerants such as ammonia, R 12 and R 22 is suggested by Linge in 1966.
This expression for a refrigeration cycle operating without (ΔTsub = 0) and with
subcooling (ΔTsub = Tc-Tr,exit > 0 K) are given in Eqns. (11.7) and (11.8), respectively:

⎛ T − Te ⎞
η cyc = ⎜⎜1 − c ⎟⎟ without subcooling (11.7)
⎝ 265 ⎠

⎛ T − Te ⎞⎛ ΔTsub ⎞
η cyc = ⎜⎜1 − c ⎟⎟ ⎜⎜1 + ⎟⎟ with subcooling (11.8)
⎝ 265 ⎠⎝ 250 ⎠

In the above equations Tc and Te are condensing and evaporator temperatures,

respectively.

The isentropic efficiency of the compressor (ηis) depends on several factors such
as the compression ratio, design of the compressor, nature of the working fluid etc.
However, in practice its value generally lies between 0.5 to 0.8. The motor efficiency
(ηmotor) depends on the size and motor load. Generally the motor efficiency is maximum
at full load. At full load its value lies around 0.7 for small motors and about 0.95 for large
motors.

11.5 Complete vapour compression refrigeration systems

In addition to the basic components, an actual vapour compression refrigeration
consists of several accessories for safe and satisfactory functioning of the system. These
include: compressor controls and safety devices such as overload protectors, high and
low pressure cutouts, oil separators etc., temperature and flow controls, filters, driers,
valves, sight glass etc. Modern refrigeration systems have automatic controls, which do
not require continuous manual supervision.

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Questions:
1. For the same condensing temperature and refrigeration capacity, a vapour compression
refrigeration system operating at a lower evaporator temperature is more expensive than a
system operating at a higher evaporator temperature, because at low evaporator
temperature:

a) Volumic refrigeration effect is high, hence the size of the compressor is large
b) Volumic refrigeration effect is small, hence the size of the compressor is large
c) Specific refrigeration effect is high, hence size of evaporator is large
d) All the above
Ans.: b)

2. For a given condensing temperature, the volumic work of compression of a standard

VCRS increases initially with evaporator temperature reaches a maximum and then starts
decreasing, this is because as evaporator increases:

a) Both specific volume of refrigerant and work of compression increase

b) Specific volume of refrigerant increases and work of compression decreases
c) Both specific volume and work of compression decrease
d) Specific volume decreases and specific refrigeration effect increases
Ans.: c)

3. Subcooling is beneficial as it:

a) Increases specific refrigeration effect

b) Decreases work of compression
c) Ensures liquid entry into expansion device
d) All of the above
Ans.: a) and c)

4. Superheating:

a) Always increases specific refrigeration effect

b) Always decreases specific work of compression
c) Always increases specific work of compression
d) Always increases compressor discharge temperature
Ans.: c) and d)

5. Degree of superheating obtained using a LSHX is:

a) Always greater than the degree of subcooling

b) Always less than degree of subcooling
c) Always equal to degree of subcooling
d) Depends on the effectiveness of heat exchanger
Ans.: a)

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6. Whether the maximum COP occurs when the suction condition is in two-phase region
or not depends mainly on:

a) Properties of the refrigerant

b) Effectiveness of LSHX
c) Operating temperatures
d) All of the above
Ans.: a)

7. In actual VCRS, the system performance is affected mainly by:

a) Pressure drop and heat transfer in suction line

b) Pressure drop and heat transfer in discharge line
c) Heat transfer in compressor
d) All of the above
Ans.: a)

8. Pressure drop and heat transfer in suction line:

a) Decrease compression ratio & discharge temperature

b) Increase compression ratio & discharge temperature
c) Decreases specific volume of refrigerant at suction
d) Increases specific volume of refrigerant at suction
Ans.: b) and d)

9. A SSS vapour compression refrigeration system based on refrigerant R 134a operates

between an evaporator temperature of –25oC and a condenser temperature of 50oC.
Assuming isentropic compression, find:

a) COP of the system

b) Work input to compressor
c) Area of superheat horn (additional work required due to superheat)

Throttling loss (additional work input due to throttling in place of isentropic expansion)
assuming the isobar at condenser pressure to coincide with saturated liquid line.

Ans.: Given: Refrigerant : R 134a

Te = -25oC
Tc = 50oC

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 T A1

A2 2
3 2'
o
50 C 2''

1’
-25oC 4'
1
4

A2

c d e

Using refrigerant R134a property data, required properties at various state points are:

State T P h s Quality
Point (oC) (bar) (kJ/kg) (kJ/kg.K)
1 -25.0 1.064 383.4 1.746 1.0

2 60.7 13.18 436.2 1.746 Superheated

3 50.0 13.18 271.6 1.237 0.0

4 -25.0 1.064 271.6 1.295 0.4820

1’ -25.0 1.064 167.2 0.8746 0.0

2’ 50.0 13.18 423.4 1.707 1.0

2” 50.0 10.2 430.5 1.746 Superheated

4’ -25.0 1.064 257.1 1.237 0.4158

a) COP = (h1-h4)/(h2-h1) = 2.1174

b) Work input to compressor, Wc = (h2-h1) = 52.8 kJ/kg

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c) Superheat horn area, area A1:
Area A1 = Area under 2-2’ − Area under 2”-2’

Area under 2-2’: Tds = (dh-vdP) = dh = h2-h2’ ( dp = 0)

⇒ Area under 2-2’ = h2-h2’ = 12.8 kJ/kg

Area under 2”-2’ = Tds = Tc (s2”-s2’) = 12.6 kJ/kg

Superheat horn area = Area A1 = (12.8 – 12.6) = 0.2 kJ/kg

d) Throttling loss, Area A2 (assuming the saturated liquid line to coincide with isobar at
condenser pressure):
Area A2 = Area under 3-1’−Area under 4’-1’ = (h3−h1’) – Te(s3-s1’) ( s3 = s4’)
Throttling area = (271.6−167.2) – 248.15(1.237−0.8746) = 14.47 kJ/kg
Alternatively:
Throttling area = Area under 4-4’ = Te(s4-s4’) = 248.15(1.295–1.237) = 14.4 kJ/kg
Check:
Wsss = WCarnot+Area A1+Area A2
WCarnot = (Tc-Te)(s1−s4’) = 75(1.746-1.237) = 38.2 kJ/kg
Wsss = 38.2+14.4+0.2 = 52.8 kJ/kg
10. In a R22 based refrigeration system, a liquid-to-suction heat exchanger (LSHX) with
an effectiveness of 0.65 is used. The evaporating and condensing temperatures are 7.2oC
and 54.4oC respectively. Assuming the compression process to be isentropic, find:

a) Specific refrigeration effect

b) Volumic refrigeration effect
c) Specific work of compression
d) COP of the system
e) Temperature of vapour at the exit of the compressor

Comment on the use of LSHX by comparing the performance of the system with a SSS
cycle operating between the same evaporator and condensing temperatures.

Ans.:
Given: Refrigerant : R 22
Te = 7.2oC
Tc = 54.4oC
Effectiveness of LSHX,εX = 0.65

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 Qc

4
Condenser
3

Compressor
5 LSHX
Wc
2
Exp. device

1
Evaporator
6

Qe

4 3’
5 3

heat

1’
6 6’ 1 2

Effectiveness of LSHX, εX = (Qact/Qmax) = [(mCp)minΔTact,min]/ [(mCp)minΔTmax]

= (T2-T1)/(T4-T1); Cp,vapour < Cp,liquid
(T2-T1)/(T4-T1) = 0.65 ⇒ T2 = T1+0.65(T4-T1) = 37.88oC
From energy balance across LSHX:
(h2-h1) = (h4-h5) ⇒ h5 = h4 – (h2-h1)

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From the above data and using refrigerant property values for R 22 at various state
points are:
State T P h s v Quality
o 3
Point ( C) (bar) (kJ/kg) (kJ/kg.K) m /kg
1 7.2 6.254 407.6 1.741 0.03773 1.0

2 37.88 6.254 430.7 1.819 0.04385 Superheated

3 104.9 21.46 466.8 1.819 - Superheated

4 54.4 21.46 269.5 1.227 - 0.0

5 37.65 21.46 246.4 1.154 - Subcooled

6 7.2 6.254 246.4 1.166 - 0.1903

6’ 7.2 6.254 269.5 1.248 - 0.3063

3’ 74.23 21.46 438.6 1.741 - Superheated

1’ 7.2 6.254 208.5 1.030 - 0.0

With LSHX:
a) Refrigeration effect = (h1-h6) = 161.2 kJ/kg
b) Volumic refrigeration effect = (h1-h6)/v2 = 3676.2 kJ/m3
c) Work of compression = (h3-h2) = 36.1 kJ/kg
d) COP = (h1-h6)/ (h3-h2) = 4.465
e) Temperature at compressor exit (from Pc and s3=s2) = 104.9oC

Without LSHX:
a) Refrigeration effect = (h1-h6’) = 138.1 kJ/kg
b) Volumic refrigeration effect = (h1-h6’)/v1 = 3660.2 kJ/m3
c) Work of compression = (h3’-h1) = 31.0 kJ/kg
d) COP = (h1-h6’)/ (h3’-h1) = 4.455
e) Temperature at compressor exit (from Pc and s1=s3’) = 74.23oC

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 Parameter With LSHX Without LSHX

Refrigeration effect, kJ/kg 161.2 138.1

Ref. quality at evaporator inlet 0.1903 0.3063

Vol. Refrigeration effect, kJ/m3 3676.2 3660.2

Work of compression, kJ/kg 36.1 31.0

COP 4.465 4.455

Compressor exit temperature, oC 104.9 74.23

Comments:
a) There is no appreciable change in COP with the addition of LSHX
b) Quality of refrigerant at evaporator inlet is significantly lower with LSHX
c) Discharge temperature is significantly high with LSHX
d) For refrigerant R-22, use of LSHX does not improve the performance of the
system significantly, however, the evaporator with LSHX performs better due to
the lower vapour fraction at its inlet

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