VAPOR COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION

C/W C/W

Sub Cooler

Process Fluid

VAPOR COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION VI. MECHANISM OF COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION

Liquid from the condenser/ surge tank flows through an expansion valve where its pressure is reduced and its temperature is lowered EXPANSION VALVE In the chiller, the liquid refrigerant removes heat from the process fluid flowing through the tubes. As the refrigerant removes heat, it boils. The vapors flow out of the top of the chiller to the compressor
Cooling Water

Refrigerant Liquid

Superheated Vapor

CONDENSOR The vapor from the compressor discharge flows through a condenser where it liquefies. Cooling water or air are used as coolant Refrigerant Liquid + Vapor Refrigerant Vapor

In the compressor, the refrigerant pressure is raised, consequently the temperature also is raised. The pressure is raised sufficiently to be able to condense at approx. ambient temperature

COMPRESOR

Cold Stream

EVAPORATOR

Warm Stream

Process stream

CONTROL OF REFRIGERATION The function of the refrigeration system is to chill / cool a process fluid to a certain temperature The temperature of the process fluid is controlled by regulation of the backpressure of the refrigerant vapour on the chiller The chiller pressure determines the boiling temperature of the refrigerant Compressor circulates refrigerant The purpose of the compressor control system is to match the compressor capacity exactly to the amount of refrigerant leaving the chiller

CONTROL OF REFRIGERATION CHILLER

The chiller pressure can be controlled in one of two ways:
1) Controlling compressor capacity (for variable compressor speed speed)
2) Use of a control valve in the refrigerant vapour line leaving the chiller (for constant speed) By maintaining constant pressure on the chiller the boiling temperature of the refrigerant remains constant. This means that the outlet process gas temperature will be essentially constant. The flow rate of refrigerant entering the chiller is controlled by the level control valve on the chiller (JT-valve is also act as chiller level control). If the chiller duty changes due to a change in the gas flow rate, the level control valve will change the refrigerant rate. By maintaining a constant level in the chiller, the chiller level control valve acts like a flow controller. As the level of refrigerant tries to change due to an increase or decrease in the chiller duty, the level control valve opens or closes to control the refrigerant rate into the chiller. So, the temperature of the gas leaving the chiller is controlled by manipulating the boiling pressure of the refrigerant. The refrigerant circulation rate is controlled by the level controller on the chiller.

CONTROL OF REFRIGERATION COMPRESSOR The capacity of a centrifugal compressor depends only upon two things: - The speed of the compressor, and - The differential pressure across the compressor (P discharge P suction) The purpose of the compressor control system is to match the compressor capacity exactly to the amount of refrigerant leaving the chiller. The capacity of a centrifugal compressor is always expressed in terms of actual m3/s [actual ft3/min]. Therefore, as the suction pressure and temperature change, the capacity of the compressor in kg/s [lb/min] changes.

CONTROL OF REFRIGERATION CONDENSER The condensers are controlled to hold a constant pressure at the compressor discharge. A pure component, like propane, boils and condenses at a constant pressure and temperature. So, we actually control the condensing pressure by controlling the condensing temperature. The rate may be controlled with louvers, variable pitch for blades, variable speed motors or a combination of the three. Louvers are the simplest, but are not very energy efficient. They may also be unsatisfactory at low flow rates because their response is non-linear. Variable pitch fan blades and variable speed motors are more expensive but give excellent control and save fan power at low flow rates. Many times, louvers are employed on one bay and variable pitch fan blades on the remaining bays. The variable pitch fan can be used for base loading and the louvers for trim control.

SINGLE STAGE EXPANSION

MULTI STAGES EXPANSION

PROPANE REFRIGERANT SYSTEM

First stage suction Second stage suction Third stage suction Discharge

PROPANE REFRIGERATION SYSTEM

4EDPV-3
4ESDV10 4ESDV11

4EDPV-2
4ESDV4 4C-5 1st Suct drum 2nd Suct drum 4ESDV-6

PSS
4C-6

PSS

4ESDV-9 4PV-8 Low pr essur e

4C-19

PSS

3C-10

Medium pr essur e

High pressure
4PV-8

Medium pressure

High pr essur e

Low pressure

4PV-9

VAPOR COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION

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PROPANE PROPERTIES
100F 40F

-40F

Su

in ool bc

Cooling Water Condensation

100F

ol Co

ing
260F

Expansion

CONDENSOR
40F

EXPANSION VALVE

Co m
40F

Evaporation
-40F

EVAPORATOR

100F -40F

P-H Diagram of Propane T: -40F, P: 15.7 Psia, Hf : 105 Btu/lb Hg : 310 Btu/lb

pr es sio n

COMPRES SOR

VAPOR COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION

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PROPANE PROPERTIES
Expansion
100F 40F

Cooling Water Condensation

ol Co ing
260F

-40F 100F

CONDENSOR
40F

Evaporation
40F

EvaporationEVAPORATOR
-40F

EVAPORATOR

100F -40F

P-H Diagram of Propane T: -40F, P: 15.7 Psia, Hf : 105 Btu/lb Hg : 310 Btu/lb
EXPANSION VALVE

Co m

COMPRES SOR

pr es sio n