CHAPTER 13 - EXPANSION DEVICES

13-1.

Using the method described in Sec. 13-5 and entering conditions given in Table 13-1 for example 13-1 at
position 4, compute the length of tube needed to drop the temperature to 36 C. Use property values from
Refrigerant 22 tables when possible.

Solution:
At Table 13-1, position 4
Temperature = 37 C.
p4 = 1425.8 kPa
x4 = 0.023
3

4 = 0.001230 m /kg
h4 = 249.84 kJ/kg
V4 = 5.895 m/s
At Position 5, t = 36 C
Eq. 13-15
2418.4
p
ln
= 15.06
1000
t
+
273.15

p
2418.4
ln 5 = 15.06
1000
36
+ 273.15

p5 = 1390.3 kPa
Eq. 13-16.
f5 = 0.777 + 0.002062t + 0.00001608t 2

f5 =

0.777 + 0.002062(36) + 0.00001608(36)2

1000
3

nf5 = 0.000872 m /kg

Eq. 13-17.
4.26 + 94050 (t + 273.15) p
g5 =
1000
4.26 + 94050 (36 + 273.15) (1390300)
g5 =
1000
3

nf5 = 0.01665 m /kg

Eq. 13-18.
h f5 = 200.0 + 1.172t + 0.001854t 2
h f5 = 200.0 + 1.172(36) + 0.001854(36)2
hf5 = 244.6 kJ/kg
Eq. 13-19
h g5 = 405.5 + 0.3636t 0.002273t 2

h g5 = 405.5 + 0.3636(36) 0.002273(36)2

hg5 = 415.64 kJ/kg
Eq. 13-20
f5 = 0.0002367 1.715 10 6 t + 8.869 10 9 t 2
f5 = 0.0002367 1.715 10 6 (36) + 8.869 10 9 (36)2
f5 = 0.0001865 Pa.s
Eq. 13-21.
g5 = 11.945 10 6 + 50.06 10 9 t + 0.2560 10 9 t 2

Page 1 of 14

CHAPTER 13 - EXPANSION DEVICES

g5 = 11.945 10 6 + 50.06 10 9 (36) + 0.2560 10 9 (36)2

g5 = 0.00001408 Pa.s
Eq. 13-14.
x=

b b 2 4ac
2a
2

w 1
a = g5 f5 2
A 2

w/A = 4792.2 kg/s.m from Ex. 13-1.

a = (0.01665 0.000872)2 (4792.2)2

1
= 2858.54
2

w
b = 1000 h g5 h f5 + f5 g5 f5
A

b = 1000(415.64 244.6) + 0.00872(0.01665 0.000872)(4792.2 )2

b = 171,356
2

2
w 1 2 V4
c = 1000(h f5 h 4 ) +
f5
2
A 2

c = 1000(244.6 249.84 ) + (4792.2)2

2
1
(0.000872)2 (5.895)
2
2

c = -5,248.65
x=
x=

b b 2 4ac
2a
171,356 171,356 2 4(2854.54 )(- 5248.65)
2(2858.54 )

= 0.031

Then:
h5 = hf5 + x(hg5 - hf5)
h5 = 244.6 + 0.031 (415.64 - 244.6)
h5 = 249.9 kJ/kg
5 = f5 + x(g5 - f5)
5 = 0.000873 + 0.031 (0.01665 - 0.000872)
3

5 = 0.001361 m /kg

5 = f5 + x g5 f5

5 = 0.0001865 + 0.031(0.00001408 0.0001865)

5 = 0.0001812 Pa.s
w
5 = (4792.2)(0.001361)
A
V5 = 6.522 m/s
V5 =

VD D w
=
A
D = 1.63 mm = 0.00163 m
At 4:
4 = f4 = 0.0002367 1.715 10 6 t + 8.869 10 9 t 2
t4 = 37 C
Re =

Page 2 of 14

CHAPTER 13 - EXPANSION DEVICES

4 = 0.0002367 1.715 10 6 (37) + 8.869 10 9 (37)2

4 = 0.0001854
Re =

(0.00163) (4792.2) = 43,109

(0.0001812)

Eq. 13-9.
0.33
f = 0.25
Re
0.33
f4 =
= 0.02303
(42,132)0.25
0.33
f5 =
= 0.02290
(43,109)0.25
0.02303 + 0.02290
= 0.022965
2
5.895 + 6.522
Vm =
= 6.2085 m/s
2
Eq. 13-4

L V 2
(p 4 - p 5 ) - f
A = w (V5 V4 )
D 2

Eq. 13-7
fm =

L V 2
L V w
=f
D 2
D 2 A
(p 4 - p 5 ) - f L V w = w (V5 V4 )
D 2 A A
L V w
1000(1425.8 - 1390.3) - f
= 4792.2(6.522 5.895)
D 2 A
L V w
f
= 32,495.3
D 2 A
(0.022965) L (6.2085) (4792.2) = 32,495.3
(0.00163) 2
L4-5 = 0.155 m - - - Ans.
f

13-2.

A capillary tube is to be selected to throttle 0.011 kg/s of refrigerant 12 from a condensing pressure of 960
kPa and a temperature of 35 C to an evaporator operating at -20 C.
(a)
Using Figs. 13-7 and 13-8, select the bore and length of a capillary tube for this assignment.
(b)
If the evaporating temperature had been 5 C rather than -20 C, would the selection of part (a) be
suitable? Discuss assumptions that have been made.

Solution: Table A-5, p = 960 kPa, tsat = 40 C,

Subcooling = 40 C - 35 C = 5 C
(a)
Use bore diameter D = 1.63 mm
Fig. 13-7, 960 kPa inlet pressure, saturated.
Flow rate = 0.0089 kg/s
Fig. 13-8.
Flow correction factor = (0.011 kg/s)/(0.0089 kg/s)
Flow correction factor = 1.24
Then Length = 1,230 mm = 1.23 m L - - - Ans.
(b)
Use positions from 35 C to -20 C at 5 C increment.
Table A-5, 35 C, sat. p = 847.72 kPa.

Page 3 of 14

CHAPTER 13 - EXPANSION DEVICES

At position 1,
h1 = 233.50 kJ/kg
3

1 = 0.78556 L/kg = 0.000786 m /kg

Table 15-5, 1 = 0.000202 Pa.s
p1 = 960 kPa
w
0.011
=
= 5271.4 kg/s.m 2
A (0.00163)2 4
w
V1 = 1 = (5271.4 )(0.000786)
A
V1 = 4.143 m/s
Re 1 =
Re 1 =

V1D w D
=
1 1 A 1

(5271.4)(0.00163) = 42,537

0.000202
0.33
0.33
f1 =
=
= 0.02298
0.25
Re 1
(42537)0.25
At position 2, 30 C
p2 = 744.90 kPa
hf2 = 228.54 kJ/kg
hg2 = 363.57 kJ/kg
3

f2 = 0.77386 L/kg = 0.000774 m /kg

3

g2 = 23.5082 L/kg = 0.02351 m /kg

f2 = 0.0002095 Pa.s
g2 = 0.00001305 Pa.s
x=

b b 2 4ac
2a
2

w 1
a = g2 f2 2
A 2

a = (0.02351 0.000774 )2 (5271.4 )2

1
= 7182.1
2

w
b = 1000 h g2 h f2 + f2 g2 f2
A

b = 1000(363.57 228.54 ) + 0.000774(0.02351 0.000774 )(5271.4 )2

b = 135,519
2

2
w 1 2 V1
c = 1000(h f2 h1 ) +
f2
2
A 2

c = 1000(228.54 233.50) + (5271.4 )2

2
1
(0.000774)2 (4.143)
2
2

c = -4,960.3
x=

b b 2 4ac
2a

Page 4 of 14

CHAPTER 13 - EXPANSION DEVICES

x=

135,519 135,519 2 4(7182.1)(- 4960.3)

2(7182.1)

= 0.0365

Then:
h2 = hf2 + x(hg2 - hf2)
h2 = 233.47 kJ/kg
2 = f2 + x(g2 - f2)
3

2 = 0.001604 m /kg

2 = f2 + x g2 f2

2 = 0.0002023 Pa.s
w
2 = (5271.4 )(0.001604)
A
V2 = 8.455 m/s
V2 =

VD D w
=

2 A
(5271.4)(0.00163) = 42,474
Re 2 =
0.0002023
0.33
f 2 = 0.25
Re
0.33
f2 =
= 0.02299
(42,474)0.25
Re 2 =

0.02298 + 0.02299
= 0.022985
2
4.142 + 8.455
Vm =
= 6.299 m/s
2
(p 1 - p 2 ) - f L V w = w (V2 V1 )
D 2 A A
fm =

1000(960 - 744.9) - (0.022985)

(0.00163)

(6.299) (5271.4) = 5271.4(8.455 4.143)

2

L1-2 = 0.8217 m
At position 3, 25 C
p2 = 651.62 kPa
hf2 = 223.65 kJ/kg
hg2 = 361.68 kJ/kg
3

f2 = 0.76286 L/kg = 0.000763 m /kg

3

g2 = 26.8542 L/kg = 0.026854 m /kg

f2 = 0.000217 Pa.s
g2 = 0.0000128 Pa.s
x=

b b 2 4ac
2a
2

w 1
a = g3 f3 2
A 2

Page 5 of 14

CHAPTER 13 - EXPANSION DEVICES

a = (0.026854 0.000763)2 (5271.4 )2

1
= 9458.1
2

w
b = 1000 h g3 h f3 + f3 g3 f3
A

b = 1000(361.68 223.65) + 0.000763(0.026854 0.000763)(5271.4 )2

b = 138,583
2

2
w 1 2 V2
c = 1000(h f3 h 2 ) +
f3
2
A 2

c = 1000(223.65 233.47) + (5271.4 )2

2
1
(0.000763)2 (8.455)
2
2

c = -9,847.7
x=
x=

b b 2 4ac
2a
138,583 138,583 2 4(9458.1)(- 9847.7)
2(9458.1)

= 0.0707

Then:
h3 = hf3 + x(hg3 - hf3)
h3 = 233.41 kJ/kg
3 = f3 + x(g3 - f3)
3

3 = 0.002608 m /kg

3 = f3 + x g3 f3

3 = 0.0002026 Pa.s
w
3 = (5271.4 )(0.002608)
A
V3 = 13.748 m/s
V3 =

VD D w
=

3 A
(5271.4)(0.00163) = 42,411
Re 3 =
0.0002026
0.33
f 3 = 0.25
Re
0.33
f3 =
= 0.0230
(42,411)0.25
Re 3 =

0.02299 + 0.0230
= 0.0230
2
8.455 + 13.748
= 11.102 m/s
Vm =
2
(p 2 - p 3 ) - f L V w = w (V3 V2 )
D 2 A A
fm =

1000(744.9 - 651.62) - (0.0230)

L
(11.102) (5271.4) = 5271.4(13.748 8.455)
(0.00163) 2
L

2-3

Page 6 of 14

= 0.1584 m

CHAPTER 13 - EXPANSION DEVICES

At position 4, 20 C
p4 = 567.29 kPa
hf4 = 218.82 kJ/kg
hg4 = 359.73 kJ/kg
3

f4 = 0.75246 L/kg = 0.00075246 m /kg

3

g4 = 30.7802 L/kg = 0.0307802 m /kg

f2 = 0.000225 Pa.s
g2 = 0.0000126 Pa.s
x=

b b 2 4ac
2a

a = g4 f4

w 1

A 2

a = (0.0307802 0.00075246)2 (5271.4 )2

b = 1000 h g4 h f4 + f4 g4 f4

w

A

1
= 12,528
2
2

b = 1000(359.73 218.82) + 0.00075246(0.0307802 0.00075246)(5271.4 )2

b = 141,538
2

2
w 1 2 V3
c = 1000(h f4 h 3 ) +
f4
2
A 2

c = 1000(218.82 233.41) + (5271.4 )2

2
1
(0.00075246)2 (13.748)
2
2

c = -14,677
x=
x=

b b 2 4ac
2a
141,538 141,538 2 4(12528)(- 14677)
2(12528)

= 0.1028

Then:
h4 = hf4 + x(hg4 - hf4)
h4 = 233.31 kJ/kg
4 = f4 + x(g4 - f4)
3

4 = 0.003839 m /kg

4 = f4 + x g4 f4

4 = 0.0002032 Pa.s
w
4 = (5271.4 )(0.003839)
A
V4 = 20.237 m/s
V4 =

VD D w
=

4 A
(5271.4)(0.00163) = 42,285
Re 4 =
0.0002032
Re 4 =

Page 7 of 14

CHAPTER 13 - EXPANSION DEVICES

0.33

f4 =

Re 0.25
0.33

f4 =

(42,285)0.25

= 0.0230

0.0230 + 0.0230
= 0.0230
2
13.748 + 20.237
Vm =
= 16.993 m/s
2
(p 4 - p 3 ) - f L V w = w (V4 V3 )
D 2 A A
fm =

1000(651.62 - 567.29) - (0.0230)

(0.00163)

(16.993) (5271.4) = 5271.4(20.237 13.748)

2

L3-4 = 0.0793 m

At position 5, 15 C
p5 = 491.37 kPa
hf5 = 214.05 kJ/kg
hg5 = 357.73 kJ/kg
3

f5 = 0.74262 L/kg = 0.00074262 m /kg

3

g5 = 35.4133 L/kg = 0.0354133 m /kg

f5 = 0.0002355 Pa.s
g5 = 0.0000124 Pa.s
x=

b b 2 4ac
2a
2

w 1
a = g5 f5 2
A 2

1
= 16,701
2

a = (0.0354133 0.00074262)2 (5271.4 )2

w
b = 1000 h g5 h f5 + f5 g5 f5
A

b = 1000(357.73 214.05) + 0.00074262(0.0354133 0.00074262)(5271.4 )2

b = 144,396
2

2
w 1 2 V4
c = 1000(h f5 h 4 ) +
f5
2
A 2

c = 1000(214.05 233.31) + (5271.4 )2

2
1
(0.00074262)2 (20.237)
2
2

c = -19,457
x=
x=

b b 2 4ac
2a
144,396 144,396 2 4(16,701)(- 19,457)
2(16,701)

= 0.1327

Then:
h5 = hf5 + x(hg5 - hf5)
Page 8 of 14

CHAPTER 13 - EXPANSION DEVICES

h5 = 233.12 kJ/kg
5 = f5 + x(g5 - f5)
3

5 = 0.005343 m /kg

5 = f5 + x g5 f5

5 = 0.0002059 Pa.s
w
5 = (5271.4 )(0.005343)
A
V5 = 28.165 m/s
V5 =

VD D w
=

5 A
(5271.4)(0.00163) = 41,731
Re 5 =
0.0002059
0.33
f 5 = 0.25
Re
0.33
f5 =
= 0.02309
(41,731)0.25
Re 5 =

0.0230 + 0.02309
= 0.02305
2
20.237 + 28.165
Vm =
= 24.201 m/s
2
fm =

(p4 - p5 ) - f L V w

w
(V5 V4 )
A
L (24.201)
1000(567.29 - 491.37) - (0.02305)
(5271.4) = 5271.4(28.165 20.237)
(0.00163) 2
L
D 2 A

4-5

At position 6, 10 C
p6 = 423.30 kPa
hf6 = 209.32 kJ/kg
hg6 = 355.69 kJ/kg
3

f6 = 0.73326 L/kg = 0.00073326 m /kg

3

g6 = 40.9137 L/kg = 0.0409137 m /kg

f6 = 0.000246 Pa.s
g6 = 0.0000122 Pa.s
x=

b b 2 4ac
2a

a = g6 f6

w 1

A 2
1
= 22,431
2

a = (0.0409137 0.00073326)2 (5271.4 )2

w
b = 1000 h g6 h f6 + f6 g6 f6
A

Page 9 of 14

= 0.0378 m

CHAPTER 13 - EXPANSION DEVICES

b = 1000(355.69 209.32) + 0.00073326(0.0409137 0.00073326)(5271.4 )2

b = 147,189
2

2
w 1 2 V5
c = 1000(h f6 h 5 ) +
f6
2
A 2

c = 1000(209.32 233.12) + (5271.4 )2

2
1
(0.00073326)2 (28.165)
2
2

c = -24,189
x=
x=

b b 2 4ac
2a
147,189 147,189 2 4(22,431)(- 24,189)
2(22,431)

= 0.1604

Then:
h6 = hf6 + x(hg6 - hf6)
h6 = 232.80 kJ/kg
6 = f6 + x(g6 - f6)
3

6 = 0.007178 m /kg

6 = f6 + x g6 f6

6 = 0.0002085 Pa.s
w
6 = (5271.4 )(0.007178)
A
V6 = 37.838 m/s
V6 =

VD D w
=

6 A
(5271.4)(0.00163) = 41,211
Re 6 =
0.0002085
0.33
f 6 = 0.25
Re
0.33
f6 =
= 0.02316
(41,211)0.25
Re 6 =

0.02309 + 0.02316
= 0.02313
2
28.165 + 37.838
Vm =
= 33 m/s
2
(p 5 - p 6 ) - f L V w = w (V6 V5 )
D 2 A A
fm =

1000(491.37 - 423.30) - (0.02313)

L
(33.0) (5271.4) = 5271.4(37.838 28.165)
(0.00163) 2
L

5-6

At position 7, 5 C
p7 = 363.55 kPa
hf7 = 204.64 kJ/kg
hg7 = 353.60 kJ/kg

Page 10 of 14

= 0.0138 m

CHAPTER 13 - EXPANSION DEVICES

f7 = 0.72438 L/kg = 0.00072438 m /kg

3

g7 = 47.4853 L/kg = 0.0474853 m /kg

f6 = 0.0002565 Pa.s
g6 = 0.0000120 Pa.s
x=

b b 2 4ac
2a
2

w 1
a = g7 f7 2
A 2

1
= 30,380
2

a = (0.0474853 0.00072438)2 (5271.4 )2

w
b = 1000 h g7 h f7 + f7 g7 f7
A

b = 1000(353.60 204.64 ) + 0.00072438(0.0474853 0.00072438)(5271.4 )2

b = 149,901
2

2
w 1 2 V6
c = 1000(h f7 h 6 ) +
f7
2
A 2

c = 1000(204.64 232.80) + (5271.4 )2

2
1
(0.00072438)2 (37.838)
2
2

c = -28,869
x=
x=

b b 2 4ac
2a
149,901 149,9012 4(30,380)(- 28,869)
2(30,380)

= 0.1856

Then:
h7 = hf7 + x(hg7 - hf7)
h7 = 232.29 kJ/kg
7 = f7 + x(g7 - f7)
3

7 = 0.009403 m /kg

7 = f7 + x g7 f7

7 = 0.0002111 Pa.s
w
7 = (5271.4 )(0.009403)
A
V6 = 49.567 m/s
V7 =

VD D w
=

7 A
(5271.4)(0.00163) = 40,703
Re 7 =
0.0002111
0.33
f 7 = 0.25
Re
0.33
f7 =
= 0.02323
(40,703)0.25
Re 7 =

Page 11 of 14

CHAPTER 13 - EXPANSION DEVICES

0.02316 + 0.02323
= 0.02320
2
37.838 + 49.567
Vm =
= 43.703 m/s
2
(p 6 - p 7 ) - f L V w = w (V7 V6 )
D 2 A A
fm =

1000(423.3 - 363.55) - (0.02320)

(0.00163)

(43.703) (5271.4) = 5271.4(49.567 37.838)

2

L6-7 = -0.0013 m ~ 0.000 m

Assume choked flow is at approximately 5 C.

L = L1-2 +L2-3 +L3-4 +L4-5 +L5-6 +L6-7
L = 0.8217 m + 0.1584 m + 0.0793 m + 0.0378 m + 0.0138 m + 0 m
L = 1.111 m

Ans.

By assuming choked flow length the same , choked flow is at 5 C. 5 C is still suitable for the selection
of part (a) as it is the choked flow temperature.

13-3.

A refrigerant 22 refrigerating system operates with a condensing temperature of 35 C and an evaporating

temperature of -10 C. If the vapor leaves the evaporator saturated and is compressed isentropically, what is
the COP of the cycle (a) if saturated liquid enters the expansion device and (b) if the refrigerant entering the
expansion device is 10 percent vapor as in Fig. 13-3?

Solution: Table A-6.

At 1, -10 C, h1 = 401.555 kJ/kg
s1 = 1.76713 kJ/kg
At 2, 35 C, constant entropy, Table A-7
h2 = 435.212 kJ/kg
(a)

At 35 C saturated.
h3 = hf = 243.114 kJ/kg
h4 = h3 = 243.114 kJ/kg
h1 h 4 401.555 243.114
=
h 2 h1 435.212 401.555
COP = 4.71 - - - Ans.
COP =

(b)

h3 = hf + x (hg - hf)
hf = 243.114 kJ/kg
hg = 415.627 kJ/kg
x = 0.10
h3= 243.114 + (0.10)(415.627 - 243.114)
h3 = 260.365 kJ/kg
h4 = h3 = 260.365 kJ/kg
h1 h 4 401.555 260.365
=
h 2 h1 435.212 401.555
COP = 4.20 - - - Ans.
COP =

Page 12 of 14

CHAPTER 13 - EXPANSION DEVICES

13-4.

Refrigerant 22 at a pressure of 1500 kPa leaves the condenser and rises vertically 10 m to the expansion
valve. The pressure drop due to friction in the liquid line is 20 kPa. In order to have no vapor in the refrigerant
entering the expansion valve, what is the maximum allowable temperature at that point?

Solution: say = 1
p2 = p1 - gH/1 - p
H = 10 m
g = 9.81 m/s
p = 20 kPa
p1 = 1500 kPa
Table A-6.
3
1=0.8808 L/kg = 0.0008808 m /kg
p2 = (1500)(1000) - (9.81)(10) / (0.0008808) - (20)(1000)
p2 = 1,368.62 kPa
Table A-6.
t2 = 35.4 C - - - Ans.
13-5.

A superheat-controlled expansion valve in a refrigerant 22 system is not equipped with an external equalizer.
The valve supplies refrigerant to an evaporator coil and comes from the factory with a setting that requires
5K superheat in order to open the valve at an evaporator temperature of 0 C.
(a)
What difference in pressure on opposite sides of the diaphragm is required to open the valve?
(b)
When the pressure at the entrance of the evaporator is 600 kPa, how much superheat is required
to open the valve if the pressure drop of the refrigerant through the coil is 55 kPa?

Solution:
Using Fig. 13-15 and deriving equation by assuming parabolic curve.
Let y - pressure, kPa and x = temperature , C.
2

y2 - y1 = A (x2 - x1 ) + B(x2 - x1)

At 5 C evaporator temperature, 5 K superheat
100 kPa pressure differential
x1 = 5 C, x2 = 5 C + 5 = 10 C
y2 - y1 = 100 kPa
2

100 = A (10 - 5 ) + B (10 - 5)

100 = 75A + 5B - - Eq. 1
At -30 C evaporator temperature
12 C superheat
100 kPa pressure differential
x1 = -30 C, x2 = -30 C + 12 = -18 C
y2 - y1 = 100 kPa
2

100 = A ((-18) -(-30) ) + B ((-18) -(-30))

100 = -576A + 12 B - - Eq. 2
But 5B = 100 - 75A
Then 100 = -576A + 12 (20 - 15A)
A = 0.185185
B = 17.222222
Page 13 of 14

CHAPTER 13 - EXPANSION DEVICES

Therefore:
2
2
y2 - y1 = 0.185185 (x2 - x1 ) + 17.222222(x2 - x1)
(a)

At 0 C evaporator temperature, 5 K superheat

x1 = 0 C
x2 = 0 C + 5 = 5 C
2

y2 - y1 = 0.185185 (5 -0 ) + 17.222222(5 -0)

y2 - y1 = 90.74 kPa - - - Ans.

(b)

At 0 C evaporator temperature, p = 497.59 kPa

p = 600 kPa + 55 kPa - 497.59 kPa = 157.41 kPa.
x1 = 0 C
Then
2 2
157.41 = 0.185185 (x2 -0 ) + 17.222222(x2 -0)
x2 = 8.4 C
x2 - x1 = 8.4 K - - - Ans.

13-6.

The catalog of an expansion valve manufacturer specifies a refrigerating capacity of 45 kW for a certain
valve when the pressure difference across the valve is 500 kPa. The catalog ratings apply when vapor-free
liquid at 37.8 C enters the expansion valve and the evaporator temperature is 4.4 C. What is the expected
rating of the valve when the pressure difference across it is 1200 kPa?

Solution:
Eq. 13-22
Velocity = C 2(pressuredifference ) m/s
With all other data as constant except for pressure difference and refrigerating capacity.
Refrigerating Capacity 2(pressuredifference ) m/s
Then:
New Refrigerating Capacity
1200 kPa
= (45 kW )
500 kPa
= 69.7 kW - - - - Ans.

-000-

Page 14 of 14