Multi-Stage Vapour Compression Refrigeration

Example-1
Two stage compression system with water intercooler uses R-134a as shown
in Figure-1. The evaporating temperature is -25
o
C and condensing
temperature 47
o
C. The refrigeration capacity is 8 TR and the compression is
adiabatic reversible process. The refrigerant leaves the water intercooler at
14
o
C. Estimate the refrigerant mass flow rate, work done of each
compressor, condenser heat load, and coefficient of performance. Also re-
estimate the requirements if the compression is one stage.

Figure-1 Two stage compression with water intercooler

Data: T
e
=-25
o
C, T
c
=47
o
C, RC=8 TR and T
3
=14
o
C
From, P h chart of R 134a, the properties are:
h
1
= 383.42 kJ / kg, v= 0.18266 m / kg, h
2
= 412.77 kJ / kg
h
3
= 406.65 kJ / kg, h
4
= 427.61 kJ / kg, h
5
= h
6
= 266.93 kJ / kg
Intermediate Pressure is,





If the compression one stage, the compression process is finalized at state 2
\
.
,
% 6 .% 5








Example -2
Considering the data in Example -1 and flash intercooler was used as shown
in Figure-2. The refrigerant leaves the flash intercooler dry and saturated.
Estimate the refrigerant mass flow rate, work done of each compressor,
condenser heat load, and coefficient of performance.
Figure-2 Two stage compression with flash intercooler
Data: T
e
=-25
o
C, T
c
=47
o
C, RC=8 TR, state 3 dry and saturated
From, P h chart of R 134a, the properties are:
h
1
= 383.42 kJ / kg, v= 0.18266 m / kg, h
2
= 412.77 kJ / kg
h
3
= 405.44 kJ / kg, h
4
= 426.55 kJ / kg, h
5
= h
6
= h
7
= 266.93 kJ / kg

Intermediate Pressure is,

Heat balance of flash intercooler,