Multi-Pressure System

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 Multi-Pressure System
 Has Two or more low-side pressures, two
or more compressors, two or more
evaporators, and utilizes flash tank or
intercooler.
 The removal and recompression of flash
gas for complete expansion reduces the
power required by compressor.
 A multi-pressure system may be found in
a dairy products where one evaporator
operates at -35°C to harden ice cream
while another evaporator operates at 2°C
to cool milk.
2
Objective of Multi-Pressure System as
Compare to Vapor Compressor Cycle
 Removal of flash gas – Saving in the power
requirement of refrigeration system results if the flash
gas in the throttling process between the condenser
and evaporator is removed and recompressed before
complete expansion. The vapor is separated from the
liquid utilizing the flash tank.
 Inter-cooling – Two stages of compression per
kilogram of vapor. Inter-cooling is accomplished using
water cooled heat exchanger. The water-cooled
intercooler may be satisfactory for two stage
compression. The alternate method uses liquid
refrigerant from the condenser to do intercooling.
Discharge gas from the low stage compressor bubble
through the liquid in the intercooler. Refrigerant leaves
the intercooler as saturated vapor.
3
 Flash Tank

3 To compressor

5 Flash Tank

7 Expansion Valve

Flash tank for removing flash gas during expansion process.

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Two Stage Compression

With Intercooling of Refrigerant

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Intercooling (a) Water-Cooled Heat Exchanger (b) Liquid Refrigerant
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Mass & Heat Balance

𝑚2 + 𝑚6 = 𝑚3
𝑚2 ℎ2 +𝑚6 ℎ6 =𝑚3 ℎ3

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Problem 1. Calculate the power needed to compress 1.2
kg/s of Ammonia from saturated vapor at 80 kPa (a) by
single-stage compression and (b) by two stage
compression with intercooling by liquid refrigerant at
300 kPa. The condenser is at 1000 kPa.

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10
Figure 5.3b
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 Single Stage Compression

𝒌𝒈ൗ
𝒎 = 𝟏. 𝟐 𝒔
𝒉𝟐 = 𝟏𝟖𝟎𝟎

𝑷 = 𝒎(𝒉𝟐 − 𝒉𝟏 )
𝒌𝒈ൗ 𝒌𝒈ൗ
𝑷 = 𝟏. 𝟐 𝒔 (𝟏𝟖𝟎𝟎 − 𝟏𝟒𝟏𝟎) 𝒔
= 468 kW

𝒌𝒋 𝒉𝟏 = 𝟏𝟒𝟏𝟎
𝒉𝟑 = 𝒉𝟒 = 𝟑𝟏𝟓. 𝟔𝟖 ൗ𝒌𝒈

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Two Stage Compression with Intercooler

𝒉𝟒 = 𝟏𝟔𝟐𝟖

m2 = 𝟏. 𝟐 𝒌𝒈Τ𝒔

𝒉𝟐 = 𝟏𝟓𝟖𝟖

𝒌𝒋
𝒌𝒋 𝒉𝟏 = 𝟏𝟒𝟏𝟎 ൗ𝒌𝒈
𝒉𝟓 = 𝒉𝟔 = 𝒉𝟕 = 𝟑𝟏𝟔. 𝟔 ൗ𝒌𝒈
𝒌𝒋
𝒉𝟑 = 𝟏𝟒𝟓𝟎 ൗ𝒌𝒈
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 Solution
𝑚6 +𝑚2 = 𝑚3
𝑚6 ℎ6 + 1.2 𝑘𝑔Τ𝑠 ℎ2 = 𝑚3 ℎ3
𝑚6 316.6 𝑘𝑗Τ𝑘𝑔 + (1.2)(1588 𝑘𝑗Τ𝑘𝑔) = 𝑚3 (1450 𝑘𝑗Τ𝑘𝑔)
𝑚6 = 0.146 𝑘𝑔Τ𝑠
𝑚3 = 0.146 + 1.2 = 1.346 𝑘𝑔Τ𝑠

𝑃𝐻𝑆 = 𝑚3 (ℎ4 − ℎ3 ) = 1.346 𝑘𝑔Τ𝑠 1628 − 1450 𝑘𝑗Τ𝑘𝑔

𝑷𝑯𝑺 =239 KW

𝑃𝐿𝑆 = 𝑚1 (ℎ2 − ℎ1 )
𝑃𝐿𝑆 = 1.2 𝑘𝑔Τ𝑠 1588 − 1410 𝑘𝑗Τ𝑘𝑔
𝑷𝑳𝑺=213.6 KW

𝑃𝑇 = 𝑃𝐻𝑆 + 𝑃𝐿𝑆
𝑃𝑇 = 213.6 𝐾𝑊 + 239 𝐾𝑊
𝑷𝑻 =452.6 KW
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Problem 2. Compare a compression of 3.5 kg/s of
refrigerant 22 from saturated vapor at 100 kPa to a
condensing pressure of 1000 kPa (a) by single stage
compression and (b) by two stage compression with
intercooling at 300 kPa, using liquid refrigerant.
To High-Stage
m3 = m4 =m5 Compressor

kgൗ
m1 = m2 = 3.5 s
From Condenser

From Low-Stage Compressor

 Single Stage Compression

𝒌𝒈ൗ
𝒎 = 𝟑. 𝟓 𝒔
𝑷 = 𝒎(𝒉𝟐 − 𝒉𝟏 )
𝒌𝒈ൗ 𝒌𝒋
𝑷 = 𝟑. 𝟓 𝒔 (𝟒𝟒𝟗 − 𝟑𝟖𝟕) ൗ𝒌𝒈

P = 217 KW

𝒉𝟐 = 𝟒𝟒𝟗 𝒌𝒋ൗ𝒌𝒈

𝒉𝟑 = 𝒉𝟒 = 𝟐𝟐𝟖. 𝟐 𝒌𝒋ൗ𝒌𝒈 𝒉𝟏 = 𝟑𝟖𝟕 𝒌𝒋ൗ𝒌𝒈

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Two-Stage Compression with Intercooler

𝒉𝟒 = 𝟒𝟑𝟎 𝒌𝒋ൗ𝒌𝒈

𝒉𝟐 = 𝟒𝟏𝟔 𝒌𝒋ൗ𝒌𝒈

𝒉𝟏 = 𝟑𝟖𝟕 𝒌𝒋ൗ𝒌𝒈

𝒌𝒋
𝒉𝟓 = 𝒉𝟔 = 𝒉𝟕 = 𝟐𝟐𝟖. 𝟐 ൗ𝒌𝒈 𝒉𝟑 = 𝟑𝟗𝟗 𝒌𝒋ൗ𝒌𝒈 𝒎𝟐 = 𝟑. 𝒕 𝒌𝒈/𝒔

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 Solution
𝑓𝑜𝑟 𝑚3 :
𝑚6 + 𝑚2 = 𝑚3
𝑚6 ℎ6 + 3.5 𝑘𝑔Τ𝑠 ℎ2 = 𝑚3 ℎ3
𝑚6 228.2 𝑘𝑗Τ𝑘𝑔 + (3.5)(416 𝑘𝑗Τ𝑘𝑔) = 𝑚3 (399 𝑘𝑗Τ𝑘𝑔)

𝑚3 = 3.84 𝑘𝑔Τ𝑠

𝑃𝐻𝑆 = 𝑚3 (ℎ4 − ℎ3 ) 𝑃𝐿𝑆 = 𝑚1 (ℎ2 − ℎ1 )

𝑃𝐻𝑆 = 3.84 430 − 399 𝑃𝐿𝑆 = 3.5 416 − 387
𝑷𝑯𝑺 =119.04 KW 𝑷𝑳𝑺 = 101.5 KW

𝑃𝑇 = 𝑃𝐻𝑆 + 𝑃𝐿𝑆
𝑃𝑇 = 119.04 + 101.50
𝑷𝑻 = 220.54 KW

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Difference of Properties between
R-22 and Ammona

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 Choice of intermediate Pressure
(Inter-cooler Pressure)
𝑃𝑖 = (𝑃𝑘 )(𝑃0 )
In a two stage system, the above equation gives a geometric
mean value for the intermediate pressure. This is only true for
complete intercooling. However in refrigeration systems,
complete intercooling is not possible. For refrigeration systems,
use the following equation in determining the intermediate
pressure:
𝑇𝑘
𝑃𝑖 = (𝑃𝑘 )(𝑃0 )( )
𝑇0

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 One Evaporator & One Condenser
A pressure valve throttles the flash gas from the intermediate pressure to the
evaporative pressure. Throttling is necessary because there is no compressor available
with high suction pressure. The only reason for using the flash tank would keep the
flash gas in the machine room rather than sending it to the evaporator. The flash gas in
the evaporator tubes and long suction line does no refrigeration but does increase the
pressure drop.

System with one compressor, evaporator, condense and Flash Tank.

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 Pressure-Enthalpy Diagram
One Evaporator & One Condenser

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 Mass & Heat Balance
 For the Flash Tank
m4 = m5 + m8
m4h4 = m5h5 + m8h8
Solve for m5 & m8
 For Line 9, Line 7 (Evaporator) &
Line 1 (Compressor)
m 9 + m7 = m 1
m9h9 + m7h7 = m1h1
m8 = m9 & m7 = Qo / (h7-h6)
Solve h1 & plot in the chart to get h2
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 Flash Gas Removal
In a compound compression, the throttling expansion of the liquid is done in stages;
the liquid from the condenser 6 first expands into flash chamber 7 at the intermediate
pressure and then the liquid from flash chamber at 8 enters the evaporator through
another expansion valve and expands to 9.

Fig. 5.1(a) Schematic diagram of the system with flash gas removal 24
In a system without flash chamber, the liquid from the
condenser expands straight to the evaporator pressure. This
wasteful energy as the vapor is flashed at the intermediate
pressure at 3 is also throttled to 11 at the evaporator
pressure and required to be recompressed to the
intermediate pressure. A system with a flash chamber
eliminates the undesirable throttling of the vapor generalized
at the intermediate pressure.

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 Mass & Heat Balance
 For the Flash Tank
m7 = m3 + m8
m7h7 = m3h3 + m8h8
Solve for m3 & m7
 For Line 3, Line 2 (Compressor I) &
Line 4 (Compressor II)
m 2 + m3 = m 4
m2h2 + m3h3 = m4h4
m1=m2=m8=m9 = E / (h1-h9)
Solve h4 & plot in the chart to get h5
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One compressor and two evaporators with the air-conditioning &
low temperature evaporators both operating at 10°C
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One compressor and two evaporators with a pressure reducing valve
to maintain a high temperature in the air-conditioning evaporator.
 Mass & Heat Balance
 Solve for m5, m8 & m1
E10 = m5 (h5 – h4) where: m5=m6
E-10 = m8 (h8 – h7)
m1 = m 6 + m 8
 Solve for h1
m1h1 = m6h6 + m8h8
 Plot in the Chart and get h2

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Two Compressors & One Evaporator

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Two Compressors & One Evaporator

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 Mass & Heat Balance
 For the Flash Tank
m3 + m7 = m4 + m8
m3h3 + m7h7 = m4h4 + m8h8
m4 = m7 & Solve h3 and m7
 For Line 1 & 2 (Compressor I)
m1=m2=m3=m8=m9=Qo (h1-h9)
 Solve for h3
Heat Exchanger Capacity in known
QHE = m2 (h2-h3)

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Single Compressor-Individual Expansion Valves
Two evaporators & a single-compressor system with individual expansion valves for
each evaporator and one compressor. Operation means dropping of pressure from
high pressure evaporators through back pressure valves. The high compression of
vapor resulted to a high discharge temperature of the evaporator E2 requiring a
pressure regulating valve which further resulted to higher operating expenses.

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Single Compressor & 2 Evaporators

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 Mass & Heat Balance
 Solve for m7, m8 & m1
E1 = m7 (h7 - h5)
E2 = m6 (h6 - h4) where: m6=m8
m1 = m 7 + m 8
 Solve for h1
m1h1 = m7h7 + m8h8
 Plot in the Chart and get h2

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The mass flow rates through evaporators 1 and 2 respectively

𝑄𝑜1 𝑄𝑜1
𝑚7 = =
𝑞𝑜1 ℎ7 − ℎ5

𝑄𝑜2 𝑄𝑜2
𝑚8 = =
𝑞𝑜2 ℎ6 − ℎ4

The enthalpy of the vapor mixture entering the compressor.

𝑚7 ℎ7 + 𝑚8 ℎ8
ℎ1 =
𝑚 7 + 𝑚8

And the net work done is given by

𝑊 = (𝑚7 +𝑚8 )(ℎ2 − ℎ1 )

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Single Compressor- Multiple Expansion valves

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Single Compressor- Multiple Expansion valves

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 Mass & Heat Balance
 Solve for m7, m8 & m1
E2 = m7 (h7 – h4) where: m7 = m9
E1 = m8 (h8 – h6)
m1 = m 8 + m 9
 Solve for h1
m1h1 = m8h8 + m9h9
 Plot in the Chart and get h2

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The mass flow rates of the refrigerant comprising the
liquid and vapor fractions, are:

𝑄𝑜1
Evaporator 1 𝑚8 =
ℎ8 −ℎ6
𝑄𝑜2
Evaporator 2 𝑚7 =
ℎ7 −ℎ4

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2 Evaporators, 2 Compressors & Multiple
Expansion Valves

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2 Evaporators, 2 Compressors & Multiple
Expansion Valves

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 Mass & Heat Balance
 Solve for m1, m3 & m5
E2 = m1 (h1 – h7) where: m1 = m2
E1 = m3 (h3 – h9) where: m3 = m4
m 5 = m2 + m 4
 Solve for h5
m5h5 = m2h2 + m4h4
 Solve for Condenser Capacity

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 Individual Compressor with
Compound Compression and Flash
Intercooling
When one or more evaporators are in operation
at very low temperatures, and individual
compressors are installed, then compound
compression can be used to effect power
saving as shown in Fig. 5.9(a) and (b) with
multiple arrangement of expansion valves and
flash intercooling. The flash chamber is
maintained at pressure of the high
temperature.
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45
2 Evaporators, 2 Compressors & Flash Tank

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 Mass and Heat Balance

E2

Mass & Heat Balance

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 Mass & Heat Balance
 Solve for m1, m3 & m5
E1 = m1 (h1 – h8)
where: m1 = m2 = m7 = m8

 Solve for m3 where: m3 = m4 = m5

m2h2 + m5h5 + E2 = m3h3 + m7h7

 Solve for Compressor WI & WII

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Cascade Systems

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 Optimum Coupling Temperature
between Cascade Circuit
The intermediate temperature between the two
cascade circuits, such as 𝑡𝑜2 < = 𝑡𝑘1 , may be
called the coupling temperature. For optimum
sizing of the two circuits, the optimum coupling
temperature can be approximately represented
by the square-root of the condensing
temperature in warm and evaporating
temperature in cold circuit.
𝑇𝑜1 𝑇𝑜2
= 𝑠𝑜 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑤ℎ𝑒𝑛 𝑇𝑜2 = 𝑇𝑘1
𝑇𝑘1 − 𝑇𝑜1 𝑇𝑘2 − 𝑇𝑜2
𝑇𝑜2 = 𝑇𝑘2 𝑥 𝑇𝑜1 = 𝑇𝑘1
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 TO2 = TK1

Energy Balance for the Heat Exchanger

m 2 h 2 + m8 h 8 = m 3 h 3 + m 5 h 5
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 Problems

1. Calculate the power required by the compressor in an

ammonia system which serves a 100 KW and 150 KW
evaporator. The system used one stage compressor
with two air conditioning evaporator operating at
both -10°C the condensing temperature is 35°C
2. Calculate the power required by the compressor in an
ammonia system which serves a 50 KW and 100 KW
evaporator. The system used one stage compressor
with two evaporator operating at 10°C and 0°C
respectively. The condensing temperature is 40°C

54
3. Calculate the power required by the two stage compressors in an
ammonia system which serves a 250 KW evaporator at -25°C. The system
uses two stage compressions with intercooling and removal of flash gas. The
condensing temperature is 35C. Compare it with the vapor compression
cycle with condensing temperature at 35C and evaporating -25C.

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4. In an ammonia system one evaporator is to provide 180 KW of
refrigeration at - 30°C and another evaporator is to provide 200 KW at 5°C.
The system uses two stage compressions with intercooling. The condensing
temperature is 35°C. (a) Calculate the power required by the compressors
(b) compare the powers of the compressors when using a vapor
compression cycle.

𝑬𝒊𝒏 = 𝑬𝒐𝒖𝒕

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