Refrigeration

and

Air Conditioning

AC &R Objectives

Basic operation
Principle components
Safety considerations
Thermodynamic principles
Determine output and efficiency of
refrigeration systems

References
INE Ch 19 (341-351) *** (dont read 19.4)
PNE Ch 22 (1 - 17)
HW: L.G. #22
Tevap = 38.12F
Tcond = 93.4F

Uses of AC&R Systems

Cooling of stores and cargo
Cooling of electronic spaces and equipment

CIC (computers and consoles)

Radio (communications gear)
Radars

Cooling of magazines
Air conditioning for crew comfort

Definition Review
Specific heat (Cp)
Amount of heat required to raise the temperature of 1
pound of substance 1F (water is 1 Btu/lb F)

Sensible heat - add energy and temp rises

Latent heat of vaporization - liquid to vapor
BTU (British Thermal Unit)
Refrigeration - Cooling of an object and the
maintenance of its temp below that of surroundings

Generic Cycle

Thermodynamic Cycle

Vapor-Compression
Refrigeration Cycle

Refrigerant
Receiver
Thermostatic expansion valve (TXV)
Evaporator
Compressor
Condenser

Refrigeration
Cycle

Refrigerant
Must have the following properties

High latent heat of vaporization - max cooling

Non-toxicity - not a health hazard
Desirable saturation temperature - for operating pressures
Stability - nonflammable/nonexplosive
Ease of leak detection
Low cost
Readily available

R-12, R-114

Expansion
Liquid Freon enters the expansion valve at
high pressure
Refrigerant leaves TXV at a much lower
pressure
As pressure drops, vapor formation begins
as Freon enters saturation region

Evaporation
From TXV - Freon is a saturated mixture of
liquid and vapor
Cooling coil acts as a heat exchanger
Absorbs its latent heat of vaporization from
the surroundings
Slightly superheated (10F) - ensures no
liquid goes to compressor

Compression
Low pressure, superheated Freon vapor
enters the suction side of the compressor
Refrigerant is compressed from a low
pressure vapor to a high pressure vapor
Increase in energy provides the driving
force to allow the Freon to flow through the
system

Condensation
Refrigerant returned to starting point as a
high pressure/temperature subcooled liquid
Latent heat of condensation (LHC)
Sea water heat exchanger is used to absorb
the LHC and discharge it overboard

Receiver
Temporary storage space and surge tank for
the sub-cooled refrigerant
Serves as a vapor seal to prevent vapor
from entering the expansion valve

Air Conditioning
Principles of Operation
Air Conditioning
Maintaining the atmosphere of an enclosed
space at a required temp, humidity and purity
Cools / Dehumidifies air via cooling coils
within ventilation system
Heaters in ventilation system
Humidification units may be present

Air Conditioning
Systems
Refrigerant circulating system
Directly cools cooling coils

Chilled water circulating system

Refrigeration system cools chill water, which cools
cooling coils

Self-Contained System
Added on to ships which originally did not have AC plants
Not located in ventilation system (window unit)

Basic AC System
(Chilled Water Circulation)

Safety Associated
AC&R
Phosgene gas hazard (created when
refrigerant is exposed to high temperatures)
Handling procedures: Wear goggles and
gloves to avoid eye irritation and frostbite
Asphyxiation hazard in non-ventilated
spaces (bilges since heavier than air)
Handling of compressed gas bottles

Summary