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Introduction to Gas Refrigeration Systems

So far in this chapter, we have only considered

vapor-compression refrigeration cycles

In this lesson, we will consider

gas refrigeration cycles

Gas refrigeration cycles

tend to be less efficient than

vapor-compression refrigeration cycles

, but they do have certain advantages.

Gas refrigeration cycles

are relatively lightweight. This makes them well-suited to mobile

air-conditioning

and

refrigeration

applications, such as in airplanes.

Gas refrigeration cycles

are not limited by the vapor pressure of the working fluid. As a result,

gas refrigeration systems

can bring the temperature of the refrigerated space down to very low temperatures. In fact, with a regenerator, a

gas refrigerator

can reach cryogenic temperatures used to liquify many gases.

Process flow diagram for a gas refrigeration cycle.

The model we will use for

gas refrigeration systems

is the reverse

Air-Standard Brayton Cycle

introduced in chapter 9 in our study of

power cycles

So, if you understood the

Air-Standard Brayton Power Cycle

, this lesson will be just a brief review.

Lesson 10E: page 1 of 7

Previous LESSON

We are going to wrap up this chapter with a brief discussion of gas refrigeration cycles.
The bad news is that gas refrigeration cycles generally have lower coefficients of performance than vapor-compression refrigerators.
The good news is that gas refrigerators are not limited to operating at temperatures where vapor-liquid equilibrium can exist.
As a result, gas refrigerators can cool the refrigerated space all the way down to cryogenic temperatures.
Cryogenic temperatures are below MINUS 150oC !
The other bit of good news about gas refrigeration cycles is that the necessary equipment is much lighter than the equipment used in vapor-compression refrigeration.
So, gas refrigeration is preferred in applications such as aircraft air-conditioning systems.
Now, let’s get down to specifics.
We will use the Air-Standard Brayton Cycle operating in reverse as our model for gas refrigeration cycles.
Most of what we learned about the Brayton Cycle in Lesson 9E can also be applied to air-standard refrigeration cycles, so it will be relatively easy to get up to speed in this lesson.
Flip the page and let’s get started.

Introduction to Gas Refrigeration Systems

vapor-compression refrigeration cycles

gas refrigeration cycles

Gas refrigeration cycles

vapor-compression refrigeration cycles

Gas refrigeration cycles

air-conditioning

refrigeration

Gas refrigeration cycles

gas refrigeration systems

gas refrigerator

gas refrigeration systems

Air-Standard Brayton Cycle

power cycles

Air-Standard Brayton Power Cycle

Ch10, Lesson E, Page 1 - Introduction to Gas Refrigeration Systems