MODULE 2

Compound Vapor Compression Systems

Module– II
Compound Vapour Compression Refrigeration Cycle: Introduction, Methods of improving C.O.P –
Optimum Interstage Pressure for Two-Stages Refrigeration System. Single load systems, Multi load
systems with single Compressor, Multiple Evaporator and Compressor systems. Dual Compression
systems.
• In simple VCR system - low pressure vapor refrigerant from the evaporator is compressed in a single stage (or a
single compressor) and then delivered to a condenser at a high pressure.

• If vapor refrigerant is required to be delivered at a very high pressure as in the case of low temperature

refrigerating systems.
• We should compress the vapor refrigerant by employing a single stage compressor with a very high pressure
ratio between the condenser and evaporator or compress it in two or more compressors placed is series.

• The compression carried out in two or more compressors is called compound or multistage compression.
• In a VCR system, the compression work is greatly reduced if the refrigerant is compressed very close to the
saturated vapor line.
• This can be achieved by compressing the refrigerant in more stages with intermediate intercooling.
• The refrigerating effect can be increased by maintaining the condition of the refrigerant in more liquid state at the
entrance to the evaporator. (achieved by expanding the refrigerant very close to the saturated liquid line).
• Sub cooling the refrigerant and by removing the flashed vapor during multistage expansion it can brought close to
liquid line.
A multi-stage system is a refrigeration system with two or more low-side pressures. Multi- stage systems can be
classified into:

a) Multi-compression systems
b) Multi-evaporator systems
c) Cascade systems, etc.

Advantages of compound or multistage vapor compression with intercooler

• The work done per kg of refrigerant is reduced in compound compression with intercooler, thus power can be
saved.

• Improves the volumetric efficiency for the give pressure ratio.

• The sizes of two cylinders (HP and LP) may be adjusted to suit the volume and pressure of the refrigerant.
• It reduces the leakage loss considerably.
• The machine is smaller and better balanced.
• Provides effective lubrication (because of lower temperature range) - The suction and delivery valves remain in
cleaner condition as the temperature and vaporization of lubricating oil is less.

• It reduces the cost of compressor.

Multiple Compressor Systems
 Types of compound vapor compression with intercooler

1. Two stage compression with Liquid intercooler

2. Two stage compression with water intercooler and liquid sub cooler

3. Two stage compression with water intercooler and liquid sub cooler and liquid flash chamber

4. Two stage compression with water intercooler and liquid sub cooler and flash intercooler

5. Three stage compression with water intercoolers

6. Three stage compression with Flash chambers

7. Three stage compression with Flash intercooler

8. Three stage compression with multiple expansion valve and Flash intercoolers
Types of compound vapor compression with intercooler
Superheated vapor refrigerant leaving the first stage of compression is cooled by suitable method before being fed to the
second stage of compression and so on. Such type of cooling the refrigerant is called intercooling.

1. Two stage compression with Liquid intercooler

• Let Evaporator pressure PE (suction pressure of LPC) and Condenser Pressure Pc (Discharge pressure of HPC)
• At point 1 saturated vapor is supplied to the low pressure compressor (LPC). Enthalpy of saturated vapor is h1.
• Curve 1-2 (isentropic compression in the LPC) - It is compressed isentropically in the LPC and converts into superheated state.
Pressure rises PE to P2.Enthalpy at this point is h2
• Line 2-3 (de-superheating process) superheated vapor refrigerant is cooled at constant pressure p2 = p3 in a liquid
intercooler by the liquid refrigerant from the condenser. Refrigerant leaving the intercooler is in saturated vapor state. Enthalpy

is h3.
• Curve 3-4 (isentropic compression in the HPC) – dry saturated vapor refrigerant is compressed isentropically in the HPC.

converts into superheated state. Pressure rises P2 to PC . Enthalpy at this point is h4

• Line 4-5 (superheated vapor to saturated liquid) superheated vapor refrigerant is cooled at constant pressure PC by condenser.

• The high pressure saturated liquid refrigerant is passed to the intercooler where some of the liquid refrigerant evaporates in
de-superheating the superheated vapor refrigerant from the LPC.
• To maintain a liquid level an expansion valve E1 acts as a float valve is provided (to make up for the evaporated liquid)
• The liquid refrigerant from the intercooler is first expanded in an expansion valve E2 and then evaporated in the evaporator to
saturated vapor condition.
m1 = mass of refrigerant passing through the evaporator (LPC) in kg/min
m2 = mass of refrigerant passing through the condenser (HPC) in kg/min

m3 = mass of liquid evaporated in the intercooler. (m1 – m2)

Heat taken by the liquid intercooler = heat given by the liquid intercooler.

m2 h f5 + m1 h2 = m1 h6 + m2 h3

Where, Q is the load on the evaporator

Total W.D in compressors in tonne of refrigeration.
Example 1. Calculate the power needed to compress 20 kg / min of ammonia from saturated vapour at 1.4 bar to a
condensing pressure of 10 bar by two stage compression with intercooling by liquid refrigerant at 4 bar. Assume saturated
liquid to leave the condenser and dry saturted vapours to leave the evaporator. Use the p-h chart.
Determine, also, the power needed when intercooling is not employed.

Solution. Given : m1 = 20 kg/min ; PE = 1.4 bar ; pC = 10 bar ; p2 = p3 = 4 bar

Figure 1
The p-h diagram for a two stage compression with intercooling by liquid refrigerant is shown in Fig. 1. The various values for

ammonia as read from the p-h diagram are as follows:

Enthalpy of saturated vapour refrigerant entering the low pressure compressor at point 1, h1 = 1400 kJ/kg

Entropy of saturated vapour refrigerant entering the low pressure compressor at point 1, Sl = 5.75 kJ/kg K

Enthalpy of superheated vapour refrigerant leaving the low pressure compressor at point 2, h2 = 1527 kJ/kg

Enthalpy of saturated vapour refrigerant leaving the intercooler or entering the high pressure compressor at point 3,

h3 = 1428 kJ/kg

Entropy of saturated vapour refrigerant leaving the intercooler or entering the high pressure compressor at point 3,

s3 = 5.39 kJ/kg K

Enthalpy of superheated vapour refrigerant leaving the high pressure compressor at point 4, h4 = 1550 kJ/kg

Enthalpy of saturated liquid refrigerant passing through the condenser at point 5, hf5 = h6 = 284 kJ/kg
We know that mass of refrigerant passing through the condenser (or high pressure compressor),
m2 = m1 (h2 − hf5 ) / h3 - hf 5 = 20(1527 − 284 ) / 1428 − 284 = 21.73 kg/min
Work done in low pressure compressor,
WL = m1 (h2 - h1) = 20 (1527 - 1400) = 2540 kJ/min
Work done in high pressure compressor,
WH = m2 (h4 - h3) = 21.73 (1550 - 1428) = 2651 kJ/min
and total work done in both the compressors,
W = WL + WH = 2540 + 2651 = 5191 kJ/min
 Power needed = 5191/60 = 86.5 kW Ans.
Power needed when intercooling is not employed
When intercooling is not employed, the compression of refrigerant will follow the path 1-2 in the low pressure compressor and
2-2' in the high pressure compressor. In such a case,
Work done in the high pressure compressor,
WH = mi (h2'- h2) = 20 (1676- 1527) = 2980 kJ /min ... ( From p-h diagram, h2' = 1676 kJ/kg)
and total work done is both the compressors,
W = WL + WH = 2540 + 2980 = 5520 kJ/min
 Power needed = 5520/60 = 92 kW Ans.
2. Two stage compression with water intercooler and liquid sub cooler
• Curve 1-2 (isentropic compression in the LPC) – Saturated vapor refrigerant is compressed isentropically in the LPC from
PE to water intercooler pressure P2.

• Line 2-3 (water intercooling or de-superheating process) Superheated vapor refrigerant is now passed through the water

intercooler at constant pressure, in order to reduce the degree of superheat.

• Curve 3-4 (isentropic compression in the HPC) – Refrigerant (still in the superheated state) is compressed isentropically in

the HPC to condenser pressure PC.

• Line 4-5 (superheated vapor to saturated liquid) Superheated vapor refrigerant is cooled at constant pressure PC by
condenser.

• Process 5-6 The high pressure and high temperature saturated liquid refrigerant is passed to the liquid sub cooler.
• Process 6-7 The liquid refrigerant from the sub cooler is now expanded in an expansion valve and then evaporated in the
evaporator to saturated vapor condition (7-1).

• Water intercooling reduces the work to be done in HPC. Also reduces the specific volume of the refrigerant which requires
a compressor of less capacity. Complete de-superheating of vapor refrigerant is not possible due to insufficient low
temperature availability in water intercooler.
Mass of refrigerant passing through the evaporator
3. Two stage compression with water intercooler and liquid sub cooler and liquid flash chamber
• Curve 1-2 (isentropic compression in the LPC) – Saturated vapor refrigerant is compressed isentropically in the LPC from PE
to water intercooler (or flash chamber) pressure PF .
• Line 2-3 (water intercooling or de-superheating process) - Superheated vapor refrigerant is passed through the water

intercooler at constant pressure PF.

• Line 3-4 Refrigerant (superheated vapor state) leaving the water intercooler at point 3 is mixed with the vapor refrigerant
supplied by the flash chamber at point 9. The condition is shown by point 4 which is in superheated state.
• Line 4-5 (isentropic compression in the HPC) – Refrigerant (superheated vapor state) is compressed isentropically from
intercooler or flash chamber pressure PF in the HPC to condenser pressure PC.
• Process 5-6 (superheated vapor to saturated liquid) Superheated vapor refrigerant is cooled at constant pressure PC by

condenser.

• Line 6-7 (sub cooling process) - The high pressure saturated liquid refrigerant is passed to the liquid sub cooler.
• Process 7-8 - The liquid refrigerant from the sub cooler at PC is now expanded in an expansion valve E1 to a pressure equal to
the flash chamber pressure PF
• The expanded refrigerant which is a mixture of vapor and liquid refrigerant is admitted to a flash chamber at point 8.The

vapor refrigerant from the flash chamber at point 9 is mixed with the refrigerant from the water intercooler. The liquid
refrigerant from flash chamber at point 10 is further expanded in the expansion valve E2 (line 10-11)
m 2 = mass of refrigerant passing through the condenser (HPC) in kg/min
m 3 = mass of vapor refrigerant formed in flash chamber.

m 1 = mass of refrigerant passing through the evaporator (LPC) in kg/min = (m 2 – m3)

Heat taken by the flash chamber = heat given by the flash chamber.
The vapor refrigerant from the water intercooler (point 3) is mixed with vapor refrigerant m 3 from the flash chamber (point
9) at the same pressure before entering the high pressure compressor. The enthalpy of mixed refrigerant (point 4) is
represented by
What is flash chamber?
• Flash Chamber is generally used in multistage refrigeration system.

• It is present between expansion valve and evaporator coil.

• When refrigerant (generally in liquid state due to rejection of latent heat in condenser coil) is passed
through expansion valve in which pressure and temperature drops during which some amount of

refrigerant in liquid form converts in vapor (generally termed as Flashing of flash gas ).
• If this vapor is sent along with low temperature refrigerant into evaporator, efficiency decreases due to
reduction of contact surface between liquid refrigerant and evaporator internal surface reducing the

overall efficiency of system.

• To improve the efficiency of evaporator coil only liquid refrigerant has to be sent by separating it from
vapor. This is achieved by Flash chamber.

• Flash chamber separates liquid from vapor refrigerant and sends only liquid refrigerant to evaporator

and vapor to compressor by bypassing evaporator coil.

Flash gas removal using flash chamber
• The flash gas has to be compressed to condenser pressure, it does not contribute to the refrigeration effect as it

is already in the form of vapor, and it increases the pressure drop in the evaporator.

• if the flash gas is removed as soon as it is formed and recompressed to condenser pressure COP can improved.
• One way of improving the COP is to remove the flash gas at an intermediate pressure using a flash chamber.
• It is a pressure vessel, wherein the refrigerant liquid and vapor are separated at an intermediate pressure.
• The refrigerant from condenser is first expanded to an intermediate pressure corresponding to the pressure of
flash chamber, Pi using a low side float valve (process 6-7).

• The float valve also maintains a constant liquid level in the flash chamber.

• In the flash tank, the refrigerant liquid and vapor are separated.
• The saturated liquid at point 8 is fed to the evaporator after throttling it to the required evaporator pressure, Pe
(point 9) using an expansion valve.
• Depending upon the type of the system, the saturated vapor in the flash chamber (point 3) is either compressed
to the condenser pressure or throttled to the evaporator pressure.
• In the absence of flash chamber, the refrigerant condition at the inlet to the evaporator would have been point 9’,
which has a considerably high vapor quality compared to point 9.

• As mentioned, the refrigerant liquid and vapor must get separated in the flash chamber. This is possible when
the upward velocity of the refrigerant vapor in the flash chamber is low enough ( < 1 m/s) for the refrigerant liquid
droplets to fall back into the flash chamber due to gravity.

• Thus the surface area of liquid in the flash chamber can be obtained from the volumetric flow rate of refrigerant

vapor and the required low refrigerant velocity.

9
 4. Two stage compression with water intercooler and liquid sub cooler and flash intercooler
• Since temperature doesn’t reduces to the saturated vapor line before admitting it to HPC when vapor refrigerant from LPC

is passed through the water intercooler.

• With water cooling there may be no saving of work in compression, but improvement in performance and reduction in
compression work may be achieved by using a flash chamber as an intercooler as well as flash separator.
• Curve 1-2 (isentropic compression in the LPC) – Saturated vapor refrigerant is compressed isentropically in the LPC from
PE to flash intercooler pressure PF .

• Line 2-3 (water intercooling or de-superheating process) - Superheated vapor refrigerant is passed through the water

intercooler at constant pressure PF in order to reduce the degree of superheat (t2 to t3).
• Line 3-4 Refrigerant (superheated vapor state) leaving the water intercooler at point 3 is passed through a flash
intercooler which cools the superheated vapor refrigerant to saturated vapor refrigerant which is done by the

evaporation of a part of the liquid refrigerant from the flash intercooler placed at point 8.
• Line 4-5 (isentropic compression in the HPC) – Refrigerant (saturated vapor state) is compressed isentropically from flash
intercooler pressure PF in the HPC to condenser pressure PC
• Process 5-6 (superheated vapor to saturated liquid) Superheated vapor refrigerant leaving the HPC at Pc is passed through
the condenser at constant pressure.

• Line 6-7 (sub cooling process) The high pressure saturated liquid refrigerant is passed to the liquid sub cooler.
• Process 7-8 - The liquid refrigerant from the sub cooler at PC is now expanded in an expansion valve E1 to a pressure equal
to the flash intercooler pressure PF.

• Expanded refrigerant (mixture of vapor + liquid) is admitted to flash intercooler at point 8 which act as a flash separator.
• The liquid refrigerant leaving the flash intercooler at point 9 is further expanded in the expansion valve E2 (line 9-10)
m 1 = mass of refrigerant passing through the evaporator (LPC) in kg/min
m 2 = mass of refrigerant passing through the condenser (HPC) in kg/min

If Q is the load on the evaporator in tonne of refrigeration, then mass of refrigerant passing through the evaporator is given by,
5. Three stage compression with water intercoolers

The W.D in the HPC can be reduced with this arrangement

• The water intercooling between the stages reduces the degree of superheat of the refrigerant.
• It reduces the specific volume of the refrigerant which requires a compressor of less capacity (or stroke volume)
• It can be seen that water intercoolers reduce the temperature of superheated vapor to its saturated value after each stage

(points 3 and 5)
• Complete de-superheating of vapor is not possible due to insufficient low temperature availability in water intercoolers.
• If Q is the load on the evaporator in tonne of refrigeration, then mass of refrigerant passing through the evaporator is given

by,
 6. Three stage compression with Flash chambers

• By using multiple expansion valves in the above arrangement, the refrigerant can be expanded close to the liquid line and
by using the flash chambers, the total work done per kg of refrigerant is reduced.

• Also leads to more C.O.P

• Let m kg/min be the mass of refrigerant leaving the condenser at point 7 passes through the expansion valve E3 reduces its
pressure from PC to PF2.

• Refrigerant leaving the expansion valve E3 at point 8 is separated by the flash chamber F2. if x8 is the dryness fraction of
the refrigerant at point 8, then the mass of saturated vapor refrigerant separated at point 8 and delivered to HPC at point 5
will be

• This saturated liquid refrigerant m 9 is now passed through the second expansion valve E2 where its pressure reduces from
PF2 to PF1. The refrigerant leaving the expansion valve E2 is separated by the flash chamber F1. If x10 is the dryness fraction

of the refrigerant at point 10, then mass of saturated vapor separated at point 10 and delivered to intermediate pressure

compressor at point 3 will be

• This refrigerant m11 is passing through the expansion valve E1 where its pressure reduces from PF1 to PE. The refrigerant
leaving the expansion valve E1 at point 12 is passed through the evaporator and then to low pressure compressor at

point 1.
• Since same mass of refrigerant is supplied to evaporator (LPC) at point 1 as that of saturated liquid leaving the flash
chamber F1 at point 11,
m 3 = mass of refrigerant
entering I.P compressor

m 5 = mass of refrigerant
entering H.P
compressor
 7. Three stage compression with Flash intercooler

• The non availability of cooling water at low temperature for intercooling can be overcome by adopting the flash intercoolers
F1 and F2 between the stages.

• The superheated vapor from the LPC (point 2) is cooled to saturated vapor in the flash intercooler F1 by the liquid

refrigerant from expansion valve E2 (point 9). The flash intercooling process for the first stage (2-3) is carried out at
pressure pF1.
• Superheated vapor from intermediate pressure compressor (point 4) is cooled to saturated vapor in the flash intercooler F2
by the liquid refrigerant from expansion valve E3 (point 8) .

• The flash intercooling process for the second stage (4-5) is carried out at pressure pF2.
• If Q is the load on the evaporator in tonne of refrigeration, then mass of refrigerant passing through the evaporator (LPC at
point 1) is given by,
 8. Three stage compression with multiple expansion valve and Flash intercoolers

• To increase the C.O.P of the system multi expansion valves are used. If Q is the load on the evaporator in tonne of
refrigeration, then mass of refrigerant passing through the evaporator (LPC) is given by,
• Superheated vapor refrigerant discharged from the LPC is brought into the flash intercooler F1 where it is de-
superheated by the liquid refrigerant received from the expansion valve E2 at point 10.

• During the process of de-superheating, some of the liquid refrigerant gets evaporated and supplied to the intermediate

pressure compressor.
Multiple Evaporator Systems
• In many refrigeration installations, different temperatures are required at various points in the plant such as hotels, large
restaurants, institutions, industrial plants and food markets.

• As instance, milk is normally stored at 3 - 4 o C while ice-cream storage requires – 30 o C temperature.

• In such cases, each location cooled by its own evaporator in order to obtain more satisfactory control of the condition.

Types of multiple Evaporator and Compressor systems

• Multiple evaporators at the same temperature with single compressor and expansion valve.

• Multiple evaporators at the different temperatures with individual compressors, individual expansion valves.
• Multiple evaporators at the different temperatures with individual compressors, multiple expansion valves.
• Multiple evaporators at the different temperatures compound compressors, individual expansion valves
• Multiple evaporators at the different temperatures compound compressors, individual expansion valves and flash

intercoolers
• Multiple evaporators at the different temperatures compound compressors, multiple expansion valves and flash
intercoolers
 1. Multiple evaporators at the same temperature with single compressor and expansion valve
• Used when the number of loads such as food products are kept in different compartments are to maintained at the same

temperature
• Three evaporators EP 1 , EP2 , EP3
 2. Multiple evaporators at the different temperatures with individual compressors, individual expansion valves.

Mass of refrigerant to be circulated through the first evaporator EP 1

 3. Multiple evaporators at the different temperatures with individual compressors, multiple expansion valves.

• All the refrigerant from the condenser flows through the expansion valve E3 where its pressure is reduced from condenser
pressure PC to pressure of the third evaporator PE3.

• All the vapor formed after leaving the expansion valve E3 plus enough liquid to take care of the load of evaporator EP3
passes through this evaporator EP3. The remaining refrigerant then flows through the expansion valve E2 where its pressure
reduces from PE3 to PE2 .
• Again all the vapor formed after leaving the expansion valve E2 and liquid to take care of the load of evaporator EP2 passes
through this evaporator EP2.

• The remaining liquid now flows through the expansion valve E1 which supplies it to the first evaporator (Lowest) EP1
• Mass of refrigerant required to be circulated (at point 12) through the first evaporator (lowest) EP1
It may be noted that the vapors formed during expansion while passing through expansion valves E2 and E3 do not take any
part in refrigeration
 4. Multiple evaporators at the different temperatures compound compressors, individual expansion valves

Mass of refrigerant flowing through the first evaporator EP 1 or first compressor C1

Mass of refrigerant flowing through the second evaporator EP 2

Mass of refrigerant flowing through the third evaporator EP3

• Refrigerant m 1 coming out from the first compressor C1 is mixed with the mass of refrigerant (m2) coming out from the
second evaporator EP2 , before entering into the second compressor C2.
• The condition of the mixed refrigerant entering into the second compressor C2 is shown by point 4. The enthalpy at point 4 is

given by

• Refrigerant coming out from the second compressor C2 (m1 +m2 ) is mixed with refrigerant coming out from the third
evaporator EP3 (m3) , before entering into the third compressor C3.
• The condition of the mixed refrigerant entering into the third compressor C3 is shown by point 7. The enthalpy at point 7 is

given by
 5. Multiple evaporators at the different temperatures compound compressors, individual expansion valves and flash
intercoolers

To reduce power requirements using intercooling method , which is done by to allowing some of the refrigerant to by pass the
evaporators.

Mass of refrigerant required to be circulated through the first evaporator EP 1 or first compressor C1

Mass of refrigerant flowing through the second evaporator EP 2

Mass of refrigerant required to be bypassed (point 9) to the flash intercooler F1 for desuperheating the superheated vapor
refrigerant mc1 coming from first compressor C1 to the dry saturated condition as at point 3 is given by,

Mass of refrigerant required to be by passed (point 8) to the flash intercooler F2 for desuperheating the superheated vapor
refrigerant mc2 coming from first compressor C2 to the dry saturated condition as at point 5 is given by,
6. Multiple evaporators at the different temperatures compound compressors, multiple expansion valves and flash
intercoolers
Cascade Systems

64
 Cryogenics
• It is the study of the production and behavior of materials at very low temperature. it starts at or below −150 °C.
• Cryogenic Liquids a super-freezing permanent gases to liquid states, ex: oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, and helium
• The boiling temperature of nitrogen at atmospheric pressure is - 196°C.
Limitations of multi-stage vapor compression refrigeration systems for production of low temperature.
• Since only one refrigerant is used throughout the system, the refrigerant used should have high critical temperature and

low freezing point.

• COP will be very low, if we go for lower temperatures (high pressure ratio) with VCR system.
• Possibility of migration of lubricating oil from one compressor to other leading to compressor break-down.

✓ The above limitations can be overcome by using cascade systems, which perform the refrigeration process in stages, that
is, to have two or more refrigeration cycles that operate in series. Such refrigeration cycles are called cascade
refrigeration cycles.

✓ A series of refrigerants with progressively lower boiling points are used in a series of single stage units.
✓ The condenser of lower stage system is coupled to the evaporator of the next higher stage system and so on. The component
where heat of condensation of lower stage refrigerant is supplied for vaporization of next level refrigerant is

called as cascade condenser.

 Cascade Systems

Lower cycle

Upper cycle

• It consist of two or more VCR system in series which uses two kinds of refrigerants having different boiling points, which run through their
own independent freezing cycle and are joined by a cascade condenser or heatexchanger.
• A cascade condenser serves as an evaporator for the high temperature cascade system (uses high B.P R12 or R22) and a condenser for low
temperature cascade system (uses low boiling point temperature such as R-13 or R-13 BI).
• The lower cycle cools the refrigerated space and the upper cycle cools the lower cycle. This is accomplished with a heat exchanger.
• This system employs two different refrigerants operating in two individual cycles. They are thermally coupled in the cascade condenser. The
refrigerants selected should have suitable pressure temperature characteristics.
• The energy released by the refrigerant in the lower cycle as it condenses in the heat exchanger is absorbed by the refrigerant in
the upper cycle, causing it to evaporate.
• The flow rates through the two cycles must be carefully matched to obtain good efficiency and to avoid damaging the upper
cycle compressor.
• It is evident from the T-s diagram that the
compressor work decreases and the amount
of heat absorbed from the refrigerated space
increases as a result of cascading.
• Therefore, cascading improves the COP of a
refrigeration system.
• Some refrigeration systems use three or four
stages of cascading.
 • Another set of refrigerants commonly used for
liquefaction of gases in a three stage cascade system is

ammonia , ethylene and methane.

• Advantage: lubricating oil from one compressor cannot
wander to other compressors.

In actual cascade refrigeration systems, the two

cycles would overlap somewhat since a

temperature difference between the two fluids is

needed for any heat transfer to take place
(temperature overlap).

If the temperature are equal then it is known as

intermediate temperature.
Applications of cascade systems:
✓ Liquefaction of petroleum vapors

✓ Liquefaction of industrial gases

✓ Manufacturing of dry ice
✓ Deep freezing etc.

✓ One such example is the storage of blood in blood banks. Blood needs temperatures as low as – 800C for proper storage.
Advantages of cascade systems:
• Since each cascade uses a different refrigerant, it is possible to select a refrigerant that is best suited for that particular
temperature range. Very high or very low pressures can be avoided

• Migration of lubricating oil from one compressor to the other is prevented as compared to multistage refrigeration.
• Power consumption can be reduced by 9.5%.
Disadvantages

• Compressors have low efficiencies for large pressure differences resulting low system efficiency.
• The large temperature difference requires large pressure difference.