Thermodynamics

608 | ThermodynamicsWARMenvironmentRQ HCOLDrefrigeratedspaceQ L(desiredoutput)(a) RefrigeratorINTERACTIVETUTORIALSEE TUTORIAL CH. 11, SEC. 1 ON THE DVD.W net,in(requiredinput)WARMhouseHPCOLDenvironment(b) Heat pumpQ H(desiredoutput)Q LW net,in(requiredinput)FIGURE 11–1The objective of a refrigerator is toremove heat (Q L ) from the coldmedium; the objective of a heat pumpis to supply heat (Q H ) to a warmmedium.11–1 ■ REFRIGERATORS AND HEAT PUMPSWe all know from experience that heat flows in the direction of decreasingtemperature, that is, from high-temperature regions to low-temperature ones.This heat-transfer process occurs in nature without requiring any devices.The reverse process, however, cannot occur by itself. The transfer of heatfrom a low-temperature region to a high-temperature one requires specialdevices called refrigerators.Refrigerators are cyclic devices, and the working fluids used in the refrigerationcycles are called refrigerants. A refrigerator is shown schematicallyin Fig. 11–1a. Here Q L is the magnitude of the heat removed from the refrigeratedspace at temperature T L ,Q H is the magnitude of the heat rejected tothe warm space at temperature T H , and W net,in is the net work input to therefrigerator. As discussed in Chap. 6, Q L and Q H represent magnitudes andthus are positive quantities.Another device that transfers heat from a low-temperature medium to ahigh-temperature one is the heat pump. Refrigerators and heat pumps areessentially the same devices; they differ in their objectives only. The objectiveof a refrigerator is to maintain the refrigerated space at a low temperatureby removing heat from it. Discharging this heat to a higher-temperaturemedium is merely a necessary part of the operation, not the purpose. Theobjective of a heat pump, however, is to maintain a heated space at a hightemperature. This is accomplished by absorbing heat from a low-temperaturesource, such as well water or cold outside air in winter, and supplying thisheat to a warmer medium such as a house (Fig. 11–1b).The performance of refrigerators and heat pumps is expressed in terms ofthe coefficient of performance (COP), defined asDesired outputCOP R Required inputDesired outputCOP HP Required inputCooling effectWork inputHeating effectWork input(11–1)(11–2)These relations can also be expressed in the rate form by replacing thequantities Q L , Q H , and W net,in by Q . L , Q. H , and Ẇ net,in , respectively. Notice thatboth COP R and COP HP can be greater than 1. A comparison of Eqs. 11–1and 11–2 reveals thatCOP HP COP R 1(11–3)for fixed values of Q L and Q H . This relation implies that COP HP 1 sinceCOP R is a positive quantity. That is, a heat pump functions, at worst, as aresistance heater, supplying as much energy to the house as it consumes. Inreality, however, part of Q H is lost to the outside air through piping andother devices, and COP HP may drop below unity when the outside air temperatureis too low. When this happens, the system normally switches to thefuel (natural gas, propane, oil, etc.) or resistance-heating mode.The cooling capacity of a refrigeration system—that is, the rate of heatremoval from the refrigerated space—is often expressed in terms of tons ofrefrigeration. The capacity of a refrigeration system that can freeze 1 ton(2000 lbm) of liquid water at 0°C (32°F) into ice at 0°C in 24 h is said to beQ LW net,inQ HW net,in