1. What is a p-h diagram?
A p-h diagram is a figure with a vertical axis of absolute pressure and a horizontal axis of specific enthalpy. It is an important diagram used frequently for a performance calculation of a refrigerating machine.
A p-h diagram is made respectively for a specified refrigerant. It can, of course, not be used for another refrigerant. Diagrams are made respectively for conventional unit and SI unit
A p-h diagram has a lot of thin lines, whose names and natures are important.
p-h diagram
For example, an iso-specific volume line is a line on which the specific volume has the same value.
The following example is a simplified p-h diagram on which a refrigeration cycle is drawn.
Point 1 to 4 show the following.
Point 1 to 2: Refrigerant change in a compressor
Point 2 to 3: Refrigerant change in a condenser
Point 3 to 4: Refrigerant change through an expansion valve
Point 4 to 1: Refrigerant change in an evaporator
2. How to draw a refrigeration cycle on a p-h diagram
(Question)
Draw the following refrigeration cycle on a p-h diagram.
Refrigerant
Evaporating Temperature
Condensing Temperature
Liquid Temperature before the Expansion Valve
Suction Gas Temperature
R22
-15℃
30℃
25℃
-10℃
Notice : Conditions may be given as follows. Meanings of both are the same.
Refrigerant
Evaporating Pressure
Condensing Pressure
Subcool
Superheat
R22
0.296 MPa
1.192 MPa
5℃
5℃
(Procedure for an Answer)
(1) Draw a line for a condenser
Draw a horizontal line (1) crossing both on a saturated vapor line and saturated liquid line at 30℃. The length of the line is adjusted later. Shorter the line is, easier adjusted.
A horizontal line passing through a condensing pressure of 1.192 MPa for 30 ℃ is same as the above line.
(2) Draw a line for an evaporator
Draw a horizontal line (2) crossing both on a saturated vapor line and saturated liquid line at -15℃. The length of the line is also adjusted later.
A horizontal line passing through a condensing pressure of 0.296 MPa for -15 ℃ is same as the above line.
(3) Draw a line for a compressor
An intersection point (Point 1) of the line for an evaporator (2) and an isothermal line for -10℃ shows a position of a suction gas to a compressor. Draw a curve (3) from Point 1 parallel to an isentropic line. An isentropic line is a curve.
(4) Draw a line through an expansion valve
Since the refrigerant is a subcooled liquid of 25℃, draw a vertical line (4) that passes through a saturated liquid line for 25℃ (Point E). An intersection point (Point 3) of the line (4) and the line (1) shows a position before the expansion valve.
Point E obtained from a saturate pressure of 1.045 MPa for 25℃ is the same.
(5) Complete the figure
You can draw a refrigeration cycle on a A p-h diagram as above stated. Since it is not good to look at, please finish it like the following figure by erasing extra lines outside of Point 1 to 4. You can read various values from the diagram.
Have you finished drawing a refrigeration cycle on a p-h diagram well?
You can read out a specific volume (v1) and specific enthalpies (h1, h2, h4) from the figure.
(Answer)
A specific volume and specific enthalpies at each point
Specific volume v1=0.08 m3/kg、
Specific enthalpy h1=403 kJ/kg, h2=438 kJ/kg, h4=230 kJ/kg
You can calculate a performance of a refrigerating machine by using these values.