InternationalJournalofAdvancedResearchinTechnology,EngineeringandScience(ABimonthly

OpenAccessOnlineJournal)Volume2,Issue2,MarchApril,2015.ISSN:23497173(Online).

Integrated Air Conditioning Unit for

Automobiles
Debi Prasad Sahoo
_________________________________________
Abstract
In this paper, the investigation was made for the utilization
of waste heat in an improvised manner, so that the total
power of the automobile is not going to change and the fuel
efficiency is going to be enhanced. Here the use of vapor
absorption refrigeration system for the air conditioning
system was proposed and analyzed. This system was taken as
it can run on very low grade energy, such as waste heat of
the exhaust gas. The recent trend is to use the vapor
compression refrigeration system, where the principal part is
the compressor, which takes the power from the engine or
from auxiliary power unit and hence the fuel consumption
rate is increased. In the recent global scenario reducing the
fuel consumption is the main research area. The cooling
load of the automobile is estimated about 1.37 TR and the
measured cop value for the proposed model is varied from
0.85 to 1.04.
Here the main problem definition is to design an air
conditioning system which runs on exhaust gas waste heat
by exchanging with the refrigerant R134-a inside a
generator which is the replacement of the compressor in a
vapor absorption refrigeration system. The calculation
related to the design of proposed shell and tube heat
exchanger i.e. the generator for the model is carried out and
the rest design is theoretical study and proposed model to be
implemented in large scale after prototype model testing.
__________________________________________________
Key words: Generator, COP, Exhaust Gas, Waste Energy,
Cooling Load, R134-a, Vapor Compression Refrigeration,
Vapor Absorption Refrigeration.
_________________________________________________
Introduction:
Use of alternate fuel and use of electric vehicle is a major
research topic in recent years. But getting the required power
and torque out put is not up to the mark as of Internal
Combustion Engines.
Almost all the automobiles are using the air conditioning
system now-a-days, which directly increased the fuel
consumption rate as they are using the vapor compression
refrigeration system. So if we can reduce the fuel consumption

from the air conditioning units, then we can reduce the fuel
consumption up to some extent.
In Internal Combustion Engines most of the heat is carried out
by the exhaust gases and that to use of cooling system in an
automobile. All this energy can be used effectively to run
some other systems in an automobile. Here in this model an
effort was given to run an air conditioning system of an
automobile by the use of waste heat from the engine which is
basically called the vapor absorption refrigeration system.
The refrigerant is stored or absorbed inside an absorber and
then it is taken by a centrifugal pump which either runned by
the exhaust gas like a turbo charged pump or driven by engine
power which consumes very less power in comparison to the
compressor and then it is taken inside the generator which is
actually a heat exchanger where the heat exchanged with the
exhaust gas i.e. a shell and tube heat exchanger and then the
high pressure vapor refrigerant is passed to the condenser,
which is actually the air cooled type inside the radiator and
then the high pressure liquid is passed through an expansion
valve, where the pressure is actually going to reduce
drastically and then the low pressure low temperature liquid
passed to the evaporator, where the heat is taken by the
refrigerant from the system and cools the system and
atmospheric air is blown over the evaporator coils and the
cool air is sent inside the cabin space for the purpose of
cooling of compartment. This is the actual process of the
proposed model of the air conditioning system.
The available literatures that are conducted for the auto air
conditioner using waste heat energy are
Robert and Frosch [01] investigated the auto air conditioner
utilizing the waste heat from motor and solar heat.
AlQdah and Sameh Alsaqoor and Al-Jarrah [02] investigated
the auto air conditioner generation using exhaust waste energy
from a diesel engine.
Frank et al [03] designed a heat generating device for an
automobile to use for an absorption air conditioning system
including temperature control.
Alhusein Inayatallah [04] designed a simple aqua ammonia
absorption system for automobile air conditioning system
using waste heat from a spark ignition engine.

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Inte
ernationalJou
urnalofAdvaancedResearrchinTechno
ology,Enginee
eringandScieence(ABimo
onthlyOpenA
Access
OnliineJournal)V
Volume2,Issu
ue2,MarchA
April,2015.ISSSN:23497173(Online).

Gui et al [05] studdied the feasibbility of application of a soliid

orption system
m using ammonnia and chlorid
des as workinng
abso
pair to the automobbile air conditioning system.
Aqeeil and Gandhidasan
G
[0
06] proposed the feasibilitty
Al-A
desig
gn of an air-coonditioning system for automobiles using thhe
open
n cycle absorp
ption system with
w LiBr-H2O as the workinng
fluidd.
Shahh Alam [07] prroposed a moddel for the utiliization of wastte
heat to run auttomobile air-cconditioner in
n three fluidds
(Am
mmonia-Hydroggen-and Water) vapor absoorption system
m,
used
d for air connditioning of four stroke four cylindeer
passsenger car.
Viji V and N Ashhok [08] suggeested the theoreetical design oof
utomobile adsoorption air con
nditioner.
an au
R J Yadav
Y
and R S Verma [09] effectively
e
utillized waste heaat
from
m diesel genset to run air condditioning plant.
I Ho
oruz [10] studieed the vapor abbsorption refrig
geration system
m
in ro
oad transport veehicles.
Objecttive:
The main objectivve is to use thee waste heat frrom the exhausst
gas to run the air conditioning unit
u for an auttomobile i.e thhe
use of
o vapor absorrption refrigeraation system. The
T heat energgy
of thhe exhaust gaas is transferreed to the refrigerant inside a
geneerator which acts
a
as a heat exchanger. Heere is the maiin
desig
gn problem iss to design thhe generator. It is the mosst
impo
ortant componnent of the abbsorption systeem and directlly
influuence the perrformance of the system as
a the requireed
tempperature gain occurs
o
at this section
s
of the model which iis
actually done by the compressoor of the vapo
or compressioon
systeem.

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ARTES
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Theorretical Backgrround:
Based on the calculationn the cooling capacity
c
or heaat must be
removed from
f
the evapoorator space iss 5 KW or Qe = 4.8 KW
[11-14]. To
T know the am
mount of the heat
h that can be
b used by
the generrator (Qg) shelll and tube heeat exchanger has been
used. Watter passed throough the tube and hot gasess from the
exhaust gaas in the shell.
w
can be trransferred
The wastee heat from thee exhaust gas which
to refrigeerant i.e. heatt gained by the refrigerannt can be
calculatedd as [15-16]
Qg = m Cp T
Where,
Qg = geneerator heat (KW
W)
m = mass flow rate
Cp = speciific heat at connstant pressure
Co-efficieent of performaance of the absorption cycle []
[
Cop = Qe / Qg
The refrig
gerant CFC-122 (R-12 or Freeon -12) used in earlier
vehicle is no longer used now-a-dayss as it containns harmful
chloro fluuro carbon whhich contributees to the destrruction of
ozone layeer.

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InternationalJournalofAdvancedResearchinTechnology,EngineeringandScience(ABimonthlyOpenAccess
OnlineJournal)Volume2,Issue2,MarchApril,2015.ISSN:23497173(Online).

of the generator heat shown the benefit of exhaust gases as

an alternative heating source.
Now-a-days HFC-134 a ( R-134 a) is used as the refrigerant in
all new vehicles as it does not contain chlorine and is
environmentally friendly.
HFC-134 a (R-134 a) colorless, odorless, non-flammable and
non corrosive. At normal atmospheric pressure it will boil or
evaporate at -26.9C. However boiling point can be changed
by controlling the pressure, it will boil at higher temperature,

As per Christy V Vazhappilly, Trijo Tharayil, A.P.Nagarajan

International Journal of Engineering Research and
Application, Vol. 3, Issue 5, Sep-Oct 2013, pp.63-67
A breadboard prototype of an absorption system for
refrigeration using heat from the exhaust-gases is to be
designed, built and tested. In the commercial vapour
absorption refrigeration system a heating coil generator

when subjected to higher pressure.

system has been employed to vaporize the ammonia

Literature Review:

refrigerant. In the present work, the heating coil generator

As per Khaled AlQdah, Sameh Alsaqoor, Assem Al-Jarrah

International Journal of Thermal & Environmental
Engineering,Volume 3, No. 2 (2011) 87-93

system has been replaced by the frame plate type heat

Analysis and design of an automobile air conditioner was

heat in the exhaust gases has to be estimated based on actual

made by utilizing the available diesel engine exhaust waste

I.C-Engine driving cycles. The frame plate type heat exchanger

energy to provide the required heat for the generator.

has to be modeled and flow analysis inside the heat exchanger

Because automotive air conditioning is one of the most

has to be analyzed. In addition, the recoverable energy of the

equipment that heavily uses CFC compounds, and the

exhaust gases is to be analyzed for representative Internal

leakage of CFCs from such air conditioners affect the

Combustion Engine.

environment, the absorption cycle was found to be an ideal

exchanger. The exhaust gases from the IC engine have been

utilized to vaporize the ammonia refrigerant. The available

and found to be within acceptable ranges which are about

As per M. Joseph Stalin, S. Mathana Krishnan, G. Vinoth

Kumar,International Journal of Advances in Engineering &
Technology, July 2012.

1.37 TR. The reported results show that the COP values

As the energy demand in our day to day life escalates

directly

and

significantly, there are plenty of energies are shuffled in the

evaporator temperatures. Measured COP values of the

universe. Energies are put in an order of low grade and high

proposed model varied between 0.85 and 1.04.

grade energies. The regeneration of low grade energy into

option. Cooling load for the automobile has been estimated

proportional

with

increasing

generator

The generator was designed and fabricated for optimal

performance and could be rapidly transfer to the
industrial applications, The system was found to be
applicable and ready to produce the required conditioning
effect without any additional load to the engine The
proposed system decreases vehicle operating costs and
environmental pollution caused by the heating system as
well as causing a lower global warming. Simple
experiments were carried out to examine the performance

some beneficial work is a fantastic job. One such low

grade energy is heat energy. So it is imperative that a
significant and concrete effort should be taken for using heat
energy through waste heat recovery. This paper concentrates
on the theoretical analysis of production of hot water and
reduction of LPG gas using air conditioner waste heat. Now a
day, Air Conditioner is a banal device which occupies most of
our condominium for our comforts. An attempt has been
taken to recover waste heat rejected by the 1 TR air
conditioning systems. For this water cooled condenser is

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InternationalJournalofAdvancedResearchinTechnology,EngineeringandScience(ABimonthlyOpenAccess
OnlineJournal)Volume2,Issue2,MarchApril,2015.ISSN:23497173(Online).

exerted and the water is promulgated by the pump until our lubricating oil would break down, pistons and bearing
desired temperature is acquired. Then the hot water is would overheat and seize, and the engine would soon stop.
accumulated in insulated tank for our use. The result of the The necessity for cooling may be emphasized by considering
paper shows that the temperature of hot water, time required for the total heat developed by an ordinary six-cylinder engine.
attaining that temperature for the necessary volume of water
and the reduction of LPG gas by using hot water is also

As per I . Horuz, Journal of Energy Engineering / August

confabulated. Factors like supply and demand, condenser coil The refrigeration units currently used in road transport
design are pondered and theoretically calculated and the vehicles are pre- dominantly of the vapor compression
corresponding graphs are drawn. Finally this could be the refrigeration (VCR) type, in which the vapor compressor
surrogate for water heater and it fulfils all the applications of requires an input of energy in the form of work. In small
systems, the compressor work input can be obtained via

Hot water.
As per Gogineni. Prudhvi, Gada.Vinay, G.Suresh Babu,
International Journal of Engineering and Advanced
Technology (IJEAT), ISSN: 2249 8958, Volume-2, Issue-4,
April 2013

a belt drive from the main propulsion engine, while in

large systems the compressor is normally driven by a
dedicated internal combustion (IC) engine
The efficiency of such an IC engine is 35 40%, meaning

Most internal combustion engines are fluid cooled using

that only about one-third of the energy in the fuel used

either air (a gaseous fluid) or a liquid coolant run through a

is converted to useful work. This means that the

heat exchanger (radiator) cooled by air.

remaining 60 65% of the primary energy is rejected to

In air cooling system, heat is carried away by the air

flowing over and around the cylinder. Here fins are cast on
the cylinder head and cylinder barrel which provide
additional conductive and
cooling

system

radiating

surface. In w a t e r -

of c o o l i n g engines, the cylinder walls

and heads are provided with jacket through which the

cooling liquid can circulate.

the environment by cooling water/lubricant losses of

approximately

28 30%,

exhaust

gas

losses

of

approximately 30 32%, and the remainder by radiation,

etc. The same is true for the considerably more
powerful main propulsion engines of the road vehicle.
In the vapor absorption refrigeration (VAR) system, a
physicochemical process replaces the mechanical process
of the VCR system by using energy in the form of heat

An internal combustion engine produces power by burning

rather than mechanical work. The main advantages of

fuel within the cylinders; therefore, it is often referred to as

this system lie in the possibility of using the energy in

a "heat engine." However, only about25% of the heat is

hot waste gases.

converted to useful power. What happens to the remaining

This study investigates the performance of a VAR unit

75 percent? Thirty to thirty five percent of the heat

utilizing the waste heat in the exhaust gases from a

produced in the combustion chambers by the burning fuel

turbocharged diesel engine that is used to represent the

are

the

main propulsion unit of a road vehicle. If such a system

lubrication and fuel systems. Forty to forty- five percent of

could be used to provide refrigeration, there would be no

the heat produced passes out with the exhaust gases. If this

need for the IC engine and the compressor of the VCR

heat

system. There would also be a corresponding reduction in

dissipated

were

by the cooling system

not

removed

quickly,

along

with

overheating

and

extensive damage would result. Valves would burn and warp,

exhaust gas pollution.

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InternationalJournalofAdvancedResearchinTechnology,EngineeringandScience(ABimonthlyOpenAccess
OnlineJournal)Volume2,Issue2,MarchApril,2015.ISSN:23497173(Online).

For finding the inside heat transfer coefficient, Nusselt

number can be used,

Design and analysis of the model:

The generator is used to produce the same effect that of the
compressor in the vapor compression refrigeration system. It
is used to extract and transfer maximum amount of heat from
the exhaust gases and is used to evaporate the refrigerant R134-a.
It is designed to have capacity of 4.6 KW with temperature
around 90 C, pressure 31 bar.

The flow inside the generator will be two-phase flow. This

equation can be used for finding out the Nusselt number by
[2]
.

0.06

From [2,18] it was found to be

Assuming the overall heat transfer coefficient, mass flow rate
and specific heat are constant and there is no loss of heat to
the atmosphere. The external heat transfer area required can
be calculated.

1246.549

25.4763

For flow outside tubes , the following equation can be used

from [2,18]

The external heat transfer area is calculated by [17]

Q U A LMTD
Q
A
ULMTD
Where,
U = Overall heat transfer co-efficient, which can be
calculated, neglecting the fouling factor by [11]
1 ro
1
ro
ro
1

ln
ri
Ks
h i ri h o
U

Where,
C & n are constant depending upon Re i.e. Reynolds Number
Kg = thermal conductivity of exhaust gas
By using the procedure from [17,19], we can obtain

Where,
hi = inside heat transfer co-efficient
ho = outside heat transfer co-efficient
ri= inside diameter
ro= outside diameter
Ks = thermal conductivity for steel
Q = heat capacity of the generator
LMTD = Log mean temperature difference, which can be
calculated by [18]
1 2
LMTD m

ln 1
2
Where,
1
&

TEi = temperature of exhaust gas at inlet

TEo = temperature of exhaust gas at outlet
TRi = temperature of refrigerant at inlet
TRo = temperature of refrigerant at outlet

Fig: - Schematic Diagram for Design of Tubes

LMTD m

240

30
200
240 30
ln
200 90
154.64

90

If

2 &
1.5
0.5
, then

Where,
Vg = velocity of exhaust gases through generator
V = velocity of the exhaust gases while entering the
generator
D = outer diameter of the tube

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InternationalJournalofAdvancedResearchinTechnology,EngineeringandScience(ABimonthlyOpenAccess
OnlineJournal)Volume2,Issue2,MarchApril,2015.ISSN:23497173(Online).

Lets consider the following conditions for the purpose of the

calculation and finding out the area required for the generator.
Generator material = steel
Tube inner diameter = 15 mm
Tube outer diameter = 19 mm = D
2
1.5

38
&
28.5

126.37

Therefore.
4.6 10
126.37 154.64
0.235

So the area required is 0.235 m2

A

Some results based on the RPM and Exhaust temperature and

Qg , given below

0.5
34.2

2 34.2 19
30.4
38 19
19

2
Then as per [2]
V is 7 m /sec and Vg = 14 m/sec
.

0.35

0.370

Pr = Prandtls number at fluid temperature = 0.703

Prs = Prandtls number at surface temperature = 0.705
N=0.6 and C = 0.370
At T = 237 C, Pr = 0.69
From Silva and Costa [20], the properties for the exhaust gas
can be found to be
g = 0.694 kg/m3
g = 2.74 x 10-5 N S/ m2
Kg = 0.037915 W/m C
Vg = 14 m/sec
By calculation using the formulas from []
Reynolds number = Re =

Effect of diesel engine speed on the exhaust gas temperature

0.694 14 0.019
6737.37
2.74 10
Therefore; the Nusselt number will be found out using
0.703 0.25
64.11
NU 0.37 6737.370.6 0.690.36
0.705
now,

127.93

now,
Ksteel = 42 W/ m2 C, Qg = 4.6 kW, ho = 127.93 W/ m2 C, hi =
25.4763 k W/ m2 C

Effect of diesel engine speed on the exhaust heat generation

Substituting the values in the equation of U, we will get

1
1
0.019
0.019 0.019
1

ln

25.4763 10
42
0.015 127.93
0.015
U

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InternationalJournalofAdvancedResearchinTechnology,EngineeringandScience(ABimonthlyOpenAccess
OnlineJournal)Volume2,Issue2,MarchApril,2015.ISSN:23497173(Online).

Effect of diesel engine exhaust gas temperature on heat

generation
Conclusion:
Here in this paper a sincere trial was made to find out the
generator area for the vapor absorption refrigeration system
using waste heat of exhaust gas of the diesel engine. The
waste heat energy available in exhaust gas is directly
proportional to the engine speed and exhaust gas flow rate.
The study can be implemented for the mass production of this
type of air conditioning system to be runned by exhaust gas
heat of the automobile.
Reference:
[1] Robert A. Frosch. Automotive Absorption Air
Conditioner Utilizing Solar And Motor Waste Heat, United
States Patent 1980; 4:307,575
[2] Khaled AlQdah, Sameh Alsaqoor, Assem Al-Jarrah
International Journal of Thermal & Environmental
Engineering,Volume 3, No. 2 (2011) 87-93
[3] Frank F, Nekola, Trenton, Fla. Heat Generator for Use
with an Absorption Air Conditioning System For
Automobiles, United State Paten1990; 5: 49-82
[4] Alhusein M, Inayatullah G. Automobile Vapor
Absorption Air Conditioning System. Journal of Mu'tah for
Research and studies 1994; 9: 251-269.
[5] Gui-ping Lin Xiu-gan Yuan Zhi-guang Mei.The
Feasibility Study of the Waste Heat Air- Conditioning
System for Automobile. Journal of Thermal Scienc1986; 3
[6] Al-Aqeeli N, Gandhidasan P. The use of an open
cycle absorption system in automobile as an alternative to
CFC. Proceeding the 6th Saudi Engineering Conference,
KFUPM, Dhahran, December 2002.
[7] Shah Alam. Proposed model for utilizing exhaust heat
to run automobile air-conditioner. Proceeding of the

International Conference on Sustainable Energy and

Environment. Bangkok, Thailand, November, 2006
[8] Viji. V., N. Ashok Kumar, Theoretical Design of an
Automobile Adsorption Air Conditioner, 10th National
Conference on Technological Trends (NCTT09) 6-7 Nov
2009.
[9] R.J. Yadav, R.S. Verma, Effective Utilization Waste
from Diesel Genset to Run Air-Conditioning Plant.
[10] I. Horuz. Vapor Absorption Refrigeration in Road
Transport Vehicle. Journal of Energy Engineering. Vol125, 2 August 1999
[11] Arora, C.P: Refrigeration and Air Conditioning.
Tata McGraw-Hill: New Delhi ,1981.
[12] Auto Air Conditioning, A SHRAE Applications
Handbook , 1995; 87-89
[13] Ruth, D. W. Simulation and Modeling of Automobile
Comfort Cooling Requirements. ASHRAE Journal 1975;
5-53
[14] Multerer B, Burton R. L. Alternative Technologies for
Automobile Air Conditioning, July 1991
[15] Bejan, A: Advanced Engineering Thermodynamics.
John Wiley and Sons, :NewYork, 1988
[16] Chapman, A.J: Heat Transfer.4th Ed, CollierMacmillan Co, 1984
[17] Ibrahim O.M., Klein S.A. Thermodynamic Properties
of Ammonia-Water Mixtures. ASHRAE Transactions from
1993 Winter Meeting, Chicago, lllinois, 1495-99:14951502. 1993
[18] Rajput, R.K., Heat and Mass Transfer, S. Chand, New
Delhi, 2011
[19] Davis E.J, David M.M. Two-phase gas liquid
convection heat transfer, 1 and EC fundamentals , 1964;3:
111-118
[20] Silva. C.M, Costa . M and. Farias. Evaluation of SI
engine exhaust gas emissions upstream and downstream of
the catalytic converter. Journal of Energy Conversion and
Management 2006; 47 : 28112828
Address of Author:
Debi Prasad Sahoo, Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering,
Government College of Engineering, Keonjhar.

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