A small vapor-compression refrigeration unit is to be built into a recreational vehicle and is designed to operate on a 12-volt electrical system. The refrigerator has a cooling capacity of 500 W and uses R-134a. The refrigerant enters the compressor as a saturated vapor and leaves at 1600 kPa, 100ºC. The evaporator and condenser are constant pressure devices. The refrigerant leaves the condenser as a saturated liquid and the evaporator pressure is 400 kPa.
Determine the following:
a)the mass flow rate of the refrigerant (in kg/s)
b)the rate at which heat is added to the environment of the recreational vehicle,
c)the power required to operate the compressor,
d)the COP of the cycle, and
e)the current flow through the recreational vehicle electrical system required to operate the compressor (assume 100% electrical efficiency).