ABSTRACT
The vapor compression cycle is the underlying thermodynamic process for most refrigeration systems in stationary and many mobile applications. This cycle is also referred to as the reverse Rankine cycle or the Perkins/Elmer cycle. For this text, the term vapor compression cycle is used throughout. As a general introduction and to establish the connection to the material taught in basic thermodynamics, the Carnot cycle will be explained first and then the vapor compression cycle will be discussed in full detail. This chapter also provides a description of the operation of heat pumps within the larger context of energy conversion systems.
