What effect does a high compression ratio have in a refrigeration cycle?

A high compression ratio in a refrigeration cycle typically leads to higher energy consumption. When the compression ratio increases, the compressor must exert more energy to compress the refrigerant gas from a low pressure to a significantly higher pressure. This increased workload on the compressor translates into more electrical energy usage, often resulting in reduced efficiency of the overall system.

Higher energy input is necessary to achieve the higher pressures, which can also lead to increased temperatures of the refrigerant during the compression phase. Consequently, the system must work harder to reject this heat effectively during the condensation phase, further contributing to energy inefficiency.

In general, while a rising compression ratio can lead to greater cooling effect under certain circumstances, it is more frequently associated with increased energy costs and reduced operational efficiency for refrigeration systems.