Experiment No.

2
Objective:

To study and demonstrate the cooling cycle of a heat pump trainer .

Apparatus:
Heat pump trainer

Theory:

Heat pump:
Technically, a heat pump is a mechanical-compression cycle refrigeration system that can be
reversed to either heat or cool a controlled space. ... A compressor circulates refrigerant that
absorbs and releases heat as it travels between the indoor and outdoor units.A heat pump is a
device that transfers heat energy from a source of heat to what is called a heat sink. Heat
pumps move thermal energy in the opposite direction of spontaneous heat transfer, by
absorbing heat from a cold space and releasing it to a warmer one. A heat pump uses external
power to accomplish the work of transferring energy from the heat source to the heat sink. A
heat pump requires work to operate.

 Compressor
 Condenser
 Expansion valve
 Evaporator
 Reversing valve
 Accumulator

Simple Vapour Compression refrigeration Cycle:

A Simple Vapor Compression system consists of following systems:

1. Compressor
2. Condenser
3. Expansion valve
 4. Evaporator

COMPRESSION
The refrigerant (for example R-717) enters the compressor at low temperature and low pressure.
It is in a gaseous state. Here, compression takes place to raise the temperature and
refrigerant pressure. The refrigerant leaves the compressor and enters to the condenser. Since
this process requires work, an electric motor may be used. Compressors themselves can be scroll,
screw, centrifugal or reciprocating types.

CONDENSATION
The condenser is essentially a heat exchanger. Heat is transferred from the refrigerant to a
flow of water. This water goes to a cooling tower for cooling in the case of water-cooled
condensation. Note that seawater and air-cooling methods may also play this role. As the
refrigerant flows through the condenser, it is in a constant pressure.

One cannot afford to ignore condenser safety and performance. Specifically, pressure control is
paramount for safety and efficiency reasons. There are several pressure-controlling devices to
take care of this requirement

THROTTLING AND EXPANSION

When the refrigerant enters the throttling valve, it expands and releases pressure. Consequently,
the temperature drops at this stage. Because of these changes, the refrigerant leaves the
throttle valve as a liquid vapor mixture, typically in proportions of around 75 % and 25 %
respectively.

Throttling valves play two crucial roles in the vapor compression cycle. First, they maintain a
pressure differential between low- and high-pressure sides. Second, they control the amount of
liquid refrigerant entering the evaporator.
EVAPORATION
At this stage of the Vapor Compression Refrigeration Cycle, the refrigerant is at a lower
temperature than its surroundings. Therefore, it evaporates and absorbs latent heat of
vaporization. Heat extraction from the refrigerant happens at low pressure and temperature.
Compressor suction effect helps maintain the low pressure.

There are different evaporator versions in the market, but the major classifications are liquid
cooling and air cooling, depending whether they cool liquid or air respectively.
Procedure:

Cooling cycle:
Refrigeration Cycle. The refrigeration cycle uses a fluid, called a refrigerant, to transfer heat
from one place to another. We usually think of the cycle being used to create cooling, but if
you have ever felt the backside of a refrigerator or air conditioner, you know the cycle also
produces heat. The cooling cycle of a heat pump is used to cool a space by removing heat from
it and expelling it to another area, usually to the outdoors for air conditioning or to the room
for a refrigerator. To do this, the "evaporator" and "condenser coils" switch roles and the flow
of refrigerant is reversed.

 The cold refrigerant absorbs heat from the hotter room in the evaporator, so the room
will cool down.
 It is then put through the compressor to increase its temperature.
 It passes through the condenser coils, and transfers this heat to the outside air.
 It then expands in order to decrease its pressure and cool down to below the room's
temperature to repeat the cycle.