Zakho University Mechanical Eng. Dept.

2nd Year 2018-2019

Mechanical Lab/ Refrigeration and AC

Experiment No. (4 and 5)

Vapor Compression Refrigeration Cycle and Heat Pump

1. PURPOSE:
a. Determining the coefficient of performance (COP) of a vapor compression
refrigeration cycle, and make a comparison between Carnot COP and vapor
compression refrigeration system
b. Determining the coefficient of performance (COP) of a heat pump (Heating) and make
a comparison between COP for a Carnot heat pump and heat pump system.

2. APPARATUS:
The heat pump (R134a) consists of the following parts:
1. A compressor: compresses the vaporous working fluid from evaporator pressure to
condenser pressure.
2. condenser: reject heat at constant pressure to the water.
3. Sight glass: used to see working fluid state after heat rejection process.
4. pressure gauge: used to measure condenser pressure.
5. An expansion (throttling) valve: expands the liquid working fluid at constant enthalpy
process.
6. Evaporator: absorbs heat from the low temperature reservoir at constant pressure.
7. Sight glass: used to see working fluid state after heat absorption process.
8. pressure gauge: used to measure evaporator pressure.
Zakho University Mechanical Eng. Dept. 2nd Year
2018-2019
Mechanical Lab/ Refrigeration and AC

3. THEORY:

The ideal refrigeration cycle shown in the figure, includes the following processes:

1-2: Isentropic compression (is a thermodynamic process, in which the entropy of the fluid or gas
remains constant. It means the isentropic process is a special case of an adiabatic process in which there is no
transfer of heat or matter. It is a reversible adiabatic process), s2=s1
2-3: constant pressure heat rejection in the condenser
3-4: Throttling in the expansion valve, h3=h4.
4-1: constant pressure heat addition in the evaporator.
Zakho University Mechanical Eng. Dept. 2nd Year
2018-2019
Mechanical Lab/ Refrigeration and AC

The refrigeration effect (evaporator) may be calculated as follows:

𝑅𝐸 = 𝑞𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑝 = ℎ1 − ℎ4
h1 is the enthalpy at evaporator outlet (compressor inlet) at evaporator pressure, kJ/kg.
h4 is the enthalpy at evaporator inlet (expansion valve outlet) at evaporator pressure, kJ/kg.
The work added to the compressor, per unit mass, is
𝑤 = ℎ2 − ℎ1
h2 is the enthalpy at compressor outlet (condenser inlet) at condenser pressure, kJ/kg.
The rejected heat from the condenser is:
𝑞𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 = ℎ2 − ℎ3
h3 is the enthalpy at condenser outlet, kJ/kg.
The coefficient of performance of the refrigeration system is:
𝑅𝐸 ℎ1 − ℎ4
𝐶𝑂𝑃𝑅 = =
𝑤 ℎ2 − ℎ1
The Carnot COP is determined using the following:
𝑇𝐿
𝐶𝑂𝑃𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑜𝑡 =
𝑇𝐻 − 𝑇𝐿
The coefficient of performance of the heat pump (heating) is:
𝑞𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 ℎ2 − ℎ3
𝐶𝑂𝑃𝐻𝑃 = =
𝑤 ℎ2 − ℎ1
The Carnot COP of the heat pump is determined using the following:
𝑇𝐻
𝐶𝑂𝑃𝑐𝑎𝑟,𝐻𝑃 =
𝑇𝐻 − 𝑇𝐿

4. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE AND RESULTS:

1. Operation of the unit using the main switch of the electrical power.
2. Record the readings of the temperatures and pressures of the evaporator and
condenser at the specified time.
3. Repeat the second step every 3 minutes until the readings become stable.
4. Fill the table shown below.
5. Draw p-h and T-s diagram.
6. Calculate the refrigeration effect, RE.
7. Calculate work added to the compressor, w.
Zakho University Mechanical Eng. Dept. 2nd Year
2018-2019
Mechanical Lab/ Refrigeration and AC

8. Calculate heat rejected to the surrounding, q cond.

9. Calculate the coefficient of performance for the refrigeration system, COPR.
10. Calculate the coefficient of performance for the Carnot cycle, COP Carnot.
11. Calculate the coefficient of performance for heat pump (heating), COP HP.
12. Calculate coefficient of performance for heat pump Carnot cycle, COP car, HP

Evaporator Condenser
temp. C temp. C
Time Evaporator Condenser
No.
Sec. pressure, bar pressure, bar
In. Out. In. Out.
(T4) (T1) (T2) (T3)

1
2
3
4
5

5. Discussions:

Q1/ What is the difference between the Carnot cycle and the refrigeration cycle for the
vapor compression refrigeration system? Why?

Q2/ What is the effect of evaporator pressure on the refrigeration effect, work and COP?

Q3/ What is the effect of condenser pressure on the refrigeration effect, work and COP?

Q4/ Compare between COP ref and COP Carnot?

Q5/ what is the relationship between pressure of evaporator and COP HP, then pressure of
condenser and COP HP? Make charts.

Q6/ What is the difference between the heat engine and heat pump?
Zakho University Mechanical Eng. Dept. 2nd Year
2018-2019
Mechanical Lab/ Refrigeration and AC
Zakho University Mechanical Eng. Dept. 2nd Year
2018-2019
Mechanical Lab/ Refrigeration and AC
Zakho University Mechanical Eng. Dept. 2nd Year
2018-2019
Mechanical Lab/ Refrigeration and AC