The Eighth Jordan International Chemical Engineering Conference (JIChEC 2017)
November 7-9, 2017
Experimental study and mathematical modeling of a
vapor compression refrigeration system
Dr. Shurooq Talib Remedhan Al-Hemeri *
Abstract
Vapor compression refrigeration systems are regularly
utilized to give a cool atmosphere to space thermal
condition control purposes in commercial and
industrial applications, especially in dehydration of
gases, and application of refrigeration in the petroleum
industry including lubricating-oil purification in
addition to the separation of volatile hydrocarbons.
Keeping in mind to outline good-performance that can
be implemented for a wide range of operation,
mathematical modeling which allows the simulation of
its behavior for changing input conditions, necessary to
be developed. In this work we changed the volumetric
flow rate of secondary fluid (water) in the condenser in
the range of (16-40) liter/hr, to study the experimental
and mathematical analysis of condenser and
evaporator of the cycle. Experimental analysis was
conducted using a test rig for a vapor compression
refrigeration system with R-134a as a refrigerant. The
theoretical model is based on the mathematical
formulation of the refrigerant side and water side in
the condenser and air side of the evaporator, and the
simulation program is based on the steady state
mathematical model of vapor compression
refrigeration cycle components solved using Mat-lab
program that is used to solve the algebraic equations.
The model requires input parameters of mass flow rate
of the secondary fluid (water) to obtain the model
prediction of the outlet temperature of the secondary
fluids at the condenser and evaporator, the condenser
and evaporator thermal capacities, the power
consumed by the compressor and the coefficient of
performance. The experimental validation of the model
has been carried out using R-134a as a working fluid,
concluding that the model can predict the performance
of the cycle with an error lower than ±10%.
Keyword: Refrigeration, COP, heat exchanger, R134a,
refrigerant.
I. Introduction
Refrigeration processes are important in a variety of
applications; where the refrigeration is used in large
scale industries, especially in the manufacture of ice,
dehydration of gases, domestic, commercial
refrigerators and other commercial industrial
services. The applications of refrigerants in the oil
industry include the separation of Light components,
in the reactions required low temperature and for the
purification of lubricating-oil. The refrigeration
system design depends on the properties of the
* E-mail: 80024@uotechnology.edu.iq ,
salhemeri2004@yahoo.com
Chemical engineering department, University of Technology,
Baghdad, Iraq
1
refrigerants because evaporation and condensation
processes in refrigeration systems are achieved in
consider a result of the energy transfer from
refrigerants and change its phase from the vapor into
the liquid [1].
Due to the amount of energy required by the
refrigeration sector, which is estimated to be around
15% of total energy consumption in the world, the
scientific community is working hard to optimize
the operation of refrigeration plants. To do so,
mathematical models constitute one of the best tools
both for analyzing and for controlling systems.
[2].There are two types of mathematical models
slated to the behavior of vapor compression
refrigeration system: empirical or statistical models
and physical models. Empirical models are based on
mathematical routines which obtain the formulation
of the system from experimental data, but these were
only valid for a particular system or specific
conditions. The physical models were based on
detailed data of parts in the system and their
modeling using equation derived from the physics
laws [3].
Vapor compression refrigeration systems, which are
frequently utilized to give chilled media to space
warm condition control purposes in domestics,
commercial and industrial applications, mainly
comprise a compressor, a fixed-orifice expansion
device, two of heat exchangers such as (condenser
and evaporator), and the light secondary fluid known
as (refrigerant) which evaporates and condenses
readily. And the one since for the system was closed
to never the refrigerant leaves the system [4].
The ratio of the cooling heat capacity of the
compression work called as a coefficient of
performance for refrigeration system; therefore COP
can be increased by increasing the refrigerating
effect or by decreasing the compression work. For a
vapor compression refrigeration cycle, it is
important to study how much heat is extracted and
how little energy is spent. The ratio of heat absorbed
to the work input is called the coefficient of
performance. The ratio should be as high as possible
[5].
COP= = (1)
−
Theoretical COP is the ratio of (theoretical
refrigerating effect) to (the theoretical compressor
work or isentropic compressor work). Theoretical
refrigerating effect, calculated from enthalpies about
evaporator is found from the pressure-enthalpy
diagram or the temperature-enthalpy diagram and
isentropic compressor work is calculated from
enthalpies about compressor was also got from the
diagram. Whenever, define the actual coefficient of
performance "COP”as a ratio of actual refrigeration
effect to the actual work supplied to the compressor
[6].
There are a many literature which deals with the
mathematical statements of the vapor compression
refrigeration systems such as Arora and Kanshik [7]
who presented the theoretical analysis and the
exergy analysis in detail to the real vapor
compression refrigeration cycle for highest
condensing efficiency in a condenser. Viabhav et
al.[8] studied the property of the refrigerant that
dependent a thermodynamic model for the simple
vapor compression refrigeration system using
various refrigerants that simulate the performance of
actual system used for a higher efficiency. Gustavo
[9] studied the theoretical and experimental analysis
of the effect of condenser sub-cooling on the
performance of vapor compression refrigeration
system using various refrigerants. Belman et al.[10]
the analyst of the refrigeration cycle such as vapor
compression refrigeration cycle by artificial neural
network using a mathematical model which
depended on the operation of a biological neural
networks, where the analysis and experimental
results provided ideas to clarify the linkage between
the input and output parameters in vapor
compression refrigeration cycle, and at the end of
the model actually predicted the performance of the
cycle. Maruthi et al. [11] performed the
experimental analysis of vapor compression
refrigeration system by using R134a and R404a
which also evaluated the performance of the cycle.
Mitesh et al.[12] predicated a theoretical
performance of vapor compression refrigeration
system and refrigerating effect with alternative
hydrocarbon refrigerants such as
R290,R600a,R1270 as well as their blend mixtures
in various ratios. Kedarnath and Patil [13] studied
the performance enhancement of vapor compression
refrigeration system using nano-fluids which
increased the area available for exchanging heat and
efficiency.
The experimental study of any refrigeration
framework generally is considered complicated,
essentially because of the cost and the vast number
of factors included. The utilization of numerical
models can lessen the costs and furthermore
encourage understanding the phenomena related to
the issue. Refrigeration systems models are
partitioned into two wide classes: steady –state
models and dynamic models [14].
There is a large number of researchers who studied a
steady state condition for refrigeration system type
of vapor compression ,for example Koury et
al.[15],Jong et al.[16] and Sivak and Hroncova[17]
suggested a refrigeration system model related to
parameters for condenser and evaporator and
simulated the compressor and expansion device
using the refrigerant R134a.
The main objective of this work is to study the
experimental data and present the mathematical
2
analysis for the two heat exchanger “condenser and
the evaporator” used in the test rig of the vapor
compression refrigeration system. A vapor
compression refrigeration system is simulated at
steady state conditions. A Mat-lab programming
version 2013a was used in analyzing the heat
transfer for evaporator and condenser in addition to
thermodynamic properties for the refrigerant. The
simulation was performed with the eco-friendly
1,1,1,2-tetrafluoroethane or known as hydro-
fluorocarbon (HFC) refrigerant R134a.
II. Description of physical system:
A simple vapor compression refrigeration cycle is
shown in Figure 1 which comprises of the four
fundamental parts; evaporator, compressor,
condenser and expansion valve. The refrigerant is
the primary working fluid in the cycle. In the
evaporator, the refrigerant takes heat from the low-
temperature primary fluid by vaporization. The
refrigerant in the evaporator is superheated and
vapor is then moved to compressor. To get on the
highest level of energy done by adding the
mechanical work. On the discharge side of the
compressor, the vapor at higher pressure and
temperature is condensed in the condenser.
In the condenser, the refrigerant vapor gives the heat
to the secondary fluid and then it condenses. The
condensation is done in horizontal tubes which
involves total condensation of the vapor. Close to
the outlet of the horizontal level tubes, the vapor
lessens to zero and the flow in the tube becomes
liquid stream.
The condensed refrigerant then passed through an
expansion valve which is lowering the pressure and
control of the mass-flow rate of the refrigerant. The
refrigerant leaving the extension gadget enters the
evaporator; in which the refrigerant absorbs heat and
boils. The refrigerant at that point comes back to the
compressor and the cycle is returned again. The
ideal vapor compression refrigeration cycle is shown
on the pressure – enthalpy and temperature-entropy
diagrams in Figures 2,3 also the refrigeration cycle
of vapor compression at actual state is shown in
Figure 4 [14,18,19].
Fig. 1: Schematic diagram of simple vapor
compression refrigeration system [14]
 Fig. 2: P-h diagram of ideal vapor compression refrigeration cycle [19].

Saturated
liquid 2

me
ter
3
𝐐𝐇 𝐖𝐢𝐧

1
4’ 4 𝐐𝐋
' Saturated
vapor

Process 1 – 2: Isentropic compression in the compressor.

Process 2 –3: Constant pressure heat rejection in the condenser. Fig. 4: P-h diagram for the actual vapor
Process 3 – 4: Isenthalpic expansion in the expansion device.
Process 4 –1: Constant pressure heat absorption in the evaporator. compression refrigeration cycle [18]

Fig. 3: T-S diagram for the ideal vapor

compression refrigeration cycle [19].

3
Table 1: Accuracy for the experimental
measurements.
Uncertainty
Independent variables
interval
± 0.2 % ( bar )
Pressure gauge
Temperature readers ± 1 ( ºC )
Thermometer ± 1 ( ºC )
Flow meter ± 0.014 %( kg/sec )
III. Experimental work:
Experimental rig
Test rig of refrigeration system was used to perform
the experimental tests as shown in Figure 5 which
consist of the following components: compressor,
condenser, capillary tube, evaporator, and
accessories like :( Pressure gages, thermocouples
and readers, flow meters and sight glasses).
Compressor: A single 370W capacity hermetic
compressor (Panasonic model QB77C16GAX5) was
selected in the current work. The compressor was
designed to work at a speed 2990rpm and R134a
was used as a refrigerant.
Condenser: The water condenser used in this cycle
is wire and tube type with exchange surface area
equal to 600 m2.
Expansion Device: In this cycle the capillary tube
consists of a single copper tube with (2800 mm)
length and (1.5 mm) diameter is located before the
evaporator to make a pressure drop and control on
the mass flow rate of refrigerant that enters the
evaporator.
Evaporator: In order to get variable load on the
evaporator, a shell and coil evaporator has been
used, where the flow of refrigerant in the tube and
air in a shell with exchange surface area equal to 600
m2.
Sight Glass: Sight glasses are used for viewing the
phase of refrigerant through the refrigeration system,
and to view the liquid refrigerant level through tubes
and other vessels in the system. It is used also as
refrigerant moisture indicator to ensure that the
refrigerant contains less moisture.
Pressure Gauges: Pressure gaugesare used to
measure the pressures at different locations in the
cycle. Pressure gauge with a range of (0 to 20) bars
is used to measure the low side pressure, and the
high side pressure.
Temperature Sensors: Temperatures at different
points in the test rig were measured by
thermocouples connected to the temperature readers.
Temperatures were measured by K-type
thermocouple operating in the range of (-200 to
1250 ºC).
Flow Meters: Two flow meters were used in the
present work, the first one was used for measure the
volumetric flow rate of the liquid refrigerant in the
4
refrigeration cycle model (10C- R134a), with a
range of (0.03 – 0.3) L/min. The second flow meter
was used to measure the volumetric flow rate of the
inlet water to the condenser model (Z-3002-liquid
water) with a range of (14 –40) L/hr.
Experimental procedure:
The main object of this work is to estimate and
analyze the performance of the vapor compression
refrigeration system with R134a as a refrigerant by
using refrigeration rig that is shown in Figure 5.
1- The test rig system was turned on and
operated without a thermal load in the
evaporator for 5 min. to ensure a proper
operation.
2- Set the float in the water volumetric rot meter
to any flow in the range (16-40) L / hr.
3- Turn on the compressor and the fan.
4- Check the system has reached to steady state
by selecting the temperature and pressure
measurements every minute until no further
change is observed should be (10 to 15 )min.
5- At steady state, take the readings of the
refrigerant flow rate, four pressures and eight
temperatures .This step was repeated for each
thermal load applied to the evaporator.
6- For shutdown, stop the compressor, wait for 5
minutes, then close the water valve .Then
switch off the main power supply and thermo-
couple device (to save batteries).
IV. Thermodynamic model for vapor
compression refrigeration performance:
The mathematical models of the parts for the
refrigeration circuit including the compressor, heat
exchangers, expansion valve at steady state was
include it in simulation program. To simulate a
refrigeration system, we ought to be joined the parts
models into a general model as indicated by the
relationship for ingredients parameters. Figure 6 is a
simplified flow chart for the vapor compression
refrigeration system with assuming the pressure
losses in condenser and evaporator are ignored.
Considering the operation of the cyclic system at
steady-state using refrigerant R134a vapor outlet
from evaporator at point 1 and compression through
the compressor to point 2.The sub-cooled refrigerant
exits the condenser at point 3 then flows through the
expansion valve to the evaporator inlet at point 4.
The analysis of the cycle in Figure 6 in terms of:
1) Cooling capacity
2) Condenser heat capacity
3) Compressor power consumption
4) Mass flow rate of refrigerant
5) Coefficient of performance
6) Efficiency of vapor compression refrigeration
cycle
 Fig. 5: Refrigeration Unit
In the present work, developed assumptions to
specify thermodynamic analysis in the refrigeration
system:
 Pressure losses in the pipelines are neglected.
 Kinetic and potential energy are not considered.
 Heat transfer from the system or to the system is
not considered.
By applying the first law of thermodynamics with
the change in internal energy for a cyclic process is
zero, we get [8]:
(Q.cond–Q.evap)–W.=0 (2)
Where, Q.cond is the rate of heat rejection in the
condenser (kW),Q.evap is the rate of heat absorbed by
the evaporator (kW), W. is the power input to the
compressor (kW).
The heat absorbed through the evaporator and
exothermic from the condenser occurs by the
working fluid “refrigerant” streams with mass flow
rates and specific heats. Therefore, the heat-transfer
rate to the cycle in the heat exchanger (evaporator)
i.e, cooling capacity becomes:
Q.evap = m.ref (h4 – h1) = (m. .Cp)air (T7– T8)
(3)
5
Where, Cp is the heat capacity for the external fluid
(air) (kJ/kg.K),T7 is the external fluid (air) inlet
temperature (K), T8 is the external fluid (air) outlet
temperature (K), m.ref is the mass flow rate of
refrigerant (kg/s) and h is the specific enthalpy of the
refrigerant at state point (kJ/kg).
As the same, the heat-transfer rate between the
refrigeration cycle and the sink in the condenser i.e,
condenser heat capacity is:
Q.cond = m.ref (h2 – h3) = (m. .Cp)w (T5– T6) (4)
Where, T5 is the external fluid (water) inlet
temperature (K) and T6 is the external fluid (water)
outlet temperature (K).
And the power required by the compressor at
isentropic efficiency, is given by:
W. = m.ref (h1 – h2) (5)
We then calculate the circulation rate of refrigerant
m·ref which is determined from the rate of heat
absorption in the evaporator by the equation:
Q.evap
m·ref = h1 − h4
(6)
The COP is defined as the refrigerating effect over
the net work input, i.e.
(h1 – h4)
COP”actual” = Q.evap / W. = (h2 – h1)
(7)
Performance of coefficient for Carnot ideal cycle: Efficiency of vapor compression cycle ( ɳ ) :
𝑇𝑐
ω =COPcarnot = 𝑇ℎ−𝑇𝑐
(8) ɳ=COP”actual”/ω (9)
Requirements for calculation the
Where, Tc = T1sat is the saturated temperature of thermodynamic properties of R134a
refrigerant in (K) at evaporator pressure, and Th= refrigerant in simulation of the refrigeration
T3sat is the refrigerant saturated temperature in (K) at
condenser pressure.
cycle:
To analysis the refrigeration system, the following
requirements must be availability to calculate the
Cooling refrigerant
Mode thermodynamic properties [20-21]:

Diagram
Throttling
T4 Device
Evaporator Water Condenser
Water
Fan flow
meter Out
𝐓𝟔
𝐓𝟕 𝐓𝟖
𝐓𝟒

Water
In
𝐓𝟓 𝐓𝟑

Refrigerant
turbine
flow

𝐓𝟏 𝐓𝟐
Compressor

Temperature Symbols Define

T1 Refrigerant inlet compressor temperature

T2 Refrigerant discharge compressor
temperature
T3 Refrigerant outlet condenser temperature
T4 Refrigerant inlet evaporator temperature
T5 Water inlet condenser temperature
T6 Water outlet condenser temperature
T7 Air inlet evaporator temperature
T8 Air outlet evaporator temperature

Fig. 6: Schematic diagram of the vapor compression refrigeration system.

6
 The quick calculation: Because occur many h4=hL3 (13)
calculations that related to the simulation field of h4: enthalpy of refrigerant at outlet from throttling
thermodynamic properties for refrigerant, valve (kJ/kg)b ~> 0, then: b ~> 0, then: Provided AT
therefore, the quick calculation of refrigerant At point (1) outlet from evaporator: if vapor
thermodynamic properties consider an important superheat that is given by:
factor for simulation, and it has an effect on the ∆Ts=Tsup – T1sat (14)
selection of component model in the system. Where, Tsup= T1 and T1sat is calculated from
 Higher stability: Since there are many attempts eq.(10) at low pressure ”Pevap.” .
for the calculation of refrigerant thermodynamic
hv =249455+606.163 T1sat -1.05644 T21sat -
properties, the dissimilarity in calculation has
happened regardless of the possibility that 1.82426*10-2T31sat (15)
likelihood is low in a solitary estimation , so the hv :enthalpy of saturated vapor at ∆Ts=0 in(kJ/kg) .
requirement on the stability must be achieved h1= hv (1+3.48186*10-3 ∆Ts +1.6886*10-6 ∆T2s
 The reversibility: There are a large number of +9.2642*10-6∆Ts T1sat -7.698*10-8 ∆T2s T1sat +
refrigerant thermodynamic properties in the 1.7070*10-7∆TsT21sat-1.2130*10-9∆T2sT21sat (16)
simulation of refrigeration systems which need to h1: enthalpy of superheated vapor at ∆Ts >0 that
be converted to each other. In spite of the inlet to compressor (kJ/kg).
deviation is almost very little in a solitary At point (2) outlet from compressor: the vapor is
conversion process however will lead to a large superheat, therefore, we need another parameter to
difference in the last figured outcomes due to a
determine h2 ,that is the specific volume of saturated
numerous iterations that required.
 The continuity and simplify: The result of vapor (ῦv ) in (m3/kg):
2669
convergence is achieved only when there is ῦv=exp(-12.4539+ 273.15+Tsat
)(1.01357+
1
iteration for continuous functions. And because
1.06736*10-3T1sat-9.2532*10-6 T21sat -3.2192
of some refrigerant thermodynamic properties
are used the differential coefficients, therefore *10-7 T31sat ) (17)
the differential coefficients must be also then convert ῦv to superheated specific volume
continuous and its function curve should be V1sup at point (1) in (m3/kg):
smooth. V1sup= ῦv (1+4.7881*10-3∆Ts -3.965*10-6∆T2s
Cleland [22] and Wang etal. [23], presented a quick +8.5739*10-7∆Ts T21sat -5.401*10-9∆T2s T21sat)
method to calculate the refrigerant thermodynamic (18)
properties in addition they gave the correlations for ∆Tc= T3sat – T1sat (19)
R134a for the saturation temperature of _40 to70 oC . C1=1.06469-1.6907*10-3 T1sat -8.560*10-6 T21sat
For a reversible calculation the formula of saturation
-2.135*10-5 T1sat∆Tc -6.1730*10-7 T21sat∆Tc
pressure and temperature is presented in a simple
and practical model, consumes less computation +2.0740*10-7 T1sat∆T2c +7.720*10-9 T21sat∆T2c -
time. The estimations of polynomial curve- fit 6.103*10-4∆Tc (20)
equations for thermodynamic properties of C=C1(1+1.1757*10-3∆Ts-1.814*10-5∆T2s+
refrigerant R134a are easy, and computationally
quick; for usually refrigeration conditions
4.121*10-5∆TsT1sat-8.093*10-7∆T2sT1sat) (21)
anticipated properties generally a large concur with Where, C is the curve fit equation.
the source information to about ±0.4%. Calculate ∆h¯ enthalpy change in isentropic
For the saturated temperature of the saturated compression for R134a:
pressure relationship, Antoine equation was adopted: 𝐶 𝑃 𝐶−1
𝟐𝟐𝟎𝟎.𝟗𝟖𝟎
∆h¯ = 𝐶−1 P1 V1sup({𝑃2 } 𝐶 - 1) (22)
1
Tsat = (𝟐𝟏.𝟓𝟏𝟐−𝐋𝐧𝐏 ) -246.61 (10) ∆𝐡¯
𝐬𝐚𝐭 ∆h𝒂𝒄𝒕 . = ɳ (23)
comp.
Where, temperature in (0C) and the pressure in(KPa) ɳcomp.: actual efficiency of compressor and equal
At point (3) outlet from condenser: The extend of 80%
liquid sub-cooling found by: h2 = ∆hact + h1 (24)
∆Tb = T3sat –TL (11) From the previous equations, the procedure of flow
chart for the saving simulation is shown in Figure 7.
Where: TL= T3 and T3sat is calculated from
eq.(10) at high pressure “Pcond.”.

hL3 =50952+1335.29 T3 +1.70650T23 +7.6741

*10-3T33 (12)
hL3:enthalpy of sub-cooled liquid (kJ/kg) at ∆Tb > 0
and is enthalpy of saturated liquid at ∆T b= 0.
At point (4) since the expansion is the throttling
valve:
7
 Start

Input: (m.water)

Read:{ Ph“Pcond”., PL”Pevap.”,T1, T2, T3, T4, T5, T6, T7, T8,m.ref }
measured from experimental work

Calculation at point 3:
 Calculate Tsat3 from eq.(10)
 Calculate ∆Tb from eq.(11)
 Calculate hL3 from eq.(12):


Calculation at point 4:
h4=hL3

Calculation at point 1:
 Calculate T1sat from eq.(10)
 Calculate ∆TS from eq.(14)
 Calculate hv from eq.(15)
 Calculate h1from eq.(16)

Calculation at point 2:
 Calculate ῦv from eq.(17)
 Calculate V1sup from eq.(18)
 Calculate ∆Tc from eq.(19), C1from eq.(20) and C from eq.(21)
 Calculate ∆h¯ from eq.(22)
 Calculate ∆h𝒂𝒄𝒕 from eq.(23)
 Calculate h2from eq.(24)

Outputs:
 cooling capacity eq.(3)
 condenser heat capacity eq.(4)
 compressor power consumption eq.(5)
 COP eq.(7)
 ω eq.(8)
 Efficiency of vapor compression refrigeration cycle eq.(9)


End

Fig. 7: Schematic diagram describing the overall model for simple

vapor compression refrigeration system with R134a
8
 V. Results and Discussion condenser heat capacity increases, COP increases
too. But cooling capacity is nearly the same at
In this area, thermodynamic performance parameters
obtained increased in COP as studied by
are computed from the experimental data using
Yeunyongkul et al.[28] .Therefore, in this case,
refrigerant R134a by utilizing the different equations
when consider in (equation 7), it was found that the
(2-24) and discussed. The outcomes acquired from
compressor work decreases, resulting in the increase
this research may vary slightly relying on the
in COP with remaining the cooling capacity nearly
refrigerant charge, experimental and the
constant.
environmental conditions. Performance parameters
of the vapor compression refrigeration system, for
example, genuine work of compressor, coefficient 24.5
of performance, cooling capacity and condenser
capacity were analysis for various volumetric flow 24
rate of water inlet to the condenser that using R134a.
Many investigations are executed into performance 23.5
analysis of the vapor compression refrigeration 23
system. But a limited research is implemented for

Q˙cond (kW)
effect of volumetric or mass flow rate of the 22.5
secondary fluid in condenser on the refrigeration
system. Some researchers such as Dalkilic and 22
Wongwises [24] and Elsayed and Hariri [25]
21.5
studied the effect of air mass flow rate in shell
evaporator on the heat pump system. 21
The numerical results of the obtained simulation are
presented in a graphical form, as shown in Figures 20.5
8-14.
It was seen that for the same inlet temperature 20
(Tin,cond.) of water which the condenser secondary 0 0.005 0.01 0.015
fluid, as the water mass flow rate (m.w) increases, the m˙water(kg/sec)
condenser heat capacity (Q.cond.) increased due to
increase water mass flow rate as seen from Figure 8.
Figure 9 shows the COP (coefficient of
performance) variation with respect to the condenser Fig. 8: Variation of condenser heat capacity at
heat capacity. As the cooling capacity (Q.evap) was different water mass flow rate
the constant. It was observed that as, the condenser
heat capacity increases, coefficient of performance
increased as studied by Maruthi et al. [11] , Bhatkar
et al.[18]and Saidur et al.[26] . Figure 10 and
Figure 11 show the effect of variation of condenser 8
heat capacity on system temperatures. Tin,cond.(T5),
Tin,evap.(T7), Tout,cond.(T6) and Tout,evap.(T8) data are 7.5
independent of refrigerant temperature in two heat
exchangers. The temperature (T6) gradient outlet 7
from condenser increases with increases in
condenser heat capacity as shown in Figure 10. But 6.5
there is a slight change in temperature of air outlet
COP

from evaporator (T8 ) with variation for condenser 6

heat capacity as shown in Figure 11. Variation of
condenser pressure (Ph) and evaporator pressure (PL) 5.5
with condenser heat capacity is shown in Figure
12.The condenser pressure decreases whereas 5
evaporator pressure increases with increase in
condenser heat capacity. The results show the same 4.5
trend as obtained by Akintunde et al.[27]. Figure 13
pointed out that as the pressure drop between 4
condenser and evaporator increases for same cooling 20 21 22 23 24 25
capacity (Q.evap) of the system , the work of Q·cond (KW)
compression increases due to decreased condenser
heat capacity (refer Figure 12). Figure 14 shows the
COP variation with respect to the rate of heat
transfer in (kW).As the compressor work
consumption reduced thus COP increases. And when Fig. 9: Variation of coefficient of performance
at different condenser heat capacity
9
 50 20 evap.press.(bar)
T in (0C)
45 18
cond.press.(bar)
T cond.(0C)
16
40
14
35 12

P (bar)
T(°C)

10
30
8
25 6
4
20
2
15 0
20 21 22 23 24 25 20 21 22 23 24 25
Q·cond (kW) Q· cond (kW)

Fig.10: Variation of water inlet &outlet Fig.12: Variation of condenser pressure &
temperatures about condenser vs. condenser evaporator pressure vs. condenser heat
heat capacity capacity

25
6

23
5.5

21
5
T in evap(0C)
W·comp (kW)
T ( °C)

19
Tevap(0C) 4.5

17
4
15
3.5
13
20 21 22 23 24 25 3
Q·cond (kW) 5 10 15 20
∆P (bar)

Fig.11: Variation of air inlet &outlet Fig.13: Variation of compressor power

temperatures about evaporator vs. condenser consumption with pressure drop between
heat capacity condenser & evaporator

10

30
25
20
Q.EVAP
Q· (kW)
15 Q.COND
WCOMP
10
5
0 Acknowledgments
5 6 7 8
COP
Fig.14: Comparison of different power Q.evap.
, Q.cond. , W.comp. vs. coefficient of
performance
VI. Conclusions
This experimental study and the mathematical
model investigated the effect of the changing the
water volumetric flow rate (16-40 )L/hr or by the
mass flow rate (15.8 to 39.6 )kg/hr.The working
fluid in the refrigeration system is R134a. From this
study the following conclusion is deduced:-
1) The present study is allocated to develop a
physical model that permits clarification the
energy conduct of a vapor compression
system utilizing input parameters that can
be easily acquired from experimental work.
2) Based on the simulation of the refrigeration
system, it can be said that the refrigeration
system performance is improved by
bringing down the power consumption for
compressor, increasing the rejection of
condenser heat capacity or decreasing the
pressure difference amongst condenser and
evaporator.
3) The mass flow rate of water, which is the
secondary fluid in condenser are need to be
considered in selecting the condenser, since
it effect on the condenser heat capacity for
vapor compression refrigeration system.
4) Given the requirement for energy
preservation, it is desirable to enhance the
execution of vapor compression system
presenting new parameter designs and
additionally applying a proficient operation.
In this way, a mass flow rate of water of the
refrigeration system can be used at higher
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value of the range that used to improve the
condenser heat capacity and coefficient of
performance of the system.
5) A validation of the model was carried out
by a comparison between experimental
information and model yields. The
outcomes were demonstrating a comparison
between measured mass flow rate values of
refrigerant R134a and those obtained with
the circulation rate of refrigerant that
determined from the rate of heat absorption
in the evaporator. It is observed that a good
fit with relative error estimations that differ
within±10%.
Dr. Shurooq T. Al-Hemeri thankful to the
department of chemical engineering /University of
Technology for providing Laboratory of
thermodynamic and Dr. Zaidoon Mohsen Shakor
their help during this study.
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 Sh.T.Al-Hemeri: Shurooq.
Talib Remedhan Al-Hemeri, PhD in
Chemical Engineering - University of
Technology-Baghdad-Iraq. Assist professor
“lecture “ in University of Technology,
chemical engineering department..Her interests
in Thermodynamic engineering ”Refrigeration
system”, Phase change of materials”, Extraction
of organic compounds, Two-phase in bubble
column and Renewable energy.

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