REFRIGERATION AND AIR-CONDITIONING

LABORATORY MANUAL

Prepared by
Mr.A.R.Sivaram,
Assistant Professor,
Department of Mechanical Engineering,
AMET, Chennai
 Department of Mechanical Engineering

Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Laboratory

List of Experiments

1. Study of a vapour compression refrigeration system

2. Study of air – conditioning systems

3. COP test of a vapour compression refrigeration system

4. COP test of an air-conditioning system

5. Demonstration of working of HP cutoff switch & LP cutoff switch,

capillary tube and expansion valve

6. Comparison of theoretical and actual p-h & T-s diagram of a vapour

compression system

7. Demonstration of Charging, evacuation and leak detection of

refrigerant from an vapour compression refrigeration system

Figure 1. Simple Vapour Compression Refrigeration System
Ex.no: STUDY OF A VAPOUR COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION SYSTEM

Date:

AIM: To study the basic components of simple vapour compression refrigeration system i.e.

compressor, condenser, expansion valve, and evaporator.

Theory:

Vapour compression refrigeration cycle

A vapour compression refrigeration system is an improved type of air refrigeration system in

which a suitable working substance, termed as refrigerant is used. It condenses and evaporates at
temperatures and pressures close to the atmospheric conditions.The refrigerant used does not leave
the system but is circulated throughout the system alternately condensing and evaporating. The
vapour compression refrigeration system is now days used for all-purpose refrigeration. It is used
for all industrial purpose from a small domestic refrigerator to a big air conditioning plant.The
vapour compression refrigeration cycle is based on the following factor:

1. Refrigerant flow rate.

2. Type of refrigerant used.
3. Kind of application viz air-conditioning, refrigeration, dehumidification etc.
4. The operation design parameters.
5. The system equipments/ components proposed to be used in the system.
The vapour compression refrigeration cycle is based on a circulating fluid media, viz, a
refrigerant having special properties of vaporizing at temperatures lower than the ambient and
condensing back to the liquid form, at slightly higher than ambient conditions by controlling the
saturation temperature and pressure. Thus, when the refrigerant evaporates or boils at temperatures
lower than ambient, it extracts or removes heat from the load and lower the temperature
consequently providing cooling.The super-heated vapour pressure is increased to a level by
the compressor to reach asaturation pressure so that heat added to vapour is dissipated/ rejected
into the atmosphere,using operational ambient conditions, with cooling medias the liquid from and
recycled againto form the refrigeration cycle.
 The components used are:

1. Evaporator

2. Compressor

3. Condenser and receiver

4. Throttling device

(a)Evaporator:

The liquid refrigerant from the condenser at high pressure is fed through a throttling
device to an evaporator at a low pressure. On absorbing the heat to be extracted from Media to be
cooled, the liquid refrigerant boils actively in the evaporator and changes state.The refrigerant
gains latent heat to vaporizes at saturation temperature/ pressure and further absorbs sensible heat
from media to be cooled and gets fully vaporized and super heated. The “temperature-pressure
relation chart” table can determine the pressure and temperature in the
evaporator.

(b) Compressor: The low temperature, pressure, superheated vapour from the evaporator is
conveyed through suction line and compressed by the compressor to a high pressure, without
any change of gaseous state and the same is discharge into condenser. During this process heat
is added to the refrigerant and known as heat of compression ratio to raise the pressure of
refrigerant to such a level that the saturation temperature of the discharge refrigerant is higher
than the temperature of the available cooling medium, to enable the super heated refrigerant to
condense at normal ambient condition. Different types of compressors are reciprocating, rotary
and centrifugal and are used for different applications.

(c) Condenser The heat added in the evaporator and compressor to the refrigerant is rejected in
condenser at high temperature/ high pressure. This super heated refrigerant vapour enters the
condenser to dissipate its heat in three stages. First on entry the refrigerant loses its super heat, it
then loses its latent heat at which the refrigerant is liquefied at saturation temperature pressure.
This liquid loses its sensible heat, further and the refrigerant leaves the condenser as a sub cooled
liquid. The heat transfer from refrigerant to cooling medium (air or water) takes place in the
condenser. The sub-cooled liquid from condenser is collected in a receiver (wherever provided)
and is then fed through the throttling device by liquid line to the evaporator.There are several
methods of dissipating the rejected heat into the atmosphere by condenser. These are water-cooled,
air cooled or evaporative cooled condensers.In the water-cooled condenser there are several types
viz. Shell and tube, shell and coil, tube in tube etc. In Evaporative cooled condenser, both air and
water are used. Air-cooled condensers are prime surface type, finned type or plate type.

The selecting of the type depends upon the application and availability of soft water.

(d) Throttling device

The high-pressure liquid from the condenser is fed to evaporator through device, which should be
designed to pass maximum possible liquid refrigerant to obtain a good refrigeration effect. The
liquid line should be properly sized to have minimum pressure drop. The throttling device is a
pressure-reducing device and a regulator for controlling the refrigerant flow. It also reduces the
pressure from the discharge pressure to the evaporator pressure without any change of state of the
pressure refrigerant. The types of throttling devices are:

Capillary tubes

Thermostatic expansion valves

Hand expansion valves

Hand valves.
The most commonly used throttling device is the capillary tube for application upto approx. 10
refrigeration tons. The capillary is a copper tube having a small dia-orifice and is selected, based
on the system design, the refrigerant flow rate, the operating parameters (such as suction and
discharge pressures), type of refrigerant, capable of compensating any variations/ fluctuations in
load by allowing only liquid refrigerant to flow to the evaporator.

Result:

Thus the working of a simple vapour compression refrigeration system has been studied.
Figure 1: Window Air-Conditioning system
 Ex.no: STUDY OF AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEMS

Date:

Aim

To study about working of window air-conditioning system and split air-conditioning system

Theory

Window Air-conditioning System:

It is the most commonly used air conditioner for single rooms. In this air conditioner all
the components, namely the compressor, condenser, expansion valve or coil, evaporator and
cooling coil are enclosed in a single box. This unit is fitted in a slot made in the wall of the room,
or often a window sill. Windows air conditioners are one of the most widely used types of air
conditioners because they are the simplest form of the air conditioning systems. Window air
conditioner comprises of the rigid base on which all the parts of the window air conditioner are
assembled. The base is assembled inside the casing which is fitted into the wall or the window of
the room in which the air conditioner is fitted. The whole assembly of the window air conditioner
can be divided into two compartments: the room side, which is also the cooling side and the
outdoor side from where the heat absorbed by the room air is liberated to the atmosphere. The
room side and outdoor side are separated from each other by an insulated partition enclosed inside
the window air conditioner assembly In the front of the window air conditioner on the room side
there is beautifully decorated front panel on which the supply and return air grills are fitted (the
whole front panel itself is commonly called as front grill). The louvers fitted in the supply air grills
are adjustable so as to supply the air in desired direction. There is also one opening in the grill that
allows access to the control panel or operating panel in front of the window air conditioner.

1) Blower: This is the small blower that is fitted behind the evaporator or cooling coil inside the
assembly of the window air conditioner system. The blower sucks the air from the room which
first passes over the air filter and gets filtered. The air then passes over the cooling coil and gets
chilled. The blower then blows this filtered and chilled air, which passes through the supply air
compartment inside the window air conditioner assembly. This air is then delivered into the room
from the supply air grill of the front panel.
Split air-conditioning system
2) Propeller fan or the condenser fan: The condenser fan is the forced draft type of propeller
fan that sucks the atmospheric air and blows it over the condenser. The hot refrigerant inside the
condenser gives up the heat to the atmospheric air and its temperature reduces.
3) Fan motor: The motor inside the window air conditioner assembly is located between the
condenser and the evaporator coil. It has double shaft on one side of which the blower is fitted and
on the other side the condenser fan is fitted. This makes the whole assembly of the blower, the
condenser fan and the motor highly compact

Split Air- Conditioning System:

The split air conditioner comprises of two parts: the outdoor unit and the indoor unit. The outdoor
unit, fitted outside the room, houses components like the compressor, condenser and expansion
valve. The indoor unit comprises the evaporator or cooling coil and the cooling fan. For this unit
you don’t have to make any slot in the wall of the room. Further, the present day split units have
aesthetic looks and add to the beauty of the room. The split air conditioner can be used to cool
one or two rooms.

1) Evaporator Coil or the Cooling Coil:The cooling coil is a copper coil made of number turns
of the copper tubing with one or more rows depending on the capacity of the air conditioning
system. The cooling coil is covered with the aluminum fins so that the maximum amount of heat
can be transferred from the coil to the air inside the room.The refrigerant from the tubing at very
low temperature and very low pressure enters the cooling coil. The blower absorbs the hot room
air or the atmospheric air and in doing so the air passes over the cooling coil which leads to the
cooling of the air. This air is then blown to the room where the cooling effect has to be produced.
The air, after producing the cooling effect is again sucked by the blower and the process of cooling
the room continues. After absorbing the heat from the room air, the temperature of the refrigerant
inside the cooling coil becomes high and it flows back through the return copper tubing to the
compressor inside the outdoor unit. The refrigerant tubing supplying the refrigerant from the
outdoor unit to the indoor unit and that supplying the refrigerant from indoor unit to the outdoor
unit are both covered with the insulation tape.

2) Air Filter: The air filter is very important part of the indoor unit. It removes all the dirt particles
from the room air and helps supplying clean air to the room. The air filter in the wall mounted type
of the indoor unit is placed just before the cooling coil. When the blower sucks the hot room air, it
is first passed through the air filter and then though the cooling coil. Thus the clean air at low
temperature is supplied into the room by the blower.
3) Cooling Fan or Blower: Inside the indoor unit there is also a long blower that sucks the room
air or the atmospheric air. It is an induced type of blower and while is sucks the room air it is
passed over the cooling coil and the filter due to which the temperature of the air reduces and all
the dirt from it is removed. The blower sucks the hot and unclean air from the room and supplies
cool and clean air back. The shaft of the blower rotates inside the bushes and it is connected to a
small multiple speed motor, thus the speed of the blower can be changed. When the fan speed is
changed with the remote it is the speed of the blower that changes.

4) Drain Pipe: Due to the low temperature refrigerant inside the cooling coil, its temperature is
very low, usually much below the dew point temperature of the room air. When the room air is
passed over the cooling due the suction force of the blower, the temperature of the air becomes
very low and reaches levels below its dew point temperature. Due to this the water vapor present
in the air gets condensed and dew or water drops are formed on the surface of the cooling coil.
These water drops fall off the cooling coil and are collected in a small space inside the indoor unit.
To remove the water from this space the drain pipe is connected from this space extending to the
some external place outside the room where water can be disposed off. Thus the drain pipe helps
removing dew water collected inside the indoor unit.To remove the water efficiently the indoor
unit has to be a tilted by a very small angle of about 2 to 3 degrees so that the water can be collected
in the space easily and drained out. If this angle is in opposite direction, all the water will get
drained inside the room. Also, the if the tilt angle is too high, the indoor unit will shabby inside the
room.

5) Louvers or Fins: The cool air supplied by the blower is passed into the room through louvers.
The louvers help changing the angle or direction in which the air needs to be supplied into the
room as per the requirements. With louvers one easily change the direction in which the maximum
amount of the cooled air has to be passed. There are two types of louvers: horizontal and vertical.
The horizontal louvers are connected to a small motor and there position can set by the remote
control. Once can set a fixed position for the horizontal louvers so that chilled air is passed in a
particular direction only or one can keep it in rotation mode so that the fresh air is supplied
throughout the room. The vertical louvers are operated manually and one can easily change their
position as per the requirements. The horizontal louvers control flow of air in upper and downward
directions of the room, while vertical louvers control movement of air in left and right directions.

Result:

Thus working of window and split air conditioning system has been studied in detail.

OBSERVATION
 Time Duration Height of
Temperature of Pressure of Taken for of water in
Time in Refrigerant (oC) Refrigerant in psi 10 rev in Experime tank(m)
Energymet nt (sec)
er (sec)
minutes
T1 T2 T3 T4 P1 P2 P3 P4

10

20

Steady state
Condition

MODEL
CALCULATION

T1 = P1=P4=_________
______oC psi

T2 = P2=P3=_________
o
______ C psi

P1=P4=_________
bar

P2=P3=_________
bar

PROCESS CHART
Ex.no: COP TEST OF A VAPOUR COMPRESSION

Date: REFRIGERATION SYSTEM

Aim
To determine the COP of a vapour compression refrigeration system

Apparatus used
Vapour Compression refrigeration system, Thermometer and Stop watch.

Compressor Type:
Condenser Type:
Expansion Device:
Evaporator Type:
Procedure

1. Switch off the solenoid valve.

2. Open the valve in the capillary line.

3. Switch on the compressor.

4. After steady state conditions are achieved, switch on the solenoid valve and close the
valve in the capillary line.

5. Refrigerated space is opened for loading.

6. Steady state conditions are achieved after sometime noted by indication of same
temperature for at least 10 minutes.

7. Temperature and pressure at compressor inlet and outlet, condenser outlet are noted.
Formula used
Actual C.O.P. = Refrigeration Effect/Power consumed by compressor = …………
Power consumed by Compressor = (N X 3600)/(E X t) = ……………kW
1 – Compressor Inlet Condition
2 – Compressor Outlet Condition
3 – Condenser Outlet Condition
4 – Evaporator Inlet Condition
FROM P-H CHART

H1 = ____________kJ/kg, H 2=_______________kJ/kg, H3=_____________kJ/kg

H4=_____________kJ/kg

H1-H4= ---------------

H2-H1: -------------------= kJ/kg

g
Theoretical COP = H1-H3/ H2-H1 =
Coefficient of performance: - The coefficient of performance is defined as the ratio of heat
extracted in the evaporator to the work done on the refrigerant by compressor

Actual C.O.P. = Refrigeration Effect/Power consumed by compressor = …………

Power consumed by Compressor = (N X 3600)/(E X t) = ……………kW
Where,
N = Number of revolutions in energy meter
E = Energy meter Constant
t = Time taken for N number of revolutions in seconds
Refrigeration Effect = [Mass of water (mw)*Cp(water)*(TF-TI)] / Duration of Experiment(sec)
= (kW)
Where mw = mass of water (kg)
CP(Water) = Specific heat of water in kJ/kg K
TF = Final Temperature of water
TI = Initial Temperature of water
Result
The theoretical COP of the vapour compression refrigeration system = ________________
The actual COP of the vapour compression refrigeration system = _______________
 Ex.no: COP TEST OF AN AIR-CONDITIONING SYSTEM

Date:

AIM

To find the theoretical COP, actual COP, heat absorbed and cooling load of
the given apparatus.

APPARATUS REQUIRED

Air-conditioning system, Thermometer, anemometer

Compressor Type:
Condenser Type:
Expansion Device:
Evaporator Type:
PROCEDURE
1. Switch on the condenser fan.

2. Switch on the blower.

3. Switch on the compressor.

4. Open the butterfly valve.

5. After attaining the steady state, note down the following

a. DBT & WBT of air before cooling coil

b. DBT & WBT of air after cooling coil

c. Pressure & Temperature of Refrigerant at compressor inlet

d. Pressure & Temperature of Refrigerant at compressor outlet

e. Pressure & Temperature of Refrigerant at condenser outlet

f. Compressor energy meter reading – time for 20 revolutions

g. Rotameter reading, Butterfly valve opening

6. After taking all the readings, switch off compressor first.

7. Allow blower and fan to run for 20 minutes and then switch off both.
 8. OBSERVATION:

9. COOLING PROCESS
1. Butterfly valve opening :
2. Size of the duct :

3. Velocity of air in the duct (Anemometer Reading in m/s) :

4. Rota meter reading (at steady state) :
5. Time taken for 10 revolutions of energy meter :
6. Energy meter constant :

Temperature of Pressure of Time Taken Velocity of

Time in Refrigerant(oC) Refrigerant in psi for 10 rev in air (or)
Energymeter Anemometer
(sec) Reading in
minutes m/s
T1 T2 T3 T4 P1 P2 P3 P4

10

20

Steady state
Condition

Air Circuit

Air inlet condition – 1

Air outlet condition – 2
Inlet temperature
a) of dry air DBT1 =_____________________oC

WBT1 =_____________________oC

Outlet temperature
b) of dry air DBT2 =_____________________oC

WBT2 =_____________________oC

Ha1 =_____________________kJ/kg
 Ha2 =_____________________kJ/kg

Da1 = (1/sp. vol@1)

=__________________kg/m3

sp. vol@1 taken from psychrometric chart

MODEL CALCULATION

P1=P4= ------------ + 1.013 = ------------- bar (abs)

14.2

P2=P3= ------------ + 1.013 = ------------- bar (abs)

14.2

From P-H Chart

H1 = ____________kJ/kg

H 2=_______________kJ/kg

H3= H4 = _____________kJ/kg

Heat absorbed = H1 - H4

= _____________kJ/kg

(HEAT ABSORBED X MASS FLOW OF REFRIGERANT)/211 = ……….kW

1. Refrigeration capacity =

R1 x D1
Where Mass flow rate of refrigerant (mr) = ----------- =
60 x 1000

(H 1-H4)xmr
--
Refrigeration Capacity =
 211

= ………..kW

= _______________ TR

2. Theoretical COP = (H1-H4)

------------------

(H2-H1)

FORMULAE USED

Heat absorbed x mass flow rate of refrigerant (m r)

1. Refrigeration capacity = ------------------------------------------------------------- ……………………………….

211

R1 x D1

Where Mass flow rate of refrigerant (mr) = -----------

60 x 1000

Refrigeration Capacity = (H1-H4) x mr

------------------
211

2. Theoretical COP = (H1-H4)

------------------

(H2-H1)

3. Actual COP = mr x (H1-H4)

------------------
Compressor Power
Where Compressor Power = 3600 x N
-------------

T1 x Ec
Where T1 = Time for 10 revolutions

Energy meter constant (Ec) = 1200revolutions/Kw.hr

COOLING LOAD CIRCUIT

Mass of air (kg/hr) = 0.25 x 0.25 x Va1 x 3600 x density of air (D1) kg/hr

Cooling Load = Mass flow rate of air x Ha1 – Ha2

------------------------------------------
60 x 211
`

3. Actual COP = mr x (H1-H4)

------------------
Compressor Power

Compressor Power= 10 x 3600

------------- =-------------------------------

T1 x Ec

= _________________________
 COOLING LOAD CIRCUIT

4. Mass of air (kg/hr) = 0.25 x 0.25 x Va1 x 3600 x D1

= _________________________ kg/hr

5. Cooling Load = Mass flow rate of air x Ha1 – Ha2

------------------------------------------
60 x 211
= _________________________
Represent all the points in psychrometric chart

RESULT
Theoretical COP of air conditioner =_____________________

Actual COP of air Conditioner =_____________________

Refrigeration capacity (Ref. Circuit) =_____________________

Refrigeration capacity (Air Circuit) =_____________________

 Ex.no: Demonstration of Working Models of HP Cutoff Switch, LP

Cutoff Switch and Thermostat

Date:

AIM: To study and demonstrate the working of HP Cutoff switch, LP Cutoff switch and
Thermostat.

Apparatus Required: Vapour compression test rig with manual operated HP Cutoff switch, LP
Cutoff switch and Thermostat

Compressor Type:
Condenser Type:
Expansion Device:
Evaporator Type:
Theory

High Pressure Cutoff Switch

In refrigeration system the high-pressure cut-off switch is a control device which is used as safety
control. The compressor is stopped by cutting the power supply of the motor of
the compressor whenever the discharge pressure of the compressor becomes excessive. This is
necessary to prevent the possible damage of equipment. When the pressure in discharge line raise
above a certain limit of pressure, high-pressure control device operates and stops the compressor
by cutting the power supply given to the motor input.
Low Pressure Cutoff Switch
It is also a safety control used in vapour compression refrigeration plant to stop the refrigeration
system when suction pressure drops below the pre-set value of cut out pressure. This is an
electrically operated switch which breaks the electrical circuit of the compressor when suction
pressure reduces below the normal working pressure of the system.
It is connected on suction side of the compressor.

The reasons of excessive low pressure are as under.

1. Very low load at the evaporator.

2. Defective expansion valve/ blockage of expansion valve.
This switch may be fully automatic (stars and stops plant) or semi-automatic (stops the plant
automatically but re-starting manually) depending upon the wiring connection of the switch with
the system.

Thermostat
Thermostat is used for controlling the temperature in cold rooms, brine tanks, freezing chambers,
hardening chambers etc. It is a temperature operated electric switch making circuit when the
temperature rises to a predetermined value and breaking circuit when the temperature falls to
another predetermined value. It is necessary to stop the refrigeration plant at required temperature
and again to start the plant at predetermined rise in the temperature.

Procedure

1. Switch on the condenser fan.

2. Switch on the blower.

3. Switch on the compressor.

4. Set HP Cutoff switch, LP Cutoff switch to the required pressure.

5. Switch of the condenser. Improper condensation leads to high discharge pressure. As the

pressure increases, when it reaches the particular set range, high pressure cutoff switch cuts

of the compressor.

6. Similarly, when pressure drops below the pressure set in low pressure cutoff switch, LP

Cutoff switch cuts of the compressor.

7. Energize Thermostat. on energizing thermostat, it cuts the power supply to compressor.

Result

Thus working of HP Cutoff Switch, LP Cutoff Switch and Thermostat are studied and

demonstrated successfully.
 Ex.no: Comparison of theoretical and actual p-h & T-s Diagram of a

vapour compression system

Date:

Aim: To sketch actual p-h & T-s diagram of a vapour compression system and compare it with a
theoretical diagram.

Apparatus Used

Vapour compression system with provision of monitoring pressure and temperature at all points.

Compressor Type:
Condenser Type:
Expansion Device:
Evaporator Type:
Procedure

1. Switch on the condenser fan.

2. Switch on the blower.
3. Switch on the compressor.
4. Note down the following,
 Pressure & Temperature of Refrigerant at compressor inlet

 Pressure & Temperature of Refrigerant at compressor outlet

 Pressure & Temperature of Refrigerant at condenser outlet

 Pressure & Temperature of Refrigerant at Expansion valve outlet

5. By using Refrigerant table, Identify the condition and physical state of the refrigerant at
different locations. Using the condition of refrigerant at different points, sketch the actual
p-h & T-s diagram.
Observation Tabulation

Position Pressure of Temperature Condition of

Refrigerant (PSI) of Refrigerant Refrigerant (Dry, wet
(°C) or superheated)
(1) Pressure & Temperature of
refrigerant at compressor inlet
(P1 & T1)
(2) Pressure & Temperature of
refrigerant at compressor outlet
(P2 & T2)
(3) Pressure & Temperature of
refrigerant at condenser outlet
(P3 & T3)
(4) Pressure & Temperature at of
refrigerant Evaporator inlet
(P4 & T4)
 Theoretical p-h & T-s diagram

Actual p-h & T-s diagram

Result

Thus actual p-h & T-s diagram of a vapour compression system is drawn successfully and

compared with a theoretical diagram.

Ex.no: Demonstration of Charging, evacuation and leak detection of

refrigerant from an vapour compression refrigeration system

Date:

AIM:

To study different methods used for detection of leakage of different types of

refrigerants, to study effects of non-condensable on the system and to study the procedure
for charging the refrigerant into the system,

PRIOR KNOWLEDGE:

Different types of commonly used refrigerants along with their properties (i.e.
physical, chemical and thermodynamic), the effect of undercharge or overcharge of
refrigerant, the effect of non-condensable on the performance of the system.

DESCRIPTION:

It is well known that the moisture, air and other non-condensable are very harmful
for the refrigeration system. The moisture present may choke capillary tube and also if
moisture is combined with hydrochloric and hydrofluoric acids they are having ill effects
on the system. The presence of air and non-condensable increases the head pressure of
the system. As the head pressure goes higher, the compressor motor draws more current.
Also higher head pressure reduces the refrigeration capacity of the unit appreciably.
The temperature rise of the compressor accelerates the chemical action inside the
system.From above points it is clear that moisture, air and non-condensable should be
removed from the refrigeration system to the maximum possible extent. Hence before
system can be charged with a refrigerant it should be thoroughly evacuated and dehydrated
by drawing a high vacuum. If this is not done at the initial stage itself, a clean system
can near be attained.After the completion of erection the plant should be checked and
the refrigerant should be charged into the system.

During working also there is chance of leakage in a refrigeration system. Finding

a leakage is the job of patience. The approach should be to find leak rather then
concluding that there are no leaks on a cursory check. Apart from the cost of charging
refrigerant into a leaky system, a shortage of refrigerant can cause real danger to the
plant.Therefore leak testing should be done periodically without fail in all seriousness and
with full concentration.

LEAK TEST METHODS:

Different leak testing methods one employed for different types of refrigerants.

1. AMMONIA, R12, R22:

i) SULPHUR TEST METHOD:

Burning sulphur stick shows a dense white smoke if ammonia is present. The
burning sulphur stick is passed around all the joints and suspected leaky points for the
appearance of smoke. This test is applicable for tracing minute leaks only.

ii) SOAP BUBBLE TEST:

This test may not be very effective to trace very minute ammonia leak as it is
soluble in water. Fortunately, ammonia is having plungent odor, a heavy leak can be
easily detectable.
iii) LITMUS TEST:

Wet litmus paper (Phenolpthalene paper) which turns red in contact with ammonia can also
be used to detect leaks

2. HALOGENATED REFRIGERANTS:

Soap solution, Halogen leak detector, Halide torch and Electronic leak detectors
are the methods used to trace leaks in halogenated refrigerants.

i) HALOGEN TORCH:

A halogen torch can detect minute leaks, which are not possible to trace with soap
solution. The presence of trace of refrigerant can change the light blue colour of the
detector flame to green or deep blue. The end of the explorer tube of the detector is
carefully passed over the joints and suspected leakage points. If there is a leak, the
refrigerant can be drained in with the suction effect at the end of the explorer tube to the
hot copper or brass portion of the burning torch. The refrigerant reacts with the metal to
form copper chloride, which produces the color change in the flame.A well maintained
halogen torch is claimed to detect leaks of the order of about 15 gram per year.
ii) Electronic Leak Detector:

This is an electrical instrument. In this also an explorer tube is used to suck the
refrigerant from the leaky points to an instrument. A vibrator is provided to suck the
refrigerant through the explorer tube. A filter is also provided at the tip of the tube to
prevent atmospheric dert entering the instrument. A heating element in the tube heats the
refrigerant drawn in and the refrigerant creates a variation in the current flow of the
instrument. The extent of variation of the current is an indication of the amount of leak.
The current variation is read on the dial of the instrument. The change of current actuates
a relay which operates an indicating light.These detectors are capable of detecting
refrigerant leaks of the order of about 0.3 gm per year. The electronic leak detector is a
very sensitive instrument and should be handled and stored carefully.

CHARGING PROCEDURE FOR REFRIGERANT:

The vacuum pump mounted on the charging kit is of rotary type. Also metering system is
provided so that we can charge sufficient quantity of refrigerant.

PURGING:

Many times during the operation of the system, the air leaks inside the system. It
is necessary to remove the air for maintaining the efficiency of the system. Owing to
the presence of air in a system, the high-side pressure and load on condenser increase.
The method of removing air from the system is known as purging. During purging, the
compressor discharge valve is intermittently opened for few seconds at a time. Air and
few grams of refrigerant vapour escape under high-pressure. A noticeable pressure and
temperature drop in the system occurs and normal operating pressure is established. The
refrigerant is added from outside if excessive purging is occurred.
Result:

The refrigeration system must be free from non-condensable and correct quantity
of refrigerant must be there in the system for good performance.

At the time of charging of refrigerant, the lubricating oil of required grade must
be added to the compressor. Thus the Procedure for charging, evacuation and leak
detection of refrigerant in a refrigeration system has been studied.