Thermodynamics-MEC 554/ LS 3/SHAH Rev.

01-2009

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN MEKANIKAL
________________________________________________________________________

Program : Bachelor in Engineering (Mechanical)

Course : Thermodynamics
Code : MEC 554
________________________________________________________________________

LAB SHEET NO: 3

HEATING, VENTILATION & AIR CONDITIONING LABORATORY SHEET ( HVAC )

TITLE : Variation In Refrigeration Coefficient Of Performance At Various Process

Temperatures.

1. INTRODUCTION

Refrigeration is used widely in various applications from industrial to domestic situations, mainly for
the storage and transport of perishable foodstuffs and chemical substances. It has the prime
function to remove heat from a low temperature region, and it can also be applied as a heat pump
for supplying heat to a region of high temperature.

2. OBJECTIVE

To investigate the variation in Coefficient of Performance (COPR) of a vapor compression

refrigeration system.

3. THEORY

A refrigeration cycle works to lower and maintain the temperature of a controlled space by heat
transfer from a low to a high temperature region.

High Temperature Reservoir, TH

QH

E
.
Wnet

QL

Low Temperature Reservoir, TL

Refrigeration duty is another term for the cooling effect of the refrigeration system, which is the rate
of heat being removed from the low temperature region with specified evaporation and
condensation temperatures. The unit for “duty” measurements is in Watts (for 1 ton of
refrigeration = 3517W).

1
 Thermodynamics-MEC 554/ LS 3/SHAH Rev. 01-2009

3.1 The Vapor Compression Cycle

Ideal refrigeration systems follows the theoretical Reversed Carnot Cycle process. In
practical refrigerators, compression and expansion of a gas and vapor mixture presents
practical problems in the compressor and expander. Therefore, in practical refrigeration,
compression usually takes place in the superheated condition and a throttling process is
substituted for the isentropic expansion.

2
 Thermodynamics-MEC 554/ LS 3/SHAH Rev. 01-2009

The cycle :

1–2 Isentropic compression of the vapour, from the evaporating to the condensing
pressures.
2–3 Condensation of the high pressure vapour during which heat is transferred to the
high temperature region.
3–4 Adiabatic throttling of the condensed vapour from the condensing to the
evaporating pressure.
4–1 Evaporation of the low pressure liquid during which heat is absorbed from the low
temperature source.

Energy Transfers Analysis

Compressor

q 1-2 = h2 – h1 + w 1- 2

If compression is adiabatic, q 1 - 2 = 0, and w 1- 2 = h1 – h2 = w amp

Power requirement, P = ṁ ( h1 – h2 ), where ṁ is the flow rate of working fluid per unit
time.

Condenser

q 2 - 3 = h3 – h2 + w

W = 0, therefore q 2 - 3 = h3 – h2 and rate of heat rejection Q˙ 2 - 3 = ṁ ( h3 – h2 )

Expansion Valve

q 3 - 4 = h4 – h3 + w

w = 0, therefore q 4 - 1 = h1 – h4 and process is assumed adiabatic (q = 0 )

therefore h4 = h3

Evaporator

q 4 – 1 = h1 – h4 + w

w = 0 therefore q 4 – 1 = h1 – h4 and rate of heat absorbed Q˙ 4 - 1 = ṁ ( h1 – h4 )

Coefficient of Perfomance ( COP )

q 4-1 h h
COPref = = 1 - 4
w h2 h1

3
 Thermodynamics-MEC 554/ LS 3/SHAH Rev. 01-2009

5. EQUIPMENT

RC 713 Computer Linked Refrigeration Unit ( P.A Hilton ).

6. PROCEDURES

a. Start the experiments at a condenser saturation temperature of 20 ˚C.

b. Enter programme 1 and increase the evaporator load to approximately 10 %.
c. Return to the main menu and enter the programme 2. Select “ no print-out “ and display
these three parameters, 5. Condensing temperature, 2. Refrigerant flow rate and 14
Cooling water flow rate.
d. By small adjustments of cooling water flow rate the condensing temperature 20 ˚C may
be maintained. The system is stable when all three parameters show generally
horizontal lines ( approximately 1 minute ).
e. When the system is stabilized, return to the main menu and select programme 1 with
print out option ( raw and calculated data ).
f. Then increase evapotaror load ( by 15 % ) and print out the results. Repeat until
evaporator load is at 75 %.

4
 Thermodynamics-MEC 554/ LS 3/SHAH Rev. 01-2009

7. DATA AND RESULTS

7.1 By using data obtained from the experiments, for one set of data, plot the data on the
Pressure enthalpy ( P – h ) diagram and show the calculations of the parameters below
using the energy equations based on entalphy :

(a) Refrigeration duty , Q 4 – 1

(b) Compressor work, W 1 – 2

(c) Heat rejected from condenser, Q 2 – 3

(d) Coefficient of performance, COP ref

(e) Heat absorbed by cooling water, Q cw

Results Summary table

Load Evaporator Condenser Refrigerant Cooling Q 4–1 W 1–2 Q 2–3 COP ref
temp ( °C ) exit temp flow rate water
( °C ) ( kg / s ) flow rate
( kg / s )
0

15

30

45

60

75

8. DISCUSSIONS

a. Fill in the parameters from one set of experimental data in to the refrigeration system
diagram ( Figure 5 ).

b. What do you understand by the term load ? Give examples of actual loads in refrigeration
practice in a domestic fridge, in a room, and in a factory.

c. What is the effect on the COP ref as the load is increased ? Why ?.

d. What is the effect on the condenser temperature as the load is increased ? Why ?.

e. Conclusion of the experiment.

5
Thermodynamics-MEC 554/ LS 3/SHAH Rev. 01-2009