Lab Session # 02

Objective
“Observe the Main components used for Refrigeration and air conditioning and discuss using
refrigeration cycles.”

Apparatus
Refrigerator Model ET 915

Theory
1.0Refrigeration cycle
A major application area of thermodynamics is refrigeration, which is the transfer of heat
from a lower temperature region to a higher temperature one. Devices that produce
refrigeration are called refrigerators, and the cycles on which they operate are called
refrigeration cycles.
 Coefficient of performance (COP)
The efficiency of a refrigerator or heat pump is given by a parameter called the coefficient of
performance (COP).
The Detailed COP of a refrigerator is given by the following equation:
COPR = (Desired Output)/(Required Input)
= (Cooling Effect)/(Work Input)
= QL/Wnet,in
The COP of a heat pump (sometimes referred to as coefficient of amplification COA), given
by the following equation, where QH = QL + Wnet,in:
COPHP = (Desired Output)/(Required Input)
= (Heating Effect)/(Work Input)
= QH/Wnet,in = 1 + (QL/Wnet,in)

1.1 Reversed Carnot Cycle

The Carnot cycle is a totally reversible cycle that consists of two reversible isothermal and
two isentropic processes. It has the maximum thermal efficiency for given temperature limits,
and it serves as a standard against which actual power cycles can be compared. Since it is a
reversible cycle, all four processes that comprise the Carnot cycle can be reversed. Reversing
the cycle does also reverse the directions of any heat and work interactions. The result is a
cycle that operates in the counterclockwise direction on a T-s diagram, which is called the
reversed Carnot cycle. A refrigerator or heat pump that operates on the reversed Carnot cycle
is called a Carnot refrigerator or a Carnot heat pump.
The coefficients of performance of Carnot refrigerators and heat pumps are expressed in
terms of temperatures as;
COPR,Carnot = TL/(TH-TL) = 1/((TH/TL) - 1)
COPHP,Carnot = TH/(TH-TL) = 1/(1 - (TL/TH))

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Lab

 Figure 1: Schematic of a Carnot refrigerator and T-s diagram of the reversed
1.2 Carnot cycle.
Ideal Vapour – compression refrigeration cycle
Many of the impracticalities associated with the reversed Carnot cycle can be eliminated by
vaporizing the refrigerant completely before it is compressed and by replacing the turbine
with a throttling device, such as an expansion valve or capillary tube. The cycle that results is
called the ideal vapor-compression refrigeration cycle. The vapor-compression refrigeration
cycle is the most widely used cycle for refrigerators, air-conditioning systems, and heat
pumps.
It consists of four processes:
1-2 Isentropic compression in a compressor
2-3 Constant-pressure heat rejection in a condenser
3-4 Throttling in an expansion device
4-1 Constant-pressure heat absorption in an evaporator
The COPs of refrigerators and heat pumps operating on the vapor-compression refrigeration
cycle can be expressed as;
h1 −h4 h2−h3
COP R= , COP HP=
h 2−h1 h2−h1

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Lab

 Figure 2: Schematic and T-s diagram for the ideal vapor-compression refrigeration cycle.

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Lab

1.3 Actual Vapour – compression refrigeration cycle
An actual vapor-compression refrigeration cycle differs from the ideal one in several ways,
owing mostly to the irreversibility’s that occur in various components. Two common sources
of irreversibility’s are fluid friction (causes pressure drops) and heat transfer to or from the
surroundings.

Figure 3: Schematic and T-s diagram for the actual vapor-compression refrigeration cycle.

1.4 Cascade Refrigeration cycle

Very low temperature can be achieved by operating two or more vapor compressor systems
in series, called cascade. The COP of refrigeration also increases as the result of cascade.

Figure 4: A two-stage cascade refrigeration system with the same refrigerant in both stages.

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Lab

2.0Refrigerant
A refrigerant is a substance or mixture, usually a fluid, used in a heat pump and refrigeration
cycle. In most cycles it undergoes phase transitions from a liquid to a gas and back again. 
 Types of Refrigerants

1) Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) – R11, R12, R113, R114, R115.

2) Hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs) – R22, R123.
3) Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) – R134a, R404a, R407C, R410a.
 Characteristics of good Refrigerant
1) Low boiling Point.
2) High Critical Temperature.
3) High latent heat of vaporisation.
4) Low specific heat of liquid.
5) Low specific volume of vapour.
6) Non-corrosive to metal.
7) Non-flammable.
8) Non-explosive.
Specimen Calculations
Input Data
Mass of the refrigerant =
Enthalpy at inlet to compressor = h1 =
Enthalpy at outlet to compressor = h2 =
Enthalpy at inlet to throttle valve = h3 = h 4 =
Solution

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Lab

 Lab Rubrics
Marks CLO3 – Level C4 mapped to PLO3

10 Complete understanding and description of the apparatus is carried out

confidently and proficiently. Performance and the comments/Student
Report are described efficiently.

07 Understanding and description of the apparatus is carried out with

minor details. Performance and the comments/Student Report are not
accurately described.

03 Understanding and description of the apparatus is carried out with

several major details. Performance and the comments/Student Report
are not described accurately.

00 No Understanding and description of the apparatus is carried out.

Performance and the comments/Student Report are not described.

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Lab