De La Salle University

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Experiment No. 1
Performance Test of a Refrigerant Compressor Using Capillary Tube as Metering Device

Group No. 2
Catalan, Nestor Jr. V. nestor_catalan@dlsu.edu.ph
Eucariza, Nathan Lennard R. nathan_eucariza@dlsu.edu.ph
Guerrero, John Carl S. john_carl_guerrero@dlsu.edu.ph
Villamejor, Pablo Jose S.A. pablo_villamejor@dlsu.edu.ph

LBYME4A-EE3

Date Performed: February 9, 2023

Date Submitted: March 7, 2023

Professor: Dr. Archie B. Maglaya

Term 2 AY 2022 - 2023

 I. Objectives
1. To determine the following refrigerant compressors performance parameters:
a. Electric Power Input
b. Brake Power or Shaft Power
c. Indicated Power or Actual Compressor Power
d. Theoretical Compressor Power
e. Compression Ratio
2. To determine the mass flow rate of refrigerant.
3. To determine the volumetric flow rate of the refrigerant at the suction side of the
refrigerant compressor.

II. Material and Experiment

● Refrigeration Training System
- Evaporator
- Compressor
- Condenser
- Filter
- Solenoid Valve
- Rotameter
- Heat Exchanger
- Voltmeter
- Ammeter
● Stopwatch/Timer
● Laser Thermometer

III. Experimental Setup

Figure 3.1 Refrigeration Training System.

The Refrigeration System Trainer Model 3401 is the experimental setup; It includes a voltmeter,
ammeter, and pressure gauges to measure the needed parameters in testing the performance of
the setup.

Figure 3.2 Atmospheric Pressure Barometer

A barometer is a scientific instrument used to measure atmospheric pressure.

Figure 3.3 Voltmeter and Ammeter

The analog voltmeter and the analog ammeter. It gives the reading in volts and amperes. It is
located in one of the main control panels of the testing apparatus, where the operator can activate
the power and the compressor with a switch.
 Figure 3.4 Pressure Gauges
The suction pressure is represented by the blue (right) and the discharge pressure is represented
by the red (left) colors. These measuring instruments provide gauge pressure as their output.

Figure 3.5 Compressor

The compressor is located under the testing apparatus and is used to compress the refrigerant.

IV. Theory
Refrigeration Cycle
The refrigeration cycle, sometimes referred to as the heat pump cycle, is a thermodynamic
cycle that absorbs and rejects heat. Since making cold is not possible, one way of making an
area cold is by taking away its heat and transferring it somewhere else by manipulating the
pressure of a refrigerant through compression and expansion.

As seen in the figure above, the refrigeration cycle has four fundamental elements: the
compressor, condenser, expansion device, and evaporator.

To evaluate the performance of the refrigerant compressor, the following parameters should
be considered:
1. Electric Power Input
𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝐼𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡, 𝐸𝑃𝑖 = 𝑉 𝑥 𝐼

Where:
𝑉 = 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒, 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑠 𝑜𝑟 𝑉
𝐼 = 𝑐𝑢𝑟𝑟𝑒𝑛𝑡, 𝑎𝑚𝑝e𝑟𝑒𝑠 𝑜𝑟 𝐴

2. Brake Power or Shaft Power

𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑟 𝑆ℎ𝑎𝑓𝑡 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟, 𝐵𝑃

𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑀𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦, 𝜂𝑚𝑜 = 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝐼𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡, 𝐸𝑃𝑖

3. Indicated Power or Actual Compressor Power

𝐼𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑟 𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑟 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟, 𝐼𝑃 𝑜𝑟 𝐶𝑃′

𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑟 𝑀𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦, 𝜂𝑚 = 𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑟 𝑆ℎ𝑎𝑓𝑡 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟, 𝐵𝑃
 4. Theoretical Compressor Power

𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑟 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟, 𝐶𝑃

𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦, 𝜂𝑐 = 𝐼𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑟 𝐴𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑟 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟, 𝐼𝑃 𝑜𝑟 𝐶𝑃′

5. Mass Flow Rate of Refrigerant

𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑟 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟, 𝐶𝑃 = 𝑚𝑟(ℎ2 −ℎ1)

𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒:
𝑚𝑟 = 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡
ℎ1 = 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝑒𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑝𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑡 𝑠𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑟
ℎ2 = 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝑒𝑛𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑝𝑦 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑡 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑟

6. Volumetric Flow Rate of Refrigerant at Suction Side of Refrigerant Compressor or

Theoretical Piston Displacement (TPD)
𝑉𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝐹𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑅𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑡 𝑆𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑆𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑟, 𝑉1 𝑜𝑟
𝑇𝑃𝐷

𝑉1 = 𝑚𝑟𝑣1
𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒:
𝑚𝑟 = 𝑚𝑎𝑠𝑠 𝑓𝑙𝑜𝑤 𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡
𝑣1 = 𝑠𝑝𝑒𝑐𝑖𝑓𝑖𝑐 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑚𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑎𝑡 𝑠𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑠𝑖𝑑𝑒 𝑜𝑓 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑛𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑟

7. Compression Ratio

𝑃2
𝑟𝑘 = 𝑃1

𝑊ℎ𝑒𝑟𝑒:
𝑃1 = 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑟 𝑠𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒
𝑃2 = 𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑟 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑟𝑔𝑒 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒

V. Experimental Procedures
1. Turn the Refrigeration Training System on.
2. Set the evaporator fan speed setting to high.
3. Get the pressure reading at the compressor suction by reading blue barometric gauge.
4. Get the pressure reading at the compressor discharge by reading the red barometric
gauge.
5. Get the suction temperature and discharge temperature of the compressor by using a laser
thermometer.
6. Get the voltmeter and ammeter values through the gauges.
7. Set the timer or stopwatch and repeat steps 3-6 for the 5-minute, 10-minute, and
15-minute mark.
8. Set the evaporator fan speed setting to medium.
9. Repeat steps 3-7.
10. Record all data in the table below.
VI. Experimental Data and Sample Computation

Based on manufacturer’s data:

𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑀𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦,𝜂𝑚𝑜 = 75%
𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑟 𝑀𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦,𝜂𝑚 = 85%
𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦,𝜂𝑐 = 65%

Experimental Data:
Refrigerant Compressor to be tested: 0.5 hp semi-hermetic type.
Type of Refrigerant: Refrigerant 134a
𝐵𝑎𝑟𝑜𝑚𝑒𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑃𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑢𝑟𝑒, 𝑃𝐵 𝑜𝑟 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 = 763 𝑚𝑚𝐻𝑔

Run No. 1: Evaporator Fan at High-Speed Setting

Table 1 Refrigerant Compressor, Pressure and Temperature Parameters and Electric
Motor Voltage and Current Parameters at High-Speed Setting

Time Compressor Suction Compressor Discharge Voltmeter Ammeter

Reading Reading

min P1, kPaa t1, ℃ P2, kPaa t2, ℃ Volts Amperes

0 190 kPa 31.3 ℃ 1100 kPa 44.5 ℃ 230V 2.5A

5 190 kPa 31.2 ℃ 1100 kPa 49.9 ℃ 230V 2.5A

10 190 kPa 32.7 ℃ 1100 kPa 52.2 ℃ 230V 2.5A

15 190 kPa 34.4 ℃ 1100 kPa 54.6 ℃ 230V 2.5A

Ave. 190 kPa 32.4 ℃ 1100 kPa 50.3 ℃ 230V 2.5A

Run No. 2: Evaporator Fan at Medium-Speed Setting

Table 2 Refrigerant Compressor, Pressure and Temperature Parameters and Electric
Motor Voltage and Current Parameters at High-Speed Setting

Time Compressor Suction Compressor Discharge Voltmeter Ammeter

Reading Reading

min P1, kPaa t1, ℃ P2, kPaa t2, ℃ Volts Amperes

0 185 kPa 34.3 ℃ 1100 kPa 50.5 ℃ 230V 2.5A

5 180 kPa 38.5 ℃ 1095 kPa 59.5 ℃ 230V 2.5A

10 175 kPa 31.7 ℃ 1060 kPa 58.8 ℃ 230V 2.5A

15 175 kPa 32.6 ℃ 1040 kPa 58.7 ℃ 230V 2.5A

Ave. 178.75 kPa 32.4 ℃ 1073.75 kPa 56.88 ℃ 230V 2.5A

Tabulated Results:
Table 3 Specific Enthalpies and Specific Volume for Run No. 1 and Run No. 2

Time Run No. 1 Run No. 2

min h1, kJ/kg h2, kJ/kg v1, m3/kg h1, kJ/kg h2, kJ/kg v1, m3/kg

0 280 274 0.126 283 281 0.131

5 280 280 0.126 287 291 0.137

10 281 283 0.127 281 291 0.137

15 283 286 0.127 282 291 0.138

Ave. 281 281 0.127 283 289 0.136

Table 4 Refrigerant Compressor Performance Parameters for Run No. 1

Time, min rk EPi, W BP, hp IP, hp CP, hp mr, kg/s V1, L/min

0 5.789 575 0.578 0.492 0.32 -39.7 -300215

5 5.789 575 0.578 0.492 0.32 N/A N/A

10 5.789 575 0.578 0.492 0.32 119 907792

15 5.789 575 0.578 0.492 0.32 79.4 605195

Ave. 5.789 575 0.578 0.492 0.32 N/A N/A

Table 5 Refrigerant Compressor Performance Parameters for Run No. 2

Time, min rk EPi, W BP, hp IP, hp CP, hp mr, kg/s V1, L/min

0 5.95 575 0.578 0.492 0.32 -119 -936384

5 6.08 575 0.578 0.492 0.32 59.6 489636

10 6.06 575 0.578 0.492 0.32 23.8 195854

 15 5.94 575 0.578 0.492 0.32 26.5 219204

Ave. 6.01 575 0.578 0.492 0.32 -2.32 -7922.33

Sample Computation
𝑃2 1100
𝑟𝑘 = 𝑃1
= 190
= 5.78947
𝐸𝑃𝑖 = V * I = 230 * 2.5 = 575 W
𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑟 𝑆ℎ𝑎𝑓𝑡 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟
BP = 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐 𝑀𝑜𝑡𝑜𝑟 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 = 𝐸𝑙𝑒𝑐𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝐼𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡
=
𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑟 𝑆ℎ𝑎𝑓𝑡 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 1 ℎ𝑝
75% = 575 𝑊
= 0.75 ( 575 * 746 𝑊 ) = 0.5781 hp
𝐼𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝐼𝑛𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑑 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟
IP = 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑟 𝑀𝑒𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑛𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 = 𝐵𝑟𝑎𝑘𝑒 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 = 75% = 0.5781 ℎ𝑝
= 0.85 *
0.5781 = 0.491385 hp
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑟 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟
CP = 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 = 0.491385 ℎ𝑝
= 65% =
𝑇ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 𝐶𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑟 𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟
0.491385 ℎ𝑝
= 0.65 * 0.491385 = 0.31940025 hp

VII. Results and Analysis

Mass flow rate vs Time

We can see in the figure above that there was an increase in mass flow rate over time until it
reached a peak point where it started decreasing after that point with the peak point of the
high-speed fan being found 5 minutes later than the medium-speed fan. Overall, the
high-speed fan has a higher mass flow rate.

Volumetric flow rate vs Time

 The volumetric flow rate seems to follow the same behavior as the mass flow rate.

The power of the compressor is the same for any time of operation and for both speeds, this
could be attributed to a malfunction in the ammeter and voltmeter since the reading does not
change on them even when the speeds were changed. Errors can also be seen in the mass
flow rate and in turn the volumetric flow rate, this could be due to incorrect readings of the
gauges by the group.

VIII. Observations, Conclusions, and Recommendation

The difference in speed have a great effect on the data, although errors in the group’s reading
could have altered the data.

In conclusion, the speeds have an effect, however, it is recommended that other groups
initiating this experiment may better check their measurement to remove any errors in the
data.

IX. Questions and Answer Portion

1. What is the function of the following components in the refrigeration system?
Include illustration of the components with labels highlighting the different parts.
a. Liquid Receiver
The liquid receiver is a storage tank for holding liquid refrigerant and is located after
the condenser in a refrigeration system.

b. Suction Accumulator
The suction accumulator catches and holds any unused portion of the system charge.

c. Oil Separator
The oil separator is a filter within an air compressor system that separates oil from the
compressed air to protect systems components and your equipment at the end of the
line.

d. Filter Dryer
A filter-drier in a refrigeration or air conditioning system has two essential functions:
one, to adsorb system contaminants, such as water, which can create acids, and two,
to provide physical filtration.

e. Solenoid Valve
 Solenoid control valves are electromechanically operated to convert electrical energy
into mechanical energy. They are typically used to automatically regulate the
movement of gas or liquids, removing the need for manual operation.

f. Thermostatic Controller
The thermostatic controller is the primary control of the refrigeration system, it
monitors the temperature and switches the compressor on and off.

2. What is the purpose of the different metering devices in the refrigeration system? Include
illustration of the metering device with labels highlighting the different parts.
a. Capillary Tube
Capillary tubes are the simplest of all refrigerant flow controls, with no moving parts.
They normally consist only of a copper pipe, a diameter of 0.5 to 1.5 mm and a length
of 1.5 to 6 m. The expansion function is caused simply by the pressure drop induced
by the long, narrow tube.

b. Thermostatic Expansion Valve

A thermostatic expansion valve (TXV) is a refrigeration and air conditioning
throttling device that controls the amount of refrigerant liquid injected into a system's
evaporator—based on the evaporator outlet temperature and pressure—called the
superheat.

c. Automatic Expansion Valve

 Automatic expansion valves or constant pressure expansion valves are a type of valve
used to regulate a refrigerant's pressure in a cooling or refrigeration unit. It helps
meter liquid refrigerant to the evaporator, ensuring that the pressure is where it needs
to be to achieve the state change from liquid to gas.

3. Enumerate the different types of refrigerant compressor. Explain the principles of

operation of each type. Include illustrations showing the external and internal parts.
a. Reciprocating compressor: Compressors that use reciprocating pistons.

b. Rotary vane compressor: Compressors that use adjustable vanes that always maintain
contact with the casing of the compressor.

c. Scroll compressor: Compressors that use two scrolls, one fixed and one moving.
 d. Screw compressor: Compressors that use two intermeshed screws.

e. Centrifugal compressor: Compressors that use an impeller and its housing.

4. A refrigeration compressor must be designed to handle 56.69 kg. of Freon-12 per

hour. The inlet conditions to the compressor are 173 kPaa and 15.56 °C. The
discharge pressure is 551.45 kPaa. From pre-it is estimated that the volumetric
efficiency of 75% can be achieved. It is planned to make the stroke of the compressor
equal to the bore diameter. A four-pole, 60 Hz induction motor will be used to drive the
compressor. What bore diameter should the compressor have?
 Given:
● Freon-12
● Pi = 173 kPaa
● m = 56.69 kg/hr
● Ti = 15.56℃
● Pd = 551.45 kPa
● ɳv = 75%
● L=d
Solution:
Assume k = 1; From SST @173 kPaa, v1 = 0.109 m3/kg
𝑚*𝑣1 56.69/3600*0.109
ɳ𝑣 = 2 = 0.75 = 2
π/4 *𝐷 *𝐿* 𝑁/60 π/4 *𝐷 *𝐷*60/4/60

Answer: D x L = 46 mm x 46 mm

5. A 140mm. × 140mm. two-cylinder, single-acting Freon-12 compressor running at

500 rpm, carries an air conditioning load of 142,433 kJ/hr. while operating at 344
kPaa suction and 1,241 kPaa discharge pressure. If the discharge pressure were
raised to 1,343 kPaa, at what speed should the compressor be run to have the same load,
assuming the volumetric efficiency to remain the same.
Given:
● Freon-12
● N = 500 rpm
● h1 = From SST @ 344 kPa = 354.1 kJ/kg
● h3 = h4 = From SST @ 1241 kPa = 252.9 kJ/kg
● h’3 = h’4 = From SST @ 1343 kPa = 256.3 kJ/kg
Solution:
𝑁'/𝑁 = (ℎ1 − ℎ4)/(ℎ1 − ℎ4') = (354. 1 − 252. 9)/(354. 1 − 256. 3) = 1. 0348
𝑁' = 1. 0348 * 𝑁 = 1. 0348 * 500 = 517. 4

Answer: 518 rpm