TO STUDY THE BASIC COMPONENT OF SIMPLE VAPOUR

COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION CYCLE AND FIND ITS COEFFICIENT OF

PERFORMANCE (COP)
THEORY

The compression refrigeration cycle consists of circulating a liquid refrigerant

through four stages of a closed system. As the refrigerant circulates through the
system, it is alterately compressed and expanded, changing its state from a liquid
to a vapor. As the refrigerant changes its state, heat is absorbed and emitted by
the system, lowering the temperature if the conditioned space. Refrigeration has
been accomplished in a variety of ways over the course of history, but vapour
compression refrigeration systems have become a preferred option because of
their effieciency and reliabilty.

The VCRS system is made up of 4 main components i.e. the evaporator,

condenser, compressor and expansion valve. The evaporator and condenser are
both a series of coil that are designed to create more surface area for the
refrigerant to react with. Meanwhile, the compressor and expansion valve are
mechanical units that control the amount of pressure and temperature change
that occurs between the two stages. The evaporator and condenser are at
opposite ends of the system where they manage the exchange of heat into and
out of the system. More detailed explanation is explained below:

1. Compression

The refrigerant enters the compressor at low temperature and low pressure. It is
in a gaseous state. Here the compression takes place to raise the temperature
and refrigerant pressure . The refrigerant leaves the compressor and enters to the
condensor. Since, this process requires work, and electric motor is used.

2. Condensation

The condenser is essentially a heat exchanger. Heat is transferred from the

refirgerant to a flow of water. This water goes to a cooling tower for cooling in the
case of water cooled condensation. As the refirgerant flows through the
condenser, it is in a constant pressure.

3. Throttling and expansion

When the refrigerant enters the throttling valve, it expands and releases pressure.
Consequently, the temperature drops at this stage. Because of these changes, the
refrigerant leaves the throttle valve as a liquid vapor mixture, typically in
proportions of around 75% and 25% respectively. Throttling valves play two
crucial roles in the vapor compression cycle. First, they maintain a pressure
dieffrenetial between low and high pressure sides. Second, they control the
amount of liquid refrigerant entering the evaporator.
4. Evaporation

At this stage the vapor compression refrigeration cycle, the refrigerants is at a

lower temperature than its surroundings. Therefore, it evaporates and absorbs
latent heat of vaporization. Heat extraction from the refrigerant happens at a low
pressure and temperature. Compressor suction effect helps to maintain the low
pressure. There are different evaporator versions in the market, but the major
classifications are liquid colling and air cooling, depending whether they cool
liquid or air respectively.

Coefficient of performance is simply a ratio that describes the effieciency of a

system. In this case it is the ratio of heat extracted in evaporator to work done on
refrigerant.

COP = Q/W ; Q = heat extracted in evaporator and W = heat rejected from

condenser

Then, Work done = Q1 –Q2

So, COP = Q2

Q1 –Q2

OBSERVATIONS AND CALCULATIONS

Observation of reading no.1:

Ps=49PSI

Pd=250PSI

T1=64.8°c

T2=42.6°c

T3=20.8°c
T4=5°c

Calculation:
h 1−h 4
Therefore, Coefficient of performance ¿ h 2−h1

Observation of reading no.2:

Ps=48.5PSI

Pd=247PSI

T1=65.5°c

T2=42.7°c

T3=19.2°c

T4=4°c

Calculation:
h 1−h 4
Therefore, Coefficient of performance ¿ h 2−h1

Observation of reading no.3:

Ps=48PSI

Pd=246.5PSI

T1=65.4°c

T2=42.9°c

T3=18.2°c

T4=3°c
Calculation:
h 1−h 4
Therefore, Coefficient of performance ¿ h 2−h1

Observation of reading no.4:

Ps=48PSI

Pd=246.3PSI

T1=65.2°c

T2=42.8°c

T3=17.2°c

T4=2°c

Calculation:
h 1−h 4
Therefore, Coefficient of performance ¿ h 2−h1

Observation of reading no.5:

Ps=47PSI

Pd=246PSI

T1=64.8°c

T2=42.8°c

T3=17.3°c
T4=1°c

Calculation:
h 1−h 4
Therefore, Coefficient of performance ¿ h 2−h1

Observation of reading no.6:

Ps=46PSI

Pd=245PSI

T1=64.8°c

T2=42.8°c

T3=17.2°c

T4=0.5°c

Calculation:
h 1−h 4
Therefore, Coefficient of performance ¿ h 2−h1

RESULT

Hence, The value of COP calculated by team C

=
Similarly, The value of COP calculated by team B =

And team A =

The final value COP was found to be =

CONLCUSION

Hence, in this way using various parameters and through many observations, we
can conclude that in this way the Coefficient of Performance can be calculated.

SOURCES OF ERROR

 Error in measuring the compressor’s power consumption.

 Energy losses due to factors such as mechanical inefficiences, heat leaks and
energy loss in motor.
 Errors in equations or incorrect assumptions about component behaviour.
 Problem in unit conversions, such as using the wrong units for temperature,
pressure and other parameters

PRECAUTIONS

 Appropriate measurements should be adhered.

 Thorough checking should be done during calculations
 Practicals factors such as energy losses and non ideal behavior should be
considered to obtain a more realistic estimate of the system’s performance.
 Precise power meters should be used to measure the energy input to the
compressor accurately.
 Heat leaks should be minimised by introdcuing proper insulation and sealing .