EXPERIMENT MANUAL for:

DOMESTIC REFRIGERATOR TEST RIG

Government Polytechnic, Vijayawada

AIM: -
To study refrigeration cycle, determine of coefficient of performance of cycle of domestic refrigerator.

Apparatus Used
Refrigeration test Rig consists of Domestic refrigerator, which has - Compressor (Reciprocating), Air cooler
condenser (serpentine tubes), Capillary tube and Evaporator coil. The test bench also has current meter,
voltmeter, energy meter, temperature sensors and display, pressure gauges and rotameter.

Description of Test rig: -

The experimental refrigeration cycle test rig consist of a compressor unit, condenser, evaporator, cooling
chamber, controlling devices and measuring instruments those are fitted on a stand and a control panel. The
apparatus is fabricated in such a way; the refrigeration system hermetically sealed compressor is fitted on
stand. Electric power input to the compressor is given through thermostatic switch.
The Refrigerant used is R600a.

Temperature sensor details: –

1. Temperature Sensor T1: Fixed at Compressor Suction Line – Suction
2. Temperature Sensor T2: Fixed at Compressor Discharge Line – discharge
3. Temperature Sensor T3: Fixed after Condenser – before expansion
4. Temperature Sensor T4: Fixed after Capillary Tube – after expansion

Calculation of Actual CoP

Theory: –
The coefficient of performance of refrigeration plant is given by the ratio of heat absorbed, by the refrigerant
when passing through the evaporator or the system, to the working input to the compressor to compress the
refrigeration.
Co-efficient of Performance =
Heat removed by refrigerant / Power input
= m Cp ΔT / K. Wh
Where
m = mass of water kept in freezer of refrigerator
Cp = specific heat of water = 4.18 Kj /Kg K
ΔT = temperature difference of cooling water (K)

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Kwh = reading of energy meter.
Co-efficient of refrigeration cycle is given by the ratio of net refrigeration effect to the power required to run
the compressor.
COP (cycle) Net refrigerant effect in unit time / Power input in unit time = m CpΔT / KwH
Where
(Q), = mass flow rate of the refrigerant m3 / sec Cp = Specific heat of refrigerant
ΔT = Temperature difference (T1-T3)
KWH = Kilowatt hours energy meter reading.
The co-efficient of performance of a refrigeration system is given by the ratio of heat absorb, to the work
input.
COP = Heat removed by refrigerant / Power input
= m x CpΔT / K.Wh
Where,
m = mass of water kept in freezer
Cp = specific heat of water = 4.18 KJ /Kg K
ΔT = temperature of cooling water K
Kwh = power consumed by the compressor in unit time.
Tonnage capacity:
The capacity of a refrigerator is the refrigeration effect in a given time from a body. This capacity of machine is
given by standard commercial ton of refrigeration. This is called as refrigerating effect i.e. melting of 1 ton of
ice at 0°C in 24 hours.
TR = 336 x 1000 / 24 x 60 x 60 = 3.88 KJ / sec.
Tonnage capacity of the machine
= Net refrigerating effect of machine / 3.88
= m x CpΔT / 3.88
Procedure:
Switch on the refrigerator test rig. Let it run for half an hour. After half hour, place open top utensil(s) filled
with known water volume/mass inside the refrigerator. Let the water in utensils turn to ice. Observe the
utensil contents after every 10 minutes to see progress of ice formation. Once ice formation in complete, take
readings as per the observation table.

______________________________________________________________________________________
Corporate Office: A - 192, Ashiana Colony, Moradabad, UP– 244001
Ph.: +91-591-3554004, Mob.: +91-9599583625
E-mail: mir.lab.india@gmail.com
Sr No. Energy meter reading Mass of Room(initial) T1 T2 T3 T4
water temperature
of water in
utensil
Initial (a) Final (b) C = (a -
b)

Calculation:
1 – COP (plant) = m x CpΔT / KWH
Where
m = Mass of water kept in ice cane (kg)
Cp = Specific heat of water = 4.18
ΔT = room temperature of water – 0°C (ice temperature) = room temperature of water.
KWH = Total energy meter reading
(Final value – initial value of energy meter.)

Sample Calculation
COP = m. CpΔT / KWh =
Tonnage capacity = COP / 3.88 TR

Calculation of Theoretical CoP

Theory: –
The coefficient of performance of refrigerator is given by the Pressure Enthalpy chart (Ph Chart) of the
refrigerant(r600a), by plotting the refrigeration cycle lines on Ph chart.
Co-efficient of Performance =
Refrigerating Effect / Work done
= (H1 – H3) / (H2 – H1)
since H3 = H4,

CoP = (H1 – H4) / (H2 – H1)

Where
______________________________________________________________________________________
Corporate Office: A - 192, Ashiana Colony, Moradabad, UP– 244001
Ph.: +91-591-3554004, Mob.: +91-9599583625
E-mail: mir.lab.india@gmail.com
H1, H2 and H4 are found on the chart as follows:

Procedure:
1. Start the Test rig by switching on mains power supply.
2. Switch on the MCB switch on Panel board.
3. Switch on the compressor with switch next to MCB switch.
4. After running for 15 minutes, once stabilized, note the temperature and pressure readings.

Observation Table:

Sr No. Pressure Readings Temperature Readings

PSuction Pdischarge TSuction (T1) TDischarge (T2) TBefore Expansion (T3) TAfter Expansion (T4)

______________________________________________________________________________________
Corporate Office: A - 192, Ashiana Colony, Moradabad, UP– 244001
Ph.: +91-591-3554004, Mob.: +91-9599583625
E-mail: mir.lab.india@gmail.com