Refrigeration & Air Conditioning

Experiment No. 2

Experiment No. 2
1.0

Title of Experiment:
To calculate Coefficient of Performance for ice plant test rig.

2.0

Prior Concept:
Working of Vapour Compression Cycle, theoretical & Actual C.O.P

3.0

New Concept:
Proposition 1. Secondary refrigerant: - Brine (solution of sodium chloride or potassium chloride in
water) is used as secondary refrigerant in ice plants. Heat is carried away by secondary refrigerant
from water in ice cans and given to primary refrigerant in the evaporator.

Water
In ice cans

Heat carried by secondary

Refrigerant
(Indirect cooling)

Primary
Refrigerant

Proposition 2. Heat load on ice plant

It is the sum of
a)
Sensible heat removed to cool the water from room temperature to freezing Point.
b)
Latent heat removed to convert water into ice at freezing point.
c)
Sensible heat removed from ice for lowering the temperature of ice below freezing point.
Water at
Freezing
point

Water at
room

Sensible
heat
removed
from water

4.0

Latent
Latent heat
heat
removed
removed
from water

Ice below
freezing
point

Sensible
heat
removed
from water

Learning Objectives :
4.1

Intellectual skills
1.
2.

4.2

To understand the working of the ice plant.

To calculate heat load, work, C.O.P. of the ice plant.

Motor skills
1.
2.

5.0

Ice at
freezing
point

To operate the ice plant (starting, running, stopping)

To measure pressures and temperatures at salient point of the plant.

Apparatus:
Ice plant test rig, Thermometers.

MAHARASHTRA STATE BOARD OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Experiment No. 2

6.0

Diagrams:

7.0

Stepwise Procedure:
1.

2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.

Refrigeration & Air Conditioning

Referring to the manual supplied by the manufacturer.

a)
Locate the different parts, controls and instruments on the system and learn about
their functions.
b)
Read carefully the procedure for starting, running and stopping the plant and
precautions to be observed.
c)
Fill the table no. 1 with the specification of the plant.
Check the brine tank for correct level of brine.
Start the plant as per instruction given in the operation manual.
Run the unit, with out filling water in ice cans, till the brine in the freezer tank reaches
temperature below 0c (around -5c)
Fill the ice cans with fresh water and keep them in freezer tank.
Note the temperature of fresh water and reading of the energy meter (table 3)
Let the unit run till pressures and temperatures get stabilized.
Note the pressures and temperatures at various locations (refer observation table) (table 2)
Run the plant for sufficient time (refer operation manual) till in all cans, solid ice is formed.
Take the final reading of temperature of ice and energy meter reading. (Table 3)
Stop the plant (follow the procedure laid down in the operation manual)
Plot the cycle on P-H diagram, fill the table no.4, and calculate theoretical C.O.P.
Calculate actual refrigerating effect, energy supplied to the plant, and actual C.O.P.

MAHARASHTRA STATE BOARD OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Refrigeration & Air Conditioning

8.1

Experiment No. 2

Observation table
Table No.01
Compressor

Make
Type
Capacity

Refrigerant
Condenser

Type

Throttling device

Type

Ice can capacity

Kg (mass) Type

Ice making capacity

Kg in

Setting of HP/LP cutout

Hrs

bar

bar.

Table No.02
Suction pressure

Pe

bar (absolute)

Discharge pressure

Pc

bar (absolute)

Temperature at evaporator

tei

teo

Inlet
Temperature at evaporator
Outlet
Temperature at condenser

tci

Inlet
Temperature at condenser

tco

Outlet
Table No.03
Initial Temp of fresh water

tw

_________________ c

Final Temp of ice

t ice

_________________ c

Initial energymeter

E1

_________________ Kw Hr

E2

_________________ Kw Hr

reading
Final energymeter reading
reading

MAHARASHTRA STATE BOARD OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Experiment No. 2

Refrigeration & Air Conditioning

Table No.04

From P-H diagram

Enthalpy at condenser inlet

________________ KJ/Kg

(After compression) Hci

Enthalpy at condenser Outlet Hco

________________ KJ/Kg

Enthalpy at evaporator Inlet

________________ KJ/Kg

Hei

________________ KJ/Kg

Enthalpy at evaporator Outlet Heo

(Before compression)

9.0 Sample calculations

Refrigerating effect
Theoretical COP =
Compressor Work

Heo - Hei
Hci - Hco

=
=

Actual COP Actual refrigeration effect

N = sensible heat removed from water + Latent heat of fusion of ice + Sensible heat removed
from ice
N = m {Cw (tw - 0c) + L + C ice (0c - t ice)} KJ
Where

m = mass of water filled in the cans in Kg

Cw = Sp. Heat of water = 4.18 KJ/KgK
Cice = Sp. Heat of ice= 1.17 KJ/KgK
L = Latent heat of fusion ice =334.5 KJ/Kg

E = energy supplied (from energy meter reading) = E2 - E1 KwHr

= (E2 - E1) x 3600 KJ =_______
Actual COP =

N
E

= ____________ =

tco

tei

10

teo

MAHARASHTRA STATE BOARD OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

Refrigeration & Air Conditioning

Experiment No. 2

10.0 Result
Actual C.O.P
=
Theoretical C.O.P =

11.0 List of Questions: - (Attempt 3-5 questions as directed by teacher)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

Why secondary refrigerants are used in Ice plant?

Why in large commercial Ice plants Ammonia is used as primary refrigerant?
What is the function of H.P. - L.P. cutout?
Regarding Ice plant what is thawing?
Why tapered ice cans are used?
Why ratio of ice formation at the core is always less than the outer side of ice can?
Name the type of condenser used in commercial ice plant?
Is it possible to use secondary refrigerant in domestic refrigerator? Give reasons.
Compare the condensers used in ice plant & domestic refrigerator?
(Space for answer)

MAHARASHTRA STATE BOARD OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION

11

Experiment No. 2

Refrigeration & Air Conditioning

(Space for answer)

12

MAHARASHTRA STATE BOARD OF TECHNICAL EDUCATION