EXPERIMENT NO: 1

(REFRIGERATION CYCLE)

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Refrigeration cycle

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OBJECTIVE:

To determine the Coefficient Of Performance ( C.O.P. ) of a refrigeration unit.

To study the effect of evaporating and condensing temperature on the refrigeration

rate and condenser heat output.

To investigate the effect of compressor pressure ratio on system performance.

To determine the overall heat transfer coefficient between R141b and water in the
evaporator and condenser.

KEYWORDS
Refrigeration, air conditioning

OVERVIEW:
Refrigeration is used in many applications such as preservation of food and
material. In air conditioning, refrigeration is the heart of the system. It is
important to understand the principle of operation of a refrigeration unit in
particular the efficiency of the system commonly known as Coefficient Of
Performance ( C.O.P. )

1.

INTRODUCTION

A refrigerator is defined as a machine whose prime function is to remove heat

from a low temperature region. Since energy cannot be destroyed, heat taken in
at a low temperature plus any other energy input must be dissipated to the
surroundings. If the temperature at which the heat is dissipated is high enough to
be useful for example space heating, the machine is then called a heat pump.

Clausius statement of the Second Law states that heat will not pass from a cold to
a hotter region without the aid of an external agency. Thus a refrigerator requires
a compressor to operate. The most common type of refrigerator operates on a
vapor compression cycle.
The components of a vapor refrigeration system are:

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i.

Compressor- which uses work input to reduce the pressure in the

evaporator and increase the pressure of the vapor being transferred to
the condenser

ii.

Condenser- where the high pressure vapor condenses, rejecting heat to

its surroundings

iii.

expansion device- controls the flow of liquid refrigerant and reduces the
pressure

iv.

evaporator- heat is taken from low temperature region as the liquid

evaporates at low pressure

Condenser

Expansion device

Compressor

Evaporator

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Refrigeration cycle

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Figure 1 Refrigeration Demonstration Unit

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Exp. 1 : Refrigeration cycle

2.

THEORY

The refrigeration cycle can be plotted on a Pressure enthalpy diagram

h
The Coefficient of Performance (COP) is an indicator of performance of a
refrigeration cycle.
COP

= Refrigeration effect
Compressor work
= h1-h4
H2-h1

3.

PROCEDURES.

3.1

Start-up Procedure.

1.

Turn on the Cooling Water supply valve.

**Ensure that the pipe elbow needs to be held at the same
time as the valve is opened. This is to minimize the risk of the
pipe elbow to be broken while turning on the valve.

2.

Turn on the Main Switch on the unit. This step will basically
start the Compressor and at the same time the two internal
lights will also illuminate. Allow the system to run for a while.
( Refer to Technician / Lecturer. )
**If the optional Temperature Indicator is installed, then the
display will also illuminate.
**If suddenly the Temperature Indicator shows OPEN, adjust
Temperature Measurement knob until the temperature reading
appears once more. ( Refer to Technician / Lecturer. )

3.

Open the Water Flow Meter Control Valve on the Condenser

unit in order to obtain 50 g/s flow rate. Allow the system to
achieve stability between 5 to 10 minutes. The Pressure at
which the Condenser stabilizes will depend upon the Water
Inlet Temperature. At the same time, reduce the Water Flow
Meter Control Valve on Evaporator to
25 g/s.

4.

By referring to given diagram R633 Valve Positions, open the

respective valve as shown in the diagram under Normal
Operation.
( Refer to Technician / Lecturer. )
**This step basically will enable vapour to be drawn from the
Evaporator by the Compressor and at the same time enable
the Condensed Liquid Refrigerant to return to the Evaporator
from the Condenser. Also, this step ensures that any presence
of Air is freed by venting remaining Air from the Condenser.
The time taken to stabilize will depend upon the local ambient
conditions and the Cooling Water Inlet Temperature.

5.

While waiting, please observe the reading for Gauge Pressure

for Condenser unit. Ensure that the reading DO NOT exceed
150 kN/m2.
**Also observe the Flow meter for both Condenser and
Evaporator.
Immediately notify lecturer / technician if there is any sudden
drop /
sudden increase or even no flow at all as indicated by both
Cooling
CLB 2O703 : Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics
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Water Flow Rate for Condenser and Evaporator. This could be

due to
high / low water pressure and also could be due to no supply
of
Cooling Water to the unit at all.
**If the Cooling Water Flow Rate becomes too low in between
6 to 8 g/s, please observe the Condenser Pressure Gauge.
Immediately notify Lecturer / Technician if the pressure gauge
value increase towards and close to 150 kN/m2.
3.2

Experimental Procedures.

A.

To Determine The Overall Heat Transfer Between R141b

And Water In The Evaporator And Condenser.

1.

Start the unit as shown in the Start-up Procedures starting

from Step 1 until Step 3.
**Ensure that the unit is Air free by venting Air from the
Condenser. This is done by following Step 3 in Part A.

2.

Once Air is freed, increase the Condenser Cooling Water flow

to mid range value. The pressure at which the Condenser
stabilizes will depend upon the Water Inlet Temperature.

3.

Set the Evaporator Water flow to mid range value and allow
the unit to run for approximately between 15 to 20 minutes.
The time taken to stabilize will depend upon the local ambient
conditions and the Cooling Water Inlet Temperature.

4.

Record all the system parameters in the provided Data Sheet.

B.

To Determine The Coefficient Of Performance ( C.O.P. )

Of A Refrigeration Unit And Generation Of A
Refrigeration Cycle Diagram On A Pressure Enthalpy
Chart.

1.

Adjust Water Flow Meter Control Valve for Condenser for five
different flowrate. It is highly recommended that start with
the highest flowrate of 50 g/s before finally ends up with the
lowest flowrate of 10 g/s.

2.

Record all the required readings in the provided Data Sheet.

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C.

1.) To Study The Effect Of Evaporating And Condensing

Temperatures On The Refrigeration Rate And
Condenser Heat Output.
2.) To Investigate The Effect Of Compressor Pressure
Ratio On System Performance.

1.

Start the unit as shown in the Start-up Procedures starting

from Step 1 until Step 7.
**Ensure that the unit is Air free by venting Air from the
Condenser. This is done by following Step 3 the Start-up
Procedures.

2.

Record all the system parameters in the provided Data Sheet.

3.

Reduce the Condenser Cooling Water Flow Rate until the

Condenser Pressure increases by approximately between 5 to
10 kN/m2. Again, allow the Refrigeration Unit to stabilize
again for the duration of between 5 to 10 minutes.

4.

Record all the system parameters for the new value of

Condenser Pressure in the provided Data Sheet.

5.

Repeat the experiment with this time for another increasing

Condenser Pressure to the minimum readable value on the
Condenser Water Flow Meter is reached, or when the
Condenser Pressure reaches 200 kN/m2 Gauge Pressure.
( Refer to Technician / Lecturer. )

3.3

Shutdown Procedures.

1.

Fully open Cooling Water Flow Rate for both Evaporator and
Condenser.

2.

Pump down the Refrigerant by opening the valve at the base

of the Condenser.
( Refer to Diagram R633 that indicates valve positions starting
from Refrigerant Pump Down up to Shut Down )
**This basically means that the Refrigerant is transferred to
the Condenser chamber which is a recommended step in
order to shut down the unit.

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**The system is allowed to return to a normal running

condition before the machine is finally shut down.
**Normal running condition is with approximately between 20
to 25 mm of liquid in the bottom of the Condenser chamber
and the float valve maintaining this level constant.
**The Refrigerant level will increase up to the lowest coil.

3.

Turn off the Main Cooling Water supply.

**While doing so, ensure that at the same time the pipe elbow
is hold on in order to minimize the risk of accidentally
breaking the pipeline.

4.

Turn off the Main Switch when once Normal Operating

conditions have been achieved.
**The Compressor will stop and the lights on the unit will be
extinguished. If the optional Temperature Indicator has been
installed, the display on this will also be extinguished.

5.

Turn off the Cooling Water Supply to the unit.

**It is recommended that the Water Control Valve is left open
so that if the user supplied External Valve Leaks, Water will be
allowed to run to the drain and will be noticed more readily.
**In addition, if conditions are such that the Water Supply is
likely to freeze, then leaving the Control Valves on the Flow
Meters open may not prevent the glass tubes from being
broken but, it will make breakage less likely.

6.

Once the unit has been turned off, then the ball valves on the
unit should be closed to mimic the shut down condition.
**This will prevent the large volume of Refrigerant contained
in the Evaporator migrating into the Compressor casing due to
vapour pressure changes. The small volume of liquid in the
Condenser may migrate to the Compressor under certain
ambient conditions but this is no cause for concern.
**For Refrigerant Pump Down Step, observe that Water droplet
at condenser is getting slower and becomes less. The level
should be closer to the bottom coil.
**While opening the valve at the bottom of Evaporator, please
open slowly at first before fully open later. This is due to
pressure effect inside Evaporator.
**For Oil Return Step, observe that theres no more liquid
Refrigerant at the bottom of the Evaporator chamber.
**Also observe the sight glass ( next to Evaporator ). Ensure
there is no liquid Refrigerant during shutdown. This is to

CLB 2O703 : Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics

Refrigeration cycle

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ensure that there is no Refrigerant remaining inside the

pipeline.

4.

DATA SHEET

EVAPORATOR

Gauge
Evaporator
pressure
Pe ( KN/m2)
Absolute
Evaporator
Pressure
Pe ( KN/m2)
Evaporator temperature
T5 (oC)
Evaporator Water Flow
Rate
ms ( gm /s)
Evaporator Water Inlet
Temp
T1 ( oC)
Evaporator Water outlet
Temp
T2 ( oC)

CONDENSER

Test no

Condensed Liquid Temp

T8 (oC)
Gauge
Condenser
Pressure
Pc ( kN/m2)
Absolute
Condenser
Pressure
Pc ( kN/m2)
Condenser Temp
T6 (oC)
Condenser Water Flow
Rate
mc (gm/s)
Condenser Water Inlet
Temp
T4 ( oC)
Condenser Water Outlet

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COMPRESSOR

Temp
T3 ( oC)

5.

Compressor
Temp
T7 ( oC)

Discharge

Compressor Power input

W ( watts)

TASKS

EXPERIMENTAL OBJECTIVES
A.

To Determine The Overall Heat Transfer Between R141b

And Water In The Evaporator And Condenser.

Use the recorded data to perform the following tasks.

1.) Calculate the Rate Of Heat Transfer to Water in Evaporator and
Condenser.
2.) Calculate the Logarithmic Mean Temperature Difference ( LMTD )
for both
Evaporator and Condenser.
3.) Calculate the Overall Heat Transfer between R141b and Water in
the
Evaporator and Condenser by using the calculated values in ( 1. )
and ( 2. ).
4.) Compare both values for Overall Heat Transfer between R141b
and Water
in the Evaporator and Condenser. Give your comment and
analysis based
on the results you have obtained and calculated.
B.

To Determine The Coefficient Of Performance ( C.O.P. )

Of A Refrigeration Unit And Generation Of A

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Refrigeration Cycle Diagram On A Pressure Enthalpy

Chart.
By using the provided Pressure Enthalpy chart, perform the
following tasks.
1.)
Plot the cycle on the Pressure Enthalpy chart for different
Condenser Pressure or different Water Flowrate to the
Condenser Pressure in order to determine the Enthalpy values.
You may use more than one Pressure Enthalpy chart to
illustrate the cycle.
2.)

Determine the Coefficient Of Performance ( C.O.P. ) for

different Condenser Pressure.

EXPERIMENTAL OBJECTIVES.
C.

1.) To Study The Effect Of Evaporating And Condensing

Temperatures On The Refrigeration Rate And
Condenser Heat Output.
2.) To Investigate The Effect Of Compressor Pressure
Ratio On System Performance.

Use the recorded data to perform the following tasks.

1.) Calculate the Rate Of Heat Transfer in Evaporator and Condenser
as well
as the Delivered Pressure Ratio.
2.) Form a table that consist of values for Evaporating and
Condensing
Temperature and also the calculated values of Heat Transfer in
Evaporator
and Condenser and the Delivered Pressure Ratio.
3.) Using the table you have already completed in part ( 2. ), plot
the graphs

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of Heat Transfer against Condensing Temperature for both

Condenser and
Evaporator.
4.) Using the table you have already completed in part ( 2. ), plot
the graphs
of Heat Transfer against Delivered Pressure Ratio for both
Evaporator and
Condenser.
6.

Useful Data :

a.)

Condenser :

Water Coil Surface Area = 0.032 m2

b.)

Evaporator :

Water Coil Surface Area = 0.032 m2

c.)

Water Specific Heat Capacity, CpWater = 4.18 kJ/kgK.

d.)

Refrigerant type : R141b or 1,1-dicholoro-1-fluoroethane.

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