1

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN MEKANIKAL

MEC554 THERMALFLUID LAB

Experiments Title:

Prepared by:
Bi
l

Name

Matrix No

AFIQ ZUNILLAH BIN SAHARI

2015834488

SITI NAJIHAH BINTI RAHMAD

2015217522

MUHAMMAD KHAIRUL AFNAN BIN ROSLAN

2015834486

MUHAMAD FAHMI BIN ALIAS

2015875398

NORSHAHIRA BINTI ISMAIL

2015836814

Signature

Lecturers Name:
Date Performed

:__31/10/16___

Approved by : _____________________

Date Submitted

: _7/11/16_____

Received by : _____________________

*Please submit your report to the technician within 1 week after the experiment is
performed

TABLE OF CONTENT

NO.

CONTENTS

PAGE

Cover

Table of Contents

1.0 Overview

3-5

2.0 Objective

3.0 Theory

6-8

4.0 Apparatus

5.0 Experimental Procedure

10

6.0 Data and Result

11 - 17

7.0 Discussion

18

10

8.0 Conclusion

19

11

9.0 References

20

1.0 OVERVIEW

Common application area of thermodynamics is refrigeration,

which is the process of moving heat from one space to another and
transfer of heat from a lower temperature medium to a higher
temperature medium. The devices that produce refrigeration are caller
refrigerators, and the cycles on that operate are called refrigeration
cycles. It is known that the purpose of refrigeration is to lower the
temperature of a region and also maintaining the region. It can take many
different forms, the most common being Direct Expansion (DX) Cooling.
A standard DX Cooling system takes a refrigerant and compresses it
using a compressor, this creates a high pressure gas, and it then runs it
across an outdoor condensing unit which condenses the gas into a liquid,
still at a high temperature. The liquid is then moved into the space that is
to be cooled, and run across an expansion valve that creates a low
temperature liquid. Directly after the expansion valve is the evaporator
coil.

This is your typical fan coil, the air blowing across this fan coil is

warm, and after blowing across the fan coil is cooled down significantly. As
the refrigerant crosses the evaporator coil, it evaporates from a low
temperature liquid to a low temperature gas. It is then transported back
out to the outdoor condensing unit where it is compressed again and the
cycle starts all over.
The first use of refrigeration system is in 1756 by William Cullen at
the University of Glasgow in Scotland, and when i widespread use in
commercial from 1870 till present. Refrigeration is used widely in various
applications from industrial to domestic situations, mainly for the storage
and transport of perishable foodstuffs and chemical substances. It has the
prime function to remove heat from low temperature region and it can
also be applied as a heat pump for supplying heat to a region of high
temperature.

Figure 1: Refrigeration system

Furthermore, most widely used current applications of refrigeration

are for the air-conditioning of private homes and public buildings, and the
refrigeration of foodstuffs in homes, restaurants and large storage
warehouses. The use of refrigerators in kitchens for the storage of fruits
and vegetables has permitted the addition of fresh salads to the modern
diet year round, and to store fish and meats safely for long periods.
In commerce and manufacturing, there are many uses for
refrigeration. Refrigeration is used to liquefy gases like oxygen, nitrogen,
propane and methane for example. In compressed air purification, it is
used to condense water vapour from compressed air to reduce its
moisture content. In oil refineries, chemical plants, and petrochemical
plants, refrigeration is used to maintain certain processes at their required
low temperatures (for example, in the alkylation of butanes and butane to
produce a high octane gasoline component). Moreover, Metal workers use
refrigeration to temper steel and cutlery. In transporting temperaturesensitive food stuffs and other materials by trucks, trains, airplanes and
sea-going vessels, refrigeration is a necessity.

2.0 OBJECTIVE
1.

To investigate the variation of coefficient of Performance (COP R) of a vapor

compression
refrigeration system at different cooling load.
2. To determine the volumetric efficiency of the compressor used in refrigeration cycle.
3. To determine of the overall heat transfer coefficient in the condenser and the
evaporator.

3.0 THEORY
A refrigeration cycle works to lower and maintain the temperature of a controlled space by
heat transfer from a low to a high temperature region.

High Temperature reservoir,

TH
.

QH

Wnet

QL
Low Temperature Reservoir,
TL
Refrigeration duty is another term for the cooling effect of the refrigeration system, which is
the rate of heat being removed from the low temperature region with specified evaporation
and condensation temperatures. The unit for duty measurements is in Watts (for 1 ton of
Refrigeration = 3517W).

3.1 The Vapour Compression Cycle

One of the advantages of the thermodynamics of this system is the

energy cost to run the compressor is significantly lower than the amount
of heat energy removed from the space you are cooling. This is due to
this type of system being a reverse heat engine, also known as Ideal
refrigeration system follows the theoretical reversed Carnot Cycle
process .In practical refrigerators, compression and expansion of a gas
and vapour mixture presents practical problems in the compressor and
expander. Therefore, in practical refrigeration, compression usually takes
place in the superheated field and a throttling process is substituted for
the isentropic expansion.

Figure 2: Ideal Refrigeration system

The refrigeration system requires some means of connecting the basic

major components - evaporator, compressor, condenser, and metering
device - just as roads connect communities. Tubing or "lines" make the
system complete so that the refrigerant will not leak out into the
atmosphere. The suction line connects the evaporator or cooling coil to
the compressor, the hot gas or discharge line connects the compressor to
the condenser, and the liquid line is the connecting tubing between the
condenser and the metering device (Thermal expansion valve). Some

systems will have a receiver immediately after the condenser and before
the metering device, where the refrigerant is stored until it is needed for
heat removal in the evaporator.

Figure 3: T-S Diagram for Cycle

Figure 4: P-v Diagram Ideal Cycle

The cycle:
1-2 Isentropic compression of vapour, from the evaporating to the condensing pressures.
2-3 Condensation of the high pressure vapour during heat is transferred to the high
temperature region.
3-4 Adiabatic throttling of the condensed vapor from the condensing to the evaporating
pressure

4-1 Evaporating of the low pressure liquid during which heat is absorbed from the low
temperature source.
Energy Transfers Analysis
1) Compressor
q 1-2 = h2 - h1+w
if compression is adiabatic, q 1-2 = 0, and w =h1-h2
Power requirement, P =m(h1-h2), where m is flow rate of working fluid per unit time.
2) Condenser
q 2-3 =h3-h2+w
w=0, therefore q 2-3 =h3-h2 and rate of heat rejection Q2-3 =m(h3-h2)
3) Expansion Valve
q 3-4 =h4-h3+w
w=0, therefore q3-4 =h4-h3 and process is adiabatic,
therefore h4=h3
4) Evaporator
q 4-1 =h1-h4+w
w=0, therefore q 4-1 =h1-h4 and rate of heat absorbed Q4-1 =m(h1-h4)

5) Coefficient of Performance, COPref :

COPref = q 4-1 =h1-h4

h2-h1

4.0 APPARATUS

Condens

Evaporat
or

Expansion
Valve

Figure 5: Vapour Compression Cycle

Compress

10

Figure 6: Computer Linked Refrigeration unit

5.0 PROCEDURES
5a) Condenser-water and evaporator-air
1. Air was selected as a heat source by opening valves AVS-3 and AVS-5. Start button
was clicked.
2. Water flow rate at condenser was adjusted to 5 L/m and air flow of the evaporator was
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

adjusted until 50% of the maximal flow (evaporator load).

Then click COMPRESSOR.
When the system is stabilized, the data was recorded by click START SAVING
Sampling rate was set up at 180 second per sample.
The data for 15 minute was recorded (5 samples @ 900 second) STOP SAVING
The evaporator load was increased to 100% and step (3) to step (6) was repeated.

5b) Condenser-air and evaporator-air

1. Air was selected as a heat source by opening valves AVS-3 and AVS-5. Start button
was clicked.
2. Air flow of the condenser was adjusted to maximum flow (100%) and 50% of the
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.

maximal flow at the evaporator (evaporator load).

Then click COMPRESSOR.
When the system is stabilized, the data was recorded by click START SAVING.
Sampling rate was set up at 180 second per sample.
The data for 15 minute was recorded (5 samples @ 900 second) STOP SAVING.
Evaporator load was increased to 100% and step (30) to step (6) was repeated.

11

6.0 RESULT
Table 1: Data Summary table

Fan power at evap. = 100%

Fan power at evap. = 50%
Fan power at evap. = 100%

Evap - Air

Fan power at condenser = 100%

Cond - Air

Results Summary table

Time (s)

Fan power at evap. = 50%

SC-2 = 5 L/m

Evap - Air
b

Evaporator heat
load

Condenser
cooling load
Cond - Water
a

ST-2
(oC)

ST-3
(oC)

ST-4
(oC)

SP-1
(bar)

SP-2
(bar)

SC-1
(L/h)

SW-1
(W)

180

41.3319

13.8802

19.7065

9.46003

1.96803

25.3534

464.532

360

41.5781

14.1563

19.9447

9.54755

2.00061

24.7791

466.441

540

41.7589

14.3137

20.1686

9.59654

2.00412

25.9932

466.789

720

41.8591

14.526

20.5431

9.6414

2.0364

25.5694

469.885

900

41.8914

14.1909

19.6247

9.61796

1.99818

25.4271

468.624

180

41.5038

15.2243

22.5426

9.62581

2.12847

26.7644

475.693

360

42.2773

16.6809

23.0527

9.89399

2.26116

27.9984

482.525

540

42.5165

16.9496

22.8681

9.96536

2.29221

27.8076

484.457

720

42.5347

16.8911

22.9183

9.95239

2.278

27.9223

488.285

900

42.611

17.0636

23.105

9.98166

2.30148

27.9099

480.465

180

41.9164

15.0739

20.4979

9.60197

2.05177

25.854

467.901

360

42.1971

15.7339

21.4005

9.78866

2.10322

26.5478

472.698

540

42.8197

16.0673

21.4318

9.98742

2.14298

26.2924

474.495

720

43.2936

16.2972

21.7661

10.1612

2.16561

26.8564

474.184

900

43.3553

16.5566

21.847

10.1752

2.20022

26.4382

478.949

180

43.8181

16.9267

23.6016

10.3624

2.2765

28.0296

482.595

360

44.8049

18.2299

23.9859

10.6773

2.3967

28.8083

490.1

540

44.8227

18.4104

23.8953

10.6946

2.41736

29.036

491.345

720

44.8099

18.2798

23.7414

10.6706

2.39286

28.7988

486.449

900

44.5708

18.1062

23.4942

10.5611

2.36061

28.3866

484.685

12

Table 1 : Result Summary Table

Exp.

0.008036

h3,
(kJ.kg)
255

h4,
(kJ.kg)
420

Qevap
(W)
1.32592

2.854315

0.000877208

0.007847

260

420

1.255453

2.691558

7.22034E-06

0.000877804

0.008225

261

420

1.307848

2.801799

720

7.10261E-06

0.000878135

0.008088

261

421

1.294126

2.754133

900

7.06307E-06

0.000878242

0.008042

261

420

1.278723

2.728676

180

7.43456E-06

0.000876962

0.008478

261

430

1.432719

3.011857

360

7.77734E-06

0.000879543

0.008842

261

425

1.450166

3.005368

540

7.72433E-06

0.000880356

0.008774

262

425

1.430178

2.952124

720

7.75619E-06

0.000880418

0.00881

262

425

1.435976

2.940858

900

7.75274E-06

0.000880678

0.008803

262

425

1.434915

2.986512

180

7.18168E-06

0.000878324

0.008177

260

425

1.349134

2.883376

360

7.3744E-06

0.00087927

0.008387

260

425

1.383847

2.927553

540

7.30345E-06

0.000881387

0.008286

265

425

1.32581

2.794152

720

7.46011E-06

0.000882998

0.008449

265

430

1.394022

2.939835

900

7.34394E-06

0.000883208

0.008315

265

430

1.371987

2.864577

180

7.78599E-06

0.000884782

0.0088

270

431

1.416784

2.935766

360

8.00229E-06

0.000888217

0.009009

270

435

1.486549

3.033156

540

8.06554E-06

0.00088828

0.00908

270

435

1.498193

3.04917

720

7.99967E-06

0.000888235

0.009006

270

435

1.486032

3.054854

900

7.88518E-06

0.000887398

0.008886

265

431

1.475032

3.043281

Time

Vref( m3/s)

v2 (kg/s)

mref (kg/s)

180

7.04261E-06

0.000876395

360

6.88308E-06

540

COP

Table 3: Average Result

Evaporator heat
load
Condenser cooling
load

Working Fluid

ST-2,ave
(oC)

ST-3,ave
(oC)

ST-4,ave
(oC)

SP-1,ave
(bar)

SP-2,ave
(bar)

SC-1,ave
(L/h)

SW-1,ave
(W)

13

14.2134
1

19.9975
3

2.00146
9

2.00146
9

25.4244
3

467.2541

Fan power at evap= 100%

42.2886
5

16.5619

22.8973
3

9.88384
2

2.25226
2

27.6805
1

482.285

Fan power at evap= 50%

42.7163
9

15.9457
8

21.3886
4

9.94288
7

2.13276

26.3977
7

473.6452

Fan power at evap= 100%

Fan power at condenser = 100%

Exp (b)
Cond-Air Evap-Air

Fan power at evap= 50%

SC-2 = 5 L/m

Exp (a)
Cond-Water Evap-Air

41.6838
9

44.5652
8

17.9906

23.7436
7

10.5931
7

2.36880
6

28.6118
4

487.0345

Table 4: Average Summary Data Table

Evaporator heat
load

Condenser cooling
load

Working Fluid

Vref( m3/s)

v2 (kg/s)

mref
(kg/s)

h3,
(kJ.kg)

h4,
(kJ.kg)

Qevap
(W)

COP

14

7.06234E-06

Fan power at evap= 100%

0.000879591

7.68903E-06

Fan power at evap= 50%

0.000881037

7.33272E-06

Fan power at evap= 100%

Fan power at condenser = 100%

Exp (b)
Cond-Air Evap-Air

Fan power at evap= 50%

SC-2 = 5 L/m

Exp (a)
Cond-Water Evap-Air

0.000877557

0.000887382

7.94773E-06

0.00804
8

0.00874
1

0.00832
3

0.00895
6

259.6

420.2

261.6

426

263

427

269

433.4

1.29241

2.76609

1.43679

2.97934

1.36496

2.88189
9

1.47251

3.02324

15

Sample Calculation:
Experiment a
For the experiment a and experiment b, volume flow rate of the refrigerant, vref can be
calculate the value by convert the unit from the value of SC-1 (L/h) as shown below:
When SC-1 = 25.3534 L/h,
1 hr
1 m3
Thus V ref =25.3534 3600 s 1000 L
7.04261 106 m3 / s

The specific volume of the working fluid which is refrigerant, v2 is taken by refer to
appendix of Table A-11 for saturated refrigerant-134a by using ST-2 = 41.33192 C and

referring to the saturated liquid,

vf

. The interpolation method is take place as shown

below:
Example of interpolation to get the v2 value:
Saturated fluid, vf (m3/kg)
0.000872
v2

Temperature (C)
40

0.0008786

42

41.33192

v 20.000872
41.3319240
=
4240
0.00087860.000872
0.000876395 m3 /kg
To find mass flow rate of the refrigerant R-134:
mref =

v ref

v2

16

7.04261 10

/ 0.000876395

= 0.008035877 kg / s.
To find rate of heat Q evap:
Qevap =

mref (h4-h3)

= 0.008035877(420-255)
= 1.325919786 W
The coefficient of performance can be calculated by using formula below:
COPref = Qevap / (SW-1/1000)
= 1.325919786 / (464.5317/1000)
= 2.854314972

Experiment b :Volume flow rate of the refrigerant, vref can be calculate by converting the unit from the
value of SC-1 (L/h) as shown below:
When SC-1 = 25.85404 L/h,
Thus,

vref = 25.85404 x

1 hr
1 m3
x
3600 s 1000 L

= 7.18168 10

m3 / s.

The specific volume of the working fluid which is condensate water, v 2 is taken by
referring to the Table A-11 for saturated refrigerant-134a by using ST-2 = 41.91636 C
and referring to the saturated fluid, vf. The interpolation method is shown below:
Example of interpolation to get the v2 value:

17

Temperature(C)

Saturated fluid, vf (m3/kg)

40

0.0008720

41.91636

v2

42

0.0008786

41.9163640
4240

v 20.0008720

= 0.00087860.0008720

V2 = 0.000878324 m3 / kg
To find mass flow rate of the refrigeration of the working fluid:
mref = vref / v2
= (7.18168 x 10-6 / 0.000878324)
= 0.00817657 kg / s.
To find rate of heat Q evap:
Qevap =

mref (h4-h3)

= 0.00817657 (425-260)
= 1.349134089 W.
The average coefficient of performance can be calculated by using formula below:
COPref = Qevap / (SW-1/1000)
= 1.349134089 / (467.9009/1000)
= 2.883375708
*The value for enthalpy (h), for both experiment (a) and (b), is taken from the graph figure
4.1.2. Enthalpic diagram of the refrigerant R-134a. The graph can be referred from appendix
and the value of h in table 2.

18

7.0 DISCUSSION
One of our discussions will cover what is the effect on the coefficient of performance
(COPref) as the evaporator heat load is increased. As our tabulated result, we can find that the
COPref will increasing when the pressure also being increases. First, the formula to calculate
COPref is equal to Qevap / (SW-1/1000). Therefore, to get SW-1 is influence by the pressure. If
low pressure are applied toward the experiment, so that value of SW-1 will be small and
when Qevap as nominator divided by small denominator can produce larger COPref..
Next of our discussions is the effect of cooling medium on the average refrigeration
COP. From the experiment, we experience of fully water cooling system and also fully air
cooling system. The tabulated data shows that the fully water cooling system carry out
COPaverage is almost same with fully air cooling system at same evaporator heat load. At 50%
fan power evaporator, COPwater = 2.766096; COPair = 2.881899 and at 100% fan power
evaporator, COPwater = 2.979344; COPair = 3.023245. Theoretically, the value of COP water must
more high than COPair. This is because water is more efficient compare to air for cooling
system. In the experiment, at 50% fan power evaporator, Q evap carry out from air is higher if
we compare with Qevap carry out from water as a medium (Q evap,air = 1.36496 ; Qevap,water =
1.292414) while at 100% fan power evaporator Qevap carry out from water is higher than Qevap
carry out from air (Qevap,air = 1.472518 ; Qevap,water = 1.436791).
There also another factor that can influence the outcome of COP average. The volume
flow rate at 50% fan power evaporator for water shows data of 7.06234 x 10 -6 m3/s while
volume flow rate for air is 7.33272 x 10-6 m3/s and at 100% fan power evaporator for water
shows data of 7.68903 x 10-6 m3/s while volume flow rate for air is 7.94773 x 10-6 m3/s so that
we can say that the low volume flow rate will increase the COPaverage .
What we can understand about the term of load in refrigerant after go through the
experiment procedure, we can sure the load is more focused to heat load. Even the main

19

refrigerant function in absorb and remove the heat from one medium to another medium. For
example domestic fridge is to maintain the temperature in chill condition continuously if that
fridge we still use. Therefore, the temperature in fridge will be maintained to keep the food or
even making ice tube. Other side of actual loads in refrigeration practice in a room which is
air cond, is more to control the temperature to comfort level. So the heat load also present in
this practice. In factory also need a suitable temperature to optimize the machinery operation.

8.0 CONCLUSION
Therefore, we can conclude that this experiment expose us more detail of refrigeration
system, where we can know on how COP effect if the pressure are increases. Besides that we
can learn and know the effect of cooling medium on the average refrigerant COP. Lastly we
exactly know what type of load are present in this system.
From the refrigeration laboratory, the pressure, enthalpy, and temperature were
calculated at the four state points of the vapour compression refrigeration cycle (VCRC).
With the state point properties and the power drawn by the compressor the COP can be
determined. However the COP can be determined from the work input to the compressor, or
as the work applied to the working fluid.
In comparison with the ideal VCRC, data obtained and calculated from the laboratory
(actual results) differed from those of the ideal cycle. The differences are a result of the
assumptions made when working with the ideal cycle to simplify the calculations. The
assumption that the compressor is isentropic shows the greatest impact on the variation of the
ideal and the actual cycle.
A relevant source of error involves the accuracy of the measuring equipment and of
the methods used in obtaining the measured values.

The actual cycle would greatly

approximate that of the ideal cycle if the assumptions could be reached, such as constant
pressure heat transfer across heat exchangers, and the reduction of heat transfer to and from
the environment due to insinuated devices.

20

9.0 REFERENCES

1. Coefficient of Performance,
http://www.industrialheatpumps.nl/en/how_it_works/cop_heat_pump/ (retrieved on
October 23rd, 2014)
2. Basic Refrigeration Cycle,
https://www.swtc.edu/ag_power/air_conditioning/lecture/basic_cycle.htm (Retrieved
on October 23rd, 2014)
3. Refrigeration Cycle, http://www.air-conditioning-and-refrigerationguide.com/refrigeration-cycle.html (Retrieved on October 24th, 2014)
4. Thermodynamic Analysis,
http://www.academia.edu/1396534/THERMODYNAMIC_ANALYSIS_OF_R134A_
DMAC_VAPOR_ABSORPTION_REFRIGERATION_VAR_SYSTEM (Retrieved on
October 24th, 2014)
5. How Refrigerators Work, http://home.howstuffworks.com/refrigerator4.htm
(Retrieved on October 26th, 2014)