RAC LAB

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING DEPARTMENT

LABORATORY MANUAL
REFRIGERATION & AIR-CONDITIONING LAB

SUBJECT: VAPOUR COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION

ITER/MECH/RAC LAB/01

Department of Mechanical Engg., ITER, SOA University

 RAC LAB

Aim of the experiment

To determine coefficient of performance (COP) of a refrigerator test rig and to compare with
Carnot COP and theoretical COP.

Apparatus required: -

Refrigeration Test Rig

List of measuring instruments: -

Steel tape (0-5m)

Specification: –
1. Compressor model – SR1012L
2. Compressor Speed - 25 r.p.s., Bore – 44.5mm, Stroke – 26.3 mm
3. Tonnage of compressor-0.15ton
4. Refrigerant - R-12
5. Multichannel temperature indicator (-300C - 8000C)
6. Chromel-Alumel thermocouple -5Nos
7. Energy meter constant – 1800 rev/kWh

Theory: -
Standard vapour compression cycle consists of the following essential parts:
Compressor: -

The low pressure and temperature vapour refrigerant from evaporator is drawn into the
compressor through the inlet or suction valve A, where it is compressed to a high pressure and
temperature. This high pressure and temperature vapour refrigerant is discharged into condenser
through the delivery or Discharge valve B.

Condenser: -

The condenser consists of coils of pipe in which the high pressure and temperature vapour
refrigerant is cooled and condensed. The refrigerant while passing through the condenser, gives
up its latent heat to the surrounding condensing medium which is normally air or water.

Department of Mechanical Engg., ITER, SOA University

 RAC LAB

Receiver: -
The condensed liquid refrigerant from the condenser is stored in a vessel known as receiver
from where it is supplied to the evaporator through the expansion valve or refrigeration control
valve.

Expansion Valve:-
It is also called as throttle valve or refrigerant control valve. The function of the expansion valve
is to allow the liquid refrigerant under high pressure and temperature to pass at a controlled rate
after reducing its pressure and temperature.

Evaporator: -
An evaporator consists of coils of pipe in which the liquid vapour refrigerant low pressure and
temperature is evaporated and changed into vapour refrigerant at low pressure and temperature.
In evaporating, the liquid vapour refrigerant absorbs its latent heat of vaporization from the
medium which is to be cooled.

COP is defined as ratio of desired effect to the work of compression.

𝐷𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡
COP = 𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑜𝑓 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑖𝑜𝑛

𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡
(COP)Actual =
𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑟

Refrigerating effect = m × Cpw ×(Ti − Tf ), kJ

Ti = Initial temp. of water
Tf = Final temp. of Water
Where, m = mass of water taken in an insulated container in Kg
Cpw = Specific heat of water = 4.18 kJ/Kg K
m = V × ρ in Kg
𝜋
V = Volume of water = ×d2 ×h m3, where d = Dia. of container (0.26 m)
4

h = Height of water in the container to be measured in m.

Energy consumed by compressor = (Final E.M. reading – Initial E.M. reading) × 3600 KJ
Plot the refrigeration cycle on the P-H chart and from the chart, obtain following enthalpy values
by taking absolute suction and discharge pressure at different temps.
h1 = Enthalpy at compressor inlet at T1
h2 = Enthalpy at compressor outlet at T2
h3 = Enthalpy at condenser outlet at T 3

Department of Mechanical Engg., ITER, SOA University

 RAC LAB

h4 = Enthalpy at evaporator inlet at T 4

h1  h4
(COP)Theoretical =
h2  h1

TL
(COP)Carnot =
TH  TL
Where TH = Saturation temp. at discharge pressure
& TL = Saturation temp. at suction pressure
(Saturation temp. can be obtained from P-H chart )

(Schematic diagram)
Processes:-
1-2 = Isentropic compression in the compressor (reversible)
2-3 = Constant pressure heat rejection (reversible)
3-4 = Isenthalpic expansion process (irreversible)
4-1 = Reversible constant pressure heat absorption in the evaporation

Department of Mechanical Engg., ITER, SOA University

 RAC LAB

(Actual image of test rig)

(P-H Diagram) (T-S Diagram)

Department of Mechanical Engg., ITER, SOA University

 RAC LAB

Experimental Procedure:-

1. Fill up the evaporator tank with water and measure the height of it.
2. Switch on the compressor.
3. Take initial energy meter reading and temperature of water.
4. After 30 minutes take both energy meter reading & temp. of water.
5. Record both pressure gauge reading and temperatures (T 1 to T4) from digital display
6. Repeat the procedure further at interval of 30 minutes.
7. Calculate the COP.

Observation table:-
Energy Water temp Pressure of T1(°c) T2(°c) T3(°c) T4(°c)
Sl. meter T5 (°c) refrigerant
Time(min) reading (psi )
No (KWh)
Initial Final Initial(TI) Final(Tf) Suction Discharge

1 30

2 60

3 90

4 120

5 150

Department of Mechanical Engg., ITER, SOA University

 RAC LAB

Sample Calculation:-

Observation table

Energy Water temp Pressure of T1(°c) T2(°c) T3(°c) T4(°c)

Sl. meter T5 (°c) refrigerant
Time(min) reading (psi )
No (kWh)
Initial Final Initial(TI) Final(Tf) Suction Discharge

1 30 71.85 72.10 23.3 15.3 27.5 140 21.9 77 43.6 -5.5

2 60 71.85 72.25 23.3 10.2 20 145 18 80.3 43.7 -6.7

3 90 71.85 72.40 23.3 5.9 20 150 14.4 86 44 -8.9

4 120 71.85 72.70 23.3 3.2 19 152 12.6 90 44.6 -9.2

5 150 71.85 73.00 23.3 1.2 18 155 10.4 93 45 -9.4

For Obs. No. 1

Mass of water (m) = v × ρ = (π/4) ×d2×h × ρ = ( π/4)×(0.26)2×0.27×1000 = 14.335 kg

Refrigerating effect = 14.335× 4.186 ×(23.3 – 15.3) = 479.19 kJ

Energy consumed by compressor = (72.10-71.85) × 3600 =900kJ
𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡 479.19
(COP)Actual = = = 0.531
𝐸𝑛𝑒𝑟𝑔𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑢𝑚𝑒𝑑 𝑏𝑦 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑟 900

For theoretical COP

Ps =27.5 psi= (27.5+14.7) ×0.069 = 2.91 bar (A)

Pd =140 psi= (140+14.7)× 0.069 = 10.67 bar (A)

From p-h chart, at Ps & T1, h1=366 kJ/Kg

At Pd & T2, h2 = 394 kJ/Kg

Department of Mechanical Engg., ITER, SOA University

 RAC LAB

h3=h4=244 kJ/Kg (Consider at Pd coinciding with saturated liquid line)

h1  h4 366  244
(COP)Theoretical = =  4.35
h2  h1 394  366

(h1, h2, h3&h4 are determined following pressure-enthalpy chart.)

TL  6  273
(COP)Carnot = =
TH  TL (43  273)  (6  273)
267
= 316−267
= 5.44

Safety precaution:-

The following safety precautions are observed during the experiment.

1. The test rig should bead with stabilized power.
2. The voltage should remain in the range of 220V-250V.

3. The test rig should be properly earthed.

4. The test rig should be placed away from the heat source.

5. Unnecessary machine handling should be avoided.

6. Valves should be operated gently and correctly meant for expansion devices.

7. The charging valve and plug connected to the compressor should not be touched.

Results and analysis:-

Conclusion:-

Department of Mechanical Engg., ITER, SOA University

 RAC LAB

QUIZ QUESTIONS

1. One tonne refrigerating machine means.......

A. One tonne is the total mass of the machine

B. One tonne of refrigerant is used
C. One tonne of water can be converted into ice
D. One tonne of ice when melts from at 00C in 24 hours, the refrigeration effect produced is
equivalent to 210 kJ/min
Ans-D

2. During a refrigeration cycle, heat is rejected by the refrigerant in a.....

A.Compressor
B. Condenser
C. Evaporator
D. Expansion valve
Ans-B

3. One tonne of refrigeration is equal to

A.21/kJ/min
B.210/kJ/min
C.420/kJ/min
D.620/kJ/min
Ans-B

4. Air refrigerator works on......

A. Carnot cycle
B. Rankine cycle
C. Reversed carnot cycle
D. Bell-Coleman cycle
E. Both C and D
Ans-E

5. Air refrigeration cycle is used in.......

A. Commercial refrigerators
B. Domestic refrigerators
C. Air-conditioning

Department of Mechanical Engg., ITER, SOA University

 RAC LAB

D. Gas liquefaction
Ans- D

6. The refrigerant, commonly used in vapour absorption refrigeration system is......

A. Sulphur dioxide
B. Ammonia
C. Freon
D. Aqua-ammonia
Ans- D

7.The boiling point of ammonia is

A. -10.50C
B. -30.50C
C. -33.30C
C. -77.60C
Ans-C

8. Which of the following refrigerant has the lowest boiling point?

A. Ammonia
B. Carbon dioxide
C. Sulphur dioxide
D. Freon-12
Ans-B

9. Which of the following refrigerant is highly toxic and flammable.......

A. Ammonia
B. Carbon dioxide
C. Sulphur dioxide
D. Freon-12
Ans –A

10. The co-efficient of performance is always.......one

A. Equal to
B. less than
D. Greater than
E. None of the above
Ans- C

11. In air-conditioning of aeroplanes, using air as refrigerant, the cycle is used in.......
A. Reversed carnot cycle
B. Reversed joule cycle

Department of Mechanical Engg., ITER, SOA University

 RAC LAB

C. Reversed Brayton cycle

D. Reversed Otto cycle
Ans-C
12. The relative coefficient of performance (C.O.P.) is equal to.......
A. Theoretical C.O.P./Actual C.O.P.
B. Actual C.O.P./Theoretical C.O.P.
C. Theoretical C.O.P. x Actual C.O.P.
D. None of the above
Ans-B

13. The sub-cooling in a refrigeration cycle....

A. Does not alter C.O.P.

B. Increases C.O.P.
C. Decreases C.O.P.
D. None of the above
Ans-C

14. The highest temperature during the cycle, in a vapour compression system, occurs after.......
A. Compression
B. Condensation
C. Expansion
D. Evaporation
Ans-A

15. In a vapour compression system, the lowest temperature during the cycle occurs after.......
A. Compression
B. Condensation
C. Expansion
D. Evaporation
Ans-C

16. In vapour compression refrigeration cycle, the condition of refrigerant is saturated liquid.......

A. Before entering the expansion valve

B. Before entering the compressor
C. After passing through the condenser
D. Before passing through the condenser
E. After passing through the expansion or throttle valve
Ans-C

17. In vapour compression refrigeration cycle, the condition of refrigerant is very wet vapour.......
A. Before entering the expansion valve
B. Before entering the compressor
C. After passing through the condenser
D. Before passing through the condenser

Department of Mechanical Engg., ITER, SOA University

 RAC LAB

E. After passing through the expansion or throttle valve

Ans-E

18. In vapour compression refrigeration cycle, the condition of refrigerant is high pressure
saturated liquid ....
A. Before entering the expansion valve
B. Before entering the compressor
C. After passing through the condenser
D. Before passing through the condenser
E. After passing through the expansion or throttle valve
Ans-A

19. In vapour compression refrigeration cycle, the condition of refrigerant is superheated vapour
......
A. Before entering the expansion valve
B. Before entering the compressor
C. After passing through the condenser
D. Before passing through the condenser
F. After passing through the expansion or throttle valve
Ans-D

20. In vapour compression refrigeration cycle, the condition of refrigerant is dry saturated
vapour.......
A. Before entering the expansion valve
B. Before entering the compressor
C. After passing through the condenser
D. Before passing through the condenser
E. After passing through the expansion or throttle valve
Ans- D

21. The vapour pressure of the refrigerant should be.......

A. Lower than atmospheric pressure
B. Higher than atmospheric pressure
C. Equal than atmospheric pressure
D.None of the above
Ans-B

22. The bank of tube at the back of domestic refrigerator are.......

A. Condenser tube
B. Evaporator tube
C. Refrigerant cooling tubes
D.Capillary tubes
Ans- A

23. In refrigeration cycle, the flow of refrigerant is controlled by....

A. Condenser

Department of Mechanical Engg., ITER, SOA University

 RAC LAB

B. Compressor
C. Evaporator
D. Expansion valve
E. None of the above
Ans-D

24. For obtaining high COP, the pressure range of compressor should be.......

A. High
B. Low
C. Optimum
D. Any value
Ans- B

25. The refrigerator which does not require compressor is called.......

A. Vapour absorption refrigerator

B. Vapour compression refrigerator
C. Electrolux refrigerator
D. Carnot refrigerator
Ans-C

Department of Mechanical Engg., ITER, SOA University