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Faculty of Engineering

Module Details
Module Code ME2041 Module Title Thermodynamics
Program: SLIIT Course: BSc
Stream: Mechanical

Assessment details

Title MECHANICAL HEAT PUMP Group assignment NO

If yes, Group No.

Lecturer/ Instructor Mr. Ifadh Azwar Date of Performance 22/11/2022

Due date 01/12/2022 Date submitted 27/11/2022

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EN21472848 Basnayake A. A. D. Dumindu Basnayake

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GT/February 2014 V2.0

 SRI LANKA INSTITUTE OF
INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
Faculty of Engineering

Thermodynamics (ME2041)

MECHANICAL HEAT PUMP

[Link]. Mechanical Engineering

Basnayake A. A. D. | EN21472848
Thermodynamics (ME2041)

Objectives
To understand the principles (First law of Thermodynamics and Clausius statement of Second
Law of Thermodynamics) of a heat pump and its applications

Introduction
A mechanical device known as a heat pump moves heat from one environmental space to
another, usually against a temperature gradient (i.e., from cool to hot). This requires an energy
input, which could be mechanical, electrical, or thermal energy. In the majority of
contemporary heat pumps, electricity powers a compressor, which initiates a refrigerant fluid
cycle involving compression and expansion between two heat exchangers: a cold evaporator
and a warm condenser. The thermal output divided by the main energy (electrical) input is
referred to as a heat pump's efficiency, or coefficient of performance (COP). As the temperature
differential between the cold heat source and the warm heat sink widens, the coefficient of
performance (COP) falls.
A ground source heat pump (GSHP) that is effective could have a COP of about 4. Utilizing
low-temperature heat sources such as those found in the earth, surface waters, or air is perfect
for heat pumps. They can result in significant cost and environmental (CO2) reductions.

Figure 01: Mechanical Heat Pump

Theory
A heat pump is a device that provides heat energy from a source of heat to a destination called
a "heat sink". Heat pumps are designed to move thermal energy opposite to the direction of
spontaneous heat flow by absorbing heat from a cold space and releasing it to a warmer one. A
heat pump uses some amount of external power to accomplish the work of transferring energy
from the heat source to the heat sink.

The purpose of the experiment is to demonstrate the basic principles of Heat pump (First law
of Thermodynamics and Clausius statement of Second Law of Thermodynamics) i.e. how heat
can be transferred from a cooler object to a hotter object getting use of basic refrigerant cycle.
The mechanical heat pump unit, (Shown in Fig.1) consists of a standard compressor-condenser
unit, a watt meter, and controls and instrumentation including thermocouples and pressure
gauges.

Heat transferred at the Hot reservoir = Heat absorbed by water = Qh = m C (tfi – tin)
Heat transferred at the Hot reservoir = Heat rejected from water =Qh = m C (tfi – tin)

Figure 02: Heat pump

Introduction to Refrigeration and Air conditioning
While air conditioners and freezers are familiar examples of heat pumps, the term "heat pump"
is more general and applies to many HVAC (heating, ventilating, and air conditioning) devices
used for space heating or space cooling. When a heat pump is used for heating, it employs the
same basic refrigeration-type cycle used by an air conditioner or a refrigerator, but in the
opposite direction - releasing heat into the conditioned space rather than the surrounding
environment. In this use, heat pumps generally draw heat from the cooler external air or from
the ground. In heating mode, heat pumps are three to four times more efficient in their use of
electric power than simple electrical resistance heaters.

It has been estimated that at least 85% of the refrigeration processes in use today are powered
by vapor compression system.

The applications embrace many varied disciplines including catering, public health,
architecture, food storage, transport, and food processing. An improved understanding of
refrigeration techniques is demanded of engineers, particularly in the field of building services
and environmental control.

Figure 03: Schematic Diagram of a Heat Pump

Figure 04: Refrigeration Cycle

The Apparatus

Figure 05: Schematic diagram of the mechanical heat pump unit

Figure 06: Mechanical heat pump unit

1. Expander
2. Cold reservoir
3. Compressor
4. Heat gauges
5. Hot reservoir
Procedure
• From the evaporator, refrigerant vapor that has been slightly overheated enters the
compressor, where its pressure is raised.
• As a result, the temperature rises, and the hot vapor enters the condenser that uses
water to cool it.
• Before moving to the liquid receiver and the expansion valve, heat is lost to the
cooling water and the refrigerant condenses to a liquid.
• The pressure of the liquid refrigerant is decreased as it passes through the expansion
valve, which lowers the saturation temperature until it is below the atmospheric level.
As a result, it passes via the evaporator, where there is a temperature difference
between the refrigerant's entrance and outlet.
• By taking heat from the water as a result of the heat transfer, the refrigerant boils, and
when it exits the evaporator, it has become a slightly superheated vapor that is
prepared to return to the compressor. The expansion valve automatically regulates the
level of superheat.
• The water flow rate and its temperature regulate the temperature at which heat is
delivered in the condenser.
• The temperature and humidity of the surrounding air have a significant impact on the
evaporation temperature. A small change is however doable.
• To prevent overloading the compressor, the initial water temperature (in the
evaporator) should not be permitted to exceed 350C.

Observations
 Height Diameter
Cold Reservoir 0.207 m 0.198 m
Heat Reservoir 0.212 m 0.198 m

Observed Experimental Symbol Units Test 1 Test 2

Data
Watt-hour meter. Time per s s/rev
revolution
Watt-hour meter - Initial WhUnits i kWh 3.9

Watt-hour meter - Final WhUnits f kWh 4.4

o
Ambient Temperature Ta C 30.1 31.2

Cold Reservoir – Evaporator

Refrigerant absolute pressure Pe kN/m2 15

o
Refrigerant inlet (wet vapor) T1 C 55.0 11.5
temperature
o
Refrigerant outlet (superheat) T2 C 11.9 19.9
temperature
o
Initial Temperature of Water tin C 26.1 28.3
o
Final Temperature of Water tfi C 17.8 23.1

Hot Reservoir – Condenser

Refrigerant absolute pressure Pc kN/m2 140
o
Refrigerant inlet (superheat) T3 C 40.1 49.8
temperature
o
Refrigerant outlet (wet T4 C 34.4 31.4
vapor) temperature
o
Initial Temperature of Water tin C 34.6 34.1
o
Final Temperature of Water tfi C 46.6 38.3
Calculations
Energy Consumed by the heat pump
ΣW = Efinal - Einitial
= (4.4 -3.9) x 3600 kJ
= 0.5 x 3600 kJ
= 1800 kJ
Discussion
Introduction to First and Second law of Thermodynamics and hence heat pump
Energy can only be changed in form; it cannot be created or destroyed, according to the basic
law of thermodynamics. Mass crossing the control boundary, external work, or heat transfer
across the barrier are all examples of energy transfer for any system. These result in a change
in the control volume's energy reserves. The kinetic, potential, internal, and "flow" energies of
a fluid's mass flow have an impact on the system's total energy balance. The energy balance is
completed by the exchanges of heat and external work. Because energy cannot be generated or
destroyed but rather converted into different forms when the fluid within the control volume
changes, the first law of thermodynamics is known as the conservation of energy principle.
By absorbing this heat, the gas performs the amount of work w by expansion. Following to the
first law, we have,
∆U = q – w
where U represents the system's increased internal energy. The First Law of Thermodynamics
can be thought of as being expressed mathematically in this equation. Internal energy U is a
state function or state property that is independent of the process used to get there. The
individual quantities q and w may depend upon paths, while the difference (q − w) always
yields the same value of ΔU = U2 − U1.
Several times and in numerous locations, experiments have been used to support the first law
of thermodynamics. It really is a physics law. It always permits the transformation of energy
from one form to another, but it never permits the creation or destruction of energy during the
transformation. The procedures for converting thermal energy are not entirely described, yet.
As long as the amount of heat transferred decreased the internal energy of the cold body by an
amount equal to the amount it increased the internal energy of the hot body, the first law would
permit heat to be moved from a cold body to a hot body. This, however, never takes place.
Only a hot body can transfer heat to a cold body. As a result, in addition to the first law's
description of energy conservation, a law that specifies the direction of thermal energy
transmission is also necessary. The second law of thermodynamics is this.
A reversible cycle that runs between two reservoirs is the Carnot cycle. The amount of work
that can be produced by an irreversible cycle between the same two reservoirs must be less
than the amount of work that can be produced by a reversible cycle.
That is, Wirr < Wrev
More heat will be transferred to the low-temperature reservoir for the irreversible cycle if the
first law is applied to a cycle and equal amounts of heat QH are transferred from the high-
temperature reservoir.
QH = Wrev + QL,rev
QH = Wirr + QL,irr
Let's now think about a machine that operates by transferring heat. A heat engine is a device
like this, as was mentioned in the preceding part. All heat engines that function by utilizing a
portion of heat transfer from some sources include jet engines, steam turbines, gasoline and
diesel engines, and automobile engines. While heat transfer into the cold object (or cold
reservoir) is represented by Qc, and work performed by the engine is denoted by W, heat
transfer from the hot object (or hot reservoir) is designated by Qh. The hot and cold reservoirs
are Th and Tc, respectively, in temperature.

Figure 07: Heat pump Theory

The hot reservoir is heated externally, which consumes a lot of energy, thus it's critical that the
operation is completed as effectively as possible. In fact, we want W to equal Qh and Qc to
equal 0 so that there is no heat transmission to the environment. This is unfortunately not
doable. In addition, the second rule of thermodynamics stipulates that employing heat transfer
to create work (the second expression of the second law)
Introduction to Refrigeration cycle
The compressor initiates and completes the refrigeration cycle. The compressor is where the
refrigerant flows into be compressed and pressurized. The refrigerant is now a hot gas at this
moment. The condenser, which converts the vapor into liquid and removes some of the heat,
receives the refrigerant once it has been pushed there. Following the expansion valve, the
refrigerant loses heat and pressure as it expands.
Due to the pressure drop, the refrigerant is chilly and moves slowly out of the expansion valve.
It is a liquid when it enters the evaporator, where heat is exchanged to cool the load inside the
refrigerator. The heat is absorbed by the gas as it cools the load, turning it into a gas in the
process. The cycle can then resume with the gas being forced back into the compressor.
Ice may accumulate around the evaporator during the refrigeration cycle. Commercial freezers
and refrigerators will both use some sort of defrost system to prevent this buildup. In order to
lower temperatures in a cabinet, counter, or even cold room style, refrigerant is basically moved
from one area to another and in various forms during the refrigeration cycle. The biggest benefit
of understanding how your business fridge operates is that you will be able to adequately clean
and repair your equipment. For instance, knowing that your refrigerator uses an air-cooled
condenser will assist you locate the best placement for your device to facilitate its operation
and reduce energy use. Only after mastering the fundamentals can, one utilize commercial
refrigeration to its full potential.
The 4 main Refrigeration Cycle Components
The compressor
The process of refrigeration begins with compression, and a compressor is the piece of
machinery used to raise the working gas's pressure. Low-pressure, low-temperature refrigerant
enters the compressor and exits as high-pressure, high-temperature gas. Due to the variety of
mechanical methods that can be used to achieve compression, a variety of compressor designs
are currently used in HVAC and refrigeration systems. There are other instances, but a few
well-liked options are:
1. Reciprocating compressors
2. Scroll compressors
3. Rotary compressors
The condenser
One of the two types of heat exchangers used in a fundamental refrigeration loop is the
condenser, often known as the condenser coil. High-temperature, high-pressure, vaporized
refrigerant from the compressor is used to fuel this component. Until it condenses into a
saturated liquid state, also known as condensation, the condenser removes heat from the hot
refrigerant vapor gas vapor. Introduction to Air conditioning cycle. When the refrigerant
condenses, it becomes a high-pressure, low-temperature liquid, at which point it is directed
toward the expansion device of the loop.
The expansion device
There are several different designs for these parts. The more sophisticated electronic expansion
valves, thermostatic expansion valves (TXV), thermal expansion valves, and fixed orifices are
popular options (EEVs). However, regardless of arrangement, an expansion device's duty is to
lower pressure once the refrigerant exits the condenser. Some of the refrigerant will start to
boil quickly as a result of the pressure reduction, resulting in a two-phase mixture.
Flashing is the name for this abrupt phase change, which sets up the evaporator, the following
piece of machinery in the circuit, to carry out its intended purpose.
The evaporator
The evaporator, like the condenser, is called for its primary function and is the second heat
exchanger in a typical refrigeration circuit. Given that it absorbs heat, like air conditioning
does, it functions as the "business end" of a refrigeration cycle. This occurs when a fan pushes
air across the evaporator's fins, cooling the air by absorbing the heat from the space in question
into the refrigerant, which enters the evaporator as a low temperature, low pressure liquid. The
process then restarts when the refrigerant is returned to the compressor. And that's basically
how a refrigeration loop operates.

Figure 08: Refrigeration Cycle

Introduction to Air-conditioning cycle
A fluid (often water or air) is cooled throughout the home air conditioning process by the
evaporation of a third fluid, known as the refrigerant. Utilizing chemicals, your air conditioner
quickly transforms gas into a liquid and back again, removing the heated air from inside your
house. After that, it is discarded outside. Simply put, an air conditioning system regulates room
temperature, humidity, and air quality.

Figure 09: AC Cycle

The compressor (1) in the figure above condenses the refrigerant vapor and directs it toward
the condenser. The refrigerant vapor becomes a high pressure superheated vapor due to the
heat of compression, which elevates the temperature of the vapor. The refrigerant changes state
and condenses into a high pressure, high temperature liquid when it enters the condenser (2).
The condenser rejects the heat in the refrigerant.
The temperature, pressure, and condition of the refrigerant change once more as it moves
through the metering device (3). Some of the liquid refrigerant at low pressure rapidly boils off
to generate "flash gas." The leftover liquid refrigerant transforms back into a vapor when it
passes through the evaporator (4) as this mixture of liquid and gas. 100% of the low-pressure
vapor exiting the evaporator returns to the compressor via the suction line.
Conclusion
In this experiment we were able to identify the basic principles behind Mechanical Heat Pump
and the working conditions too. 1st and 2nd laws of thermodynamics was used to describe those
principles and furthermore we gained some more knowledge regarding those principles. Also,
we were able to identify and do research about the refrigeration cycle as well as the AC cycle.
In the experiment we were able to achieve our main objective of understanding the principles
(First law of Thermodynamics and Clausius statement of Second Law of Thermodynamics) of
a heat pump and its applications with the relevant calculations related.

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