First Law of Thermodynamics

First law of thermodynamics states that the total amount of energy and matter in the
Universe remains constant, merely changing from one form to another hence energy
cannot be created or destroyed.

Pictorial representation of first law of thermodynamics

The Second Law of Thermodynamics

Second Law of Thermodynamics sates it is not possible for heat to flow from a colder
body to a warmer body without any work having been done to accomplish this flow.
Energy will not flow spontaneously from a low temperature object to a higher
temperature object. The statements about refrigerators apply to air conditioners and
heat pumps, which embody the same principles. In any thermodynamic cyclic process
the entropy will either increase or remain the same.

Pictorial representation of second law of thermodynamics

Ref-http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/Hbase/thermo/seclaw.html
The Refrigeration Cycle
1. The compressor compresses the refrigerant gas. The compressed gas heats up as it is
pressurized.
2. The coils on the back of the refrigerator let the hot gas dissipate its heat. The gas
condenses into liquid at high pressure.
3. The high-pressure liquid flows through the expansion valve a small hole. On one side of
the hole is high-pressure liquid. On the other side of the hole is a low-pressure area
because the compressor is sucking gas out of that side.
4. The liquid immediately boils and vaporizes,This makes the inside of the refrigerator cold.
5. The cold gas is sucked up by the compressor, and the cycle repeats.
Earlier ammonia used as refrigerant since ammonia gas is highly toxic to people and would pose
a threat if the refrigerator were to leak, so all home refrigerators stopped using pure ammonia.
Refrigerants know as CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), originally developed by Du Pont in the 1930s
as a non-toxic replacement for ammonia. CFC-12 (dichlorodifluoromethane) has about the same
boiling point as ammonia. However, CFC-12 is not toxic to humans, so it is safe to use in your
kitchen. Many large industrial refrigerators still use ammonia.
In the 1970s, it was discovered that the CFCs then in use are harmful to the ozone layer, so as of
the 1990s, all new refrigerators and air conditioners use refrigerants such as HFCs that are less
harmful to the ozone layer.
Ref-http://home.howstuffworks.com/refrigerator4.htm
Air Conditioning System
For an air conditioning system the refrigerant must be used repeatedly to operate economically.
For this reason, all air conditioners use the same cycle of compression, condensation, expansion,
and evaporation in a closed circuit. The same refrigerant is used to move the heat from one area,
to cool this area, and to expel this heat in another area.

The refrigerant comes into the compressor as a low-pressure gas, it is compressed and
then moves out of the compressor as a high-pressure gas.

The gas then flows to the condenser. Here the gas condenses to a liquid, and gives off its
heat to the outside air.

The liquid then moves to the expansion valve under high pressure. This valve restricts the
flow of the fluid, and lowers its pressure as it leaves the expansion valve.

The low-pressure liquid then moves to the evaporator, where heat from the inside air is
absorbed and changes it from a liquid to a gas.

As a hot low-pressure gas, the refrigerant moves to the compressor where the entire cycle
is repeated.

Ref-https://www.swtc.edu/ag_power/air_conditioning/lecture/basic_cycle.htm

Basic Refrigeration Cycle

Experimental Errors
Majority of errors in this investigation comes from thermocouple errors during the acquisition of
temperatures. One of factor that influence accuracy of temperature measurement is well
calibrated thermometer with consistency in the range of operation. Also sufficient time is
required by the system to reach equilibrium with the sensors if not it will accumulate an error.
Electronic errors such as switch contacts and increased resistance during longer operating times
may have played a role in the accumulation of errors. And Pressure inconsistency, vibrations and
minor leakages may also have influenced incorrect pressure readings at the tapping points
The pressure readings were measured in gauge pressure, however absolute pressure is required in
calculations. The difference here is minor but this must be considered for refrigeration plants
which operate at alternating altitudes and whether conditions such as aircraft air conditioning
units.
The initial assumptions made on the refrigeration process being adiabatic. Adiabatic assumptions
incorrect as entropy will have changed over the cycle, which means more energy will be
required in the subsequent cycle.

Suggestions and Improvements in performing this experiment

The lack of sufficient insulation in refrigeration may bring about heat losses between
components and to the system as a whole. Therefore proper insulating reduces the chances of
heat transfer where not necessary and therefore reduce the error. And also halving flow rate gives
significant reduction of heat loss. Therefore most modern refrigeration takes advantage of this
fact by throttling the flow of refrigerant.
Incensement of the volumetric flow rate can theoretically increase the performance of cooling,
this can be of advantage in situations where large volumes need to be cooled such as buildings,
aircraft and refrigerated trucks. Another way is by adding a series of compressors to increase the
cooling effect, this can be used in air conditioning units and in large cooling facilities such as
stadiums and power plants.
The heat transfer required in the condenser and evaporator can be enhanced by increasing the
surface area of contact for heat transfer and by maintaining a small heat transfer distance of a
highly conductive material such as copper. Therefore more efficiency can be achieved.