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REFRIGERATOR TRIAL
1.
Object
To investigate the performance of a vapour compression refrigerator with varying condenser
pressures and temperatures.
2.
Introduction
Heat will not naturally flow from a low temperature source to a high temperature source.
Transferring heat from a low temperature source to a high temperature source requires a
device (refrigerator or heat pump) with a separate energy input (usually work).
Heat pumps and refrigerators are effectively identical devices but with different objectives.
The refrigerator is required to remove heat energy from a low temperature reservoir by
transferring it to a high temperature reservoir. The heat pump is required to add heat energy
to a high temperature reservoir by removing it from a low temperature reservoir.
The efficiency of a refrigerator is the ratio of heat out of the cold
reservoir to work supplied. This will generally be greater than
unity and is therefore called a Coefficient of Performance (COP)
Hot reservoir
T1
Q1
COP
Q0
T0
COP
Cold reservoir
out
Q
Condenser
2
W compressor
Compressor
Throttle
Evaporator
4
Q in
Q0
Q0
1
Q1
W
Q1 Q 0
1
Q0
1
T1
T0
Laboratory:
The refrigeration cycle can be shown on several types of property diagrams. The two
common diagrams are the T-s and P-h diagrams
T
Pcondenser
out
Q
W compressor
out
Q
3
Pevaporator
Pcondenser
W compressor
Q in
4
s
Q in
Pevaporator
3.
3.1
The Hilton laboratory refrigeration unit is a vapour compression device using Refrigerant
134a as the working fluid.
3.2
Cold low pressure gas (T1) is drawn into the compressor and compressed to a high pressure
gas (T2). The hot gas is condensed in the condenser to a cool liquid. The liquid is passed
through a dryer (to remove any water) and then passes to the refrigerant flowmeter. From
the flowmeter the liqiud passes to the thermostatic expansion valve (T3). In the expansion
valve the pressure (and temperature) is reduced (T4). The cold low pressure liquid is then
passed through the evaporator where it picks up heat from the electric heater surrounding the
evaporator coil. The gas evaporates completely in the evaporator and emerges with a few
degrees of superheat and then passes back to the compressor suction (T1) and the cycle is
repeated.
3.3
The condenser cooling water is supplied from the domestic cold water main and can be
regulated by a flow control valve. The cooling water passes through a flowmeter and into
the condenser (T5). The water passes through the condenser and picks up heat before being
directed to a drain (T6).
3.4
The compressor is driven by a four pole A.C. induction motor mounted in a swinging stator
to enable the torque to be measured.
3.5
The performance of the unit can be varied by controlling the evaporator heater power input
and the condenser cooling water flow rate.
3.6
Temperatures around the system can be recorded by selecting the appropriate number on the
temperature indicator.
3.7
Evaporator (the system low pressure) and condenser (the system high pressure) pressures
can be read off the appropriate pressure gauges (remember that they are calibrated in gauge
pressure)
3.8
The evaporator heater power and motor electrical power can recorded on the wattmeter
provided).
3.9
Refrigerant and water flow rates can be measured directly from the respective Rotameters
(flowmeters).
Laboratory:
4.
Procedure
4.1
4.2
4.3
Switch on the power to the motor and check that the compressor is running and that
refrigerant is flowing through the refrigerant flowmeter.
4.4
After about 2 minutes gradually increase the evaporator power to maintain a constant
evaporator pressure of 100 kN/m (gauge).
4.5
When conditions have stabilised record one complete set of measured results. Note the
evaporator heater power.
4.6
Adjust the cooling water flow rate to approximately 10 g/s and adjust the evaporator heater
power to maintain the same evaporator pressure as in 4.6. When conditions have stabilised
record one complete set of measured results. Note the evaporator heater power.
4.7
Adjust the evaporator heater control so that the evaporator heater power is about midway
between the two previous values notes in 4.6 and 4.7. Adjust the water cooling flow rate to
maintain the same evaporator pressure as in 4.6. When conditions have stabilised record
one complete set of measured results.
4.8
When shutting down the unit set the evaporator heater power to zero and after about one
minute switch off the electrical power to the motor.
4.9
5.
Observed Results
5.1
5.2
The 3 sets of results are all at the same evaporator pressure but with varying condenser
pressures.
6.
Calculations
6.1
The calculated results required are shown on the Calculated Results table. A table of
calculation notes is also provided.
6.2
6.3
7.
7.1
Plot the test cycles on P-h diagrams to obtain the cycle enthalpy values.
7.2
Sketch the test cycles on both P-h and T-s diagrams to show the relative differences between
the cycles.
7.3
Plot fluid cycle COP and overall COP against condenser temperature for the 3 tests
7.4
Laboratory:
8.
Discussion
8.1
Discuss the calculated results in relation to the trends and values which are suggested by
ideal Carnot analysis.
8.2
8.3
Comment on the relative merits of using alternative refrigerants, with particular reference to
the range of pressure, refrigerant flow rates and volume displacement of the compressor
9.
Conclusion
Always provide a brief conclusion addressing the main object of the experiment
10.
Additional Data
10.1
Compressor
2 cylinder, single acting
Bore = 38 mm
Stroke = 19 mm
Swept Volume = 43 cm per revolution
10.2
Dynamometer
Torque arm radius = 0.165m
10.3
Water
Specific heat capacity = 4.18 kJ/kgK
Laboratory:
OBSERVED RESULTS
TEST NUMBER
Description
Temperatures
Compressor suction
T1
Compressor delivery
T2
Condenser exit
T3
Evaporator inlet
T4
T5
T6
Pe
kN/m
(gauge)
Pc
kN/m
(gauge)
Evaporator load
Qee
Motor input
Wm
mr
g/s
mw
g/s
Compressor speed
Nc
rev/min
Fs
Atmospheric pressure
Pa
kN/m
Pressures
Electrical
Miscellaneous
Laboratory:
CALCULATED RESULTS
TEST NUMBER
Description
Enthalpy
Compressor suction
h1
kJ/kg
h2
kJ/kg
h2s
kJ/kg
Condenser exit
h3
kJ/kg
Evaporator inlet
h4
kJ/kg
v1
m/kg
Qer
Qcw
Qcr
Vc
m/s
Vr1
m/s
Volumetric efficiency
Motor speed
Nm
Rev/min
Wm
Motor efficiency
Te
Tc
Specific Volume
Compressor suction
Evaporator Power
Heat Power absorbed by R134a
Condenser Power
Compressor
Motor
Saturation Temperatures
COPs
Overall
Based on shaft power
Fluid cycle, isentropic compression
Carnot cycle based on Te and Tc
Carnot cycle based on Te and T5
Laboratory:
CALCULATION NOTES
Description
Note
Enthalpy
Compressor suction
h1
kJ/kg
h2
kJ/kg
h2s
kJ/kg
Condenser exit
h3
kJ/kg
Evaporator inlet
h4
kJ/kg
v1
m/kg
Qer
Qcw
Qcr
Vc
m/s
Vr1
m/s
Volumetric efficiency
Motor speed
Nm
rev/min
Wm
Motor efficiency
Te
Tc
Specific Volume
Compressor suction
Evaporator Power
Heat Power absorbed by R134a
Condenser Power
Compressor
Motor
Compressor speed x pulley ratio
Saturation Temperatures
COPs
Overall
Laboratory:
Laboratory: