A Project

on

Experimental Study on the Performance Analysis of

Vapour Compression Refrigeration Test rig with and
without Phase Change Materials

by
SATYA AMARNADH PARIMI
Asst. Professor

Department of Mechanical Engineering

Abstract
The performance of heat transfer is most essential area of research in the field of
thermal engineering. For the process of heat transfer there are huge numbers of refrigerants
which can be used to transfer the heat from low temperature reservoir to high temperature
reservoir by using vapour compression refrigeration system (VCRS). Loss of electrical
power for refrigeration facilities leads to an increase in temperature and can result in the loss
in quality and value of stored products and thus reduce in Coefficient of performance (COP).
The vapour compression refrigeration technology has made a great improvement over a
few decades in the form of efficiency of cycle through significant efforts of thermal
engineers and manufacturers. The modification of cycle should be investigated to enhance
the efficiency of the system.
In this project the experimental study is conducted to predict the comparison between
the Simple VCRS without and with Phase change materials (PCM) with potassium chloride
solution, Ethylene Glycol. In this project the use of PCM can further decrease the
temperature of the evaporator. We mainly bring the focus on to decrease the temperature of
evaporator as lowest as possible so there is need of PCM. Hence proposed system could be a
new option for performance improvement of a VCR by enhancing heat transfer of the
evaporator.

Department of Mechanical Engineering

 Introduction
Experimental Details
Results and Analysis
Conclusions
Introduction References
Phase Change Material (PCMs)is a material
which absorbs or releases the maximum heat
during its state change due to change in
temperature. It uses chemical bonds to store and
releases the heat. The thermal energy transfer
occurs when a material changes from a solid to
a liquid or from a liquid to a solid. This is called
a change in state or phase. Ice changes phase
when heated at 00C and is converted to water.
Ice is an excellent phase change material.
Phase Change Materials (PCMs) are
theoretically able to change state at constant
temperature and therefore store large quantities
of energy. Seminar also focuses the Energy
Conservation by using Solar Energy with Phase
Change Material. Contd..
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 Introduction
Experimental Details
Results and Analysis
Introduction Conclusions
References
Applications
 Reduce air-conditioning cost in building industry
 Increase hot water efficiency in solar water heaters
 Capture waste heat in boiler industry
 Cold storage/cold chain applications for horticulture
 Bio-Pharmaceuticals and vaccine transport
 Food / Poultry / Meat transport at specific temperatures
 Thermal wears for adverse climatic conditions
Can be used as a room heater, same device / trolley can also be used as a cooler in
summer
Hot water system using solar, off-peak electricity, heat pump or other source of
waste heat.
Space and central heating using solar, off-peak electricity, heat pump or other
source of waste heat.
Small to large industrial boilers.
Passive cooling of telecommunications and electronic systems.
Contd..

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 Introduction
Experimental Details
Results and Analysis
Introduction Conclusions
References
Applications

Helmet
Solar Cooling

Transportation
Electronic Equip. Cooling Contd..
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 Introduction
Experimental Details
Results and Analysis
Conclusions
Introduction References

Properties Ethylene glycol Potassium Chloride

solution
Chemical formula C2H6O2 KCL+H2O
Melting Point -12.90C 7700C
Boiling Point 197.30C 14200C
Density 1.1132 g/cm3 1.984 g/cm3
Odor Odorless Odorless
Flash Point 1110C Non-Flammable
Auto ignition Temp. 4100C -
Appearance Clear, Colorless White crystalline
liquid solution

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 Introduction
Experimental Details
Experimental Details Results and Analysis
Conclusions
References

schematic of vapor compression refrigeration system.

Contd..

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 Introduction
Experimental Details
Experimental Details Results and Analysis
Conclusions
References

The cycle consists of the following processes:

1-2: Isentropic compression of vapor
refrigerant from lower pressure to higher
pressure.
2-3: Condensation of high pressure and temp
of saturated / super-heated vapor to liquid at
high pressure.
3-4: Constant enthalpy process in throttling
valve or capillary tube Expansion of high
pressure liquid vapor mixture – Temp
decreases.
4-1: Vaporization of refrigerant in evaporator
at constant lower pressure. Cooling of
atmosphere or surroundings takes place due
to absorption of latent heat in vaporization COP =

Contd..

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 Introduction
Experimental Details
Experimental Details Results and Analysis
Conclusions
References

OPERATIONAL PROCEDURE
 Switch on the mains and the console.

 Keep either the throttle valve or the capillary tube open. When the capillary tube is open, the
throttle valve should be closed and vice-versa both devices have the same expansion effect.

 Switch on the motor which drives the compressor and the fan (which cools the condenser)

 The refrigerant passes through the vapor compression cycle, resulting in cooling in the
evaporator chamber or freezer.

Wait for about 5 minutes and notes the temperature T1 to T4.

T1 = Temperature at compressor inlet (°C)
T2 = Temperature at compressor outlet (°C)
T3 = Temperature at condenser outlet (°C)
T4 = Temperature at Evaporator inlet (°C)
Note the power input to the compressor

 Using the measured temperatures, pressures and power input to the compressor, COP and the
capacity of the refrigerator can be determined Contd..

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 Introduction
Experimental Details
Experimental Details Results and Analysis
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References

Experimental
Setup

Contd..

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 Introduction
Experimental Details
Results and Analysis
Conclusions
Results and Analysis References

AT 11:00 AM:

WITH WITH
TEMPERATURES WITHOUT PCM
KCL soln. ETHYLENE GLYCOL
T1 -13.31 oC -16.5 oC -13.9 Oc
T2 50.21 oC 44 oC 48 oC
T3 31.51 oC 33 oC 32 oC
CURRENT(amps) 1.8 0.7 0.9
VOLTAGE(volts) 190 190 190
COP 4.2 4.29 4.42

Contd..

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 Introduction
Experimental Details
Results and Analysis
Conclusions
Results and Analysis References

AT 2:00 PM

WITH
WITH
TEMPERATURES WITHOUT PCM ETHYLENE
KCL soln.
GLYCOL
T1 -14 oC -17.2 oC -15.2 Oc
T2 50 oC 42 oC 48 oC
T3 32 oC 34 oC 33 oC
CURRENT(amps) 1.56 0.8 1.0
VOLTAGE(volts) 190 190 190
COP 4.28 4.36 4.309

Contd..

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 Introduction
Experimental Details
Results and Analysis
Conclusions
Results and Analysis References

WITH WITH
WITHOUT
ETHYLENE
PCM KCL soln. GLYCOL
COP
(AT 11.00A.M.) 4.2 4.29 4.42

COP
(AT 2.00P.M.) 4.28 4.36 4.309

Avg COP 4.24 4.325 4.364

Contd..

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 Introduction
Experimental Details
Results and Analysis
Conclusions Conclusions
References
Experimental tests have been carried out to investigate the performance improvement of a Domestic
Refrigerator with and without PCM panels (Ethylene Glycol & kcl solution). Experiments were carried out to
investigate the performance of the refrigerator. The following conclusions were drawn based on the
experimental results.
 Experimental results shows that the coefficient of performance (COP) of the refrigeration cycle with PCM is
considerably higher than that of without PCM panel.
COP Without PCM and without load is 4.24 ,
COP With PCM (Ethylene Glycol) and without load is 4.364
COP With PCM (kcl solution) and without load is 4.325
 As the PCM melts, it absorbs the thermal load that enters the evaporator space, thus limiting the rise in the
temperature and maintains a constant temperature inside the evaporator during loss of electricity which may
occur due to an accidental power loss or done purposely to achieve electrical load shifting.

The results showed that cooling effect is maintained inside the chamber without PCM is increased during
power off periods and increased COP. After switching off the system the time to reach the temperature inside
the evaporator from 32 °c to -13.31°c is noted 7hours 10 minutes. This is the time required to store the product
without spoiling inside the freezer at power off conditions.

This work has great significant for developing new technologies relates to heat recovery from a domestic
refrigerator, in order to get cooling at low energy cost, no harmful effect to environment and also having low
initial cost. So more attention is required in this area and lot of work has to be done. Contd..
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 Introduction
Experimental Details
Results and Analysis
Conclusions
References References

1. REZAUR RAHMAN, MD. ARAFAT HOSSAIN, SHUBHRAKANTI DAS & ADNAN HASAN,
“PERFORMANCE IMPROVEMENT OF A DOMESTIC REFRIGERATOR USING PHASE CHANGE
MATERIAL (PCM)', Global Journal of Researches in Engineering Mechanical and Mechanics Engineering,
Volume 13 Issue 10 Version 1.0 Year 2013, PP: 16-22
2. MD. MANSOOR AHAMED, J. KANNAKUMAR, P. MALLIKARJUNA REDDY, ’EXPERIMENTAL
INVESTIGATION ON THE PERFORMANCE ANALYSIS OF COLD STORAGE PLANT USING WITH AND
WITHOUT PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL (PCM)’, IJSER, Volume 1 Issue 4, December 2013,PP: 20-27.
3. LITALIV HUSSAIN, SAHIL CHADHA, GAURAV SINGH JAGGI, RAHUL WANDRA, GOURAV ROY ,
‘EXPERIMENTAL STUDY OF COMPARISON OF SIMPLE VCRS AND VCRS WITH PHASE CHANGE
MATERIAL(PCM) AS POTASSIUM CHLORIDE (KCL)’, ELK Asia Pacific Journals, Special Issue
4. M.SURENDRA REDDY, G.VENKATESH , K.JAYASIMHA REDDY, B.SURESH , ‘PERFORMANCE
IMPROVEMENT OF A DOMESTIC REFRIGERATOR BY USING PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL’ , IJARSE,
Volume 5 Issue 7 Year 2016, PP: 166-173
5. MD. MANSOOR AHAMED, J.KANNAKUMAR, P.MALLIKARJUNA REDDY , ‘DESIGN AND
FABRICATION OF COLD STORAGE PLANT USING PHASE CHANGE MATERIAL (PCM)’ , IJIRSET. Volume
2 Issue 9 Year 2013, PP: 4277-4286
6. AKSHAY KASHYAP, AMIT INGLE, LAXMINARAYAN PATORKAR, MAYUR WANKHEDE, ASHISH
KHODKE , ‘COP IMPROVEMENT OF DOMESTIC REFRIGERATOR - A REVIEW’, IJESC, Volume 7 Issue 2
Year 2017, PP: 4570-4573
7. MAHMOOD MASTANI JOYBARI, FARIBORZ HAGHIGHAT, JEFF MOFFAT, PAUL SRA, ‘HEAT AND
COLD STORAGE USING PHASE CHANGE MATERIALS IN DOMESTICREFRIGERATION SYSTEMS: THE
STATE-OF-THE-ART REVIEW’ , ELSEVIER, Year 2015, PP: 111-124.

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 Thank you

Department of Mechanical Engineering