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CAPE PENISULA UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY

BELLVILLE CAMPUS
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
ND : CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
REFRIGERATION

SUBJECT

APT 300S

LECTURER

Ms Makiwe Nkohla

STUDENT

Richardt Johan Loots

STUDENT NO.

214196585

Topic

Mark Allocation

Title Page

Synopsis

Introduction

Literature Review and Theory


(including in text referencing)

10

Experimental Set-up and Procedure

10

Results and Discussion


Calculations

50

Conclusions

Bibliography

10

Total

100

I certify that this report is my own unaided work, except for the assistance received
from the teaching staff. I undertake not to pass this report onto any other student
Contents

I.Synopsis................................................................................................................ ii
1.Introduction........................................................................................................... 1
2.1 Refrigeration components..................................................................................2
2.1.1 Evaporator.............................................................................................. 2
2.1.2 Compressor............................................................................................ 2
2.1.3 Condenser.............................................................................................. 2
2.1.4 Throttling valve...................................................................................... 2
2.2 Refrigeration system types................................................................................. 2
2.2.1 Vapor compression systems...................................................................2
2.2.2 Absorption systems................................................................................ 2
2.3 Refrigerants..................................................................................................... 3
2.3.1 What is a refrigerant...............................................................................3
2.3.2 Types of refrigerants...............................................................................3
2.4 Compressors................................................................................................... 3
2.5 The Refrigeration Cycle..................................................................................... 4
2.5.1Refrigeration Cycle Performance...................................................................4
2.6 Coefficient Of Performance (COP) Of A Refrigeration Cycle...................................5
2.7 Heat Duty........................................................................................................ 5
2.8 Compressor Power........................................................................................... 6
3 Methodology.......................................................................................................... 6
3.2.1 Experimental Setup........................................................................................ 6
3.2.2 Experimental Procedure.................................................................................. 6
4. Results................................................................................................................ 8
4.1 Absolute Pressure Calculation............................................................................ 8
4.2 Refrigerant Volumetric flowrate...........................................................................8
4.3 Specific volume of liquid refrigerant.....................................................................8
4.4 Refrigerant mass flowrate.................................................................................. 9
4.5 Enthalpies of the four stages.............................................................................. 9
4.6 Evaporator Heat Duty........................................................................................ 9
4.7 Condenser Heat Duty........................................................................................ 9
4.8 Compressor Power........................................................................................... 9
5. Discussion.......................................................................................................... 11
6. Conclusion......................................................................................................... 11
7. References......................................................................................................... 12

I.Synopsis
This practical was carried out in order to understand refrigeration and the effect of
refrigerants on the refrigeration cycle. The refrigerant R-134a or 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane
was used and calculations were done based on the thermodymic properties of this
refrigerant.
A literature review was done to for a better concept of refrigeration and what factors play a
role in the refrigeration cycle
The main objective was to calculate the coefficient of performance of this specific
refrigeration cycle and to carry out various other relevant calculations.
The actual coefficient was calculated to be 5.71 and the theoretical was calculated to be
23.6, the values obtained was discussed and various reasons for this result was stipulated
upon.
It was concluded that a COP of 5.71 is an acceptable result for this specific refrigeration
cycle
Reasons for error was discussed and final conclusions mad

1.Introduction
Refrigeration is the process of cooling and and maintain a set temperature below that of the
surrounding atmosphere OR it is the process of removing heat from one location and
displacing to another location in controlled conditions.
Refrigeration is mostly found in the form of mechanical refrigeration which uses the vapour
compression cycle and consists of the following four main components: compression,
condensation, expansion and evaporation
The first known artificial refrigeration was demonstrated by William Cullen at the University of
Glasgow in 1748. However, he did not use his discovery for any practical purpose. In 1805,
an American inventor, Oliver Evans, designed the first refrigeration machine. The first
practical refrigerating machine was built by Jacob Perkins in 1834; it used ether in a vapor
compression cycle. (About.com Inventors, 2015)
Since the invention of the refrigerator many practical purposes has come from it such as the
preservation of food, cooling for industrial operations , manufacture of synthetics and many
various applications.

In fact, it is difficult to imagine life today without air conditioning, refrigeration and freezing their impact on our existence is much greater than most think. 2.Literature

Review

2.1 Refrigeration components


The refrigerator consists of four key components namely : the Evaporator,
Compressor,Condenser and a Throttling Valve.
2.1.1 Evaporator
It is used to receive the liquid refrigerants from the condenser through throttle valve and to
evaporate it. It is also called as cooling unit.
2.1.2 Compressor
A refrigeration compressor is the heart of a vapor compression refrigeration system.
Its function is to raise the pressure of the refrigerant and provide the primary force to
circulate the refrigerant.
2.1.3 Condenser
It is used to condense the refrigerants at saturation temperature from vapour to liquid by
transferring its latent heat to the water.
2.1.4 Throttling valve
It is used to control the rate of admission of refrigerants to the evaporator. As the refrigerant
expands in the valve, it looses its pressure and temperature at its exit end and gets cooled.

2.2 Refrigeration system types


2.2.1 Vapor compression systems
In vapor compression systems, compressors activate the refrigerant by compressing it to a
higher pressure and higher temperature level after it has produced its refrigeration effect.
The compressed refrigerant transfers its heat to the sink and is condensed to liquid form.
This liquid refrigerant is then throttled to a low-pressure, lowtemperature vapor to produce
refrigerating effect during evaporation. Vapor compression systems are the most widely
adopted refrigeration systems in both comfort and process air conditioning.
2.2.2 Absorption systems
In an absorption system, the refrigeration effect is produced by thermal energy input. After
absorbing heat from the cooling medium during evaporation, the vapor refrigerant is
absorbed by an absorbent medium. This solution is then heated by direct-fired furnace,
waste heat, hot water, or steam. The refrigerant is again vaporized and then condensed to
liquid to begin the refrigeration cycle again.
4

2.3 Refrigerants
2.3.1 What is a refrigerant
A refrigerant is the primary working fluid used for absorbing and transmitting heat in a
refrigeration system. Refrigerants absorb heat at a low temperature and low pressure and
release heat at a higher temperature and pressure. Most refrigerants undergo phase
changes during heat absorptionevaporation, and heat releasingcondensation
2.3.2 Types of refrigerants
A refrigerant can either be a single chemical compound or a mixture of multiple compounds.
-Azeotropic
These are blends of multiple components of volatilities (refrigerants) that evaporate and
condense as a single substance
-Near Azeotropic
Near-azeotropic refrigerants are blends whose characteristics are near to azeotropic
-Zeotropic (non azeotropic)
These are blends of multiple components of volatilities (refrigerants) that evaporate and
condense as a single substance
-Blends
Mixtures of refrigerants of two or more chemical compounds are blends. The advantage of a
blend of multiple chemical compounds compared to a single compound is that the required
properties of the blend can possibly be achieved by varying the fractional composition of the
components.
-Glide
Zeotropic mixtures, including near-azeotropic blends, show changes in composition because
of the leaks, the difference between liquid and vapor phases, or the difference between the
charge and circulation, or their combined effect. (Wang et al., 2000)

2.4 Compressors
Rotary
Compressors of the rotary type are generally low capacity equipment, used normally in
home refrigerators and freezers, and not used for air conditioning. These compressors can
consist of one vane, which is placed in the body, and sealed against the rotor, or multivane
rotary, with vanes located in the rotor.
Centrifugal
These compressors revolve at high speed, and refrigerant is compressed by the application
of centrifugal force. These compressors are normally used with refrigerants possessing
higher specific volumes, which need lower compression ratios.
Reciprocating
These compressors have pistons, and move in cylinders. Types of reciprocating
compressors are:
(Brighthub Engineering, 2015)

2.5 The Refrigeration Cycle


The Carnot refrigeration cycle is a reverse engine cycle. All processes in a Carnot
refrigeration cycle are reversible, so it is the most efficient refrigeration cycle.
Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a Carnot cycle refrigerating system.

Figure 1 : Carnot refrigeration


schematic

The Carnot cycle in figure 1 is composed of four reversible processes:


4-1 )
1-2)
2-3 )
3-4 )

isothermal process, absorption in which heat is extracted


Adiabatic compression process
Isothermal process in which heat is rejected
Adiabatic expansion process

2.5.1Refrigeration Cycle Performance


According to the first law of thermodynamics, often called the law of conservation of energy,
when a system undergoes a thermodynamic cycle, the net heat supplied to the system is
equal to the net work done, or
Heat supplied + heat rejected = net work done
W = q2 q1
Where,

W = net work done by system


q1 = heat supplied from surroundings
q1 = heat rejected to sink

2.6 Coefficient Of Performance (COP) Of A Refrigeration Cycle


The coefficient of performance is an index of performance of a thermodynamic cycle or a
thermal system. Because the COP can be greater than 1, COP is used instead of thermal
efficiency

Figure 2 : T-S diagram for the


refrigeration cycle

Heat absorbed at low temperature T2 is equal to Q2 and is represented by area 2356.


It is equal to T2S.

Heat rejected at higher temperature T1 is equal to Q1 and is represented by area


1456. It is equal to T1S.

COP

q h1 h 4

w h 2 - h1
To determine the Actual COP the formula is as follows:

Where,

q = Refrigerating effect, q=h1-h4 (kJ/kg)


w= Specific work done, w= h2-h1 (kJ/kg)
h = Enthalpy (kJ/kg)

To determine theoretical COP,

COP=

T2
T 1T 2

where T2= Cold temperature

and T1= Hot Temp

2.7 Heat Duty


The heat duty can be defined as the amount of heat that is transferred from a hot fluid to a
cold fluid in a unit of time and can be expressed as

Heat Duty ( Q )= mq

Where,

Q = Capacity (kW)

m
= Refrigerant mass flowrate ( kg/s)
q = Refrigerating effect, q=h (kJ/kg)

2.8 Compressor Power


It is the power required to run the compressor and can be expressed as

h 2 h1
m
w

Where, w = Compressor Power (kW)

m
= Refrigerant mass flowrate ( kg/s)
h = Enthalpy change (kJ/kg) where w= h2-h1 (kJ/kg)

3 Methodology
3.2.1 Experimental Setup

Figure 3 : AMATROL T7082 Thermal System

The apparatus in figure 3 was used in the practical

3.2.2 Experimental Procedure


1. The power switch was located and it was ensured that it was off.
2. The mode switch was located and it was ensured that it was set on stand-by.
3. The following was performed in order to ensure that that the dual pressure controller

4.

5.
6.
7.
8.
9.

was set properly:


3.1 The low pressure cut-out scale was located and set to 5 psi.
3.2 The cut-in scale was located and set to 45 psi.
3.3 The high pressure cut-out scale was located and set to 100 psi.
The refrigerant valves were reset to the following positions:
V1: Open
V4: Open
V2: Closed
V5: Closed
V3: Closed
V6: Closed
The electric cord was plugged into the wall outlet.
The evaporator damper was shut way closed.
The switch was turned on.
The room temperature (hot reservoir temperature) was recorded.
The following was performed in order to ensure that that the electronic temperature
controller was set properly:
9.1 The SET button was selected.
9.2 Degrees Fahreinheit was selected.
9.3 The SET button was selected and a set point temperature of 55 F was selected.
9.4 The SET button was selected and temperature differential mode was selected and
a temperature of 10 F chosen.
9.5 The SET button was selected to enter the heating/cooling mode inorder to select

C1.
9.6 The SET button was selected once more to display the room temperature.
10. The knob on the flow meter was turned fully open.
11. The mode switch was turned to the cooling position.
12. The flowrate was recorded from the flow meter.
13. The pressures and temperatures were recorded from the system gauges.
14. The evaporator outlet temperature was recorded.
15. The trainer was turned off.

4. Results
Table 1 : Recorded Pressure and temperature values

PS-1 = 2.7 Bar


TS-1 = 10 C

PS-2 = 9.6 Bar


TS-2 = 47 C

PS-3 = 9.6 Bar


TS-3 = 35 C

4.1 Absolute Pressure Calculation

||=

PS-1,4

( 2.7 102 ) kPa+101.325 kPa=0.371 MPa


P
||=

PS-2,3

( 9.6 102 ) kPa+101.325 kPa=1.061 MPa


P

4.2 Refrigerant Volumetric flowrate


by means of interpolation,

y 2=

( y 3 y 1) ( x2 x1 )
+ y1
(x3 x 1)

y 2=

(0.380.30) ( 22.520 )
+0.3
(2520)

y 2=0.34

Converting to

ft 3
h

m 3 /kg

v = 0.34

ft 3
0.30483 m3
1h

3
h
3600
s
1 ft

)(

)(

6 3
v =2.674 10 m /s

10

PS-4 = 2.7 Bar


TS-4 = 5 C

4.3 Specific volume of liquid refrigerant


by means of interpolation,using pressure recorded as x2

y 2=

(0.00087860.0008720) ( 1061.3251017.1 )
+0.0008720
(1072.81017.1)

y 2=

0.000877 m3 /kg

vf

4.4 Refrigerant mass flowrate


6

Q = 2.674 10 =3.05 103 kg /s


m=
vf
0.000877

4.5 Enthalpies of the four stages


From saturated steam tables,h1 = 254.29 kJ/kg
h3 = 110.60 kj/kg
h4 = 110.60 kj/kg
from superheated steam table

h 2=

279.35 kj/kg

4.6 Evaporator Heat Duty


Q=m
q
(h1h 4 )
Q=m
Q=3.05 103 (254.29110.60)
Q=0.44 kW

4.7 Condenser Heat Duty


Q=m
q

11

(h2h 3)
Q=m
Q=3.05 103 (279.35110.60)
Q=0.52 kW

4.8 Compressor Power


Q=m
( h2h1 )
(3.05 103 ) ( 279.35254.29 )
0.076 KW 4.9 COP

COP=

q h1h 4 254.29110.60
=
=
=5.7 1
w h2h 1 279.35254.29

COP=

283
295283 = 23.6

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Theoretical

5.

Figure 4 : P-h diagram for R-134a

Discussion
The value that was calculated for actual COP was 5.71 whereas the theoretical vale was
calculated as 23.6. This is a big difference and results in a efficiency of around 25% but this
value is understandable since to system can be 100% efficient without violating the laws of
thermodynamics. Furthermore, the losses can be contributed to a variety of factors within the
refrigeration system.
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The system did not reach the cooling temperature that was set at 10C and was recorded at
15C. Which can be fixed by waiting longer, this may result in calculation errors
Losses can be contributed to mechanical losses , a low efficiency of the compressor or leaks
and also a increased pressure drop within the system
To improve the efficiency of the system, a refrigerant with a higher heat of vapourisation
could be used or a different refrigerant altogether with better properties
The actual COP obtained makes sense since most refrigerators have a COP of around 5.9.
Sources of errors could be due to innacurate measuring, calculation errors and uncalibrated
measuring devices.
The interpolation that was carried out to determine the specific volume of the liquid
refrigerant could be one source of error due to the values not matching up. The temperature
at TS-2 was recorded as 47C which results in a pressure of around 1220 kPa but the
pressure recorded was 1061kPa. And the calculation was carried out according to the
pressure value.
It could be recommended that before taking all relevant measures that the cycle reaches
the set internal temperature.

6. Conclusion
The practical was carried out successful and desirable results were achieved
The objectives were carried out successfully and all tasks were completed .
A relevant COP value was achieved.
The refrigeration cycle was successfully illustrated visually and the theory behind the
working of refrigeration cycle is now better understood.

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7. References
[1]Wang, S., Lavan, Z. & Norton, P. 2000. Air conditioning and refrigeration engineering.
Boca Raton: CRC Press.
[2]Larsen, M. 2011. Refrigeration. New York: Nova Science Publishers Inc.
[3]Brighthub Engineering,. 2015. What are Compressors and What are Their Types?.
http://www.brighthubengineering.com/hvac/33373-introduction-to-compressors/ 6 October
2015.
[4]About.com Inventors,. 2015. The History of the Refrigerator - and Freezer.
http://inventors.about.com/library/inventors/blrefrigerator.htm 3 October 2015.

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