MEC 554 THERMOFLUIDS LAB: AIR REFRIGERATION

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN MEKANIKAL

Program
Kursus
Kod Kursus
Pensyarah

:
:
:
:

Bachelor Of Engineering ( Hons ) Mechanical

Thermalfluids lab
MEC 554
CIK SITI MARIANA BINTI HOSNIE

Laboratory Report
Title

AIR REFRIGERATION

No

Names

UiTM No.

1.

Usmar Aiman Bin Azhar

2013490144

2.

Ahmad Naquiyuddin Bin Rasid

2013802598

3.

Ahmad Almizan Bin Che Omar

2013254614

4.

Aimi bin Ezani

2013212512

5.

Ahmad Haniff ilmuddin Bin Mohd

Nawi

2013274648

Sessi Amali

Pengesahan Staf :
(Tarikh)

Penyerahan Laporan :

(T. Tangan)
Pengesahan Staf :

(Tarikh)

Signature

(T. Tangan)

MEC 554 THERMOFLUIDS LAB: AIR REFRIGERATION

Contents
1.0 INTRODUCTION.....................................................................................................................4
1.1 The Evaporator......................................................................................................................4
1.2 The Compressor.....................................................................................................................5
1.3 The Condenser.......................................................................................................................5
1.4 The Expansion Valve.............................................................................................................5
1.5 The Refrigerant......................................................................................................................6
2.0 OBJECTIVE..............................................................................................................................6
3.0 THEORETICAL BACKGROUND...........................................................................................6
3.1 The Vapor Compression Cycle..............................................................................................7
.........................................................................................................................................................8
4.0 PROCEDURE..........................................................................................................................11
4.1 APPARATUS.......................................................................................................................11
4.2 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE......................................................................................12
5.0 DATA ANALYSIS...................................................................................................................14
5.1 DATA TABULATION.........................................................................................................14
5.2 SAMPLE CALCULATION.................................................................................................16
a)

Refrigerant mass flow rate (kg/s)................................................................................16

b)

Evaporator cooling load , Qevap.................................................................................16

c)

Coefficient of performance , COPref..........................................................................16

d)

Average COPref...........................................................................................................16

6.0 DISCUSSION..........................................................................................................................17
7.0 CONCLUSION........................................................................................................................17
8.0 REFERENCES........................................................................................................................18

MEC 554 THERMOFLUIDS LAB: AIR REFRIGERATION

1.0 INTRODUCTION
Refrigerant is used widely in various applications from industrial to
domestic situations, mainly for the storage and transport of perishable
foodstuffs and chemical substances. It has the prime function to remove heat
from a low temperature region, and it can also be applied as a heat pump for
supplying heat to a region of high temperature. If a hot cup of coffee is
placed on a table and leave it for a while, the heat in the coffee would be
transferred to the materials in contact with the coffee such as the cup, the
table and the surrounding air. As the heat is transferred, the coffee in time
cools. Using the same principle, refrigeration works by removing heat from a
product and transferring that heat to the outside air.
REFRIGERATION SYSTEM COMPONENTS
There are five basic components of a refrigeration system, these are:
- Evaporator
- Compressor
- Condenser
- Expansion Valve
- Refrigerant; to conduct the heat from the product
In order for the refrigeration cycle to operate successfully each component
must be present within the refrigeration system.

1.1 The Evaporator

The purpose of the evaporator is to remove unwanted heat from the product,
via the liquid refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant contained within the
evaporator is boiling at a low-pressure. The level of this pressure is
determined by two factors.
1. The rate at which the heat is absorbed from the product to the liquid
refrigerant in the evaporator.
2. The rate at which the low-pressure vapor is removed from the evaporator by
the compressor.

To enable the transfer of heat, the temperature of the liquid refrigerant must
be lower than the temperature of the product being cooled. Once
transferred, the liquid refrigerant is drawn from the evaporator by the
compressor via the suction line. When leaving the evaporator coil the liquid
refrigerant is in vapor form.

MEC 554 THERMOFLUIDS LAB: AIR REFRIGERATION

1.2 The Compressor

The purpose of the compressor is to draw the low-temperature, lowpressure vapor from the evaporator via the suction line. Once drawn, the
vapor is compressed. When vapor is compressed it rises in temperature.
Therefore, the compressor transforms the vapor from a low-temperature
vapor to a high-temperature vapor, in turn increasing the pressure. The
vapor is then released from the compressor in to the discharge line.

1.3 The Condenser

The purpose of the condenser is to extract heat from the refrigerant to
the outside air. The condenser is usually installed on the reinforced roof of
the building, which enables the transfer of heat. Fans mounted above the
condenser unit are used to draw air through the condenser coils. The
temperature of the high-pressure vapor determines the temperature at which
the condensation begins. As heat has to flow from the condenser to the air,
the condensation temperature must be higher than that of the air; usually
between - 12C and -1C. The high-pressure vapor within the condenser is
then cooled to the point where it becomes a liquid refrigerant once more,
whilst retaining some heat. The liquid refrigerant then flows from the
condenser in to the liquid line.

1.4 The Expansion Valve

Within the refrigeration system, the expansion valve is located at the
end of the liquid line, before the evaporator. The high-pressure liquid reaches
the expansion valve, having come from the condenser. The valve then
reduces the pressure of the refrigerant as it passes through the orifice, which
is located inside the valve. On reducing the pressure, the temperature of the
refrigerant also decreases to a level below the surrounding air. This lowpressure, low-temperature liquid is then pumped in to the evaporator.

1.5 The Refrigerant

MEC 554 THERMOFLUIDS LAB: AIR REFRIGERATION

The type of refrigerant used will depend on the pressure capabilities of

the system and the temperatures that have to be achieved during
refrigeration.

2.0 OBJECTIVE

To investigate the variation of Coefficient of Performance (COPR) of a

vapor compression refrigeration system at different cooling load.
To investigate the effect of cooling medium on the average
refrigeration COP.
To understand the term load and examples of actual loads in
refrigeration practice in a domestic fridge, room and factory.

3.0 THEORETICAL
BACKGROUND

Wnet

A refrigeration cycle works to

lower and maintain the temperature of a
controlled space by heat transfer from a low to a high temperature region.
High temperature Reservoir, TH

QH

MEC 554 THERMOFLUIDS LAB: AIR REFRIGERATION

QL

Low Temperature Reservoir, TL

Refrigeration duty is another term for the cooling effect of the refrigeration system, which is the
rate of heat being removed from the low temperature region with specified evaporation and
condensation temperatures. The unit for duty measurements is in Watts (for 1 ton of
refrigeration = 3517W

3.1 The Vapor Compression Cycle

Ideal refrigeration systems follow the theoretical Reserved Carnot Cycle process. In
practical refrigerators, compression and expansion of a gas and vapor mixture presents practical
problems in the compressor and expander. Therefore, in practical refrigeration, compression
usually takes place in the superheated condition and a throttling process is substituted for the
isentropic expansion.

MEC 554 THERMOFLUIDS LAB: AIR REFRIGERATION

MEC 554 THERMOFLUIDS LAB: AIR REFRIGERATION

MEC 554 THERMOFLUIDS LAB: AIR REFRIGERATION

The cycle:
12
23
34
41

Condensation of the high pressure vapor during which heat is transferred to the
high temperature region.
Adiabatic throttling of the condensed vapor from the condensing to the
evaporating pressure.
Evaporation of the low pressure liquid during which heat is absorbed from the
low temperature source.
Isentropic compression of the vapor, from the evaporating to the condensing
pressures.

Energy Transfers Analysis

Compressor
Q1-2 = h2 h1 + w1-2
If compression is adiabatic, q1-2 = 0, and w1-2 = h1 h2 = wamp
Power requirement, P = M (h1-h2), where M is the flow rate of working fluid per unit
time.
Condenser
Q2-3 = h3 - h2 + w
W=0, therefore q2-3 = h3 h2 and rate of heat rejection Q2-3 = M (h3 h2)
Expansion Valve
Q3-4 = h4 h3 + w
W=0, therefore q4-1 = h1 h4 and process is assumed adiabatic (q = 0)
Therefore h4 = h3
Evaporator
Q4-1 = h1 h4 + W
W = 0 therefore q4-1 = h1 h4 and the rate of heat absorbed Q4-1 = M (h1 h4)
Coefficient of Performance (COP)
COPref = q4-1 = h1 _ h4
W h2
h1

MEC 554 THERMOFLUIDS LAB: AIR REFRIGERATION

4.0 PROCEDURE
4.1 APPARATUS

10

MEC 554 THERMOFLUIDS LAB: AIR REFRIGERATION

4.2 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

1. Condenser-water and evaporator-water

a. Water is selected as a heat source and valves AVS-4 and AVS-5 are
opened. Then START button is clicked.
b. The water flow rate is adjusted at the condenser to 5 L/m and 3 L/m
at the evaporator (evaporator load).
c. Then COMPRESSOR button is clicked.
d. When the system is stabilized, the data is recorded by click START
SAVING button.
e. The sampling rate at 120 second per sample is set.
f. The data is recorded for six minutes (3 samples @ 360 second). Then
STOP SAVING button is clicked.
g. Then evaporator load is increased to 5 L/m and step (c) to step (f)
are repeated.

2. Condenser-water and evaporator-air

a. Air is selected as a heat source and valves AVS-3 and AVS-5 are
opened. Then START button is clicked.
b. The water flow rate is adjusted at the condenser to 5 L/m and the air
flow of the evaporator is adjusted until 50% of the maximal flow
(evaporator load).
c. Then click COMPRESSOR button is clicked.
d. When the system is stabilized, the data is recorded by click START
SAVING button.
e. The sampling rate at 120 second per sample is set.
f. The data is recorded for six minutes (3 samples @ 360 second). Then
STOP SAVING button is clicked.
g. Then evaporator load is increased to 100% and step (c) to step (f)
are repeated.

11

MEC 554 THERMOFLUIDS LAB: AIR REFRIGERATION

3. Condenser-air and evaporator-air

a. Air is selected as a heat source and valves AVS-3 and AVS-6 are
opened. Then START button is clicked.
b. The air flow of the condenser is adjusted to maximum flow (100%)
and 50% of the maximal flow at the evaporator (evaporator load).
c. Then COMPRESSOR button is clicked.
d. When the system is stabilized, the data is recorded by click START
SAVING button.
e. The sampling rate at 120 second per sample is set.
f. The data is recorded for six minutes (3 samples @ 360 second). Then
STOP SAVING button is clicked.
g. Then evaporator load is increased to 100% and step (c) to step (f)
are repeated.

4. Condenser-air and evaporator-air

a. Air is selected as a heat source and valves AVS-3 and AVS-6 are
opened. Then START button is clicked.
b. The air flow of the condenser is adjusted to maximum flow (100%)
and 50% of the maximal flow at the evaporator (evaporator load).
c. Then COMPRESSOR button is clicked.
d. When the system is stabilized, the data is recorded by click START
SAVING button.
e. The sampling rate at 120 second per sample is set.
f. The data is recorded for six minutes (3 samples @ 360 second). Then
STOP SAVING button is clicked.
g. Then evaporator load is increased to 100% and step (c) to step (f)
are repeated.

12

MEC 554 THERMOFLUIDS LAB: AIR REFRIGERATION

5.0 DATA ANALYSIS

5.1 DATA TABULATION
Vref
Ex
p

SC-1
(L/h)

V2
SP-2
(kPa)

/s)

Mref
(kg/s)

h3
(kJ/kg)

h4
(kJ/kg)

(h4-h3)
(kJ/kg)

Qeva

SW-1
(W)

SW-1
(W)/1
000

COP

kg)

27.9
3

7.76E-06

194.
2

0.00106

0.007320
1

500.75

2204

1703.26

12.468
0

472.43

0.472

26.39
12

27.9
6

7.77E-06

182.
1

0.00106

0.007340
6

492.22

2209.
7

1717.48

12.607
3

477.1

0.477

26.42
49

10.8
6

3.02E-06

68.8

0.00104

0.002913
6

374.82

2283.
9

1909.08

5.5623

435.73

0.436

12.76
55

Average COP

21.86
05

8.97

2.49E-06

5.0

0.00101

0.002478
5

137.75

2423

2285.25

5.6641

379.1

0.379

14.94
08

0.00

0.00E+0
0

5.0

0.00101

0.000000
0

137.75

2423

2285.25

0.0000

366.43

0.366

0.000
0

0.00

0.00E+0
0

5.0

0.00101

0.000000
0

137.75

2423

2285.25

0.0000

361.51

0.362

0.000
0

Average COP

4.980
3

30.7
9

8.55E-06

221.
0

0.80670

0.000010
6

2192.6

2710.
8

518.2

0.0055

484.18

0.484

0.011
3

30.7
4

8.54E-06

217.
0

0.82067

0.000010
4

2194.2

2710

515.8

0.0054

480.42

0.480

0.011
2

30.3
0

8.42E-06

216.
0

0.82428

0.000010
2

2194.7

2709.
8

515.1

0.0053

481.81

0.482

0.010
9

Average COP

0.011
13

29.8
1

8.28E-06

211.
0

0.84240

0.000009
8

2196.8

2708.
7

511.9

0.0050

481.8

0.482

0.010
4

31.1
0

8.64E-06

225.
0

0.79322

0.000010
9

2191

2711.
7

520.7

0.0057

479.65

0.480

0.011
8

31.3
5

8.71E-06

232.
0

0.77078

0.000011
3

2188.1

2713.
1

525

0.0059

480.59

0.481

0.012
3

Average COP

0.011
5

29.1
0

8.08E-06

13

218.
0

0.81706

0.000009
9

2193.8

2710.
2

516.4

0.0051

474.45

0.474

0.010
8

MEC 554 THERMOFLUIDS LAB: AIR REFRIGERATION

30.7
6

8.54E-06

219.
0

0.81355

0.000010
5

2193.4

2710.
4

517

0.0054

477.11

0.477

0.011
4

30.2
7

8.41E-06

211.
0

0.84240

0.000010
0

2196.8

2708.
7

511.9

0.0051

476.32

0.476

0.010
7

Average COP

0.011
0

c
31.1
6

8.66E-06

213.
0

0.83510

0.000010
4

2195.9

2709.
1

513.2

0.0053

474.88

0.475

0.011
2

33.1
8

9.22E-06

234.
0

0.76472

0.000012
1

2187.3

2713.
4

526.1

0.0063

484.7

0.485

0.013
1

34.0
3

9.45E-06

245.
0

0.73249

0.000012
9

2183

2715.
5

532.5

0.0069

489.6

0.490

0.014
0

Average COP

0.012
77

29.9
6

8.32E-06

221.
0

0.00106

0.007826
1

518.25

2192.
6

1674.35

13.103
5

475.49

0.475

27.55
80

29.1
1

8.09E-06

204.
0

0.00106

0.007620
5

507.36

2199.
8

1692.44

12.897
2

466.87

0.467

27.62
49

28.7
6

7.99E-06

203.
0

0.00106

0.007530
3

506.7

2200.
2

1693.5

12.752
6

467.73

0.468

27.26
48

Average COP

27.48
26

d
30.3
3

8.43E-06

219.
0

0.00106

0.007924
2

517

2193.
4

1676.4

13.284
1

475.89

0.476

27.91
43

29.9
3

8.31E-06

214.
0

0.00106

0.007824
8

513.84

2195.
5

1681.66

13.158
7

472.62

0.473

27.84
21

29.3
3

8.15E-06

213.
0

0.00106

0.007669
4

513.2

2193.
4

1680.2

12.886
2

474.53

0.475

27.15
56

Average COP

27.63
73

5.2 SAMPLE CALCULATION

14

MEC 554 THERMOFLUIDS LAB: AIR REFRIGERATION

Based on experiment D at 120 to 360 with evaporator load 5 L/m

a) Refrigerant mass flow rate (kg/s)

mref

V ref
V2

8.15 X 106
0.007669

= 0.007669
b) Evaporator cooling load , Qevap
Qevap

= mref (h4 h3 )
= 0.007669(2193.4 513.2 )
= 12.8862

c) Coefficient of performance , COPref

COPref

SW 1

1000

Qevap

12.8862
0.475

= 27.1556
d) Average COPref

15

MEC 554 THERMOFLUIDS LAB: AIR REFRIGERATION

27.9143+ 29.8421+27.1556
=
3
= 27.6373

16

MEC 554 THERMOFLUIDS LAB: AIR REFRIGERATION

6.0
DISCUSSIO
N
7.0
CONCLUSI
ON
17

MEC 554 THERMOFLUIDS LAB: AIR REFRIGERATION

8.0 REFERENCES
1. Cengel & Boles.(2013). MEC 551 Thermal Engineering. Thermodynamics : An
Engineering Approach, Seventh Edition in SI Units. Chapter 14: Gas-Vapor Mixtures and
Air-Conditioning.pg 719-726. McGraw-Hill Education (Asia).
2. Chris Bede.(2013).Automotive Air Conditioning Systems. Article retrieve from
www.carparts.com/classroom/ac1.htm on October 4, 2013.
3. Al Nimr & M. Naji.(2002). A Novel Summer Air Conditioning System. Article retrieve from
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0196890401001352 on October 4, 2013

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