WATER GENERATION FROM ATMOSPHERIC MOISTURE

PROJECT REPORT
ABSTRACT

In many countries like India it is difficult to obtain water

resources for irrigation or other purposes, especially in the arid
regions. The problem of water scarcity is also observed in other
places of the world due to lack of rainfall. However, in highly
humid areas such as places close to the sea, water can be
obtained by condensing the water vapour present in air. Here,
the paper presents the method to develop a water
condensation system based on thermoelectric cooler. The
system consists of cooling elements, heat exchange unit and
air circulation unit. A solar cell panel unit with a relevant high
current output drives the cooling elements through a controlling
circuit. Atmospheric Water Generator is a device that can
convert atmospheric moisture directly into usable and even
drinkable water. It is such a device which uses the principle of
latent heat to convert molecules of water vapour into water
droplets. It has been introduced a bit before, though it is not
very common in India and some other countries. It has a great
application standing on such age of technology where we all
are running behind renewable sources. This paper also
describes the experimental results and the systems
performance.

Introduction
Atmosphere contains large amount of water in the form of
vapour, moisture etc. Within those amounts almost 30% of
water is wasted. This amount of water can be used by
implementing a device like Atmospheric Water Generator . This
device is capable of converting atmospheric moisture directly
into usable and even drinking water.
The device uses the principle of latent heat to convert water
vapour molecules into water droplets. In many countries like
India, there are many places which are situated in temperate
region; there are desert, rain forest areas and even flooded
areas where atmospheric humidity is eminent. But resources of
water are limited. In the past few years some projects have
already been done to establish the concept of air condensation
as well as generation of water with the help of peltier devices,
such as harvesting water for young trees using Peltier plates
that are powered by photovoltaic solar energy [2], etc. So, this
project will be helping to extend the applications of such
devices further in the near future. According to previous
knowledge, we know that the temperature require to condense
water is known as dew point temperature. Here, the goal is to
obtain that specific temperature practically or experimentally to
condense water with the help of some electronics devices. This
project consists of a thermoelectric peltier (TEC) couple [3],
which is used to create the environment of water condensing
temperature or dew point, indeed conventional compressor and
evapourator system could also be used to condense water by
simply exchanging the latent heat of coolant inside the
evapourator. The condensed water will be collected to use for
drinking purpose and various other uses.
Shortage of drinking water is chronic, sever, and widespread in
the regions of Northern Africa, Middle East, and Central and

Southern Asia. The problem of providing arid areas with fresh

water can be solved by the following methods :
1.transportation of water from other locations;
2.desalination
of
underground);

saline

water

(ground

and

3.extraction of water from atmospheric air.

Transportation of water through these regions is usually very

expensive, and desalination depends on the presence of saline
water resources, which are usually
rare in arid regions.
Atmospheric air is a huge and renewable reservoir of water.
This endless source of water is available everywhere on the
earth surface. The extraction of water from atmospheric air has
several advantages compared with the other methods. Air as a
source of water is renewable and clean and the amount of
water in atmospheric air is evaluated as 14000 km3, and the
amount of fresh water in the earth is only about 1200 km3
The extraction of water from atmospheric air can be
accomplished by different methods, the most common of these
methods are cooling moist air to a temperature lower than the
air dew point, and absorbing water vapour from moist air using
a solid or a liquid desiccant, with subsequent recovery of the
extracted water by heating the desiccant and condensing the
evapourated water.
In some regions of the world, dew water if available appears
to be a simple solution to complement sources of potable
water. Dew water is indeed used by plants and small animals
where, in arid and semi-arid environment, it is significant to
sustain their activity
Choice of methods is an engineering decision dependent on
local climatic conditions and economic factors such as capital,
operating, and energy costs. On the other hand, patented
devices vary in scale and potable water output from small units
suitable for one person's daily needs to structures as large as

multi-story office buildings capable of supplying drinking water

to an urban neighborhood. The objective of the present work is
to highlight the different technological processes used for
moisture or dew collection from the atmospheric air.
REFRIGERATION

The term refrigeration in a broad sense is used for the

process of removing heat (i.e. cooling) from a substance. It also
includes the process of reducing and maintaining the
temperature of a body below the general temperature of its
surroundings.
In other words, the refrigeration means a
continued extraction of heat from a body, whose temperature is
already below the temperature of its surroundings.

For example, if some space (say in cold storage) is

to be kept at -2 C, we must continuously extract heat which
flows into it due to leakage through the walls and also the heat,
which is brought into it with the articles stored after the
temperature is one reduced to -2 C. Thus in a refrigerator,
heat is virtually being pumped from a lower temperature to a
higher
temperature.
According
to
second
law
of
thermodynamics, this process can only be performed with the
aid of some external work. It is thus obvious, that supply of
power (say electrical motor) is regularly required to drive a
refrigerator. Theoretically, the refrigerator is a reversed heat
engine, or a heat pump which pumps heat from cold body and
delivers to a hot body. The substance which works in a heat
pump to extract heat from a cold body and to deliver it to a hot
body is called refrigerant.

When people hear the word refrigeration they

immediately think of the refrigerator in their kitchen. However
there are actually quite a few different kinds of refrigeration out

three and they each have their own methods of functioning.

One particular type of refrigeration is industrial refrigeration.
This type of refrigeration is typically used for cold storage, food
processing, and chemical processing.

The equipment is very large and made of industrial

stainless steel. Industrial refrigeration, which frequently uses
ammonia refrigeration to maintain temperature, is necessary
for computer, foodstuffs, blood, vaccines, and quite a few other
goods that must maintain a constant and steady temperature
at all times. Temperatures that are too high or too low may
spoil certain goods or ruin them. As a result industrial
refrigeration is especially important maintaining temperature is
as well. Since temperature is so important into industrial
refrigeration companies offering this service must pay attention
at all times to the temperature of the industrial refrigerators.

TYPES OF REFRIGERATION

The difference types of refrigeration systems are given

below.

Cyclic Refrigeration

In the cyclic process of refrigeration the heat is removed

from the low temperature reservoir and is thrown to high
temperature. As per the second law of thermodynamics the
natural flow of heat is from the high temperature to low
temperature reservoir. In the cyclic refrigeration process since
the flow of heat is reversed, the external work has to be done

on the system. The cyclic process of refrigeration is also

reverse of the thermodynamic power cycle or Carnot cycle in
which the heat flows from high temperature reservoir to low
temperature reservoir; hence the cycle of refrigeration is also
called as Reversed Carnot Cycle.

There are two types of cyclic process of refrigeration:

Vapour cycle and

Gas cycle.

The vapour cycle is classified into

Vapour compression cycle and

vapour absorption cycle.

Vapour Compression Cycle

In a vapour compression system, an evaporator and a

gas-liquid separator are received in a common casing, so that
the gas-liquid separator and the evaporator are placed close to
each other. Thus, it is possible to limit heart absorption of the

liquid phase refrigerant from the atmosphere to reduce the

heat loss upon discharge of the refrigerant from the gas-liquid
separator. Also, it is possible to reduce pressure loss in
refrigerant passage between the gas-liquid separator and the
evaporator

Vapour Absorption Cycle

Before the development of the vapour compression

system of refrigeration, vapour absorption system was very
widely used. The vapour compression system replaced vapour
absorption system because it has high coefficient performance
(COP). The vapour absorption system requires very less amount
of electricity but large amount of heat; hence it can be used
very

effectively in industries where very large stocks of excessive

stem are available. In such cases there is not only effective
utilization of steam, but also lots of savings in electricity costs.

Gas Cycle

Just as the vapour are used for cooling in the vapour

compression cycle and vapour absorption cycle, the gas is used
cooling in gas refrigeration cycle. When the gas is throttled

from very high pressure to lower pressure in throttling valve, its

temperature reduces suddenly while its enthalpy remains
constant. This principle is in gas refrigeration system.

In the system instead of using Freon or ammonia as the

refrigerant, the gas is used as the refrigerant. Throughout the
cycle there are no phase changes of the gas, which are
observed in the liquid refrigerant. Air is the most commonly
used gas, also called as refrigerant in this case, in the gas
refrigeration cycles.

Non Cyclic Refrigeration

In these methods, refrigeration can be accomplished by

melting ice or by dry ice. These methods are used for smallscale refrigeration such as in laboratories and workshops, or in
portable coolers.

Thermoelectric Refrigeration

A refrigeration effect can also be achieved without using

any moving parts by simply passing a small current through a
closed circuit made up of two dissimilar materials. This effect is
called Peltier effect, and a refrigerator that works on this
principle is called a thermoelectric refrigerator.

Fig : 2.1 Thermoelectric refrigeration

Under steady-state operating conditions, heat will be

transferred from the refrigerated space to the cold junction. The
other junction will be at a temperature above the ambient, and
heat will be transferred from the junction to the surrpundings.

Magnetic Refrigeration

Magnetic refrigeration is a cooling technology based on

the magneto caloric effect. This technique can be used to attain
extremely low temperatures (well below 1K), as well as the
ranges used in common refrigerators, depending on the design
of the system.

Other Methods

Other methods of refrigeration include the air cycle

machine used in aircraft; the vortex tube used for spot cooling,
when compressed air is available; and thermo acoustic
refrigeration using sound waves in a pressurised gas to drive
heat transfer and heat exchange.

UNITS OF REFRIGERATION

Domestic and commercial refrigerators may be rated in kj/s,

or Btu/h of cooling. Commercial refrigerators in the US are in
tons of refrigeration, but elsewhere in kw. One ton of
refrigeration capacity can freeze one short ton of water at 0 C
(32 F) in 24 hours.

Latent heat of ice (i.e. heat of fusion) = 333.55 kj/kg

144 Btu/lb

One short ton = 2000lb

Heat extracted = (2000)*(144)/24 hr = 288000 Btu/24

hr
= 12000 Btu/hr
= 200 Btu/min

1 tonne of refrigeration = 200 Btu/min

= 3.517 kj/s
= 3.517 kw

The practical unit of refrigeration is expressed in terms of

tonne of refrigeration (briefly written as TR). A tonne of

refrigeration is defined as the amount of refrigeration effect

produced by the uniform melting of one tonne (1000 kg) of ice

from and 0 C in 24 hours. Since the latent heat of ice is 335

kj/kg, therefore one tonne of refrigeration,

1 TR = 1000 * 335 kj in 24 hours

= (1000) * (335) / (24) * (60)
= 232.6 kj/min

In actual practice, one tonne of refrigeration is taken as

equivalent to 210 kj/min or 3.5 kw (i.e. 3.5 kj/s).

COEFFICIENT OF PERFORMANCE OF A REFRIGERATOR

The coefficient of performance (briefly written as C.O.P.)

is the ratio of heat extracted in the refrigerator to the work
done on the refrigerant. It is also known as theoretical
coefficient of performance. Mathematically,

Theoretically C.O.P. = Q/W

Where
the

Q = Amount of heat extracted in

refrigerator ( or the amount

of
refrigeration effect produced,
or
the capacity of a refrigerator),
and
W = Amount of work done.

APPLICATION

Food processing, preservation and distribution

1. Storage of Raw Fruits and Vegetables

2. Fish
3. Meat and poultry
4. Dairy Products

(a). Ice cream

(b). Butter
(c). Cheese
(d). Buttermilk

5. Beverages
6. Candy
7. Processing and distribution of frozen food

Chemical and process industries

1. Separating of gases
2. Condensation of gases
3. Dehumidification of Air
4. Storage as liquid at low pressure
5. Cooling for preservation

Special application of refrigeration

1. Cold Treatment of Metals

2. Medical
3. Ice Skating Rinks
4. Construction
5. Desalination of water
6. Ice manufacturer

It is also widely used for the cooling of storage chambers in

which perishable food, drinks and medicines are stored. The
refrigeration also has wide applications in sub-marine ships,
rockets and aircrafts.

REFRIGERATION PROCESS
REFRIGERATOR
Refrigerator keep things cold because of the nature of the
heat. Thermodynamics essentially starts that if a cold object is
placed to a next to a hot object, the cold object will become
warmer and the hot object will become cooler. A refrigerator
does not cool items by lowering their original temperature;
instead, an evaporating gas called a refrigerant draws heat
away, leaving the surrounding area much colder. Refrigerators
and air conditioners both work on the principle of cooling
through evaporation.

Fig 4.1 : Refrigerator

A refrigerator consists of two storage compartment

one for frozen items and the other for items requiring
refrigeration but no freezing. These compartment are
surrounded by a series of heat-exchanging pipes. Near the
bottom of the refrigerator unit is a heavy metal device called a
compressor. The compressor is powered by an electric motor.
More heat-exchanging pipes are coiled behind the refrigerator.
Running through the entire system is pure ammonia, which
evaporates at -27 F. this system is closed, which means
nothing is lost or added while it is operating. Because liquid
ammonia is a powerful chemical, a leaking refrigerator should
be repaired or replaced immediately.

The refrigeration process begins with the compressor.

Ammonia compressed until it becomes very hot from the
increased pressure. This heated gas flows through the coils
behind the refrigerator, which allows excess heat to be released
into the surrounding air. This is why users sometimes fill warm

air circulating around the fridge. Eventually the ammonia cools

down to the point where it become a liquid. This liquid form of
ammonia is then forced through a device called an expansion
valve or capillary tube. Essentially, the expansion valve has a
small opening or the capillary tube has a very small diameter of
copper tube that the liquid ammonia is turned into a very cold,
fast-moving mist, evaporating as it travels through the coils in
the freezer.

As the evaporating ammonia gas absorbs more heat,

its temperature rises. Coils surroundings the lower refrigerator
compartment are not as compact. The cool ammonia still draws
heat from the warmer objects in the fridge, but not as much as
the freezer section. The ammonia gas is drawn back into the
compressor, where the entire cycle of pressurization, cooling
and evaporation begins anew.

REFRIGERATION CYCLE
The refrigeration cycle uses a fluid, a called a refrigerant, to
move heat from one place to other. We will begin with the cool,
liquid refrigerant entering the indoor coil, operating as the
evaporating during cooling. As the name implies, refrigerant in
the evaporator evaporator. Upon entering the evaporator, the
liquid refrigerants temperature is between 40 and 50 F and
without changing its temperature, it absorbs heat as it changes
state from a liquid to a vapour. The heat comes from the warm,
moist room air blown across the evaporator coil. As it passes

over the cool coil, it gives up some of its heat and moisture
may condense from it. The cooler, drier room air is re-circulated
by a blower into the space to be cooled.

The vapour refrigerant now moves into the compressor,

which is basically a pump that raises the pressure so it will
move through the system. The increased pressure from the
compressor causes the temperature of the refrigerant to rise.
As it leaves the compressor, the refrigerant is a hot vapour,
roughly 120 to 140 F.

It now flows into the refrigerant-to-water heat exchanger,

operating as the condenser during the cooling. As it condenses,
it gives up heat to the loop, which is circulated by a pump

Fig 4.2 : Refrigeration Cycle

As the refrigerant leaves the condenser, it is cooler, but

still under pressure provided by the compressor. It then reaches
the expansion valve or capillary tube. That the high pressure
refrigerant to flash through becoming a lower pressure,
cooled liquid. When pressure is reduced, as with spraying an
aerosol can or a fire extinguisher, it cools. The cycle is complete
as the cool, liquid refrigerant re-enters evaporator to pick up
room heat.

HOW REFRIGERATOR WORKS

In the summertime, have you ever gotten out of a

swimming pool and then felt very cold standing in the sun?
thats because the water on your skin is evaporating. The air
carries off the water vapour, and with it being taken away from
your skin.

This is similar to what happens inside older refrigerators.

Instead of eater, through, the refrigerator uses chemicals to do
the cooling.

There are two things that need to be known for refrigeration.

1.

A gas cools on expansion.

2.

When you have two things that are difference

temperature that touch or are near each other, the
hotter surface cools and the colder surface warms up.
This is a law of physics called the Second Law of
Thermodynamics.

TYPES OF DOMESTIC REFRIGERATOR

There are two types of domestic refrigerator.
1. Single door fresh food refrigerator
2. Double-door refrigerator-freezer

Most domestic refrigerator are of two types either a single

door fresh food refrigerator or a two-door refrigerator-freezer
combination, with the freezer compartment on the top portion
of the cabinet, or a vertically split cabinet (side-by-side), with
the freezer compartment on the left side of the cabinet. They
are completely self-contained units and are easy to install. Most
refrigerators use R-22 refrigerant, normally maintaining
temperatures of 0 F in the freezer compartment and about 35
F to 45 F in the refrigerator compartment.

There are some pictures of different types of refrigerators as

shown.

Fig 4.3 : Single Door

Refrigerator

TEMPERATURE ZONE AND RATING

Some refrigerators are now divided into four zones to

store different types of food:

-18 C (0 F) (freezer)

0 C (32 F) (meats)

5 C (49 F) (refrigerator)

10 C (50 F) (vegetables)

The capacity of a refrigerator is measured in either litres

or cubic feet (US). Typically the volume of a combined fridgefreezer is split to 100 litres (3.53 cubic feet) for the freezer and
140 litres (4.94 cubic feet) for the refrigerator, although these
values are highly variable.

Temperature settings for refrigerator and freezer

compartments are often given arbitrary numbers (for example,
1 through 9, warmest to coldest) by manufacturers, but
generally 2 to 8 C (36 to 46 F) is idle for the refrigerator
compartment and -18 C (0 F) for the freezer. Some
refrigerators require a certain external temperature 16 C (60
F) to run properly. Thus can be an issue when placing a
refrigerator in an unfinished area such as a garage.

4REFRIGERANT

Refrigeration
application

Short description

Domestic
Refrigeration

Appliances
used
for HFC-134a
keeping food in dwelling
units.

Commercial
Refrigeration

Holding and displaying R 404A, R

frozen and fresh food in 507, HFCretail outlets
234a

Food processing Equipment to preserve,

and cold storage process and store food
from its source to the
wholesale and cooling
Industrial

Typical
HFCs used

R410A,
R407C,R
507, HFC134a

Large equipment, typically HFC-134a,

Refrigeration

25 kW to 30 MW, used for R-404A, Rchemical processing, cold 507

storage, food processing
and district heating and
cooling

Transport
refrigeration

Equipment to preserve and R410A,

store
goods,
primarily R407C,
foodstuffs, during transport HFC-134A
by road, rail, air and sea

VAPOUR COMPRESSION CYCLE

Introduction

The vapour compression cycle is the mostly widely used

method of refrigeration in the modern application. Your
household refrigerator, water cooler, deep freezer, airconditioner etc, all run on vapour compression cycle. The cycle
is called as vapour compression cycle, because the vapours of
refrigerant are compressed in the compressor of the system to
develop the cooling effect.

Working
Here are the various process of vapour compression cycle
(refer the figure).

(1)

Compression: The vapours of refrigerants enter the

compressor and get compressed to high pressure and
high temperature. During this process the entropy of
the refrigerant ideally remains constant and it leaves in
superheated state.

(2)

Condensation: The superheated refrigerant then

enters the condenser where it is cooled either by air or
water due to which its temperature reduces, but
pressure remains constant and it gets converted into
liquid state.

(3)

Expansion: The liquid refrigerant then enters the

expansion valve or throttling valve or capillary tube
when sudden expansion of the refrigerant occurs, due
to which its temperature and pressure falls down. The
refrigerant leaves expansion valve or capillary tube in
partially liquid state and partially in gaseous state.

(4)

Evaporation or cooling: The partially liquid and

partially gaseous refrigerant at very low temperature
enters the evaporator where the substance to be cooled
is kept. It is here where the refrigeration effect is
produced. The refrigerants absorbs the heat from tge

substance to be cooled and gets converted into vapour

state.

Fig 4.4 : Simple VCR System

System

T-S diagram of VCR

Fig 4.5 : P-V diagram of VCR System

Advantages

Capable of large refrigerating loads at lower initial

purchase and operating cost.
Very efficient
Very compact system for small to very large heat
loads.
Cycle can be reversed for heat pump operation.

Disadvantages

Parts can wear out.

Noise.
Potential refrigerant leaks.
Operates in limited orientation.

Application

Household refrigerator,
Air-conditioners,
Water coolers,

 Ice and Ice cream maker,

Deep freezers,
Large industrial refrigeration and
Air-conditioning systems,

VAPOUR ABSORPTION CYCLE

Introduction

The various processes of the vapour absorption cycle are

similar to the one in vapour compression cycle, only the
method of compression of the refrigerant is different. In vapour
absorption system ammonia is used as the refrigerant, which
has very high affinity to dissolve in water. Here are various
processes of vapour absorption cycle;
Working

(1)
Compression or absorption of the refrigerant: in
vapour absorption system there is no traditional compressor,
instead there is absorber. The absorber consists of water, as a
absorbent, in which the refrigerant, ammonia, dissolves. This
mixture of water and ammonia is then pumped and heated thus
increase in temperature and pressure of the ammonia occurs.
Ammonia leaves the absorber at high pressure and high
temperature. Some work has to be provided to the pump and
heating is carried out by the steam. The amount of electricity

required by the pump is much lesser than that required by the

compressor hence there is lots of saving of electricity, however,
the additional source of heat in the form of steam has to be
provided.

(2)
Condensation: The refrigerant at pressure and
temperature then enters condenser where it is cooled by water
and its temperature and pressure reduces.

(3)
Expansion: Thereafter the expansion of refrigerant
occurs in throttling valve or capillary tube due to which the
temperature and pressure of the ammonia refrigerant reduces
drastically and suddenly.

(4)
Evaporation: Finally the refrigerant enters the
evaporator where it produces the cooling effect. It leaves the
evaporator in vapour state and then enters absorber, where it
is absorbed by absorbent, water and compressed by the pump.
This process repeats again and cycle continues.

There are different types absorbents like water and

lithium bromide that can be used with refrigerant ammonia.
These systems are called water absorption system.
Advantages

No moving parts.
No vibration or noise on small system.
Small systems can operate without electricity using only
heat, large systems require power for chemical pumps.

 Can make use of waste heat.

Fig 4.9 : Vapour Absorption System

Disadvantages

Potential refrigerant leaks.

 Operates under limited vibration and orientations.

Complicated and difficult to service and repair.
Stalls in a hot ambient
Very bulky.
Poor efficiency.

DEHUMIDIFIER
COMPONENTS

Reciprocating compressor
Air cooled condenser
Drier and filter
Capillary tube
Plate Evaporator
Overload protector
Thermostat switch
Refrigerant R134a

COMPRESSOR
A reciprocating compressor or piston compressor is
a positive-displacement compressor that uses pistons driven by
a crankshaft to deliver gases at high pressure.
In our project we use reciprocating compressor of Godrej with
1/6 hp.

The intake gas enters the suction manifold, then flows into the
compression cylinder where it gets compressed by a piston
driven in a reciprocating motion via a crankshaft, and is then
discharged
Reciprocating compressors are typically used where high
compression ratios (ratio of discharge to suction pressures) are
required per stage without high flow rates, and the process fluid
is relatively dry.
Compressor are four types
1. reciprocating compressor
2. Rotary compressor
3. Scroll compressor
4. Centrifugal compressor
In our project reciprocating compressor will be used.

CONDENSOR

The condenser or the cooler consists of coils of pipe in which

the high pressure & temp. vapour refrigerant is cooled &
condensed.
The refrigerant while passing through the condenser, rejects
its latent heat to surrounding condensing medium which is
normally air or water.
Thus hot refrigerant vapour received from compressor is
converted into liquid form in condenser.
Condensers are four types
1. Static condenser
2. Dynamic condenser
3. Air cooled condenser
4. Water cooled condenser
In our project air cooled condenser will be used

DRIER AND FILTER

When the refrigerant comes to drier. if any moisture present in

liquid moisture that is removed by silica jel which are present in
drier.
If any dost particle present in liquid refrigerant that is removed
by strainer which is present within drier.

CAPILLARY TUBE
Capillary tubes are the most simple refrigerant metering device
used in air conditioners and other refrigeration equipment.
There are no moving parts, just a very small diameter tube that
meters refrigerant from the high side into the cooling coil.
Here we use copper capillary tube ( 0.31/0.36mm inside bore
length- 9 ft)

EVAPORATOR

An evaporator consists of coils of pipes in which the liquid

vapor refrigerant at low pressure & temp. is evaporated &
changed into vapor refrigerant at low pressure & temp.

During evaporation process, the liquid vapor refrigerant

absorbs its latent heat of vaporization from the medium which
is to be cooled
As designed there are two evaporator connected in parallel.
Each evaporator consists of copper tube diameter (3/8" OD) &
length 5.4 m installed between two plates and the plates are
brazed together along the edges so as to form a rectangular
box plate of dimension (48 x 46 x l cm3).
The space between the plates is filled with ethylene glycol
which is a eutectic solution. Ethylene glycol acts as an anti
freezing agent.
ACCUMULATOR

Fig 3.8 Accumulator

An accumulator is used in the suction line to prevent any non

vaporised liquid from entering the compressor.

REFRIGERANT R134a

CFCs(R-11, R-12, R-502) and HCFCs(R-22s) deplete ozone

layer once exposed to air which in turn harmful to all form of
life.
refrigerant to be used is
1. Hydrofluoro carbons(HFCs)
2. Hydroclorofluro carbon
3. Hydrofluro carbon
4. Hydrocarbons(HCs)
HFCs are non flammable and environmental friendly with zero
ozone depletion potential, but it is difficult to use.
Hydrocarbons are generally environmental friendly and easy to
use. There are two types of HCs.
a. R-600a
b. A blend of propane/isobutane(each 50%
weight)
c. R-290

by

In our project we will use R-134a as a refrigerant.

The advantage of using the above refrigerant is it is free of
global warming and depletion of ozone layer.This refrigerant is
highly flammable and could be used easily with some
protection measures.

FLOW DIAGRAM OF PLATE REFRIGERATION

The refrigerant after compression enters the condenser where

the latent heat is rejected. The it is passed through a drier
filter to remove moisture and dust particles from the liquid
refrigerant. The expansion device used is capillary tube. The
refrigerant enters the evaporator plates which are arranged in
parallel. An accumulator is provided before the suction line to
prevent any liquid refrigerant entering the compressor.

Each cycle of operation consists of the four fundamental

changes of state or processes: Compression
Condensation
Expansion
Evaporation

CALCULATION

c.o.p = refrigerating effect/work done

=h1-h4/h2-h1=h1-hf3/h2-h1

At
pressure
0.103MPa
and
temp
,Sf1=0.9756kj/kgk,Sfg1=0.7547kj/kgk,hf1=193.35kj/kg,

-15c

And hfg1=202.39kj/kg
Sg2=Sf1+xSfg1
X=0.91
So h1=hf1+xhfg1=193.35+0.91202.39=377.529kj/kg
At pressure 1.1498 MPa and temp 45c,h2=421.69kj/kg
And hf3=263.90,Sg2=1.7079
c.o.p=377.529-263.90/421.63-377.1=4.01

SPECIFICATION
SPECIFICATION
Compressor(Reciprocating-Godrej/Tecunesh/Emersion)1/8 or1/6 hp
Condenser (Dynamic
100lts/165 ltr

condenser)

Capacity

Capillary tube copper capillary tube ( 0.31/0.36mm

inside bore,length- 9 ft
Copper Tube
Compressor discharge to condenser inlet) inch
outside bore, 2 ft length
Condenser outlet to dryer - inch outside bore, 1 ft
length
Evaporator copper tube outlet to compressor suction
inch outside bore, 4 to 5 ft length

 Compressor charging inch outside bore, 1 ft length

Dryer cum Filter copper dryer/ DM50
Relay Electrical relay
Overload Protector
Thermostat switch
Refrigerant-134a
Charging Valve
Rubber mounting bush -4 nos with 4 nos nut & bolt
Holding box
Controlling unit(using microcontroller)
Water pipe line

SCOPE OF FUTURE WORK

The valves can be connected as individual expansion valve on

each tube connecting the evaporator plates. After installation
the test can be carried out so that, temperature shown by each
thermocouple connected to each of the evaporator plates be
the same, by adjusting the flow rate through each expansion
valve. Then experiment can be conducted by applying different
loads to the plates freezer and evaluate the performance of the
modified system.