Report Title

IET 120
Online Fall
2014

Background of the Problem

A 15 ton heat pump installed in 1997, has presented with low pressure
low supper heat. A new compressor was installed in July of this year. The unit
currently has a low pressure of 45# and a supper heat of 3 degrees after a
thirty minute run time. Normal running pressure and temps should be 68#
and a manufacturer recommended 20degees supper heat at the compressor.

Problem and Goal Statement

The low temps and supper heat lead us to believe a portion of liquid
refrigerant is getting back to the compressor and may have caused the loss
of the previous compressor. Our goal is to find the cause of low temps and
supper heat insuring the new compressor will not fail prematurely.

Problem solving approach / Research and generate ideas

An inspection of the units evaporator coil showed that it was a 50/50
split coil with two thermal expansion valves, also there are four refrigeration
check valves installed for control of refrigerant flow. One or a combination of
these could malfunction or be restricted causing the problems we are
experiencing. Our inspection also reviled a section of duct was improperly
sized for the requirements of the unit not allowing enough air flow to the
evaporator coil. We also decided to have the coil cleaned to help with heat
transfer as this alone can cause temp and pressure problems alone.
Ideas: Replace the txv valves and check valve to eliminate possibly
restrictions.
Ideas: Get bids on replacing the unit due to its age and condition.
Ideas: Redesign the duct for more air flow.

Student Names

Page 1

Report Title

IET 120
Online Fall
2014

Identify Criteria and Constraints

Unit must adequately cool, heat and dehumidify the conditioned space.
It must maintain a min 15 degree supper heat and sub-cooling temp.
Some constrains are the cost of a new unit to replace the old one.
Limited amount of space for redesigned duct.
Building will have to be closed to the public till the repairs are made.

Proposed solution
We chose to redesign the duct work as this is the most likely cause of
the problem.

Evaluate the solution

After the new duct was made and installed the air handler and an
improved cfm. Due to higher air flow more heat transfer into the refrigerant
raised the pressure and supper heat.

Information Collected
Testing: Checked the cubic feet / minute (cfm) of the duct, it was about 2000
cfm to low.
Testing: The thermal expansion valve checked good, it responded to the
warming of the sensing bulb
Testing: One of the check valves tested badly. It had a 10 degree delta temp
across it. Indication a restriction.

Student Names

Page 2

Report Title

IET 120
Online Fall
2014

Development of Alternative Solutions

Ideas: Replace the txv valves and check valve to eliminate possibly
restrictions.
Ideas: Get bids on replacing the unit due to its age and condition.

Selection of Best Solution

After consideration of the testing performed, the solution that is most likely
to resolve our problem we decided to redesign the duct work for an
increased air flow (cfm).

Student Names

Page 3