Thermodynamics-MEC 554/ LS 2/SS Rev.

01-2019

UNIVERSITI TEKNOLOGI MARA

FAKULTI KEJURUTERAAN MEKANIKAL
________________________________________________________________________

Program : Bachelor of Engineering (Hons) Mechanical

Course : Thermalfluids Lab
Code : MEC 554
________________________________________________________________________

LAB SHEET NO: 2

HEATING, VENTILATION & AIR CONDITIONING LABORATORY SHEET (HVAC)

TITLE: Variation in Coefficient of Performance (COP) of a Vapor-Compression Refrigeration

System.

1. INTRODUCTION

Refrigeration is widely used 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.

2. OBJECTIVE

To investigate the variation in Coefficient of Performance (COPR) of a vapor compression

refrigeration system at various evaporator loads.

3. THEORY

A refrigeration cycle is used to maintain the temperature of a controlled space by removing heat
from a low to a high temperature region.

High Temperature Reservoir, TH

QH

.
E Wnet

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).

1
 Thermodynamics-MEC 554/ LS 2/SS Rev. 01-2019

3.1 The Vapor Compression Cycle

An Ideal refrigeration system follows the theoretical Reversed 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.

2
 Thermodynamics-MEC 554/ LS 2/SS Rev. 01-2019

The cycle:

1–2 Isentropic compression of the vapor, from the evaporating to the condensing
pressures.
2–3 Condensation of the high pressure vapor during which heat is transferred to the
high temperature region.
3–4 Adiabatic throttling of the condensed vapor from the condensing to the evaporating
pressure.
4–1 Evaporation of the low pressure liquid during which heat is absorbed from the low
temperature source.

Energy Transfers Analysis

Compressor

q 1-2 = h2 – h1 + w 1−2

If compression is adiabatic, q 1 - 2 = 0, and w 1−2 = h1 – h2 = w amp

Power requirement, P = ṁ (h1 – h2), where ṁ is the flow rate of working fluid per unit time.

Condenser

q 2 - 3 = h3 – h2 + w

W = 0, therefore q 2 - 3 = h3 – h2 and rate of heat rejection Q˙ 2 - 3 = ṁ (h3 – h2)

Expansion Valve

q 3 - 4 = h4 – h3 + w

w = 0, therefore q 4 - 1 = h1 – h4 and process is assumed adiabatic q  0

Therefore h4 = h3

Evaporator

q 4 – 1 = h1 – h4 + w

w = 0 therefore q 4 – 1 = h1 – h4 and rate of heat absorbed Q˙ 4 - 1 = ṁ (h1 – h4 )

Coefficient of Performance (COP)

q 4−1 h h4
COPref = = 1 −
w h2 h1

3
 Thermodynamics-MEC 554/ LS 2/SS Rev. 01-2019

5. EQUIPMENT

RC 713 Computer Linked Refrigeration Unit (P.A Hilton).

6. PROCEDURES

a. Start the experiments at a condenser saturation temperature of 20 ˚C.

b. Enter programme 1 and increase the evaporator load to approximately 10 %.
c. Return to the main menu and enter the programme 2. Select “no print-out “and
display these three parameters, 5. Condensing temperature, 2. Refrigerant flow rate
and 14. Cooling water flow rate.
d. By small adjustments of cooling water flow rate the condensing temperature 20 ˚C
may be maintained. The system is stable when all three parameters show
generally horizontal lines (approximately 1 minute).
e. When the system is stabilized, return to the main menu and select programme 1 with
print out option (raw and calculated data).
f. Then increase evaporator load (by 15 %) and print out the results. Repeat until
evaporator load is at 75 %.

4
 Thermodynamics-MEC554/ LS 2/SS Rev. 01-2019

7. DATA AND RESULTS

7.1 By using the obtained data from the experiments, for one set of data, plot the data on
the Pressure enthalpy (P – h) diagram and show the calculations of the parameters
below using the energy equations based on enthalpy:

a. Specific Refrigeration Duty, q 4 – 1

b. Specific Compressor Work, w 1 – 2

c. Specific Heat Rejected from condenser, q 2 – 3

d. Coefficient of performance, COP ref

Results Summary table

Condenser
Evaporator exit temp q 4–1 w 1–2 COP ref
Load q 2–3
temp ( °C ) ( °C )

15

30

45

60

70

8. DISCUSSIONS

a. Fill in the parameters from one set of experimental data in to the refrigeration system
diagram (Figure 5).

b. What do you understand by the term load? Give examples of actual loads in refrigeration
practice in a domestic fridge, in a room, and in a factory.

c. What is the effect on the COP ref as the load is increased? Why?

d. What is the effect on the condenser temperature as the load is increased? Why?

e. Conclusion of the experiment.

5
Thermodynamics-MEC554/ LS 2/SS Rev. 01-2019