SEMESTER 2

GROUP REPORT

Assignment Title
Lab Practical 2 - Air Conditioning
Programme Programme Group
Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering BST 4A
(Automotive Service Technology) BST 3D

Course Name Lecturer Name

Thermodynamics Dr. Ong Huei Ruey

Course Code Submission Date

BTHM 3013 20.12.2021
No Name(s) IC No. / Student ID Signature
No.
1. Mohd.Dzuljalaliwaliqram Bin 210200845
Amsaini
2. Emmanuel Ramanambiar A/L 202210849
Ravidas
3. Muhamad Amirul Bin 210200841
Makhtar
4. Engku Muhammad Irfan 210200840
Rasyidin Bin Engku Mohd
Bukhari
Lecturer Comments

Lecturer Signature Date

INTRODUCTION

The phase conversion principle describes the transformation of a material from one phase of
matter to another, for as a material changing from a liquid state to a gas state. When a liquid turns to a
gas, heat is absorbed; yet, when a material changes from a gas to a liquid, heat is released. In an air
conditioner, the phases are continually cycled, resulting in heat transfer to cool rooms or buildings.
The phase conversion process in an air conditioner is performed using a specific type of
substance known as a refrigerant. Refrigerants for air conditioners are normally noncorrosive and can
easily convert from liquid to gas and vice versa. Carbon dioxide, ammonia, and non-halogenated
hydrocarbons are the most often used refrigerants. Based on the cooling application, the refrigerants
are carefully chosen.

AIR-CONDITIONING CYCLE

1. The compressor draws refrigerant into the system, increasing the density of the incoming
refrigerant vapour as well as the pressure and temperature.
2. Hot, high-pressure vapour travels through the condenser; heat from the refrigerant is
transferred to the fins in the condenser, which are then blown by a fan. The phase of a high-
temperature gas transitions to a high-temperature liquid.
3. The expansion valve is pressed to pass liquid refrigerant. Pinholes in the expansion valve
cause the liquid to mist. When a liquid condenses into a mist, the pressure reduces, causing
material expansion and quick cooling.
 4. The cold mist travels to the evaporator, where air is fanned across the coils, removing the heat
from the air in the room. When heat is transferred through the evaporator, it transforms into
warm vapour and enters the compressor to restart the cycle.

LAB OBJECTIVES

1. Determine the refrigeration impact and the refrigeration system's coefficient of performance.
2. 2. Recognize the fundamental refrigeration cycle

Analyze the refrigeration system's P-H diagram.

PROCEDURE

Before using the equipment, knowing and understanding all of the precautions and instructions in the
user handbook that came with it.

1. Turn on the radial fan and set the air velocity to 15% of its maximum speed.
2. Turn off the refrigerator.
3. Run the system for around 15 minutes to get it to a steady state.
The temperature of the refrigeration circuit TT1, TT2, TT3, TT4, PT1 and Pt2. Flow metres
can be used to determine the FT1 refrigerant flow rate.

APPARATUS
1. Air Conditioner test rig
EXPERIMENT RESULTS
DISCUSSIONS

- Briefly explain how condenser, compressor, expansion valve and evaporator work

1. Condenser

A condenser is a device that transfers heat from a working fluid, in this case a refrigerant, to the
ambient air. Liquid to air cooling is the term for this form of cooling. The warm air is ejected into
the atmosphere.

2. Compressor

In a typical air-conditioning compressor, a set of spinning blades swiftly propel the vapour to the
outside of the compressor chamber, where the refrigerant departs under high pressure and
temperature. Rotating, centrifugal, and reciprocating compressors are all possible.

3. Expansion valve

Expansion valves work by allowing refrigerant to travel through a spray nozzle type valve, which
subsequently converts the refrigerant into a mist, significantly lowering pressure and temperature.

4. Evaporator
 Cooled refrigerant from the expansion valve passes via the condenser, where it is blown around
the evaporator coil by a fan, cooling the air inside a room or building.

- Explain the difference between compression and absorption cycle?

1. Vapour compression system uses mechanical energy to function, the mechanical part being
the compressor
2. Heat energy drives the absorption cycle, which uses a chemical mechanism to convert low
temperature and low pressure vapour into high pressure and high temperature vapour. Steam,
geothermal, natural gas, solar heated water, and kerosene can all be used to generate heat.

CONCLUSION

Students were able to distinguish between absorption cycles and a vapour compression
system in an air-conditioning unit by the end of the experiment. In an AC system, the student could
list all of the components and describe how they work. Determine the work done, read and plot the P-
h graph, and calculate the compressor's output and performance. I discovered that there are many
different types of refrigerant that may be used for different sorts of cooling. Compare and contrast the
benefits and drawbacks of absorption and vapour compression air-conditioning systems.

REFERENCES

1. "HVAC". Merriam–Webster Dictionary
2. ScienceABC How Does an Air Conditioner (AC) Work? -
https://www.scienceabc.com/innovation/air-conditioner-ac-work.html
3. Airconco UK Ltd - https://www.airconco.com/how-does-air-conditioning-work/