NAME:

ROLL NO.
SUBJECT.

Experiment no: 2

Aim:
Performance test on VCR system with continuous flow condition

Objective:
To find out the COP of vapor compression refrigeration (VCR) system with continuous
flow condition and with water cooled condenser

Theory:
Vapour compression uses circulating liquid refrigerant as the medium which absorbs and
removes heat from the space to be cooled and subsequently rejects that heat elsewhere. All VCR
systems have four components: the compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve and a vapour.
 Figure - 1: VCR Cycle on P-h diagram
Circulating refrigerant enters the compressor in the thermodynamic state known as a
saturated vapour and is compressed to a higher pressure, resulting in a higher temperature as
well. The hot, compressed vapour is then in the thermodynamic state known as a superheated
vapour and it is at a temperature and pressure at which it can be condensed with either cooling
water or cooling air flowing across the coil or tubes. This is where the circulating refrigerant
rejects heat from the system and the rejected heat is carried away by either the water or the air.
The saturated liquid after condensing passes through an expansion device resulting in pressure
and temperature drop. This two-phase mixture then passes through the evaporator at a
temperature lower than the ambient. This results in isobaric heat transfer to the refrigerant, thus
providing cooling effect.
As shown in the figure the standard single stage, saturated vapour compression
refrigeration system consists of the following four processes:
Process 1-2: Isobaric heat extraction in the evaporator Process.
Process 2-3: Isentropic compression of superheated vapour in compressor.
Process 3-4: Isobaric heat rejection in condenser.
Process 4-1: Isenthalpic expansion of saturated liquid in expansion device.
Experiment setup
Studying a VCR system requires many data points like temperature, pressure, mass flow
rate etc. Besides VCR cycles come in various forms and different components according to the
application. Studying different types of systems would require building a special test rig. Most
VCR lab equipment come with a chiller box, a capillary and a standard air-cooled condenser.
While existing systems provide temperature scanners and analog pressure gauges, data
acquisition is always an issue. This variable VCR system is designed to be “variable” in true
sense. It consists of a variable speed compressor, two options for cooling load, two types of
condensers and three types of expansion device. This gives a flexibility of operating 12 different
VCR systems in a single setup. It helps is analyzing the VCR system in every possible
configuration. Each of this configuration can be operated at the desired compressor speed.
Data acquisition and controlling is made seamless with the use of HMI. The entire
operation of the VCR system is automated with PLC controls and data logging via USB. The
system can also be remotely operated by an Ethernet connection

Figure - 2: Line diagram of Variable VCR system

List of Symbols
 Solenoid Valve for Air Cooled
T1 Compressor Discharge Temperature S1
Condenser
Solenoid Valve for Water Cooled
T2 Condenser Outlet Temperature S2
Condenser
T3 Evaporator Inlet Temperature S3 Solenoid Valve for Capillary
T4 Compressor Suction Temperature S4 Solenoid Valve For TXV
T5 PHE Inlet Water Temperature S5 Solenoid Valve For EXV
T6 PHE Outlet Water Temperature NRV Non-Return Valve
T7 Cold Water Tank Temperature V1 Cold Water Tank Outlet Valve
Live Hot Water Tank Inlet
T8 V2 Cold Water Tank Inlet Valve
Temperature
Live Hot Water Tank Outlet
T9 V3 Live Water for PHE Inlet Valve
Temperature
T10 Hot Water Tank Temperature V4 Live Water for PHE Outlet Valve
Live Water for PHE Hot Water
T11 Condenser Inlet Air Temperature V5
Tank Inlet Valve
Live Water for PHE Hot Water
T12 Condenser Outlet Air Temperature V6
Tank Outlet Valve
P1 Compressor Suction Pressure LCi Live Water Inlet for PHE
P2 Compressor Discharge Pressure LCo Live Water Outlet for PHE
Live Water Inlet for Hot Water
D1 Cold Water Tank Drain LHi
Tank
Live Water Outlet for Hot Water
D2 Hot Water Tank Drain LHo
Tank

Technical specification of the system:

Sr. No Part Name Details / Technical Specifications
1. Compressor Semi Hermetic Reciprocating Compressor.
 Refrigerant: R134a
  TR: 0.6 – 1.5 (Allowable Range)
 Max. Current: 5.9 A
 Motor Speed: 1450 RPM @ 50 Hz
 Voltage Range: 400V – 50 Hz (3 Phase)
High Speed Axial Fan
 Power: 180 W
2. Condenser Fan  Current: 0.82 A
 Motor Speed: 1380 RPM
 Voltage: 220 V (1 Phase)
 Power: 0.5 HP / 0.37 kW
 Current: 2.5 A
3. Water Pump
 Motor Speed: 2800 RPM
 Voltage: 240 V (1 Phase)
4. Hot Water Tank 40 – Liter SS tank
5. Cold Water Tank 40 – Liter SS tank
 Type: Turbine type
Water Flow
6.  MOC: PP
Meter
 Line Size: 1’’
7. Temperature Sensors Pt-100 Temperature Sensors.
 PHE
 Fin and Tube Heat Exchanger
 Capillary
 Thermostatic Expansion Valve
Refrigeration  Electronic Expansion Valve
8.
Components  Solenoid Valves
 NRVs
 HP – LP Switch
 Pressure Transducer
 Filter - Drier

Operation Procedure:
1. The selections for VCR cycle can be initiated when the heater time reaches to around
25min.
2. Click on the next Tab on the schematic diagram to jump to the VCR selections page.
3. Expansion device selection: Electronic Expansion Valve (EEV) with 20% opening.
4. Listen for the distinctive sound of a solenoid valve opening. This sound acts a
confirmation that the required VCR line is open.
5. If the sound of a solenoid valve is not heard, try clicking the required expansion device
tab on and off on the HMI screen to hear the sound again.
6. If the sound is not heard even after repeated clicking, contact the maintenance team for
resolving the issue.
7. After successfully selecting the expansion device and hearing the solenoid valve sound,
click next tab.
8. Condenser selection: select air cooled condenser.
9. Listen for the distinctive sound of a solenoid valve opening. This sound acts a
confirmation that the required VCR line is open.
10. If the sound of a solenoid valve is not heard, try clicking the required condenser tab on
and off on the HMI screen to hear the sound again.
11. If the sound is not heard even after repeated clicking, contact the maintenance team for
resolving the issue.
12. Ensure that you have followed the message displayed next to the condenser tabs before
proceeding further.
13. After successfully selecting the condenser and hearing the solenoid valve sound, click
next tab.
14. Water flow selection: Select the required water flow method for the cold-water tank. For
current experiment select live water flow i.e., fresh water will pass through plate heat
exchanger and then leave the system. There is no use of evaporator tank (Coolant tank)
for live system.
15. Ensure that you have followed the message displayed next to the water flow tabs before
proceeding further.
16. There are no solenoid valve sounds in this selection.
17. Enter the compressor frequency.
18. Click finish.
19. Regulate the constant flow rate through the evaporator (Plate heat exchanger)
20. Take reading at an interval of 10 second of the time
21. Change the coolant flow through evaporator (PHE) and Repeat steps 14 to 20
OBSERVATION TABLE
Compressor
Water flow Temperature (C) Pressure (bar)
Power (W)
rate (Lit/min)
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T8 T9 P1 P2 Wc
8.7 79.1 29.2 13.1 23.1 23.8 17.5 23.2 43.4 1.6 10.9 1674
9.9 82.1 30.5 14.1 23.1 23.8 17.3 23.1 46.3 1.7 11.7 1730
Shutdown Process
1. Once the VCR cycle is the stopped and the data is logged to USB drive.
2. Shutting down on HMI operation: After stopping the VCR cycle for any reason, the user
must not switch off the system immediately.
3. Allow the solenoid valves to remain open and equalize the refrigerant in the system.
Equalization of refrigerant can be visualized in the rotameter.
4. The user can proceed to switch off the system once the equalization stops.
5. Once the VCR cycle is stopped by the user, he can safely turn off the main switch and
shut down the system after equalization.
6. If in HMI mode the system cuts off on an indication or a warning message, the user can
safely turn off the main switch and shut down the system after equalization.
7. If in HMI mode the system trips on an error message, the user must first resolve the error
and then turn off the main switch.
Calculation:
Result Table:
Refrigerant
Cooling Load COP Heating COP
Sr. No. mass flow rate
(W) (Experimental) (Theoretical)
(kg/s)

Conclusion:

Safety Hazards:
Personal Protective Equipment: Safety Goggles; Standing Shields, Sturdy Shoes.
Personal Care:
 Do not wear loose clothing, Neck Ties/Scarves; Jewelry (remove).
 Tie back long hair.
 Take Care while doing electrical connections, particularly with grounding;
 Do not use frayed electrical cords
 Clean any spills immediately