Practical 9

To Calculate heat extracted, heat released, COP (Max) and COP (Actual) of
Refrigeration Cycle
Objective:
• To familiarize with concept of coefficient of performance and calculate it practically.
• To know the effects of refrigerant on COP and difference between actual COP and COP
maximum for an ideal case.
• To know the effect of heat difference on COP.

Apparatus
• Refrigeration Cycle Demonstration Unit.

Activity Time Boxing

Task Activity Name Activity Time
No.
Pre-Lab Activity (signed by the instructor)
1 5 ~ 10 mins
2 Lecture + Optional quiz 20 ~ 30 mins
3 Performing Experiment 100 ~120 mins
Results & Evaluation (signed by the
4 10 ~ 20 mins
instructor)
Total Time: 180
Theory:
The vapor-compression refrigeration cycle is the most widely used cycle for refrigerators, air-
conditioning systems, and heat pumps. It consists of four processes:

Figure 12-1: Vapor Compression Refrigeration Cycle

 1-2 isentropic compression in a compressor
2-3 Constant-pressure heat rejection in a condenser
3-4 Throttling in an expansion device
4-1 Constant-pressure heat absorption in an evaporator

Compressors and pumps, when undergo a steady-flow process, consume power. The coefficient
of performance or COP of a heat pump, refrigerator or air conditioning system is a ratio of useful
heating or cooling provided to work (energy) required. Higher COPs equate to higher efficiency,
lower energy (power) consumption and thus lower operating costs. The COP for heating and
cooling are thus different because the heat reservoir of interest is different. When one is interested
in how well a machine cools, the COP is the ratio of the heat removed from the cold reservoir to
input work.
The equation for refrigeration is:
𝑄𝐿
𝐶𝑂𝑃𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 =
𝑊𝑖𝑛
Where,
• QL is the useful heat supplied or removed by the considered system.
• Win is the work required by the considered system.

𝑄𝐿 = ℎ1 − ℎ4
𝑄𝐻 = ℎ2 − ℎ3
And work required by the compressor can be calculated in the terms of the heat extracted from the
lower heat region as:
𝑊𝑖𝑛 = 𝐻2 − 𝐻1
While COP maximum can be calculated using the temperatures of the lower and higher region as:
1
𝐶𝑂𝑃max =
𝑇𝐻
𝑇𝐿 − 1
The COP usually exceeds 1, especially in heat pumps, because, instead of just converting work to
heat (which, if 100% efficient, would be a COP of 1), it pumps additional heat from a heat source
to where the heat is required.

PROCEDURE:
1. Switch on the unit. The pressure to which the condenser stabilizes will depend on the water
inlet temperature.
2. Open the Valve for water circulation and note the flow rate.
3. Click on the software TCRC installed in computer.
 4. Start the compressor from software by clicking on AP-1 actuator.
5. Make sure that there is no air in the system and let the unit work for 15 minutes,
approximately, to reach uniform operation conditions.
6. Note down the values of T1, T2, T3, T4, and P2.
7. With these values of temperature find the values of the corresponding enthalpies and
calculate value of max and actual coefficient of performance.

Observations:
134a refrigerant is used in the compressor / open air refrigeration unit:
Using the formulas explained in the theory following calculations are made.
Power Temp. at Enthalpy Temp. at Absolute Enthalpy at Temp. at Enthalpy at Temp. at
inlet of at inlet of outlet of Pressure at the outlet the inlet of the inlet of the inlet of
Comp. Comp. Comp. outlet of of condenser condenser evaporator
T1 h1 T2 comp. compressor T3 h3 T4
P2 h2
(%) (oC) (KJ/Kg) (oC) (MPa) (kJ/kg) (oC) (KJ/Kg) (oC)

20% 21.5 262.30 54 1.22 276.75 38.1 105.449 21.3

40% 19.4 261.325 64.4 1.41 290.58 46.6 118.261 15.8
60% 18.8 261.01 72.7 1.58 282.93 50.5 124.29 14.2

Power Enthalpy at the QL Win for COPactual COPmax

inlet of (kJ/kg) compressor
evaporator (kJ/kg)
(%) h4
(KJ/Kg)
20% 105.449 156.851 14.45 10.85 17.51
40% 118.261 143.064 29.255 4.89 9.37
60% 124.29 136.72 21.92 6.23 7.911

Formulas Used:
𝑄𝐿 = ℎ1 − ℎ4 1 𝐵𝑎𝑟 = 100 𝐾𝑝𝑎
𝑄𝐿
𝑄𝐻 = ℎ2 − ℎ3 𝐶𝑂𝑃𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 =
𝑊𝑖𝑛
1
𝑊𝑖𝑛 = ℎ2 − ℎ1 𝐶𝑂𝑃max = 𝑇𝐻
−1
𝑇𝐿

𝑨𝒃𝒔𝒐𝒍𝒖𝒕𝒆 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 = 𝑬𝒏𝒄𝒍𝒐𝒔𝒆𝒅 𝑷𝒓𝒆𝒔𝒔𝒖𝒓𝒆 + 𝟏𝟎𝟏. 𝟑𝟐𝟓 𝑲𝒑𝒂

Calculations:
AT 20%:
At Temperature T1-(21.5 oC):
The Value of h1 can be calculated using Saturated Refrigerant Table- A-11.

Using interpolation at 21.5 oC ;

22 − 20 262.69 − 261.64
=
21.5 − 20 ℎ1 − 261.64
1.07
1.33 =
ℎ1 − 261.64

𝒉𝟏 = 𝟐𝟔𝟐. 𝟑𝟎

At Temperature T2-(54 oC):

From T-S Diagram we can say that S1= S2

Using Interpolation, we can find value of S1. So,

22 − 20 0.92180 − 0.92254
=
21.5 − 20 𝑆1 − 0.92254
 −0.00374
2.5 =
𝑆1 − 0.92254

𝑺𝟏 = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟐𝟏𝟗𝟖
So,
𝑺𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟐𝟏𝟗𝟖
Now, Enclosed Pressure in Bar at Outlet of Compressor P2 is: 𝟏𝟏. 𝟐 𝐁𝐚𝐫
Enclosed Pressure in Kpa = 1120 Kpa
Absolute Pressure = 1.22 Mpa
Now, Using Superheated Refrigerant Table A-13.

Using Interpolation at 54 oC at 1.6 Mpa:

0.9268 − 0.9132 278.28 − 273.92

=
0.92198 − 0.9132 ℎ2 − 273.92
4.36
1.54 =
ℎ2 − 273.92

𝒉𝟐 = 𝟐𝟕𝟔. 𝟕𝟓
At Temperature T3-(38.1 oC):
The Value of h3 can be calculated using Saturated Refrigerant Table- A-11.

Using interpolation at 38.1 oC ;

40 − 38 108.28 − 105.30
=
38.1 − 38 ℎ1 − 105.30
2.98
20 =
ℎ1 − 105.30

𝒉𝟑 = 𝟏𝟎𝟓. 𝟒𝟒𝟗
At Temperature T4-(14.2 oC):
We can say that 𝒉𝟑 ≈ 𝒉𝟒
𝒉𝟒 = 𝟏𝟎𝟓. 𝟒𝟒𝟗
Coefficient of performance actual (COP actual):
𝑄𝐿
𝐶𝑂𝑃𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 =
𝑊𝑖𝑛

𝒉𝟏 − 𝒉𝟒
𝑪𝑶𝑷𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍 =
𝒉𝟐 − 𝒉𝟏
262.30 − 105.449
𝐶𝑂𝑃𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 =
276.75 − 262.30
𝑪𝑶𝑷𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍= 10.85

Coefficient of performance Maximum (COP max):

1
𝐶𝑂𝑃max = 𝑇𝐻
−1
𝑇𝐿

1
𝐶𝑂𝑃max = 38.1+273
−1
21.3+273

𝑪𝑶𝑷𝐦𝐚𝐱 = 𝟏𝟕. 𝟓𝟏
Similarly,
AT 40%:
At Temperature T1-(19.4 oC):
The Value of h1 can be calculated using Saturated Refrigerant Table- A-11.
Using Interpolation at 19.4 oC

𝒉𝟏 = 𝟐𝟔𝟏. 𝟑𝟐𝟓

At Temperature T2-(64.4 oC):

From T-S Diagram we can say that S1= S2
Using Interpolation, we can find value of S1. Same as above,
Now, Using Superheated Refrigerant Table A-13.
Using Interpolation at 64.4 oC at 1.4 Mpa:
𝒉𝟐 = 𝟐𝟗𝟎. 𝟓𝟖

At Temperature T3-(46.6 oC):

The Value of h3 can be calculated using Saturated Refrigerant Table- A-11.
Using interpolation at 46.6 oC ;

𝒉𝟑 = 𝟏𝟏𝟖. 𝟐𝟔𝟏

At Temperature T4-(15.8 oC):

We can say that 𝒉𝟑 ≈ 𝒉𝟒
𝒉𝟏 = 𝟏𝟏𝟖. 𝟐𝟔𝟏

Similarly,

𝑪𝑶𝑷𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍= 4.89 and 𝑪𝑶𝑷𝐦𝐚𝐱 = 𝟗. 𝟑𝟕

AT 60%:
At Temperature T1-(18.8 oC):
The Value of h1 can be calculated using Saturated Refrigerant Table- A-11.

Using interpolation at 18.8 oC ;

20 − 18 261.64 − 260.59
=
18.8 − 18 ℎ1 − 260.59
1.05
2.5 =
ℎ1 − 260.59

𝒉𝟏 = 𝟐𝟔𝟏. 𝟎𝟏

At Temperature T2-(72.7 oC):

From T-S Diagram we can say that S1= S2

Using Interpolation, we can find value of S1. So,

20 − 18 0.92254 − 0.92330
=
18.8 − 18 𝑆1 − 0.92330
 −0.00076
2.5 =
𝑆1 − 0.92330

𝑺𝟏 = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟐𝟐𝟗𝟗𝟔
So,
𝑺𝟐 = 𝟎. 𝟗𝟐𝟐𝟗𝟗𝟔
Now, Enclosed Pressure in Bar at Outlet of Compressor P2 is: 𝟏𝟒. 𝟖 𝐁𝐚𝐫
Enclosed Pressure in Kpa = 1480 Kpa
Absolute Pressure = 1.58 Mpa
Now, Using Superheated Refrigerant Table A-13.

Using Interpolation at 72.7 oC at 1.6 Mpa:

0.9536 − 0.9164 293.27 − 280.71
=
0.922996 − 0.9164 ℎ2 − 280.71
12.56
5.64 =
ℎ2 − 280.71

𝒉𝟐 = 𝟐𝟖𝟐. 𝟗𝟑
At Temperature T3-(50.5 oC):
The Value of h3 can be calculated using Saturated Refrigerant Table- A-11.

Using interpolation at 50.5 oC ;

 52 − 48 126.62 − 120.41
=
50.5 − 48 ℎ1 − 120.41
6.21
1.6 =
ℎ1 − 120.41

𝒉𝟑 = 𝟏𝟐𝟒. 𝟐𝟗
At Temperature T4-(14.2 oC):
We can say that 𝒉𝟑 ≈ 𝒉𝟒
So,
𝒉𝟒 = 𝟏𝟐𝟒. 𝟐𝟗
COEFFICIENT OF PERFORMANCE:
𝑄𝐿
𝐶𝑂𝑃𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 =
𝑊𝑖𝑛

𝒉𝟏 − 𝒉𝟒
𝑪𝑶𝑷𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍 =
𝒉𝟐 − 𝒉𝟏
261.01 − 124.29
𝐶𝑂𝑃𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 =
282.93 − 261.01
𝑪𝑶𝑷𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒖𝒂𝒍 = 𝟔. 𝟐𝟑

Coefficient of performance Maximum (COP max):

1
𝐶𝑂𝑃max = 𝑇𝐻
−1
𝑇𝐿

1
𝐶𝑂𝑃max = 50.5+273
−1
14.2+273

𝑪𝑶𝑷𝐦𝐚𝐱 = 𝟕. 𝟗𝟏𝟏
Precautions:
➢ Make sure all the system functions work correctly and properly aligned.
➢ To stabilize the flow rate and temperature wait for some time to done.
➢ The difference between flow rate will be not too much high.
➢ Use the respective thermodynamics tables that is for REF. r144b to get the required values.
➢ As refrigeration cycle is closed in a glass so don’t touch the electrical parts while the system
is running.
➢ Try to get as much as possible values before cut-off temperature.
➢ Flow rate of water must be sufficient so that cut-off will not happen.
➢ To get better results try to reduce fan speed and other natural air resources.

Analysis/Discussion:
If we observe the above tabulated data, we can clearly see that COPmax calculated using the
temperature formula is greater than COPactual.
The value of COPactual is less than COPmax due to the presence of the irreversibility associated
with the piping systems and other losses such as heat loss and temperature dropping in pipes.

Another important analysis can be observed from the data that as the refrigeration unit is that at
Start, the temperature at the compressor outlet is low, and temperature of the refrigerant at throttle
outlet is higher, as the time passes, both temperatures change its values, the compressor outlet
temperature increases gradually. This is because compressor does some work to increase pressure
and as a by-product temperature also increases (Pressure and Temperature has direct relation).
Similarly, as time passed the evaporator inlet temperature decreases, and it becomes stable after
some time at constant load.
However, the Results achieved at the end were quite good and the Higher values of COP of
refrigerator equate to higher efficiency, lower energy (power) consumption and thus lower
operating costs.
Conclusion:
The coefficient of performance, COP, of a refrigerator is defined as the heat removed from the
cold reservoir Qcold (i.e., inside a refrigerator) divided by the work W done to remove the heat
(i.e., the work done by the compressor).
The COP strongly depends on outside temperature and required indoor temperature.
When an air conditioner or refrigerator is cooling a space, it is not adding cold air into that space.
The main purpose of the refrigeration cycle is to remove the heat at a given area and eject it outside
to the surroundings. Making the refrigerated space colder. Heat removal means a cooler Area.
Following are some of the applications of Refrigeration System and where it is used:
➢ District Cooling.
➢ Electricity Production.
➢ Chemical and Petrochemicals.
➢ Pharmaceutical.
➢ Food & Beverages.
➢ Data Centers.