University of Zakho

College of engineering
Mechanical Department
Refrigeration and AC Lab
2023-2024

______________________________________________

Experiment No. (3)

EFFECT OF CAPILLARY TUBE LENGTH

ON THE VCRS PERFORMANCE

______________________________________________
Student Name: Sndi Mahdi Mosa

Supervised by: Mrs. Veen

Date of experiment: 12/10/2023

Date of submission: 19/10/2023

 Contents

List of figure .................................................................................................................................. 2

Abstract.......................................................................................................................................... 3
Introduction ................................................................................................................................... 3
PURPOSE ...................................................................................................................................... 3
APPARATUS ................................................................................................................................ 3
THEORY ....................................................................................................................................... 6
Experimental Procedure .............................................................................................................. 7
Calculation ..................................................................................................................................... 8
Discussion..................................................................................................................................... 15

List of figure
Figure 2: Schematic Diagram of Vapor Compression Refrigeration System apparatus ............... 5
Figure 1: Vapor Compression Refrigeration System apparatus ..................................................... 5
Figure 3: ideal cycle of the heat pump in cooling mode ................................................................. 6

2
 Abstract
The purpose of this experiment to evaluate how the vapor compression refrigeration system
performs with varying capillary tube lengths and to conduct a performance comparison of the
VCRS under different conditions.

Introduction
The efficiency of Vapor Compression Refrigeration Systems (VCRS) is crucial in various
applications, from air conditioners to refrigerators. Among the important components affecting
how well it works, the capillary tube is vital for controlling the flow of refrigerant in the system.
The length of this tube is an important factor that can significantly influence the overall
performance of the VCRS. This study looks into how changing the length of the capillary tube
affects how well the VCRS works. Through a systematic investigation, our aim is to discover
useful insights that can help improve the design and operation of these systems, ultimately making
them more energy-efficient and better at cooling. This research explores the impact of capillary
tube length on VCRS performance, making valuable contributions to the field of refrigeration and
air conditioning technology.

PURPOSE
1. Determine the performance of vapor compression refrigeration system for different
capillary tube lengths.
2. Comparison between the performance of the VCRS for different cases.

APPARATUS
The vapor compression refrigeration system using working fluid (R134a) consist of
the following parts (See fig. (1) and (2)):

1. Reciprocating Compressor: compresses the vapor working fluid from evaporator

pressure to condenser pressure.

2. Forced Air-cooled Finned Tube Condenser: reject heat at constant pressure to the
air.

3. Forced Air-cooled Finned Tube Evaporator: absorbs heat from the low temperature
reservoir (air) at constant pressure.

3
4. Thermostatic expansion (throttling) valve: expands the liquid working fluid at
constant enthalpy process.

5. Capillary tubes: expands the liquid working fluid at constant enthalpy process with
different lengths (1.5 m, 3 m, and 6 m).

6. Filter drier: to Prevent passing the contamination and moisture to the capillary tube.
7. Sight glass: used to see working fluid state after heat rejection process.

8. Low pressure gauge: used to measure evaporator pressure.

9. High pressure gauge: used to measure condenser pressure.

10. Accumulator: to Prevent entrance of refrigerant liquid into the compressor.

11. Receiver: To store the liquid refrigerant during operation or when evacuated.

12. Solenoid valve: To open and close the liquid line during operation and stoppage.

13. Dual Pressure switch: To protect the compressor when the evaporator pressure
dropped and condenser pressure increased.

4
 Figure 2: Vapor Compression Refrigeration System apparatus

Figure 1: Schematic Diagram of Vapor Compression Refrigeration System apparatus

5
 THEORY

Figure 3: ideal cycle of the heat pump in cooling mode

The ideal refrigeration cycle shown in figure (2), includes the following processes:
1-2: Isentropic compression, s2=s1 .
2-3: constant pressure heat rejection in the condenser.
3-4: Throttling in the expansion valve, h3=h4 .
4-1: constant pressure heat addition in the evaporator

The refrigeration effect (evaporator) may be calculated as follows:

𝑹𝑬 = 𝒒𝒆𝒗𝒂𝒑. = 𝒒𝑳 = 𝒉𝟏 − 𝒉𝟒

Where:
𝒉𝟏 is the enthalpy at evaporator outlet (compressor inlet) at evaporator pressure, kJ/kg.
𝒉𝟒 is the enthalpy at evaporator inlet (expansion valve outlet) at evaporator pressure,
kJ/kg.
The work added to the compressor, per unit mass, is

𝒘 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑. = 𝒉𝟐 − 𝒉𝟏
Where 𝒉𝟐 is the enthalpy at compressor outlet (condenser inlet) at condenser pressure,
kJ/kg.
The rejected heat from the condenser is:

𝒒𝒄𝒐𝒏𝒅. = 𝒒𝑯 = 𝒉𝟐 − 𝒉𝟑

6
Where h3 is the enthalpy at condenser outlet, kJ/kg.
The coefficient of performance of the heat pump (heating) is:

𝑹𝑬 (𝒉𝟏 − 𝒉𝟒 )
𝑪𝑶𝑷𝑹 = =
𝑾𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑 𝒉𝟐 − 𝒉𝟏

Experimental Procedure
1. Operation of the unit using the main switch of the electrical power.

2. Change the capillary tube length to 1.5 m.

3. Record the readings of the temperatures and pressures of the evaporator and

condenser at specified time until the readings become stable.

4. Repeat the third step with capillary tube lengths 3 m and 6 m.

Result of our reading

Pc, Pe, TCi, TCo, Tei, Teo, Tsl,

NO. Length, m
Mpa Moa °C °C °C °C C
1 1.5 0.82 0.137 29.44 31.06 21.15 21.15 24.25
2 3 0.79 0.0965 29.44 29.87 11.56 11.56 20.37
3 5 0.655 0.0689 29.44 27.5 8.5 8.5 25.56
⠀

⠀ ⠀⠀

7
 Calculation
For the length 1.5m capillary tube

𝑳𝒆𝒏𝒈𝒕𝒉, 𝑷𝒄, 𝑷𝒆, 𝑻𝑪𝒊, 𝑻𝑪𝒐, 𝑻𝒆𝒊, 𝑻𝒆𝒐, 𝑻𝒔𝒍,

𝑵𝑶.
𝒎 𝑴𝒑𝒂 𝑴𝒑𝒂 °𝑪 °𝑪 °𝑪 °𝑪 𝑪
1 1.5 0.82 0.137 29.44 31.06 21.15 21.15 24.25

For 𝒉𝟏 we can get it from pressure-enthalpy chart for R-134a at 𝑷𝒆 = 𝟎. 𝟏𝟑𝟕 in

saturated Vapor line the 𝒉𝟏 will be
𝒌𝒋
𝒉𝟏 = 𝟑𝟖𝟔. 𝟏𝟏𝟏𝟏
𝒌𝒈

𝒔𝟏 = 𝟏. 𝟕𝟓 𝒌𝒋/𝒌𝒈 . 𝒌

𝒔𝟏 = 𝒔𝟐 = 𝒔𝒈

For 𝒉𝟐 we can get it from

pressure-enthalpy chart for R-134a in superheated

at 𝑷𝒄 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟐 and 𝒔𝟐 =
𝟏. 𝟕𝟓 because

𝒔𝟏 = 𝒔𝟐 we can find 𝒉𝟐

𝒉𝟐 = 𝟒𝟑𝟎 𝒌𝒋/𝒌𝒈

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For 𝒉𝟑 & 𝒉𝟒 we knew

𝒉𝟑 = 𝒉𝟒 = 𝒉𝒇 we can find hf

At 𝑷𝒄 = 𝟎. 𝟖𝟐 𝑴𝒑𝒂 in

saturated liquid line

𝒉𝟑 & 𝒉𝟒 = 𝟐𝟒𝟒. 𝟕𝟑𝟔𝟖

The refrigeration effect (evaporator):

𝑅𝐸 = 𝑞𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑝 = 𝑞𝐿 = ℎ1 − ℎ4
𝑅𝐸 = 𝑞𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑝 = 𝑞𝐿 = 386.111 – 244.7368

𝑅𝐸 = 𝑞𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑝 = 𝑞𝐿 = 141.3762 𝐾𝐽/𝐾𝑔

The work added to the compressor, per unit mass

𝑤𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝 = ℎ2 − ℎ1
𝑤𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝 = 430 − 386.1111

𝑤𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝 = 43.889 𝐾𝐽/𝐾𝑔

The rejected heat from the condenser is

𝑞𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 = 𝑞𝐻 = ℎ2 − ℎ3
𝑞𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 = 𝑞𝐻 = 430 – 244.74
𝑞𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 = 𝑞𝐻 = 185.26 𝐾𝐽/𝐾𝑔

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The coefficient of performance of the heat pump (Cooling) is

𝑅𝐸 (ℎ1 − ℎ4 )
𝐶𝑂𝑃𝑅 = =
𝑊𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝 (ℎ2 − ℎ1 )
𝑅𝐸 386.11 – 244.75
𝐶𝑂𝑃𝑅 = =
𝑊𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝 430 − 386.11
𝑅𝐸
𝐶𝑂𝑃𝑅 = = 𝟑. 𝟐𝟐𝟏𝟐
𝑊𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝
__________________________________________________________________
For the length 3m capillary tube

Pc, Pe, TCi, TCo, Tei, Teo, Tsl,

NO. Length, m
Mpa Mpa °C °C °C °C C
2 3 0.79 0.0965 29.44 29.87 11.56 11.56 20.37

For h1 we can get it from pressure-enthalpy chart for R-134a at Pe=0.0965 in

saturated Vapor line the h1 will be
𝒌𝒋
𝒉𝟏 = 𝟑𝟖𝟓
𝒌𝒈

𝒔𝟏 = 𝟏. 𝟕𝟓 𝒌𝒋/𝒌𝒈 . 𝒌

𝒔𝟏 = 𝒔𝟐 = 𝒔𝒈

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For 𝒉𝟐 we can get it from

pressure-enthalpy chart for R-134a

in superheated

at 𝑷𝒄 = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟗 and 𝒔𝟐 = 𝟏. 𝟕𝟓

because 𝒔𝟏 = 𝒔𝟐 we can find 𝒉𝟐

𝒉𝟐 = 𝟒𝟐𝟕. 𝟓 𝒌𝒋/𝒌𝒈

For 𝒉𝟑 & 𝒉𝟒 we knew

𝒉𝟑 = 𝒉𝟒 = 𝒉𝒇 we can find hf

At 𝑷𝒄 = 𝟎. 𝟕𝟗 𝑴𝒑𝒂 at

saturated liquid line

𝒉𝟑 & 𝒉𝟒 = 𝟐𝟑𝟗. 𝟒 𝒌𝒋/𝒌𝒈

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The refrigeration effect (evaporator):
𝑅𝐸 = 𝑞𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑝 = 𝑞𝐿 = ℎ1 − ℎ4

𝑅𝐸 = 𝑞𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑝 = 𝑞𝐿 = 385 – 239.4

𝑅𝐸 = 𝑞𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑝 = 𝑞𝐿 = 145.6 𝐾𝐽/𝐾𝑔

The work added to the compressor, per unit mass

𝑤𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝 = ℎ2 − ℎ1
𝑤𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝 = 427.5 − 385

𝑤𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝 = 42.5 𝐾𝐽/𝐾𝑔

The rejected heat from the condenser is

𝑞𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 = 𝑞𝐻 = ℎ2 − ℎ3
𝑞𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 = 𝑞𝐻 = 427.5 – 239.4
𝑞𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 = 𝑞𝐻 = 188.1 𝐾𝐽/𝐾𝑔
The coefficient of performance of the heat pump (Cooling) is

𝑅𝐸 (ℎ1 − ℎ4 )
𝐶𝑂𝑃𝑅 = =
𝑊𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝 (ℎ2 − ℎ1 )
𝑅𝐸 385 – 239.4
𝐶𝑂𝑃𝑅 = =
𝑊𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝 427.5 − 385
𝑅𝐸
𝐶𝑂𝑃𝑅 = = 𝟑. 𝟒𝟐𝟓𝟖𝟖𝟐𝟑𝟓𝟑
𝑊𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝

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For the length 5m capillary tube

Pc, Pe, TCi, TCo, Tei, Teo, Tsl,

NO. Length, m
Mpa Moa °C °C °C °C C
3 5 0.655 0.0689 29.44 27.5 8.5 8.5 25.56

For h1 we can get it from

pressure-enthalpy chart for R-134a

at Pe=0.0689 in saturated Vapor line the h1 will be

𝒌𝒋
𝒉𝟏 = 𝟑𝟕𝟖
𝒌𝒈

𝒔𝟏 = 𝟏. 𝟕𝟔 𝒌𝒋/𝒌𝒈 . 𝒌

𝒔𝟏 = 𝒔𝟐 = 𝒔𝒈

For 𝒉𝟐 we can get it from

pressure-enthalpy chart for R-134a

in superheated

at 𝑷𝒄 = 𝟎. 𝟔𝟓𝟓 and 𝒔𝟐 = 𝟏. 𝟕𝟓

because 𝒔𝟏 = 𝒔𝟐 we can find 𝒉𝟐

𝒉𝟐 = 𝟒𝟐𝟔. 𝟑𝟏 𝒌𝒋/𝒌𝒈

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For 𝒉𝟑 & 𝒉𝟒 we knew

𝒉𝟑 = 𝒉𝟒 = 𝒉𝒇 we can find hf

At 𝑷𝒄 = 𝟎. 𝟔𝟖 𝑴𝒑𝒂 at

saturated liquid line

𝒉𝟑 & 𝒉𝟒 = 𝟐𝟑𝟔 𝒌𝒋/𝒌𝒈

The refrigeration effect (evaporator):

𝑅𝐸 = 𝑞𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑝 = 𝑞𝐿 = ℎ1 − ℎ4
𝑅𝐸 = 𝑞𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑝 = 𝑞𝐿 = 378 – 236

𝑅𝐸 = 𝑞𝑒𝑣𝑎𝑝 = 𝑞𝐿 = 142 𝐾𝐽/𝐾𝑔

The work added to the compressor, per unit mass

𝑤𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝 = ℎ2 − ℎ1
𝑤𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝 = 426.31 − 378
𝑤𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝 = 48.31 𝐾𝐽/𝐾𝑔

The rejected heat from the condenser is

𝑞𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 = 𝑞𝐻 = ℎ2 − ℎ3
𝑞𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 = 𝑞𝐻 = 426 – 236
𝑞𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑 = 𝑞𝐻 = 190.31 𝐾𝐽/𝐾𝑔

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The coefficient of performance of the heat pump (Cooling) is

𝑅𝐸 (ℎ1 − ℎ4 )
𝐶𝑂𝑃𝑅 = =
𝑊𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝 (ℎ2 − ℎ1 )
𝑅𝐸 378 – 236
𝐶𝑂𝑃𝑅 = =
𝑊𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝 426 − 378
𝑅𝐸
𝐶𝑂𝑃𝑅 = = 𝟐. 𝟗𝟑𝟗𝟑𝟓𝟎𝟎𝟑𝟏
𝑊𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝

Discussion
1. Draw p-h and T-s diagram for each case.

(P-h) & (T-S) diagram For 1.5m length capillary tube

𝑸𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒖𝒕
P (condenser)=0.82 Mpa

P-h Diagram
𝑾𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑

P (evaporator)=0.137 Mpa

𝑸𝒆𝒗 in

h3=h4=244.7348 kj/kg h1=386.11 kj.kg h2=430 kj/kg

kj/kg

15
(P-h) & (T-S) diagram For 3m length capillary tube

𝑸𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒖𝒕

P (condenser)= 0.79 Mpa

𝑾𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑 P-h Diagram

P (evaporator)= 0.0965 Mpa

𝑸𝒆𝒗 in

h3=h4=427 kj/kg h1= 385 kj/kg h2=427.5 kj/kg

16
(P-h) & (T-S) diagram For 5m length capillary tube

𝑸𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑𝒐𝒖𝒕

P (condenser)= 0.655 Mpa

P-h Diagram

𝑾𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒑

P (evaporator)= 0.0689 Mpa

𝑸𝒆𝒗 in

h3=h4=236 kj/kg h1= 378 kj/kg h2=426.3 kj/kg

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Discussion (2,3,4,5) was solved in calculation.

6. Draw the capillary tube lengths with Refrigeration effect and discuss it.

Capillary tube lenght with Refrigration effect - Graph

146

145
Refrigration effect

144

143

142

141
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Capillary rube length

There is a direct correlation between the length of the capillary tube and the improved
cooling action.

7. Draw the capillary tube lengths with compressor work and discuss it.

length with Wcomp.

49

48

47
Wcomp

46

45

44

43

42
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
length

Increase of length capillary tube increased the work compressor the relationship is direct but in
length 3 is decreases because of error in the device.

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8. Draw the capillary tube lengths with COP and discuss it.

lenght with COP

3.5

3.4

3.3
COP

3.2

3.1

2.9
0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Axis Title

Increase of length of capillary tube decrease the COP the relationship is inversely but in point 3 it
increase because of the error of device .

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