Slides for ME 114 Laboratory

Vapor-compression refrigeration
Vapor-compression refrigeration and its representation on T-s diagram
(Thermodynamics 4
th
ed., Cengel and Boles, Figure 10-3)
Slides for ME 114 Laboratory
Question to Ponder
You know that you have a saturated R12
mixture at the exit of the expansion valve. You
have both a temperature and a pressure gauge at
that point. If your pressure gauge reads 400 kPa
when the actual pressure is 390 kPa (only a
small error), what type of substance would it
look like you have at this point subcooled
liquid, saturated mixture, or superheated vapor?
Watch out for this problem whenever you have a
mixture.
Slides for ME 114 Laboratory
Slides for ME 114 Laboratory
Hilton Air Conditioning Unit
Steam is added at the inlet.
Air is preheated before sending it through the
evaporator. If the temperature and relative
humidity is right, liquid will condense as the air
passes through the evaporator.
Air is then reheated near the end.
A normal air conditioning unit would not include
all of these processes.
Air flow rate is measured at the exit of the unit
with an orifice plate and manometer.
Slides for ME 114 Laboratory
Basic Equations
1
st
law, no condensation or evaporation:


Where is the only place in this system where the
power input term would be kept?
1
st
law with condensation:


If we dont measure the temperature of the
condensate, what would be a good estimate of the
temperature?

e e i i
Q W mh mh


air air out in condensate condensate
Q m h h m h
Slides for ME 114 Laboratory
Measuring Humidity: Approaches
Glass thermometer with wet wick will measure
wet-bulb temperature, which can be used with dry-
bulb temperature to determine humidity and state.
(psychrometer)
Cellulose sponge-type material expands with
changes in relative humidity, which can be
calibrated or used with dial indicator.
(hygrometer)
Electronic: Capacitance or resistance changes
with relative humidity can be calibrated. Digital
read-out common. (electronic hygrometer)

Slides for ME 114 Laboratory

Slides for ME 114 Laboratory
Humidity Meters
DMM/thermometer/
relative humidity meters
(source: www.omega.com)
Sling psychrometer
(becoming obsolete)
Source: sciencekit.com
Slides for ME 114 Laboratory
Measuring Mass Flow Rate With
Pressure Drop
Orifice plates, flow
nozzles, and venturi
tubes are common.
The greater the air
flow rate, the greater
the pressure drop.
What general equation
is used to calculate
velocity? Flow nozzle
Source: White, F.M., Fluid Mechanics 2
nd
Ed.
Slides for ME 114 Laboratory
Examples
Manufacturer: Airflow
Measurement Systems
Orifice plate
Venturi
Source: http://lambdasquare.com/
Rotameter
(used for R12
measurement
in this experiment)