EXPERIMENT NO.

4
Aim: To study and determine the COP of Vapor Absorption Refrigeration System.
Apparatus/ : Three fluid Vapour absorption refrigeration system
Theory: Conventional absorption refrigeration systems use a mechanical pump for
pumping the solution from absorber pressure to generator pressure. However, there
are also absorption refrigeration systems that do not require a mechanical pump.
These systems offer several advantages over conventional systems such as:
a. High reliability due to absence of moving parts
b. Very little maintenance
c. Systems require only low-grade thermal energy, hence no need for any grid power.
d. Silent operation
Due to the above advantages the pumpless systems find applications such as
refrigerators for remote and rural areas, portable refrigerators, refrigerators for luxury
hotel rooms etc.
Several pumpless systems using both water-lithium bromide and ammonia water have been
developed over the last many decades. However, among these the most popular and widely used
system is the one known as Platen-Munters system or Triple Fluid Vapour Absorption
Refrigeration System (TFVARS). As mentioned in the introduction, this system was developed by
Platen and Munters of Sweden in 1930s. It uses ammonia as refrigerant and water as absorbent
and hydrogen as an inert gas. Unlike conventional systems, the total pressure is constant
throughout the Platen-Munters system, thus eliminating the need for mechanical pump or
compressor. To allow the refrigerant (ammonia) to evaporate at low temperatures in the
evaporator, a third inert gas (hydrogen) is introduced into the evaporator absorber of the system.
Thus, even though the total pressure is constant throughout the system, the partial pressure of
ammonia in evaporator is much smaller than the total pressure due to the presence of hydrogen.
For example: if the total pressure of the system is 20.33 bar, then the condenser
temperature will be 50 (saturation temperature at 20.33 bar). If contribution of
hydrogen to total pressure in the evaporator is 18.814 bar, then the partial pressure of
ammonia in evaporator is 1.516 bar, hence ammonia can evaporate at 25 (saturation
temperature at 1 bar), thus providing refrigeration effect at very low temperatures.

RAC LAB MANUAL, ME-317 PREPARED BY Dr. LAXMIKANT YADAV NIT HAMIRPUR
The liquid ammonia in the evaporator cannot boil in the evaporator as its
partial pressure is lower than the total pressure (no vapour bubbles form). The
ammonia simply evaporates into the hydrogen gas (The situation is very similar to evaporation
of water from a pool at room temperature into the atmosphere where total pressure is more than
the saturation pressure of water. The water evaporates from the surface and is carried away by
diffusion and advection.) if hydrogen gas is not saturated with ammonia. The
ammonia vapour generated is carried away by the process of diffusion, hence
Platen-Munters systems are also called as diffusion-absorption systems.

Figure 1: Schematic diagram of three fluid vapour absorption refrigeration system

Figure 1 shows the schematic of a triple-fluid Platen-Munters system.
Starting with the strong solution at the exit of the absorber, heat is supplied
in the generator; ammonia vapour is generated as a result. The vapour generated
moves up through the bubble pump due to buoyancy. As the vapour moves up it
carries the weak solution to the top of the bubble pump. At the top, the weak solution
and vapour are separated. The refrigerant vapour after the separator flows into the
condenser, where it condenses by rejecting heat to the heat sink (condensation
takes place at high temperature as ammonia pressure is equal to the total pressure).
The condensed liquid flows into evaporator. As it enters the evaporator

RAC LAB MANUAL, ME-317 PREPARED BY Dr. LAXMIKANT YADAV NIT HAMIRPUR
its pressure is reduced to its partial pressure at evaporator temperature due to the
presence of hydrogen gas in the evaporator. Due to the reduction in pressure, the
ammonia evaporates by taking heat from the refrigerated space. The ammonia
vapour diffuses into the hydrogen gas. Since the mixture of ammonia and hydrogen
are cooler, it flows down into the absorber due to buoyancy. In the absorber, the
ammonia vapour is absorbed by the weak solution coming from the bubble pump.
Heat of absorption is rejected to the heat sink. Due to this, the temperature of
hydrogen gas increases and it flows back into the evaporator due to buoyancy. Thus
the circulation of fluids throughout the system is maintained due to buoyancy effects
and gravity.

Figure 2: Refrigeration circuit of a small diffusion-absorption (Platen-Munters) system)

Due to the evaporation process (as against boiling in conventional systems)

the temperature of the evaporating liquid changes along the length of the evaporator.
The coldest part is obtained at the end where hydrogen enters the evaporator

RAC LAB MANUAL, ME-317 PREPARED BY Dr. LAXMIKANT YADAV NIT HAMIRPUR
as the partial of ammonia is least at this portion. This effect can be used to
provide two temperature sections in the evaporator for example: one for frozen food
storage and the other for fresh food storage etc.

A liquid seal is required at the end of the condenser to prevent the entry of
hydrogen gas into the condenser. Commercial Platen-Munters systems are made of
all steel with welded joints. Additives are added to minimize corrosion and rust
formation and to improve absorption. Since there are no flared joints and if the
quality of the welding is good, then these systems become extremely rugged and
reliable. The Platen-Munters systems offer low COPs (of the order of 0.2) due to
energy requirement in the bubble pump and due to losses in the evaporator
because of the presence of hydrogen gas. In addition, since the circulation of fluids
inside the system is due to buoyancy and gravity, the heat and mass transfer
coefficients are relatively small, further reducing the efficiency. However, these
systems are available with a wide variety of heat sources such as electrical heaters
(in small hotel room systems), natural gas or LPG gas, hot oils, solar etc. Figure 2
shows the schematic of the refrigeration system of a small commercial Platen Munters system.
The approximate pressures in various parts of the system, then will be as given in Table 1.

It has been assumed that vapours leaving generator top are in equilibrium with
entering rich solution at 40°C, at which temperature saturation pressure of NH 3 is
15.54 bar. It has also been assumed that the temperature at evaporator inlet is 25°C
at which temperature saturation pressure of NH 3 is 1.516 bar.
EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
Ensure that the vapor absorber trainer is installed on plane rigid and horizontal surface away from
the wall.
(i) Connect solar supply to the trainer by connecting Solar panel.

(ii) Connect water supply and drainpipes.

RAC LAB MANUAL, ME-317 PREPARED BY Dr. LAXMIKANT YADAV NIT HAMIRPUR
 (iii) Ensure that the battery is fully charged with Solar.

(iv) switch.

(v) Switch on the supply to the panel by switching on the Power switch.

(vi) 6 on the temperature

indicators and power on the Digital Power Indicator.

(vii) Switch on the supply to the Refrigeration Plant. Using the on/off toggle switch provided
on the panel.

(viii) Wait for approximately 45 min and start the water supply. Adjust the supply to be
between 3 lph.

(ix) Note the readings in the Observation table every 10 min. Refer sample Observation table
enclosed.

(x) Take the readings till the system stabilizes. This is indicated by constant reading of the
outlet water over two subsequent readings.

(xi) .

Observation Table
Time Power
input
( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( ) ( (in sec)
Pin (kW)

Here, is the temperature of evaporator cabine, is the temperature of water at evaporator

inlet, is the temperature of water at evaporator outlet, is the absorber temperature,
is the generator temperature, is the condenser temperature, and is water flow rate.

Calculation: Experimental COP of VARS system can be expressed as:

RAC LAB MANUAL, ME-317 PREPARED BY Dr. LAXMIKANT YADAV NIT HAMIRPUR
Ideal COP of VARS can be expressed as:

RAC LAB MANUAL, ME-317 PREPARED BY Dr. LAXMIKANT YADAV NIT HAMIRPUR