AIM: TO STUDY THE PERFORMANCE OF THE REFRIGERATION
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TEST RING (Water Chiller).
CONTENT:
1. Product Description
2. Product Specification
3. Principle of Operation
4. Operating Procedure
5. Observation Table
6. Standard Values and Formulae
7. Calculations
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8. Results
1. Product Description:
Test Rig enables students to study and understand Vapour Compression Cycle, its
components, principle and working. All the components are mounted on rigid
steel frame. The trainer consists of a hermetically sealed compressor; forced
convection air-cooled condenser, filter / drier, flow meter, expansion device and
shell & coil type evaporator. Separate pressure gauges are provided to record
suction and discharge pressures and digital temperature indicators for various
temperatures.
The refrigerant used is R-134a, which is environment friendly.
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The calorimeter consists of an insulated stainless steel tank. The evaporator tubes
are made of refrigerated grade annealed copper tubes. This is a direct expansion
type evaporator. The heat absorbed by the refrigerant is balanced by heater input.
The heater is immersion type resistive water heater. The calorimeter temperature
can be set by a digital thermostat. Adequate safety devices such as HP/LP cut-out,
heating thermostat, and overload protection for compressor are incorporated to
prevent any malfunctioning of the system.
2. Product Specifications:
Capacity
500 watt at rated test conditions.
Refrigerant
R-134 a
Hermetically sealed
Condenser
Forced convection air cooled
Condenser fan motor
Induction type
Drier / filter
Dry all make
Expansion device
Capillary tube
Refrigerant flow
measurement
Hp/lp cutout
Rota meter
Provided
Pressure indication
Pressure gauges, 2nos provided
Energy meter
L & t make,
Temperature control of
the calorimeter
Evaporator for
refrigeration test rig
Automatic by temperature controller
Shell and coil type, direct expansion
coil.
Temperature indication
Digital led
Insulation for water
tank
Supply
Puff
230 volts, 50hz, 1 phase, ac.
Construction
Main body: 18 g CRCA, powder
coated.
Calorimeter: SS 304.
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Compressor
3. Principle of Operation:
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The Refrigeration Test Rig works on vapour compression cycle. The refrigeration
(i.e. process of maintaining a closed space temperature below ambient
temperature) is accomplished by continuously circulating, evaporating and
condensing a fixed supply of refrigerant in a closed system. Evaporation occurs at
a low temperature and low pressure while condensation occurs at a high
temperature and pressure. Thus it is possible to transfer heat from an area of low
temperature (in this case evaporator) to an area of high temperature (the
surroundings).
The compressor pumps the low-pressure refrigerant from the evaporator through
the accumulator, increases its pressure, and discharges the high-pressure gas to the
condenser. The accumulator prevents liquid refrigerant entering the compressor.
In the condenser, the refrigerant rejects its heat to the surroundings by passing air
over it. At that pressure, the refrigerant loses its latent heat and liquefies. Then the
refrigerant passes through the drier/filter where any residual moisture or foreign
particles present, these are plugged. The flow of refrigerant into the evaporator is
controlled by expansion device where its pressure and consequently temperature is
lowered to the saturation temperature at the corresponding pressure. The low
temperature refrigerant enters the evaporator where it absorbs heat from the
surrounding medium and evaporates. The compressor sucks the cold vapours and
the cycle repeats.
The required instrumentation is provided to measure the various parameters at
different points. This includes pressure gauges, temperature indicators and
controller, energy-meters, heater for applying load and flow meter to measure the
refrigerant flow.
4. Operating Procedure:
Put the machine in the proper position where its level is horizontal and it is
well ventilated. The machine must have at least 1.5 meters clearances from
all sides.
Give 230 volts, 50Hz, and 1 phase supply to the unit.
Incoming cable should be adequate size (at least 4 sq. mm) to prevent
overheating of it.
The electrical point should have a MCB of 16 Amps rating.
Ensure proper earthing.
Fill the water tank with clean water.
Start the compressor by putting the switch ON.
Also switch on the heater; it will start automatically at set point.
Control the water flow to heat exchanger around 3 LPM.
Record all the readings as per the observation table.
Calculate the results as per the procedure mentioned. At various points.
# PRECAUTIONARY NOTE
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The plant should not be left with water in the tank when not in use.
Do-not tamper with the temperature as well as the pressure settings.
5. Observation Table:
Date
Current of Machine in Amp. :
Capacity
Voltage of Machine
REFRIGERANT
TEMP.
Water
Flow
TIME
in Hrs
Rate
WATER TEMP.
PRESSURE
(0C)
Kg/cm2
(0C)
Refrigerant
Flow
Heater
On/Off
T1
T2
T3
T4
Inlet C
Outlet C
In L/S
P1
Suction
P2
Discharge
L/Hr
Energy Meter
Reading for
10 Pulses t
sec
T5
T6
On
Off
T1 = Discharge gas temperature
T2 = Temperature after condensation
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T3 = Temperature after expansion
T4 = Suction gas temperature
P1 = Average suction pressure in bar
P2 = Average discharge pressure in bar
Absolute suction pressure = suction gauge pressure+
barometric pressure
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Absolute discharge pressure= discharge gauge
pressure+ barometric pressure
6. Standard Values and Formulae:
Standard Barometric Pressure
1.013 bar = 1.013 x 105 N /m2
Density of Water
1000 kg / m3
Specific Gravity of R-134a at 400
1.14
1 Ton of Refrigeration effect
3516 Watts = 3.51 kJ / s
1 bar
14.5 psig
Specific heat of water
4.2 kJ/kg K
Density of Air at 250C
1.1 kg/m3
Gas Constant of Air
287kg/kJ K
1 KWHr
3600 Kj
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7. Calculations:
The Objectives of experiment are
To evaluate the cooling capacity in Watts & in Tons of the system.
To evaluate actual and theoretical C.O.P. of Vapour Compression Cycle.
To plot the actual Refrigeration Cycle on P-H chart.
To study various components and controls used in Vapour Compression Cycle.
Average refrigerant temperatures at salient points:
T4 = Suction gas temperature =
T1 = Discharge gas temperature=
T2 = Temperature after condensation=
T3 = Temperature after expansion=
P1 = Average suction pressure in bar
P2 = Average discharge pressure in bar
Absolute suction pressure = suction gauge pressure+ barometric pressure
Absolute discharge pressure= discharge gauge pressure+ barometric pressure
7.1 Theoretical C.O.P.
Theoretical Coefficient of performance = n /w
Where
n = Theoretical refrigeration effect = (h1-h4)=
kj/kg
w= Theoretical compressor work = (h2-h1) =
kj/kg
h2= enthalpy of refrigerant at outlet of compressor
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h1=enthalpy of refrigerant at inlet of compressor
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Accordingly, the Enthalpies of refrigerant at salient points are
h3=enthalpy of refrigerant after condensation
h4=enthalpy of refrigerant after expansion = h3
7.2 Actual C.O.P.
1. Actual Refrigeration Effect in kw = M X Cp X Dt
Where M=Mass Flow Rate of water in kg/s; Cp=Specific heat of water=4.2KJ/KgK(Constant);
= (10 X 3600)/ (t X 3200 ) kW
3. Actual COP
= Actual Refrigeration Effect/ Actual Compressor Work
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2. Compressor Work W
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Dt=Difference between T5 & T6.
8. Results:
Capacity of the system =
Actual COP
=
= -------- TR
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Theoretical COP
------ Watts
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