Department of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering

Faculty of Engineering
University Putra Malaysia

EMM3810 Mechanical Engineering Laboratory III

Semester 2, 2018/2019
Lab 10: Refrigeration
Group: D
Instructor: Assoc. Prof. Dr. Azmah Hanim Mohamed Ariff
Submission Date: 15th April 2019
Representative Name: Kirubaanand Wasoo (194896)

Matric No Name

193847 MUHAMMAD AIMAN BIN JOLIHI

193849 MUHAMMAD RADZI BIN SOLIHAN

195392 WAN AHMAD FAREEZ BIN ABDUL RAHIM

193771 MUHAMMAD AWALLULHADI BIN MOHD SUHAIMI

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

NO CONTENT PAGE

1 Abstract 3

2 Introduction 4

3 Theory 4-6

4 Experimental apparatus and procedure 7

5 Result and Calculation 8-17

6 Discussion 18

7 Conclusion 18

8 References 19

9 Appendices 20

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 1.0 ABSTRACT
The process of separating heat to a high temperature reservoir from a low
temperature reservoir is called refrigeration. Refrigerant is the refrigeration cycle that
uses the working fluids and the devices that consists of four basic processes in a cycle
are called refrigerators. This refrigeration experiment was conducted by using
refrigeration laboratory unit by following the principles of vapor compression
refrigeration cycle. It was conducted to identify the effect of varying cooling water flow
on the refrigeration system.

The four processes that are involved in the vapor compression refrigeration
cycle are the expansion, vaporizing, compression, and the condensing performances.
The experiment was conducted by following the procedure strictly and carefully from
understanding general start-up and shut-down procedures until comparing the data of
the results.

The results obtained in this experiment were calculated and tabulated in order
to find the objective of this experiments. The heat transfer, the coefficient of
performance for the refrigeration system and the volumetric efficiency of the
compressor were calculated by using the given formulas. The results were explained in
further details in the discussion and conclusion.

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2.0 INTRODUCTION

A refrigeration unit is a unit composed of several machineries that can transfer heat
from a low-temperature region to a high-temperature region. Normally heat can only
be transferred from a high temperature region to low, so to reverse this process, a
refrigerator is needed. Refrigerators are cyclic devices composing of four basic
processes, and the working fluids used in the refrigeration cycle are called refrigerants.
Four basic processes or changes in the condition of the refrigerant occur in a Vapor
Compression Refrigeration Cycle. These four processes are compression,
condensation, expansion and evaporation.Each component works together to perform a
series of process. The process includes a cycle of refrigerant and a flow of cooling
water.

3.0 THEORETICAL BACKGROUND

Vapor Compression Refrigeration System Principles (Figure 10.1):

Figure 1 shows the Vapor compression refrigeration cycle

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Expansion Process (T3 -> T4)

At Point (3), the refrigerant is in liquid state at a relatively high pressure and
temperature. It flows to (4) through a restriction called the flow control device or
expansion valve. The refrigerant loses pressure going through the restriction. The
Pressure at (4) is so low that a small portion of the refrigerant flashes (vaporizes) into
a gaseous. In order to vaporize, it must gain heat (which it takes from that portion of
the refrigerant that did not vaporize), thus cooling the mixture and resulting in a low
temperature.

Vaporizing Process (T4 -> T1)

The refrigerant flows through a heat exchanger called the evaporator. The fluid to be
cooled is at a slightly higher temperature than the refrigerant, therefore heat is
transferred from it to the refrigerant producing the cooling effect desired. The
refrigerant boils because of the heat it receives in the evaporator. By the time it leaves
the evaporator (4) it is completely vaporized.

Compression Process (T1 -> T2)

Leaving the evaporator, the refrigerant is a gas at a low temperature and low pressure.
In order for it to be used again to achieve the refrigerating effect continuously, it must
be brought back to the conditions at (3), i.e. liquid at a high pressure. The first step in
this process is to increase the pressure of the refrigerant gas by using a compressor.
Compressing the gas also results in increasing its temperature.

Condensing Process (T2 -> T3)

The refrigerant leaves the compressor as a gas at high temperature and pressure. In
order to change it to a liquid, heat must be removed from it. This is accomplished in a
heat exchanger called the condenser. The refrigerant flows through one circuit in the
condenser. In the other circuit, a cooling fluid flows (air or water), at a temperature
lower than the refrigerant.

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Heat is therefore transferred from the refrigerant to the cooling fluid and as a result, the
refrigerant condenses to a liquid state (3).

The refrigerant has thus returned to its initial state and is now ready to repeat the cycle
in a continuous manner.
Coefficient of Performance

The coefficient of performance (COP) of a refrigeration cycle is an expression of the

cycle efficiency and is stated as the ratio of the heat absorbed in the refrigerated space
to the heat energy equivalent of the energy supplied to the compressor.

COP = heat absorbed from refrigerated Space / heat energy equivalent of the energy
supplied to the Compressor.

Thus, for the theoretical simple cycle, this may be written as:

Refrigerat ing Effect

COP =
Heat of Compressio n

= h1-h4 /h2-h1
Coefficient of performance for shaft, COPSHAFT

Heat Removed from Condenser

COPSHAFT =
Shaft Power

Where;

2NT
Shaft Power, Ps =
60
T = Torque (Nm)
N = Rotational Speed (RPM)
Electrical coefficient of performance, COPE

Heat Removed from Condenser

COPE =
Motor Electrical Power

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4.0 APPARATUS
Figure 1 shows the refrigeration test unit

5.0 PROCEDURE

1. The water flow rate (LPM) was set at an arbitary point which is at 40% of flowrate
percentage as indicated on the flow meter
2. The motor was start at the maximum speed.

3. All the required reading such as motor power, motor speed, heater power indicator,
torque, pressure indicator, temperature indicator and flowrate was recorded after the
system stabilized.
4. Step 1 to 3 was repeated by set up the percentage of flowrate at 60% and 80%
5. All data was compared.

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6.0 RESULT AND CALCULATION

Cooling water Symbol Unit 2.00 3.00 4.00

flowrate (LPM)
Heater Power PWR 1 Watt 970 967 977
Motor Power PWR 2 Watt 615.2 535.7 571.3
Motor Speed SP 1 RPM 1459 1456 1457
Torque TQ 1 Nm 4.8 4.7 4.6
Refrigerant PT 1 Bar 7.8 7.8 7.8
Pressure (low)
Refrigerant PT 2 Deg C 7.8 7.8 7.8
Pressure (high)
Refrigerant TT 1 Deg C 30.2 30.1 7.8
Temperature 1
Refrigerant TT 2 Deg C 141.4 80.1 68.5
Temperature 2
Refrigerant TT 3 Deg C 31.7 138 106.5
Temperature 3
Refrigerant TT 4 Deg C 31.0 33.9 30.1
Temperature 4
Cooling Water TT 5 Deg C 44.1 32.1 30.5
Inlet
Temperature
Cooling Water TT 6 Deg C 40.2 39.8 43.4
Outlet
Temperature
Refrigerant FT 1 LPM 2 3 4
Flowrate
Cooling water FT 2 LPM 1.15 1.16 1.21
Flowrate
Enthalpy at h1 (kJ/kg) 418 416 406
Point 1
Enthalpy at h2 (kJ/kg) 422.5 431.5 421
Point 2
Enthalpy at h3 (kJ/kg) 387.5 390 370
Point 3
Enthalpy at h4 (kJ/kg) 387.5 390 370
Point 4
Specific vL (m3/kg) 0.0009 0.0009 0.0009
Volume of
Liquid R-134a

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Specific vV (m3/kg) 0.00155 0.0015 0.0015
Volume of
Vapour R-134a
Compressor SP2 (RPM) 364.75 364 364.25
speed
Mass Flowrate mL (kg/s) 0.0167 0.0167 0.0167
of Liquid R-
134a
Volumetric V1 (m3/s) 0.001 0.001 0.001
Flowrate of
Vapour R-134a
Shaft Power Ps (kW) 738.4 716.62 701.37
Heat Qw (kW) 536.68 336.91 527.52
Transferred to
Cooling Water
Heat Removed Qr1 (kW) 0.5845 0.69305 0.8517
from Condenser
Heat Absorbed Qr2 (kW) 0.50935 0.4342 0.6013
from Evaporator
Coefficient of COPRF 0.00079 0.6265 0.7059
Performance for
Refrigeration
Coefficient of COPSHAFT 0.00095 0.00096 0.0012
Performance for 7 1
Shaft
Electrical COPE 0.0045 0.00129 0.0014
Coefficient of 9
Performance
Swept Volume Vs (m3/s) 0.000456 0.00045 0.0004
for Compressor 57
Volumetric ɳ 432.02 437.78 431.07
Efficiency

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CALCULATION FOR 2.00 LPM
From the ph diagram, the value of enthalphy is ;
2.00 LPM
h1= 418
h2= 422.5
h3= 387.5
h4= 387.5

Compressor speed (SP2)

SP2 = SP1 x 63.5/254
=364.75 RPM

Mass flowrate of liquid R-134a (mL)

By using interpolation: Vl ;
Vl = 0.001
mL = FT 2/ Vl(1000)(10)
= 0.0167kg/s

Volumetric of vapor
By using interpolation Vv;
Vv = 11.79
V1 = mL x Vv
= 0.0167 x 11.79
= 0.197 m^3/s

Shaft Power (Ps)

Ps = 2(pi)(SP 1 x TQ 1)/60
=2(pi)(1459 x 4.8)/60
= 738.4 watt

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Heat Transferred to Cooling Water
Qw = mC(T1-T2)
= FT 1 x c x T
= 2(4.18)(103.2-40.2)
= 526.68

Heat removed from the condenser

Qr1 = mL(h2-h3)
= 0.0167(422.5-387.5)
= 0.5845

Heat absorbed from the evaporator

Qr2 = mL(h1-h4)
= 0.0167( 418-387.5)
= 0.50935

Coefficient of performance for refrigerant (COPrf)

h1  h4 418  387.5
COPrf = 
h2  h3 422.5  387.5

= 0.8714 @ 87.14%

Coefficient of performance for shaft

COPshaft = Qr1/Ps
= 0.584/738.4
= 7.9 x 10^-4

Electrical Power (COPe)

COPe = Qr1/PWR2
=0.5845/615.2
=9.5 x10^-4

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Swept volume for compressor
Vs = 4.52 x SP 2/1000(3600)
= 4.52 x 364.75 / 1000(3600)
= 4.56 x 10^-4

Volumetric efficiency ;
Efficiency = V1 / VS
= 0.197/0.000456
= 432.02

CALCULATION FOR 3.00 LPM

From the ph diagram, the value of enthalphy is ;
3.00 LPM
h1= 416
h2= 431.5
h3= 390
h4= 390

Compressor speed (SP2)

SP2 = SP1 x 63.5/254
=364 RPM

Mass flowrate of liquid R-134a (mL)

By using interpolation: Vl ;

9.5953  7.8 0.001010  Vl


9.5953  7.3851 0.001010  0.001008

Vl = 0.001
mL = FT 2/ Vl(1000)(10)
= 0.0167kg/s

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Volumetric of vapor
By using interpolation Vv;

15.251 Vv 9.5953  7.8


15.251  19.515 9.5953  7.3851
Vv = 11.79
V1 = mL x Vv
= 0.0167 x 11.79
= 0.197 m^3/s

Shaft Power (Ps)

Ps = 2(pi)(SP 1 x TQ 1)/60
=2(pi)(1456 x 4.8)/60
= 716.62 watt

Heat Transferred to Cooling Water

Qw = mC(T1-T2)
= FT 1 x c x T
= 2(4.18)(80.1-39.8)
= 336.91

Heat removed from the condenser

Qr1 = mL(h2-h3)
= 0.0167(431.5-390)
= 0.69305

Heat absorbed from the evaporator

Qr2 = mL(h1-h4)
= 0.0167( 416-390)
= 0.4342

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Coefficient of performance for refrigerant (COPrf)

h1  h4 416  390
COPrf = 
h2  h3 431.5  390

= 0.6265 @ 62.65%

Coefficient of performance for shaft

COPshaft = Qr1/Ps
= 0.69305/716.61
= 9.67 x10^-4

Electrical Power (COPe)

COPe = Qr1/PWR2
=0.69305/535.7
=1.29 x10^-3

Swept volume for compressor

Vs = 4.52 x SP 2/1000(3600)
= 4.52 x 364 / 1000(3600)
= 4.5 x 10^-4

Volumetric efficiency ;
Efficiency = V1 / VS
= 0.197/0.00045
= 437.78

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CALCULATION FOR 4.00 LPM
From the ph diagram, the value of enthalphy is ;
4.00 LPM
h1= 406
h2= 421
h3= 370
h4= 370

Compressor speed (SP2)

SP2 = SP1 x 63.5/254
=364.25 RPM

Mass flowrate of liquid R-134a (mL)

By using interpolation: Vl ;

9.5953  7.8 0.001010  Vl


9.5953  7.3851 0.001010  0.001008
Vl = 0.001
mL = FT 2/ Vl(1000)(10)
= 0.0167kg/s

Volumetric of vapor
By using interpolation Vv;

15.251 Vv 9.5953  7.8


15.251  19.515 9.5953  7.3851

Vv = 11.79
V1 = mL x Vv
= 0.0167 x 11.79
= 0.197 m^3/s

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Shaft Power (Ps)
Ps = 2(pi)(SP 1 x TQ 1)/60
=2(pi)(36.75 x 4.8)/60
= 701.37 watt

Heat Transferred to Cooling Water

Qw = mC(T1-T2)
= FT 1 x c x T
= 2(4.18)(106.5-43.4)
= 527.52

Heat removed from the condenser

Qr1 = mL(h2-h3)
= 0.0167(421-370)
= 0.8517

Heat absorbed from the evaporator

Qr2 = mL(h1-h4)
= 0.0167( 406-370)
= 0.6012
Coefficient of performance for refrigerant (COPrf)

h1  h4 406  370
COPrf = 
h2  h3 421  370

= 0.7059 @ 70.59%

Coefficient of performance for shaft

COPshaft = Qr1/Ps
= 0.8517/701.37
= 1.21 x10^-3

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Electrical Power (COPe)
COPe = Qr1/PWR2
=0.8517/571.3
=1.49 x10^-3

Swept volume for compressor

Vs = 4.52 x SP 2/1000(3600)
= 4.52 x 364.25 / 1000(3600)
= 4.57 x 10^-4

Volumetric efficiency ;
Efficiency = V1 / VS
= 0.197/0.000457
= 431.07

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7.0 DISCUSSION
1. Coefficient of performance (COP) for refrigeration for 2.00 is 87.14%, for 3.00 is
62.25% and for 4.00 is 70.59%. These three value of performance is valid for all three
Cooling Water Flowrate (LPM). All the value is valid because the percentage value is
above the average value which the efficiency is high. Hence the COP of the
refrigeration system is acceptable.
2. The turbine in a vapor compression refrigeration system is not practical. Because the
feed is a liquid and the effluent is fairly low quality, the average specific volume of the
working fluid in the turbine is very small. The turbine will produce very little work. It
will also require a design that will handle a vapor-liquid mixture. The small amount of
power obtained from such a turbine does not justify its cost. The fact that we lose the
work produced by the turbine is offset by the fact that the cost and maintenance of such
a throttling valve is very low.
3. Water as a refrigerant (R718) is compared with some current natural (R717 and R290)
and synthetic refrigerants (R134a, R12, R22, and R152a) regarding environmental
issues including ozone depletion potential (ODP) and global warming potential (GWP),
safety (toxicity and flammability), operating cost, refrigeration capacity and coefficient
of performance (COP). A computer code simulating a simple vapour compression cycle
was developed to calculate COPs, pressure ratios, outlet temperatures of the refrigerants
from the compressor, and evaporator temperatures above which water theoretically
yields better COPs than the other refrigerants investigated. The main difference of this
study from other similar studies is that both evaporator temperature and condenser
temperature are changed as changing parameters, but the temperature lift, which is the
temperature difference between condenser and evaporator, are held constant and the
irreversibility during the compression process is also taken into consideration by taking
the isentropic efficiency different from 100%. It is found that for evaporator
temperatures above 208C and small temperature lift (5K), R718 gives the highest COP
assuming exactly the same cycle parameters. For medium temperature lifts (20–25K),
this evaporator temperature is above 358C, whereas for even greater temperature lifts
it decreases again. Furthermore, with increased values of polytropic efficiency, R718
can maintain higher COPs over other refrigerants, at lower evaporator temperatures.
4. Based on the obtain result, the highest efficiency of heat transfer to water flow in the
refrigeration system is on LPM for 2.00. The heat being transferred efficiently into the
water and heat absorbed from the evaporator is the highest compare to the other LPM.

8.0 CONCLUSION
As the conclusion, different LPM will give out different reading value for each LPM. Among
3 value of LPM, LPM 2.00 is the best to transferred heat to the water. This is because it gives
out the best result compare to LPM 3.00 and 4.00. Possible application of this experiment is by
used as refrigerators, industrial freezers, cryogenics, and air conditioning.

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9.0 REFERENCES
1. http://www.sfu.ca/~mbahrami/ENSC%20461/Notes/Refrigeration%20Cycle.pdf
2. https://www.learnthermo.com/T1-tutorial/ch10/lesson-B/pg02.php
3. https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/1ff1/eb36bdb360721a861aebed2f907adf902b3e.pdf
4. https://owlcation.com/stem/Understanding-Why-Water-cannot-Be-Used-as-a-
Refrigerant
5. https://www.refrigerationschool.com/blog/hvacr/four-types-refrigeration-systems-
need-know/
6. https://www.swtc.edu/Ag_Power/air_conditioning/lecture/basic_cycle.htm

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10.0 APPENDICES

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