Laboratory:

R134a Refrigerator Test R1.docx

REFRIGERATOR TRIAL
1.

Object
To investigate the performance of a vapour compression refrigerator with varying condenser
pressures and temperatures.

2.

Introduction
Heat will not naturally flow from a low temperature source to a high temperature source.
Transferring heat from a low temperature source to a high temperature source requires a
device (refrigerator or heat pump) with a separate energy input (usually work).
Heat pumps and refrigerators are effectively identical devices but with different objectives.
The refrigerator is required to remove heat energy from a low temperature reservoir by
transferring it to a high temperature reservoir. The heat pump is required to add heat energy
to a high temperature reservoir by removing it from a low temperature reservoir.
The efficiency of a refrigerator is the ratio of heat out of the cold
reservoir to work supplied. This will generally be greater than
unity and is therefore called a Coefficient of Performance (COP)

Hot reservoir
T1
Q1

COP

For a perfectly reversible refrigerator (e.g. reversed Carnot cycle)

Q0
T0

COP

Cold reservoir

out
Q
Condenser
2

W compressor
Compressor

Throttle

Evaporator
4

Q in

Q0
Q0
1

Q1
W
Q1 Q 0
1
Q0

1
T1
T0

The actual refrigeration cycle used in this

Laboratory:

R134a Refrigerator Test R1.docx

The refrigeration cycle can be shown on several types of property diagrams. The two
common diagrams are the T-s and P-h diagrams
T

Pcondenser

out
Q

W compressor

out
Q
3

Pevaporator

Pcondenser

W compressor

Q in

4
s

Q in

Pevaporator

3.

Apparatus (see attached diagram)

3.1

The Hilton laboratory refrigeration unit is a vapour compression device using Refrigerant
134a as the working fluid.

3.2

Cold low pressure gas (T1) is drawn into the compressor and compressed to a high pressure
gas (T2). The hot gas is condensed in the condenser to a cool liquid. The liquid is passed
through a dryer (to remove any water) and then passes to the refrigerant flowmeter. From
the flowmeter the liqiud passes to the thermostatic expansion valve (T3). In the expansion
valve the pressure (and temperature) is reduced (T4). The cold low pressure liquid is then
passed through the evaporator where it picks up heat from the electric heater surrounding the
evaporator coil. The gas evaporates completely in the evaporator and emerges with a few
degrees of superheat and then passes back to the compressor suction (T1) and the cycle is
repeated.

3.3

The condenser cooling water is supplied from the domestic cold water main and can be
regulated by a flow control valve. The cooling water passes through a flowmeter and into
the condenser (T5). The water passes through the condenser and picks up heat before being
directed to a drain (T6).

3.4

The compressor is driven by a four pole A.C. induction motor mounted in a swinging stator
to enable the torque to be measured.

3.5

The performance of the unit can be varied by controlling the evaporator heater power input
and the condenser cooling water flow rate.

3.6

Temperatures around the system can be recorded by selecting the appropriate number on the
temperature indicator.

3.7

Evaporator (the system low pressure) and condenser (the system high pressure) pressures
can be read off the appropriate pressure gauges (remember that they are calibrated in gauge
pressure)

3.8

The evaporator heater power and motor electrical power can recorded on the wattmeter
provided).

3.9

Refrigerant and water flow rates can be measured directly from the respective Rotameters
(flowmeters).

Laboratory:

R134a Refrigerator Test R1.docx

4.

Procedure

4.1

Adjust the condenser cooling water flow rate to approximately 50 g/s

4.2

Set the evaporator heat input control to minimum.

4.3

Switch on the power to the motor and check that the compressor is running and that
refrigerant is flowing through the refrigerant flowmeter.

4.4

After about 2 minutes gradually increase the evaporator power to maintain a constant
evaporator pressure of 100 kN/m (gauge).

4.5

When conditions have stabilised record one complete set of measured results. Note the
evaporator heater power.

4.6

Adjust the cooling water flow rate to approximately 10 g/s and adjust the evaporator heater
power to maintain the same evaporator pressure as in 4.6. When conditions have stabilised
record one complete set of measured results. Note the evaporator heater power.

4.7

Adjust the evaporator heater control so that the evaporator heater power is about midway
between the two previous values notes in 4.6 and 4.7. Adjust the water cooling flow rate to
maintain the same evaporator pressure as in 4.6. When conditions have stabilised record
one complete set of measured results.

4.8

When shutting down the unit set the evaporator heater power to zero and after about one
minute switch off the electrical power to the motor.

4.9

Turn off the cooling water.

5.

Observed Results

5.1

All results should be recorded on the Observed Results table

5.2

The 3 sets of results are all at the same evaporator pressure but with varying condenser
pressures.

6.

Calculations

6.1

The calculated results required are shown on the Calculated Results table. A table of
calculation notes is also provided.

6.2

Provide a complete set of sample calculations from one test.

6.3

TAKE CARE WITH UNITS!

7.

Graphs & Diagrams

7.1

Plot the test cycles on P-h diagrams to obtain the cycle enthalpy values.

7.2

Sketch the test cycles on both P-h and T-s diagrams to show the relative differences between
the cycles.

7.3

Plot fluid cycle COP and overall COP against condenser temperature for the 3 tests

7.4

Plot volumetric efficiency against pressure ratio (condenser/evaporator)

Laboratory:

R134a Refrigerator Test R1.docx

8.

Discussion

8.1

Discuss the calculated results in relation to the trends and values which are suggested by
ideal Carnot analysis.

8.2

Discuss the difference between the types of COPs calculated.

8.3

Comment on the relative merits of using alternative refrigerants, with particular reference to
the range of pressure, refrigerant flow rates and volume displacement of the compressor

9.

Conclusion
Always provide a brief conclusion addressing the main object of the experiment

10.

Additional Data

10.1

Compressor
2 cylinder, single acting
Bore = 38 mm
Stroke = 19 mm
Swept Volume = 43 cm per revolution

10.2

Dynamometer
Torque arm radius = 0.165m

10.3

Water
Specific heat capacity = 4.18 kJ/kgK

Laboratory:

R134a Refrigerator Test R1.docx

OBSERVED RESULTS

TEST NUMBER
Description

Temperatures
Compressor suction

T1

Compressor delivery

T2

Condenser exit

T3

Evaporator inlet

T4

Cooling water inlet

T5

Cooling water outlet

T6

Evaporator (compressor suction)

Pe

kN/m
(gauge)

Condenser (compressor delivery)

Pc

kN/m
(gauge)

Evaporator load

Qee

Motor input

Wm

Refrigerant Flow Rate

mr

g/s

Cooling Water Flow Rate

mw

g/s

Compressor speed

Nc

rev/min

Motor torque arm force

Fs

Atmospheric pressure

Pa

kN/m

Pressures

Electrical

Miscellaneous

Laboratory:

R134a Refrigerator Test R1.docx

CALCULATED RESULTS
TEST NUMBER
Description

Enthalpy
Compressor suction

h1

kJ/kg

Compressor delivery (actual)

h2

kJ/kg

Compressor delivery (assuming

h2s

kJ/kg

Condenser exit

h3

kJ/kg

Evaporator inlet

h4

kJ/kg

v1

m/kg

Qer

Heat Power absorbed by water

Qcw

Heat Power emitted by R134a

Qcr

Swept volume rate

Vc

m/s

R134a suction volume flow rate

Vr1

m/s

Volumetric efficiency

Motor speed

Nm

Rev/min

Shaft power output

Wm

Motor efficiency

Evaporator saturation temperature

Te

Condenser saturation temperature

Tc

Specific Volume
Compressor suction
Evaporator Power
Heat Power absorbed by R134a
Condenser Power

Compressor

Motor

Saturation Temperatures

COPs
Overall
Based on shaft power
Fluid cycle, isentropic compression
Carnot cycle based on Te and Tc
Carnot cycle based on Te and T5

Laboratory:

R134a Refrigerator Test R1.docx

CALCULATION NOTES
Description

Note

Enthalpy
Compressor suction

h1

kJ/kg

Establish from P-h diagram

Compressor delivery (actual)

h2

kJ/kg

Establish from P-h diagram

Compressor delivery (assuming

h2s

kJ/kg

Establish from P-h diagram assuming isentropic

Condenser exit

h3

kJ/kg

Establish from P-h diagram

Evaporator inlet

h4

kJ/kg

Establish from P-h diagram

v1

m/kg

Establish from P-h diagram

Qer

Refrigerant mass flow x enthalpy change

Heat Power absorbed by water

Qcw

Water mass flow x specific heat capacity x temperature

Heat Power emitted by R134a

Qcr

Refrigerant mass flow x enthalpy change

Swept volume rate

Vc

m/s

Compressor speed x swept volume

R134a suction volume flow rate

Vr1

m/s

Refrigerant mass flow rate x specific volume

Volumetric efficiency

Motor speed

Nm

rev/min

Shaft power output

Wm

Torque x speed (torque = force x torque arm length)

Motor efficiency

Shaft Power out / Electrical power in

Evaporator saturation temperature

Te

Determine from P-h diagram

Condenser saturation temperature

Tc

Determine from P-h diagram

Specific Volume
Compressor suction
Evaporator Power
Heat Power absorbed by R134a
Condenser Power

Compressor

Actual volume flow rate of refrigerant divided by the ideal

Motor
Compressor speed x pulley ratio

Saturation Temperatures

COPs

COP = (energy into evaporator / energy into compressor)

Overall

Based on electrical power supplied to motor and

Based on shaft power

Based on shaft power supplied by motor and electrical

Fluid cycle, isentropic compression

Based on enthalpy changes in evaporator and compressor

Carnot cycle based on Te and Tc

Based on refrigerant saturation temperatures

Carnot cycle based on Te and T7

Based on possible extreme temperatures

Laboratory:

R134a Refrigerator Test R1.docx

Laboratory:

R134a Refrigerator Test R1.docx