Heaven’s Light is Our Guide

LAB MANUAL
of
ME 4221
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Sessional

Department of Mechanical Engineering

RAJSHAHI UNIVERSITY OF ENGINEERING AND
TECHNOLOGY
RAJSHAHI
Experiment no.: 01
Experiment Name: Study and Performance test of a Vapor Compression Refrigeration (VCR) System
Objectives:
1. To study the vapor compression refrigeration cycle and its various components.
2. To study the effect of sub cooling and superheating on the performance of VCRS.
3. To Study the effect of varying the suction and discharge pressure on the performance of VCRS.
4. To calculate the limits of temperature in the compressor, co-efficient of performance and
refrigeration capacity of a VCR.

Theory:
A simple vapor compression refrigeration system consists of the following major components:
1. Compressor
2. Condenser
3. Expansion valve
4. Evaporator
The schematic diagram of a simple vapor compression refrigeration system is shown in Figure 1. The low
temperature, low pressure refrigerant vapor at state B is compressed by a compressor to high temperature
and high pressure vapor at state C. This vapor is condensed to high pressure liquid at state D in the condenser
and then passes through the expansion valve. Here, the vapor is throttled down to a low temperature, low
pressure liquid and passed on to an evaporator, where it absorbs heat from the surrounding circulating fluid
(being refrigerated) and vaporizes into low pressure vapor at state B. The cycle then repeats. The exchange
of energies in this cycle is as follows:
1. Compressor requires work δw. the work is supplied to the system from the surroundings.
2. During condensation, heat δQ1 the equivalent of latent heat of condensation etc., is lost from the
refrigerator.
3. During evaporation, heat δQ2 equivalent to latent heat of vaporization is absorbed by the
refrigerant.
4. There is no exchange of heat during throttling process through the expansion valve as this process
occurs at constant enthalpy.
 Figure 1: Simple Vapor Compression Refrigeration System

Ideal Vapor Compression Refrigeration Cycle:

In ideal vapor compression refrigeration cycle, the four processes are Vaporization (Evaporation),
Compression, Condensation and Expansion. A system layout of VCR with P-h and T-s diagrams are
presented in Figure 2.

Figure2: System Layout, P-h and T-s diagrams of Ideal VCR cycle.

❖ Process 1-2: Compression is used to raise the pressure of the refrigerant, so that it can condense at
a higher temperature.
❖ Process 2-3: All the vapors are condensed in the condenser.
 ❖ Process 3-4: The pressure is reduced in an expansion device, and the refrigerant is returned to its
original condition 1.
❖ Process 4-1: The process starts with vaporization of the liquid refrigerant in the evaporator. This
is completed at point 2.

The temperature reached in the compressor by the refrigerant (isentropic compression) is calculated
through the following formula:
k−1
T2 = T1 (P2 |P1 ) k

Where
Cp
K=
Cv

• It is directly proportional to the compression ratio, to the suction temperature T1 and the type of
gas used.
• In the case of air-tight and semi-airtight compressors, the manufacturers fix the values of T1
(according to the type of evaporation and to the used refrigerant) which must not be exceeded to
guarantee a satisfactory cooling of the compressor. Otherwise, the compressor must be cooled
through other devices.
• Therefore, the suction line must be insulated to keep the suction temperature low and it can easily
be realized that any exchanger for sub cooling the liquid cannot be installed on the suction pipe.
■ Theoretical COP:
COP = Refrigeration Effect / Work done to the compressor
COP = (h1 – h4) / (h2 – h1)
Where:
h4 = Enthalpy at the inlet of Evaporator
h1 = Enthalpy at the outlet of Evaporator
h2 = Enthalpy at the inlet of compressor
Data Collection:
1. Temperature at the outlet of the evaporator, (T1)
2. Temperature at inlet of condenser, (T2)
3. Temperature at the outlet of condenser (T3)
4. Temperature at the inlet of Evaporator, (T4)
5. Pressure of R134a at inlet of compressor, (Pl)
6. Pressure of R134a at outlet of compressor, (Ph)
 Obs, No. T1 (˚C) T2 (˚C) T3 (˚C) T4 (˚C) Pl (kPa) Ph (kPa)
01
02
03
04
05

❖ Supply Voltage and current to the compressor: V, A.

Sample Calculation:

Enthalpies at specified points are calculated from P – h diagram,

h1=
h2=
h3=
h4=
ℎ1 −ℎ4
Co – efficient of performance, COP =
ℎ2 −ℎ1

Mass flow rate of the refrigerant:

𝑚̇(ℎ2 − ℎ1 ) = 𝑓𝑉𝐼

Where,

f = factor accounting for the conversion of electrical energy to mechanical energy

V= Voltage of supply line
I= Current drawn by the compressor

❖ Refrigeration Capacity = 𝑚̇(ℎ1 − ℎ4 )

❖ Plot the variation of COP with pressure difference in a graph paper.

 Question and Answer:

1. Explain with neat sketch the working principle of simple Vapor Compression Refrigeration
System.
2. What is C.O.P of a refrigeration system?
3. Explain the effect of Sub-cooling and Super-heating on the performance of a simple VCRS.
4. Explain the effect of varying suction pressure and discharge pressure on the performance of VCR
with p-h and T-S diagrams.
5. Draw and explain actual vapor compression refrigeration cycle.

Experiment no.: 02

Experiment Name: Study and performance test of an Air Conditioning Unit

Objective:

1. To study different components of an air conditioning unit.

2. To study different types of air conditioning system.
3. To find the coefficient of performance (COP), Energy Efficiency Ratio (EER) and Ton of
Refrigeration (TR) of an air – conditioning system.

Theory:

The purpose of an air conditioner is to maintain a comfortable indoor conditions. The comfort is
determined by a combination of 4 factors:

1. Temperature
2. Humidity
3. Air Distribution
4. Purity of air

For this reason, the main purposes of air conditioners are to:

• Control room temperatures (Cooling/ Heating).

• Control room humidity levels (Drying/ Humidifying).
• Optimise air flow (Circulation, Distribution).
• Clean the air (Filtration).

An Air Conditioner consists of four main sections:

 1. Refrigerant circuit components: Circulation of the refrigerant and transfer of heat from inside
to outside (summer) and vice versa (winter). (Compressor, evaporator, condenser, capillary
tube/expansion valve, etc.).
2. Ventilation System: Distribution of air (indoor) and Heat dissipation (outdoor). (Fan, filter, duct
etc.).
3. Electrical parts: Climate control (Starting relay, over load protector, thermostat, and motor).
4. Other: Unit casing, etc.

Refrigerant circuit components

• Compressor: Compresses the refrigerant from low pressure (low temperature) to high pressure
(high temperature). This conversion raises the boiling point to higher temperature levels,
facilitating elimination of the heat brought by the outdoor air.
• Condenser: This component receives gas at high pressure and high temperature from the
compressor. In air-cooled condensers, the metallic surfaces cool the refrigerant and gaseous
refrigerant turns into liquid. In the case of water-cooled condensers, it is the circulation of the water
that produces the same cooling effect.
• Evaporator: After expansion, liquid refrigerant enters into evaporator and absorbs heat from the
surrounding air and produces the desired refrigerating effect.
• Expansion Device (capillary tube): A narrowing of a tube connected along the line between the
condenser and the evaporator with diameters ranging from 1 to 2 mm and lengths ranging between
1 and 2 m. The function of the device is to reduce the condenser pressure to evaporator pressure.

Ventilation System:

• Fan: The following two types of fans may be used for the transmission of air:
1. Centrifugal fan: Centrifugal fan may have the following three types of blades: a. Radial or
straight blades. b. Forward curved blades. c. Backward curved blades.
2. Axial flow fan: Axial fans are divided into the following three groups: a. Propeller fan. b. Tube
axial fan. c. Vane axial fan.

Electrical System:

1. Starting Relay: It is used to provide necessary starting torque required to start the motor.
2. Overload Protector: It is used to protect the compressor motor winding from damage because of
excessive current, in the event of overloading due to some faults.
 3. Thermostat: A thermostat is used to control the temperature in the refrigerator. The bulb of the
thermostat is clamped to the evaporator.

Types of Air Conditioning System

Following are the types of air conditioning system:

1. Comfort air conditioning system

2. Industrial air conditioning system
3. Winter air conditioning system
4. Summer air conditioning system
5. Year-round air conditioning system
6. The unitary air conditioning system
7. Central air conditioning system

• According to the Purpose

1. Comfort Air Conditioning system: In these types of air conditioning system, the air is brought
to the required dry bulb temperature and relative humidity for human health, comfort, and
efficiency.
Example: In homes, offices, shops, restaurants, theatres, hospitals, schools etc. are using air-
conditioning systems to give comfort to people.
2. Industrial Air Conditioning System: In these types of air conditioning system, the inside dry
bulb temperature and relative humidity of the air is kept constant for working of the machine
and for the manufacturing process.
Example: Textile mills, Paper mills, Machine part manufacturing plants, Toolroom,
Photographic, etc. are using this type of air-conditioning system.

• According to the Season of the Year

1. Winter Air Conditioning System: In winter air conditioning system, the air is heated, which is
generally followed by humidification. Schematic for the system is arranged as follows:
2. Summer Air Conditioning System: In this system, the air is cooled and generally dehumidified.
A Schematic for a typical summer air conditioning system is arranged as follows:

3. Year-Round Air Conditioning System: In a year-round air conditioning system, it should have
equipment for both the summer and winter air conditioning. Schematic for a modern summer year-
round air conditioning is arranged as follows:
 • According to the Arrangement of Equipment
1. Unitary Air Conditioning System
▪ In the unitary air conditioning system, the assembled air conditioner is installed in or
adjacent to the space to be conditioned.
▪ Unitary systems, the common type of room air conditioners, sit in a window or wall
opening, with interior controls.
▪ Interior air is cooled as a fan blows it over the evaporator.
▪ The exterior air is heated as a second fan blows it over the conditioner.
▪ In this process, heat is removed from the room and expelled to the environment.
▪ A large house or building may have several such units, permitting each room to be cooled
separately.

The unitary air conditioning systems are of the following two types:

✓ Window unit
✓ Vertical packed units or PTAC systems/Split type

❖ Window Unit: These types of conditioners have a small capacity of 1 TR to 3 TR and are
installed through a window or wall. They are employed to condition the air of one room only. If
the room is bigger in size, then two or more units are used.
❖ Vertical Packed Units or PTAC systems: These types of air conditioners are bigger in the
capacity of 5 to 20 TR and are adjacent to the space to be conditioned. This unit is very useful for
 conditioning the air of a restaurant, bank or small office. PTAC systems are also known as wall
split air conditioning systems or ductless systems.
These PTAC systems which are widely used in hotels have two separate units, the evaporative
unit on the interior and the condensing unit on the exterior, with tubing passes through the wall
and connect them together. This minimizes the interior system footprint and allows each room to
be conditioned independently.
PTAC system may be adapted to provide heating in cold weather, either directly by using an
electric strip, gas or other heaters, or by reversing the refrigerant flow to heat the interior and
draw heat from the exterior air, converting the air – conditioner into a heat pump.

2. Central Air Conditioning System: It is the most important type of air conditioning system,
It is used when the required cooling capacity is 25 TR or more and when the airflow is more
than 300 m³/min or different zones in a building are to be air-conditioned.

Data Collection:
a) Temperature at the outlet of the evaporator, (T1)
b) Temperature at inlet of condenser, (T2)
c) Temperature at the outlet of condenser (T3)
d) Temperature at the inlet of Evaporator, (T4)
e) Pressure of R134a at inlet of compressor, (Pl)
f) Pressure of R134a at outlet of compressor, (Ph)

Obs, No. T1 (˚C) T2 (˚C) T3 (˚C) T4 (˚C) Pl (kPa) Ph (kPa)

01
02
03
04
05

❖ Supply voltage and current to the compressor: V= , A= .

Sample Calculation:

Enthalpies at specified points are calculated from P – h diagram of refrigerant 134a,

h1=
h2=
h3=
h4=
𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡 ℎ −ℎ
Coefficient of performance, COP= 𝑤𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑟𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑡𝑜 𝑑𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑟 = ℎ1 −ℎ4
2 1

Mass flow rate of the refrigerant:

𝑚̇(ℎ2 − ℎ1 ) = 𝑓𝑉𝐼

Where,

f = factor accounting for the conversion of electrical energy to mechanical energy

V= Voltage of the supply line
I= Current drawn by the compressor

❖ Cooling/heating capacity of the unit = 𝑚̇(ℎ1 − ℎ4 )

𝐴𝐶 𝐶𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 (𝐵𝑇𝑈)
❖ Energy Efficiency Ratio, EER=
𝑃𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝐼𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 (𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑡𝑠)
𝐴𝐶 𝐶𝑎𝑝𝑎𝑐𝑖𝑡𝑦 (𝐾𝑊)
❖ Ton of refrigeration, TR =
3.517

❖ Plot the variation of COP with pressure difference in a graph paper.

Question and Answers:
1. Explain window air conditioner with neat sketch and Psychrometric process.
2. Explain split air-conditioner with neat sketch.
3. Explain evaporative cooler with neat sketch and Psychrometric process.
4. Explain the working principle of air washer with neat sketch.