OBJECTIVE

1. To introduce the fundamental principles of a refrigeration system.

2. To familiarize the basic layout of refrigeration system with a cooling stage and a deep- freezing
stage.

3. To identify the components in refrigeration systems.

4. To illustrates the refrigeration cyclic processes on a P-h diagram.

5. To calculate the cooling capacity and refrigeration capacity of the cooling stages.

THEORY

The basis for the functioning of the refrigeration system is a thermodynamic cyclic process. In
a thermodynamic cyclic process, a working fluid (service medium) which is called refrigerant
(e.g. R134a) passes through various changes of state in a pre-set sequence. The changes of state
are repeated cyclically, so the working fluid repeatedly returns to its initial state, hence a cyclic
process. Change of state refers to compression, expansion, heating or cooling. The changes of
state in a cyclic process can be advantageously plotted on a P-h diagram where the pressure P
is plotted against the specific enthalpy h. Each of the various working fluid has its own P-h
diagram, in which the liquid-phase, wet-vapor and hot-vapor zones are plotted. The P-h
diagram is more convenient for refrigeration cycles since the enthalpies required for the
calculation can be read off direct.

Figure 1 shows the ideal P-h diagram of a refrigeration cycle as compared to the actual P-h
diagram of a refrigeration cycle is shown in Figure 2. The main difference between the actual
and the ideal cyclic process is that the compression is not isentropic (i.e. without discharge of
heat), but runs along the line 1*-2* due to internal friction in the working fluid vapor and heat
losses in the compressor. Thus, more work must be expended on the compressor to achieve the
same final pressure. Moreover, superheating 1- 1 * of the working fluid vapor prior to
compression is necessary, to reliably exclude the possibility of drops of liquid entering
the

Compressor. The compressor would otherwise be damaged by liquid impacts. Liquid sub
cooling 3-3* is used to reduce the portion of vapor at the inlet into the evaporator. As a result,
more evaporation heat 4*- 1 can be absorbed.
To calculate the cooling effect (cold output) of a refrigeration system, the refrigerant
mass flow Must first be ascertained. The specific volume v of the refrigerant is
read from the P-h Diagram. The volumetric flow rate of the refrigerant as read
from the volumetric flow meter can be used to calculate refrigerant mass flow rate
.

(1)

where PR= Bulk density of the Refrigerant R134a = 1.22 xl 03

kg/ m3 (liquid, at 1 bar and 20)
The enthalpy difference between the upstream and downstream states of the
evaporator can be read off directly once the measured values of pressure and
temperature are marked appropriately on the P-h diagram.
This difference is also termed as refrigeration effect (specific cold) ,

(2)

The cold output Q, for evaporator is thus calculated as

(3)

The coefficient of performance {COP) for the refrigeration system is

(4)
PROCEDURES

1) Switch on refrigeration trainer and prepare for the operation of both cooling
compartments:
a) The compressor is switched on.
b) The fans is switch on.
c) Both solenoid valves enabled.
d) Wait approx. 5 minutes until a steady state has been established.
e) The "Freezer @Cooler switched on depend on requirement.

2) Record the volumetric flow rate V R that measured by the variable area flow meter.

3) Referred to the labels used in Figure 4 for relevant pressures and temperatures, the
labels on the circuit panel are as follows for both "freezer" and "cooler':
 Freezer Cooler
Corresponds to Corresponds to
Figure1 Circuit Figure 1 Circuit
Tl TlO Tl TlO
T2 Tl T2 Tl
T3 T4 T3 T4
T4 T5 T4 T6
P2(=P3) Pl P2(=P3) Pl
Pl(=P4) P2 Pl(=P4) P3

4) All the values for each label through the measurement that displayed on the cooling circuit
panel identified and recorded in Table 1.

5) Using the data collected from the measurement displayed on the cooling circuit panel, and
with the help of P-h diagram, the specific enthalpies by means on the graphical solution for
both "freezer" and "cooler" cycle is recorded.

6) The graphical solution procedures are as follows:

a) Plot the bounding isobar Pl /4 and P2/3 on the P-h diagram provided in the lab sheet,
the values on the manometers in the system are read during this process. It must be noted that
the values read on the two manometers are relative pressures, however absolute values must be
plotted on the diagram( , = + ), [1 aim= 101,325 Pa= 1.01325 bars]

b) Entering the states of the refrigerant that bound the cyclic process:

Point 1: Intersection of the isobar for Pl /4 with the isotherm T1 at the compressor
inlet.

Point 2: Intersection of the isobars for P2/3 with the isotherm T2 after compression at the
compressor outlet.

Point 3: Intersection of isotherm T3 (outlet of the condenser) with the isobars for P2/3.

Point 4: Intersection of the isobar for P1/ 4 with the isotherm T4 at the evaporator inlet.

c) By dropping vertically from these 4 points, the specific enthalpies can be read and fill in
Table 2.
EXPERIMENTAL DATA

Table 1

FREEZER
Refrigerant mass flowrate =
*Figure 1 T1 T2 T3 T4 P1 P2
(=P4) (=P3)
Equivalent Point T1 T1 T1 T1 P1 P2
on Circuit Panel 10 1 4 5 4.2 3.1
*(Figure 4)
Variables Value: 25.8 56.2 18.1 -15.5 1.4 6.5
Temperature
(C)Pressure Bar
Gauge
COOLER
Refrigerant mass flowrate =
*Figure 1 T1 T2 T3 T4 P1 P2
(=P4) (=P3)
Equivalent Point T1 T1 T1 T1 P1 P3
on Circuit Panel 10 1 4 6 4.3 3.1
*(Figure 4)
Variables Value: 26.1 53.5 20.6 12.4 3.4 6.5
Temperature
(C)Pressure Bar
Gauge
EXPERIMENTAL RESULTS

Freezer

Volumetric flow rate = 2 2 1

5+2
= 3.5 /
2

Established value of enthalpy of various thermodynamics states in the refrigeration system

using P-h diagram.

P1= 1.4 T1= 25.8 h1= 424 kJ/kg

P2= 6.5 T2= 56.2 h2= 442 kJ/kg

P3= 6.5 T3= 18.1 h3= 225 kJ/kg

P4= 1.4 T4= -15.5 h4= 390 kJ/kg

Cooler


Volumetric flow rate = 2 2 1

2 + 10
= 6.0 /
2

Established value of enthalpy of various thermodynamics states in the refrigeration system

using P-h diagram.

P1= 3.4 T1= 21.6 h1= 413 kJ/kg

P2= 6.5 T2= 53.5 h2= 438.89 kJ/kg

P3= 6.5 T3= 20.6 h3= 228 kJ/kg

P4= 3.4 T4= 12.4 h4= 407.78 kJ/kg

Discussion

1. Calculate the cooling effect (cold output) of the evaporator( ) by using the specific
enthalpies that obtained from the graphical solution for both cycles.

= x

= 1 4

Freezer

= 424 390 = 34

= (1.22 x 103 )(9.722 107 ) = 1.186084 x 103

= 1.186084 x 103 34 = 0.04 #

Cooler

= 413 407.78 = 5.22

= (1.22 x 103 )(1.667x 106 ) = 2.03374 x 103

= 2.03374 x 103 5.22 = 0.01 #

2. Calculate the coefficient of performance (COP) of refrigeration system for freezer
and cooler by using the specific enthalpies that obtained from the graphical solution for both
cycles.

=
(2 1 )

Freezer

0.04
= = 1.8735.79 #
(1.186084 x 103 )(442 424)

Cooler

0.01
= = 0.1899 #
(2.03374x 103 )(438.89 413)

3. Why the actual and theoretical graphs for P-h diagram are different? Give your reasons.

During plotting the graph, the value of pressure from the experiment affected the result of the
graph. Besides that, the graph also have low accuracy due to lacks of dimension on the both X
and Y axis. After that, during observe the pressure reading, there could be a parallax error
which caused by incorrect eye position from the scale. Next, during sketching the curve on the
graph, some point may not correctly sketched as the sketching method is using free hand
sketching.

4. What could be concluded from the refrigerating effect (cold output) of evaporator( )

The refrigerating effect or cold output of evaporator (QL) is higher for freezer than of in cooler.
This is because the evaporator in freezer absorbs more heat due to higher specific cold, qL
which leads to lower temperature. While the specific cold, qL of cooler is lower compared to
freezer as its evaporator absorb lower amount of heat from the cooling compartment. Thus this
is the reason why the temperature in cooling compartment of cooler is higher than temperature
in cooling compartment of freezer.
However, higher refrigerating effect of cooler does not equal to lower Coefficient of
Performance (COP) when the work of compressor is lower. This is because Coefficient of
Performance is equal to the ratio of refrigerating effect to work of compressor. The work of
compressor, (Win) of cooler is lower than the work of compressor of freezer due to its lower
h2-h1 value. Thus, the Coefficient of Performance of cooler is higher than Coefficient of
Performance of freezer despite its lower refrigerating effect.

5.What are the limitations of graphical solution in this experiment?

When sketching the graph with a big scale, there are some limitations of graphical solution. It
will caused errors in the experiment due to unprecise graph plot of the actual values. Other than
that, enthalpy values from the graph after we link the enthalpy axis from point of state will also
have some inaccuracy due to the unsuitable graph scale.

Question

1. What is the function of tubular heat exchanger in the cooling circuit and its
effect to the efficiency? Explain!
Heat exchanger is a device used to transfer heat between solid object and fluid,
or between two of more fluids. The fluid may be separated by a solid wall to
prevent from mixing or direct contact. Fouling on process equipment surfaces
can have a significant, negative impact on the operational efficiency of the
unit. Particulate fouling can be defined as the process in which particles in the
process stream deposit onto heat exchanger surfaces. These particles include
particles originally carried by the feed stream before entering the heat
exchanger and particles formed in the heat exchanger itself as a result of
various reactions, aggregation and flocculation.
2. What are the important factors in designing the refrigerator?
Most current refrigeration systems use the vapour compression cycle which in its most
ideal state can be thought of as a reversed Carnot engine. Work is input to the system via
the compressor, producing a net effect of pumping heat from a low temperature to a
higher temperature. How well a refrigeration cycle operates depends, among other things,
on the thermodynamic properties of the working fluid, the refrigerant. The
thermodynamic properties of the refrigerant must also be compatible with the operating
temperature range. Thus the freezing point of the refrigerant must be well below the
operating temperature of the evaporator at the working evaporator pressure; otherwise
the refrigerant could freeze in the evaporator. Similarly, the operating pressure in the
condenser should be below the critical pressure of the refrigerant, otherwise no
condensation will occur. From an energy efficiency point of view, the most important
thermodynamic measure of a refrigerant is its Coefficient Of Performance (COP), which
is defined as follows:

The COP provides a measure of how much work needs to be supplied to the system to
achieve a given refrigeration effect. Thus the higher the COP of a refrigerant for a given
application (the temperature extrema of the cycle), the more energy efficient it is. For a
reversed Carnot engine, a purely theoretical concept, the COP is independent of the
refrigerant and depends only on the temperatures between which the cycle operates. It
can mathematically be derived from the above definition of the COP and is:

This is an idealized measure which serves to define the maximum attainable performance
for a given refrigeration application no matter what type of process or working fluid is
used. In practice, other thermodynamic properties come into play which affect the design
and consequently the efficiency of a refrigeration cycle. Using a refrigerant with a higher
latent heat, for example, means that less of the refrigerant needs to be used to remove a
certain quantity of heat. A refrigerant which operates with a large pressure difference
between the condenser and the evaporator (high compression ratio) causes the efficiency
of the compressor to be lower and its exit temperature to be higher, both undesirable
operating features. Reciprocating positive displacement compressors (the type used in
the domestic refrigerator) have a space between the piston head and the casing to prevent
damage to the piston head in the compression stroke. This space is called the Clearance
Volume and is usually 415% of the total volume. The Clearance Volume contains
refrigerant gas which expands and contracts with every stroke of the piston, which results
in a lowering of the actual volume of the refrigerant that is compressed. A quantity which
measures this inefficiency is the compressor Clearance Volumetric Efficiency (N,) which
is defined as follow:
 As can be seen from the above expression, the higher the inlet to outlet density ratio (or
in terms of pressure, the higher the compression ratio), the lower the Clearance
volumetric Efficiency. Other factors which contribute to lowering the Total Volumetric
Efficiency (actual volume of gas/volume swept by piston) of a compressor are: leakage
losses past the piston and valves, throttling in the valves, absorption of the gas in the
lubricating oil, and heat exchange losses from the compressor.

3. In this experiment, obviously we know that the temperature in the "Freezer" compartment
is cooler than in the "Cooler" compartment. What is the possible factor that makes this
happen? Explain!
A working fluid (refrigerant) vapour is compressed so it heats up, it then passes through
a condenser to cool it down to a liquid. This is then throttled, its pressure is lowered,
which drops the temperature. Its then passes through the fridge to cool the air inside.
The key to why a freezer is colder than a refrigerator is that the working fluid is throttled
through an expansion valve to a lower temperature.

CONCLUSION

The coefficient of performance for freezer is lower than the coefficient of performance of
cooler although freezer absorb more heat from the cooling compartment which give lower
temperature. By referring to the data concluded from the experiment, the heat absorbed during
evaporation in freezer is higher than heat absorbed in cooler. This statement is accurate with
the theory that stated the evaporation in freezer should absorbed more heat than the cooler.
Generally, the more heat absorbed, the lower the temperature of the refrigerator would be.
REFERENCES

1. www.thermopedia.com/content/1072

2. https//en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heat exchanger

3. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Enthalphy

4. Zemansky, Mark W. (1986). Chapter 11. Heat and Thermodynamics (5th ed.). New York,
NY: McGraw-Hill. P.275.

5. https//berg-group.com/engineered-solutions/the-science-behind-refrigeration/