FACULTY OF ENGINEERING, TECHNOLOGY & BUILT

ENVIRONMENT

SUBJECT CODE & NAME:

EM306 THERMODYNAMICS II

Facilitator’s Name: Dr. Olugu

Tutor Name: Ms. Nor Fazilah

Student Name :
Student ID :
Semester / Year : May - August 2017
EM306| Thermodynamics II

TABLE OF CONTENTS

SN Content Page
1 Experiment #1 Air Conditioning Unit 2
2 Experiment #2 General Observation of Cooling Tower and Relationship 3
between Cooling Load and Cooling Range
3 Experiment #3 End State Properties of Air and Steady Flow 5
Equations
4 Experiment #4 Refrigeration System 6

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EM306| Thermodynamics II

Experiment 1 – Title: Air Conditioning Unit

Objective
To study the cooling effects and to determine the cooling power of the cooling coil
To study the dehumidification effects and to determine the cooling power of the cooling coil
To study the heating effects and to determine the heating power of the heaters

Introduction / Instruction / Procedure / Guideline

Design and conduct experiments to achieve the above objectives. Students should run the radial fan at
selected air speed and choose the selected processes. Additionally, students should also record the air
temperature and relative humidity at the inlet and outlet of the coil and the differential pressure reading
across the orifice when a steady state is reached.

**Note: Process will stabilize in approximately 15 minutes.

Results and Discussion

1. For each process, plot these two state points (inlet & outlet points) on the Psychrometric chart.
2. Analyze the Specific Volume of Outlet Air, v (m3/kg dry air) and Absolute Humidity of Outlet
Air, ϖ (kg/kg dry air) from Psychrometric chart.
3. Assess the cooling power of the cooling coil and heating power of the heaters. (Please show your
calculation)
4. Complete the name of unit assembly of Air-Cond unit (AC01) – Refer attachment.

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EM306| Thermodynamics II

Experiment 2 – Title: General Observation of Cooling Tower and Relationship between Cooling
Load and Cooling Range

Objective
To observe the processes within a forced draught cooling tower

To investigate the relationship between cooling load and cooling range

Introduction / Instruction / Procedure / Guideline

Part A - Observation of Forced Draught Cooling Tower
1. Perform the general start-up procedures and observe the forced draught cooling tower proves.
2. As the warm water enters the top of the tower, it is fed into channels from which it flows via water
distribution system onto the packing. The channels are designed to distribute the water uniformly
over the packing with minimum splashing.
3. The packing surfaces are easily wetted and the water spreads over the surfaces to expose a large
area to the air stream.
4. The cooled water falls from the lowest packing into the basin and then is pumped to the simulated
load in the load tank.
5. During the process, some water is lost due to the evaporation. Thus, "make-up" water must be
supplied to keep the amount of water in the cooling system constant. The make-up is observed
flowing past the float-controlled valve in the load tank.
6. A “droplet arrester”, or “mist eliminator” is fitted at the tower outlet to minimize loss of water due
to escape of droplets of water (resulting from splashing, etc.) which is entrained in the air stream.
This loss does not contribute to the cooling, but must be made good by "make-up". The droplet
arrester causes droplets to coalesce, forming drops that are too large to be entrained and these falls
back into the packing.
7. The fan drives the air upward through the wet packing. At air outlet, the air leaving the cooling
tower is almost saturated, i.e. Relative Humidity is ~100%. The Relative Humidity at the air outlet
is much higher than the Relative Humidity at the air inlet. The increase in the moisture content of
the air is due to the evaporation of water into steam and the "latent heat" for this account for most
of the cooling effect.
8. When the cooling load is switched off and the unit is allowed to stabilize, it is found that the water
leaves the basin at temperature close to the wet bulb temperature of the air entering. Wet bulb
temperature is lower than the dry bulb temperature and this varies according to the local
atmospheric conditions (i.e. pressure and relative humidity).
9. With no load, the water would be cooled to the incoming wet bulb temperature. However, the
condition cannot be achieved since the work done by the pump transfers about 40W to the water.

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EM306| Thermodynamics II

Part B - Relationship between Cooling Load and Cooling Range

1. Set the system under the following conditions and allow stabilizing for about 15 minutes.
i. Water flow rate : 2.0 LPM
ii. Air Flow : Maximum
iii. Cooling load : 0.0 kW

2. After the system stabilized, record a few sets of the measurements such as temperatures, orifice
differential pressure, water flowrate and heater power, then obtain the mean value for calculation
and analysis.
3. Without changes in the conditions, increase the cooling load to 0.5 kW. When the system stabilized,
record all data.
4. Similarly, repeat the experiment at 1.0kW and 1.5kW.
5. The tests may be repeated:
i. At other water flow rates
ii. At other air flow rate

Results and Discussion

1. Outline your observation of the process within a forced draught cooling tower in the lab.
2. In UCSI University North Wing Campus, cooling tower is used in the air conditioning system.
Explain how the design of drift eliminator in the cooling tower can affect the performance of the
cooling tower itself. Use some sketches as illustration to help you answer.
3. Plot a graph of cooling load vs. cooling range. Analyze the relationship.

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EM306| Thermodynamics II

Experiment 3 – Title: End State Properties of Air and Steady Flow Equations

Objective
To determine the “end state” properties of air and water from tables or charts

To determine energy and mass balances using the steady flow equation.

Introduction / Instruction / Procedure / Guideline

Based on experience conducting previous experiment of cooling tower, design and conduct an
experiment of a modern evaporating system. The experiment should determine the “end state”
properties of air and ‫ܪ‬ଶ 0. Student also needs to show the calculations to draw up energy and mass
balances.

The cooling tower unit should be prepared, start and allow stabilizing under following suggested
conditions:
• Water flow rate = 2.0 LPM
• Air flow = Maximum
• Cooling load = 1.0kW

After the conditions have stabilized, observe and examine the processes of the water system
and air system of the cooling tower.

Results and Discussion

1. Determine the “end state” properties of air and water from tables or charts.
2. Calculate the energy and mass balances by using the steady flow equation.
3. Evaluate and discuss the major factor and issues affecting the accuracy of the measurements and
cooling tower performance.

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EM306| Thermodynamics II

Experiment 4 – Title: Refrigeration System

Objective
To investigate the effect of condensing and evaporating temperatures on the refrigeration rate and
condenser heat output.

To determine the compression ratio and its effect on system performance

Introduction / Instruction / Procedure / Guideline

1. Ensure that the unit is air free by venting the air from the condenser.
2. Adjust the condenser cooling water flow, to the maximum and Evaporator cooling water flow, to
1.5LPM. The pressure at which the condenser stabilizes will depend upon the water inlet
temperature.
3. Allow the temperature and pressure readings to stabilize. Then, record all the system parameters.
4. Reduce the condenser cooling water flow rate to increase the condenser pressure by approximately
0.1 kgf/cm2.
5. Allow the unit to stabilize and again record all of the system parameters.
6. Repeat for increasing condenser pressures to the minimum readable value on the condenser water
flow meter is reached.

Results and Discussion

1. Compare the Heat Transfer Rate in Condenser Vs Condensing Temperature (with the help of a graph)
2. Assess the Evaporator Heat Transfer, Q E(W) and Condenser Heat Transfer, Q C(W)
3. Compare the Heat Transfer Rate in Condenser Vs Compressor Pressure Ratio (with the help of a
graph)
4. Assess the Evaporator Heat Transfer, Q E(W) and Condenser Heat Transfer, Q C(W).
5. Determine the pressure ratio for every condenser pressure readings obtained (Pc/PE).

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EM306| Thermodynamics II

Attachment:
General Introduction (Air Conditioning Unit AC01)

Air-conditioning is a widespread feature of building engineering, designed to make the occupants

feel comfortable and at ease. The main functions of an air-conditioning system include heating and
cooling, and humidifying and dehumidifying in order to create the desired indoor air conditions.
The SOLTEQ® Air-Conditioning Unit (Model: AC 01) includes all the components found in air-
conditioners installed in buildings. It additionally has a complete refrigeration unit, enabling the system
to cover most of the spectrum of experiments in the field of refrigeration and air-conditioning
engineering.

COMBINED TEMPERATURE /
AT 1
HUMIDITY TRANSMITTER
RH 1
T AT 2 AT 3 AT 4 AT 5
RH 2 RH 3 RH 4 RH 5
T T T T

DIFFERENT
RADIAL FAN DP
PRESSURE
MANOMETER

PRE-HEATER EVAPORATOR RE-HEATER ORIFICE

STEAM
HUMIDIFIER

Figure 1: Process Schematic Diagram for AC System

Air Duct Cross Sectional Area, A = 0.09 m2

Specific Heat Capacity of Air, Cp = 1.006 kJ/kg.K

Orifice Differential Pressure, DP' = 0.102 × DP (mmH2O)

DP'
& a = 0.0592
Air Mass Flowrate, m
v(1 + ϖ )

Cooling Power Power, ܳ = ݉ሶ௔ ‫ܥ ݔ‬௣ ‫ ݁ݎݑݐܽݎ݁݌݉݁ܶ ݎ݅ܣ ݐ݈݁݊ܫ( ݔ‬−

ܱ‫)݁ݎݑݐܽݎ݁݌݉݁ܶ ݎ݅ܣ ݐ݈݁ݐݑ‬

Heating Power (kW),

ܳ = ݉ሶ௔ ‫ܥ ݔ‬௣ ‫ ݁ݎݑݐܽݎ݁݌݉݁ܶ ݎ݅ܣ ݐ݈݁ݐݑܱ( ݔ‬− ‫)݁ݎݑݐܽݎ݁݌݉݁ܶ ݎ݅ܣ ݐ݈݁݊ܫ‬

Heat Transfer Efficiency (%)

Q
Efficiency = × 100%
P

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EM306| Thermodynamics II

Unit Assembly of Air Conditioning Unit - AC01

1
9

3 10

4 11

12

6 13

14
7
15

Figure 2: Unit Construction for Air Conditioning Unit

1. _______________________
2. _______________________
3. _______________________
4. _______________________
5. _______________________
6. _______________________
7. _______________________
8. _______________________
9. ________________________
10. ________________________
11. ________________________
12. ________________________
13. ________________________
14. ________________________
15. ________________________

* Please submit this together with your report

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EM306| Thermodynamics II

General Introduction ( Bench top cooling Tower HE152)

The SOLTEQ® Basic Cooling Tower Unit (Model: HE152) has been designed to demonstrate
the construction, design and operational characteristics of a modern cooling system. The unit
resembles a full size forced draught cooling tower and it is actually an "open system" through
which two streams of fluid (in this case air and water) pass and in which there is a mass transfer
from one stream to the other. The unit is self-contained supplied with a heating load and a
circulating pump. Once energy and mass balances are done, students will then be able to determine
the effects on the performance of the cooling tower by the following parameters:

a) Temperature and flow rate of water

b) Relative Humidity and flow rate of air
c) Cooling load

Additionally, a Packing Characteristics Column (optional) is available for SOLTEQ® Basic

Cooling Tower Unit (Model: HE152). This column is designed to facilitate study of water and air
conditions at three additional stations (I, II and III) within the column. This enables driving force
diagrams to be constructed and the determination of the Characteristic Equation for the Tower.

1. Orifice Calibration Formula:

Mass flow rate of air and vapor mixture,

x(1 + ϖ )
m& = 0.0137
v ab

The mass flow rate of dry air,

x
m& a = 0.0137
v ab (1 + ϖ )

Where,

x = orifice differential in mmH20,

v a B = specific volume of air at the outlet
ϖ = humidity ratio of the mixture

2. Pump Work Input = 80W (0.08kW)

3. Column Inner Dimension = 150 mm x 150 mm x 600 mm

4. Packed column: 110 m2/m3

5. Inner diameter of Make up tank = 74mm

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EM306| Thermodynamics II

GENERAL OPERATING PROCEDURES (Refrigeration Cycle Demonstration Unit RF166)

The SOLTEQ® Refrigeration Cycle Demonstration Unit (Model: RF166) has been designed to study
the thermodynamics of the vapor compression cycle. The unit is constructed as a bench top unit. The
unit operates as a refrigerator so that experiments on the evaluation of refrigeration cycle and
thermodynamic energy balances of the condenser, evaporator, and compressor can be performed. The
evaporation and condensation can be observed through the glass tubes.

A refrigerator is defined as a machine whose prime function is to remove heat from a low temperature
region. Since energy cannot be destroyed, the heat taken in at a low temperature must be dissipated to
the surroundings.

Refrigerators are cyclic devices, and the working fluids used in the refrigeration cycles are called
refrigerants. A refrigerator requires an external energy for it to operate. This energy input may be in the
form of work, or a heat transfer at a high temperature. The most common type of refrigerator uses a
work input and operates on the vapour compression cycle.

Condenser Pressure PT 1 ( Abs Bar)

Evaporator Pressure PT 2 ( Abs Bar)
Condenser Water Flowrate FT 1 (LPM)
Evaporator Water Flowrate FT 2 (LPM)
Condenser Temperature T 1 (oC)
Condenser Water Inlet Temp. T 2 (oC)
Condenser water Outlet Temp. T 3 (oC)
Evaporator Temperature T 4 (oC)
Evaporator Water Inlet Temp. T 5 (oC)
Evaporator Water Outlet Temp. T 6 (oC)

Table 6.1: System Parameter

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