Refrigeration Lab Report: Ali Rida Bachir SID 8104461
Refrigeration Lab Report: Ali Rida Bachir SID 8104461
Refrigeration Lab Report: Ali Rida Bachir SID 8104461
Abstract:
In this experiment, a refrigeration unit (R634) was studied. The unit was allowed to operate
normally while different parameters were measured such as temperatures, pressures and flow
rates. The results were tabulated and used to construct the thermodynamic cycle on the P-h
chart. As well as asses its performance by measuring the isentropic efficiency which was 59.9%
and the COPR (coefficient of performance) = 1.949 .
Introduction:
Refrigeration is the process of transferring energy from a low energy domain to a high energy
domain. According to the second law of thermodynamics, heat cannot be transferred from a cold
location to a hotter one unless work is introduced to the process. The devices that apply this
process are called refrigerators. Refrigerators are cyclic devices that operate on the vapour –
compression cycle (reverse cycle of heat engines) involving four processes; Evaporation,
Compression, Condensation and Expansion. For that it requires four components; Compressor
(to raise temperature and pressure), Condenser (exchange heat with surrounding), Expansion
valve/Throttle (to lower pressure and temperature), Evaporator (absorbs heat from
refrigerated area) shown in Figure 1. The purpose of a refrigerator is to maintain the
refrigerated space at low temperature by removing heat from it. The working fluid in
refrigerators is called the refrigerant it absorbs heat isothermally from a low temperature
source in the amount of ‘QL’ (from refrigerated area at evaporator) then rejects heat
isothermally to a high temperature sink in the amount of ‘QH’ (to the surrounding at condenser).
The objective of this report is to identify and analyse the processes in each component, record
data such as pressure and temperature at different locations as well as studying the
refrigerant’s phases (thermodynamic states) (Figure 2) to construct the refrigeration cycle on a
real pressure enthalpy chart provided by SOLVAY. The chart is for refrigerant Solkane® SES36.
Solkane® refrigerants are superior as they are nontoxic, ozone friendly, completely recyclable
and easy to handle.
Apparatus used:
The apparatus used for this experiment was a refrigeration
cycle demonstration unit R634. It consists of a bench
mounted vapour compression refrigeration cycle
demonstration unit using a hermetic compressor and water
cooled flooded glass condenser and evaporator. A float-
controlled expansion device controls the flow of refrigerant
(Solkane SES36). Internal electrical and mechanical safety
devices allow for unsupervised operation by students.
Instruments that allow the measure of pressures
temperature as well as flow rates are fitted in the machine.
(© 2011, P.A. Hilton Ltd).
Results:
The results obtained from recordings and calculations are tabulated below respectively:
T ABLE 1 THESE VALUES ARE VALID AT ROOM TEMPERATURE OF 21O C WHILE P ATM WAS TAKEN AS 100 K N/M 2
QUANTITY MEASURED RECORDED VALUE UNIT
Evaporator gauge/absolute pressure Pe -68/32 kN/m2
Evaporator inlet/outlet water temp. 15.6/13.2 oC
Conclusion:
In conclusion, as for the efficiency of the compressor, 44.1% of the power input is lost due to
natural occurrences and poor insulation. Moreover, refrigerant Solkane SES36 is not suitable for
an ideal cycle.
References:
James M. Watterson. 2018, a simple guide to understanding compressors, 222 East 46th
Street, New York, NY 10017.