TE LAB

Experiment Number: 9
Title of the Experiment: Determination of COP of a Refrigeration System
Date of the Experiment:

OBJECTIVE [AIM] OF THE EXPERIMENT

To determine the [i] Theoretical COP, [ii] Experimental COP, [iii] Carnot COP, [iv]
Relative COP on a refrigeration system.

FACILITIES REQUIRED AND PROCEDURE

a] Facilities required to do the experiment:
Sl. No. Facilities required Quantity
1. Refrigeration test rig. 1

b] Description
Vapour compression cycle is widely used refrigeration cycle. The main object of the
trainer is to demonstrate refrigeration system with basic components and necessary controls.
The practical working is demonstrated in the system and considerable amount of theoretical
analysis and performance can be studied.
The trainer consists of components of a refrigeration system viz. Hermetically
sealed components, evaporator, condenser, capillary tube. The condenser is air cooled type
for which a condenser fans and motor has been provided. Evaporator is water immersion
type which is housed in a thermally insulated calorimeter. Calorimeter is provided with a
electric heater which can be used for heating the water initially to be desired temperature.
In addition to capillary tube a thermostatic expansion valve is also provided. We
have to select either a capillary tube or thermostatic expansion valve at a time. A toggle
switch has been provided to facilitate this selection.
A temperature indicator with six point selection switch has been provided to get the
various temperature of Freon – 12 viz. Compressor suction, compressor discharge after
condenser and after expansion and water temperature.
Special gauges have been provides for indicating Freon – 12 pressure at above
mentioned points except for colorimeter water.
An energy meter has been provided which indicates the consumption of energy of
compressor. An additional energy meter has been provided to indicate the energy
consumption of water heater.
The students are advised to find out the saturation temperature of F – 12 after
knowing the pressures at various points and based on the saturation temperatures study the
working of refrigeration considering the cycle based on
[a] Reversed Carnot cycle,
[b] Simple vapour compression cycle.

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TABULATION

Energy
Meter
S. Time Reading Pressure Temperature [0C]
No. [s] For 10
Rev. in
sev. P1 P2 P3 P4 T1 T2 T3 T4 T5

1.. 2.15 176 25 195 150 20 20 52 22 -12 29.5

2. 2.25 186 22.5 195 150 20 20 53 24 -14 29
3. 2.35 191 24 195 160 22 22 54 23 -13 28
4. 2.45 201 24 200 160 22 22 55 24 -15 27
5. 2.55 206 25 200 160 25 22 53 24 -17 26
6. 3.05 209 24 200 165 25 24 51 26 -19 22
7. 3.15 212 24 200 170 24 26 49 23 -21 19
8. 3.25 208 24 200 170 22 20 46 27 -20 16

Quantity of water in tank: 10 kg.

Initial temperature of water: 300C.]

Pressure in bar:
Convert all the pressures in [PSIG] to bar [multiply the value in PSIG by 0.06894 and
add 1.013 to convert to bar abs.]
P1 = 25 x 0.06894 + 1.013 = 2.736 bar.
P2 = 195 x 0.06894 + 1.013 = 14.456 bar.
P3 = 150 x 0.06894 + 1.013 = 11.354 bar.
P4 = 20 x 0.06894 + 1.013 = 2.391 bar.

[1] Total Refrigerant Effect:

Q = mCp ∆T/∆t.
Q = 10 x 4.186 x [30-16] / 60 x 60
Q = 0.1627 KJ/sec.

[2] Theoretical COP. = [h1 - h3]/ [h2 - h1]

h1 corresponding to P1 and T1 = 370 KJ/kg.
h2 corresponding to P2 and T2 = 382 KJ/kg.
h3 = h4 corresponding to P3 and T3 = 350 KJ/kg.
Where h1, h2, h3 are enthalpies of refrigerant taken from p-h chart.
Theoretical COP = [370 – 350] / [382 – 370]
Theoretical C.O.P. = 1.667.

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The interested students can also study the saturation temperature against the actual
temperatures obtained during the experimentation and thus study the actual cycle of
refrigeration system.

Specification:
[1] Compressor: Hermetically sealed compressor.
[2] Air cooled condenser.
[3] Expansion valve
[a] Capillary tube.
[b] Thermostatic Expansion valve.
[4] Evaporator.
[5] Rota meter: For liquid refrigerant flow rate.
[6] Refrigerant: Freon – 12.
[7] Energy meters for power measurement of compressor and the fans and heater.
[8] Pressure gauges – 4 Nos. [Two for H.P. and Two for L.P.]
[9] Temperature indicator.
[10] Solenoid valves.
[11] H.P. / L.P. cut out.
[12] Ammeter.
[13] Voltmeter.
[14] Thermostat.

c] Procedure for doing the experiment:

Step No. Details of the Step
1. Switch on the main.
2. Switch on the fan motor and then compressor motor.
3. Allow the plant to run to reach steady conditions. Take readings for every
10 minutes to know the steady state.
4. Observe the readings in compressor motor energy meter. Freon flow
meter, pressure gauges and thermometer and record it is a tubular form.
5. Switch off the plant after experiment is over by switching off the
compressor motor first. Allow the fan motors to run for 10 minutes and
then switch off.
Specimen Calculations:
P1 = Pressure of the Refrigerant before the compressor.
P2 = Pressure of the Refrigerant after the compressor.
P3 = Pressure of the Refrigerant before the expansion valve.
P4 = Pressure of the Refrigerant after the expansion valve.
Sensor Meter Reading:
T1 = Temperature of Refrigerant before compression.
T2 = Temperature of Refrigerant after compression.
T3 = Temperature of Refrigerant before evaporation.
T4 = Temperature of Refrigerant after evaporation.

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[3] Experimental COP

Time for 10 rev. of energy meter, t = 208 sec.
t = 208 sec.
Energy consumed by the compressor
P = 10/t x 1/1500 x 3600 x 0.9 KW.
= 10/208 x 1/1500 x 3600 x 0.9
P = 0.104 KW.
Experimental COP = Actual Refrigeration effect / workdone
= Q / p = 0.1627 / 0.104
Experimental COP = 1.564.
[4] Carnot COP = TL / [TH - TL]
TL = Pmin = [P1 + P4] / 2 = [2.736 + 2.391] / 2 = 2.5635 bar.
TH = Pmax = [P2 + P3] / 2 = [14.456 + 2.391] / 2 = 12.905 bar.
Lowest Temperature from table.
TL = -120C = 261 K. Corresponding to Pmin
Highest Temperature from table.
TH = 560C = 329 K Corresponding to Pmax
Carnot COP = TL/TH - TL
= 261 / [329 – 261]
= 3.84.

[5] Relative COP = Actual COP / Carnot COP

= 1.564 / 3.84
= 0.407.

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Formula:
[1] Total Refrigerating effect Q = mCp ∆T/∆t.
Where, m = Mass of water in kg.
Cp = Specific heat of water = 4.186 KJ/kg.
∆T = Temperature drop in the water.
[2] Theoretical COP = [h1 - h3]/ [h2 - h1]
[Enthalpy is to be found out from the P-h diagram of R-12]
Where, h1 = Enthalpy corresponding to pressure P1 and
refrigerant entering temperature at T10C.
h2 = Enthalpy corresponding to pressure P2 and
refrigerant leveling temperature at T20C.
h4 = h3 = Enthalpy corresponding to pressure P3 and
refrigerant temperature after condensing at T30C.

[3] Experimental COP = [Actual Refrigeration Effect/time] / Workdone.

Actual Refrigeration effect/time = m Cp ∆T/∆t.
Where, mw = mass of water in kg.
Cp = Specific heat of water = 4.186 KJ/kg.
∆T = Temperature drop in the water.
Workdone = Energy consumed by the compressor motor to be found out from
the energy meter.
Workdone = (10/t) x (3600/x} x 0.9.
Where, x = Energy meter constant = 1500 rev./Kw-hr.
t = Time taken in sec. for 10 revolutions of energy meter reading.
Experimental COP = mCp ∆T/∆t / workdone.
[4] Carnot COP = TL / [TH - TL]
TL = Pmin = [P1 + P4] / 2; TH = Pmax = [P2 + P3] / 2;
Where, TL = Lower temperature to be maintained in the evaporator in
absolute units [0K]

TH = Higher temperature to be maintained in the condenser in

absolute units [0K]

[5] Relative COP. = Actual COP / Carnot COP

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d] Result:
The COP of the Refrigeration system were determined and tabulated.
Experimental
Theortical COP. Carnot COP Relative COP
[Actual] COP

1.667 1.564 3.34 0.407

VIVA QUESTIONS
1. Power requirement of a refrigerator is .
Inversely proportional to COP.
2. In SI units, one ton of refrigeration is equal to .
210 kJ/min.
3. Define tons of refrigeration and COP.
A tonne of refrigeration is defined as the quantity of heat required to be
removed from one tonne of water [1000 kg] at 00C to convert that into ice at 00C in
24 hours. In actual practice,
1 tonne of refrigeration = 210kJ/min = 3.5kW.
4. The capacity of a domestic refrigerator is in the range of .
1 to 3 tonne.
5. Name four important properties of a good refrigerant.
1. Low boiling point.
2. High critical temperature & pressure.
3. Low specific heat of liquid.
6. What is the difference between air conditioning and refrigeration?
Refrigeration is the process of providing and maintaining the temperature in
space below atmospheric temperature.
Air conditioning is the process of supplying sufficient volume of clean air
containing a specific amount of water vapour and maintaining the predetermined
atmospheric condition with in a selected enclosure.
7. Name any four commonly used refrigerants.
1. Ammonia [NH3].
2. Carbon dioxide [CO2].
3. Sulphur di oxide [SO2].
4. Freon – 12.

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8. What are the advantages and disadvantages of air refrigeration system?

Advantages:
1. The refrigerant used namely air is cheap and easily available.
2. There is no danger of fire or toxic effects due to leakages.
3. The weight to tonne of refrigeration ratio is less as compared to other systems.
Disadvantages:
1. The quantity of refrigerant used per tonne of refrigeration is high as compared
to
other system.
2. The COP of the system is very low. Therefore running cost is high.
3. The danger of frosting at the expander valves is more as the air contains
moisture content.
9. What is net refrigerating effect of the refrigerant?
Refrigerating effect is the total heat removed from the refrigerant in the
evaporator.
COP = Refrigeration effect / Work done.
Refrigeration effect = COP x Work done.
10. Define refrigerant.
Any substance capable of absorbing heat from another required substance can
be used as refrigerant.

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TABULATION:
Mano Before After
Pressure
Ammeter Volt Temperature Meter Evapo- Evapor-
Reading
S. Reading meter [0C] Reading -ration -ation
in
No. In Reading In [mm] Inlet Outlet
[Amps] In Volts [h2-h1] DBT WBT DBT WBT
P1 P2 P3 P4 T1 T2 T3 T4
[0C] [0C] [0C] [0C]

1. 5 200 55 280 265 65 28 120 110 36 4 38 27 32 29

2. 6 210 55 280 265 65 30 120 120 38 3.5 37 27 31 29
3. 7 190 55 280 265 65 30 120 120 38 4 37 27 31 30
4. 7 190 55 285 265 67.5 30 120 120 40 3.5 37 28 31 25

EVAPORATOR:
Length of the grill [L] = 14.8 Cm = 0.148 m.
Height of the grill [H] = 14.3 Cm = 0.143 m.
Area [A] = L x H
= 0.148 x 0.143
A = 0.0212 m2.
MODEL CALCULATION:
AMBIENT AIR:
DBT of the ambient air [t d] = 370C.
WBT of the ambient air [tw] = 280C.
h1 = 90 KJ/kg [from psychometric chart]
CONDITION AIR:
DBT of conditioned air [t d1] = 310C.
WBT of conditioned air [tw1] = 250C.
h2 = 76 KJ/kg [from psychometric chart]
3
Vs2 = 0.89 m /kg.
[1] Pressure head in terms of air [ha].
ρw hw = ρa ha = ha = ρw hw / ρa.
Where ρw = Density of water [1000 kg/m3]
hw = Manometer reading [3.5mm = 3.5 x 10-3m]
ρa = Density of air.
ρa = 1 / Vs2
ρa = 1/0.89 = 1.123 kg/m3.
ha = 1000 x 3.5 10-3 / 1.123
ha = 3.117 m.

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