Table of Contents

Abstract2
Introduction..3
Objective.4
Theory.5
Apparatus....6
Procedures7-8
Results and calculation9-24
Discussion25-26
Conclusion..............................................................................................................................27
Recommendation.28
References...29
Appendices..............................................................................................................................30

Abstract
1

The experiment of the refrigeration unit was conducted by using SOLTEQ mechanical heat pump and
thermodynamics refrigeration unit. The experiment conducted in five different ways together with
their own objectives. The first one was to determine the power input, heat output and coefficient of
performance of a vapour compression heat pump system and the second one was to produced the
performance of heat pump over a range of source and delivery temperatures. Then, the third one was
plotted the vapour compression cycle on the p-h diagram and compared it with the ideal cycle and to
perform energy balances for the condenser and compressor. Then followed with the fourth experiment
and the objective was to determine the compression ratio and the volumetric efficiency and the last
experiment was to plot the performance of heat pump over a range of evaporating and condensation
temperatures which are the saturation temperature of the condensing pressure.

INTRODUCTION

The SOLTEQ Mechanical Heat Pump (Model: HE165) has been designed to provide students with a
practical and quantitative demonstration of a vapour compression cycle. Refrigerators and heat pump
both apply the vapour compression cycle, although the applications of these machines is different but
the components are essentially the same. The Mechanical Heat Pump is capable of demonstrating the
heat pump application where a large freely available energy source such as atmosphere is to be
upgraded for water heating.
The refrigeration unit is capable to demonstrate the result when the flow rate of the cooling water
adjusted to a certain number and it is allow us to study the performance curve and the efficiency of
refrigeration unit with respect to varying flow rates. Other than that, this apparatus will help in the
determining the energy balances. The refrigeration unit apparatus is equipped with control valves for
the cooling water flow rate, pressure, temperature and compressor power output display which will
make it easier to conduct the experiments with the accurate data display. [2]

OBJECTIVES
3

There are five sections in this refrigeration unit experiments. For the first part for this experiment the
objective is to determine the power input, heat output and the coefficient of performance of a vapour
compression heat pump and for the second part the objective is to produce the performance if heat
pump over a range of source and delivery temperatures. Next, for the third part in this experiment is to
plot the vapour compression cycle on the p-h diagram and compare with the ideal cycle and also to
perform the energy balances for the condenser and the compressor. For the fourth part for this
experiment is to determine the compression ratio and volumetric efficiency. Lastly, for the last in this
experiment is to plot the performance of the heat pump over a range evaporating and condensation
temperatures which are the saturation temperature of condensing pressure.

THEORY
4

A heat pump is a mechanism that absorbs heat from waste source or surrounding to produce valuable
heat on a higher temperature level than that of the heat source. The fundamental theory of heat pumps
is that heat absorbed by a medium the release the heat at a required temperatures which is higher after
chemical or physical transformation. Heat pumps are also designed to transfer thermal energy opposite
to the direction of spontaneous heat flow by absorbing heat from a cold space and release the heat to a
warmer space. Heat pump uses some amount of external power to accomplish the work of transferring
energy from the heat source to the heat sink.
Heat pump also one of the technologies that capable to save energy and there are three types of heat
pumps systems that is heat pump is closed cycle vapour compression heat pump such as electric and
engine driven. The second type of heat pump is heat transformers that is a type of absorption heat
pump and the last types of heat pump is mechanical vapour recompression heat pumps operating at
about 200C.
The most common examples of heat pumps is an air conditioners and a freezers. The term heat pump
are general and applies to many HVAC (heating, ventilating and air conditioning) devices used in
space heating or space cooling. Heat pumps are simply draw heat from the ccoler external air or from
the ground and in heating mode, heat pump are three to four times more efficient compared to the
simple electrical resistance heaters in their use of electric power.
The Coefficient of Performance, (COPH) of a heat pump cycle is an expression of the cycle efficiency
and is stated as the ratio of the heat removed in the heated space to the heat energy equivalent of the
energy supplied to the Compressor.
COPH = Heat removed from heated space / Heat energy equivalent of the energy
supplied to the Compressor
Thus, for the Theoretical Simple Cycle, this may be written as:
COPH =

Heating Effect
Heat of Compression

= (h2 h3)
(h2 h1)

APPARATUS
5

Figure 1.1: SOLTEQ Mechanical Heat Pump (Model: HE165)

PROCEDURES
6

1.1 General start-up

First of all the refrigeration unit and all the instruments were checked it is in good condition or not.
The connection for both water source and drain were checked. Then the water supply opened and the
cooling water was set at 1 LPM. The connection between the drain and the condensate collector were
checked. For the last step were the power supply was connected and the main power was switched on
and followed by the main switch at the control panel.

1.2 General shut-down

The compressor was switched off then followed by the main switch and the power supply. Then, the
water supply were closed and ensured that the water is not left running.

1.3 Experiment 1: Determination of power input, heat output and coefficient of performance.
The general start-up procedures in 1.1 were performed. The cooling water flow rate were adjusted to
40%. Then, the system allowed to run for 15 minutes. Lastly, all the necessary readings were recorded
into the experimental data sheet.

1.4 Experiment 2: Production of heat pump performance curves over a range of sources and delivery
temperature.
The general start-up procedures in 1.1 were performed. The cooling water flow rate were adjusted to
80% and then allowed the system to run for 15 minutes. All the necessary readings were recorded into
the experimental data sheet. The experiment were repeated with reducing water flow rate so that the
cooling water outlet temperature increases by about 3C. The similar steps repeated until the
compressor delivery pressure reaches around 14 bars.
1.5 Experiment 3: Production of vapour compression cycle on p-h diagram and energy balance study
The general start-up procedure in 1.1 were performed. The cooling water flow rate were adjusted at
40% and then the system were allowed to run for 15 minutes. Lastly, all the necessary readings were
recorded into the experimental data sheet.
1.6 Experiment 4: Estimation of the effect of compressor pressure ratio on volumetric efficiency
7

The general start-up procedure in 1.1. were performed. The cooling water flow rate were adjusted to
40% and the system were allowed to run for 15 minutes. All the necessary were recorded into the
experimental data sheet and the experiment were repeated at different compressor delivery pressure.

1.7 Experiment 5: Production of heat pump performance curves over a range of evaporating and
condensation temperature.
The general start-up procedure in 1.1 were performed and the cooling water flow rate were adjusted to
80%. Then, the system were allowed to run for 15 minutes. All the necessary data or reading were
recorded into the experimental data sheet. Next, the experiment were repeated with reducing water
flow rate so that the compressor delivery pressure increased for about 0.6 bars and the evaporating
temperature(TT4) were maintained by covering part of the evaporator for the purpose of lowerin the
evaporating loud. Last but not least, the similar steps were repeated with water flow rate were not less
than 20% and the compressor delivery pressure was not exceeded 14 bars. The experiment were
repeated with constant evaporating temperature(TT4).

RESULTS AND CALCULATION

8

Experiment 1: Determination of power input, heat output and coefficient of performance\

Cooling Water Flow Rate , FT1
Cooling Water Flow Rate , FT1

%
LP

40
2.0

Cooling Water Inlet Temperature , TT5

Cooling Water Outlet Temperature , TT6
Compression Power Input

M
C
C
W

29.7
30.9
161

Calculation:

Cooling Water flow rate ( LPM) =

Heat output=

COPh =

Cooling water flowrate ,

40
x 5 LPM =
x 5= 2.0
100
100

1 L 1 kg 1min 4180 J
x
x
x
x [ ( 30.929.7 ) ]=83.6
min 1 L 60 s kg . K

Heat output 83.6 W

=
=0.52
Power input 161 w

Experiment 2 : Production of heat pump performance curves over a range of sources and
delivery temperature

Test
Cooling Water flow Rate ,FT1
Cooling Water Flow Rate , FT1
Cooling Water Inlet Temperature, TT5
Cooling water Outlet Temperature,
TT6
Compressor Power Input
Heat Output
COPH

%
LPM
C
C
W
W

1
20
1.0
29.7
32.1

2
40
2.0
29.9
31.8

3
60
3.0
29.9
31.1

159
167.2
1.052

157
212
1.35

156
251
1.61

Calculation:
Test 1 :

Cooling water flow rate (LPM) =

Cooling water flow rate ,

20
x 5 LPM =
x 5 LPM =1.0
100
100

Mass flow rate; water = 1000 kg/m3

1L

1 m3

1000 kg

1 min

min

1000 L

m3

60 s

Convert =

= 0.0167 kg/s

h1
Temperature T (C)
25
29.7
30

h (kJ/kg)
104.83
h1
125.74

29.725
h 1104.83
=
3025 125.74104.83
h1=124.49 kJ /kg

10

h2
Temperature T (C)
30
32.1
35

h (kJ/kg)
125.74
h2
146.64
h2= 134.52 kJ/kg

h 2125,74
32.130
=
3530 146.64125.74

Heat Output
Ein

= Eout

QH

= (h2 h1)
= 0.0167 kg/s x (134.52-124.49)kJ/kg
= 0.1672 kJ/s

COP = QH
W
= 0.1672/0.159
=1.052

Test 2,
Cooling water flow rate (LPM)
Cooling water flow rate ,
40
x
5
LPM
x 5 LPM =2
==
100
100

11

Mass flow rate;

kg/m3
Convert

2L

1 m3

1000 kg

1 min

min

1000 L

m3

60 s

water = 1000

= 0.0333 kg/s
Calculation of h1 and h2:
Interpolation method was used (refer to Table A-4):
h1
Temperature T (C)
25
29.9
30

h (kJ/kg)
104.83
h1
125.74

29.925
h 1104.83
=
3025 125.74104.83
h 1=125.32

h2
Temperature T (C)
30
31.3
35

h (kJ/kg)
125.74
h2
146.64

31.330
h 2125,74
=
3530 146.64125.74
h2= 131.174

heat output
QH = (h2 h1)
12

=0.0333kg/s x (131.174-125.32)
= 0.212
COP= QH/W = 0.212/0.157=1.35
Test 3,
Cooling water flow rate (LPM)
Cooling water flow rate ,
x 5 LPM
100

60
x 5 LPM =3 LPM
100

Mass flow rate;

Convert

3L

1m

1000 kg

1 min

min

1000 L

m3

60 s

water = 1000 kg/m3

= 0.05 kg/s
Calculation of h1 and h2:
Interpolation method was used (refer to Table A-4):

h1
Temperature T (C)
25
29.9
30

h (kJ/kg)
104.83
h1
125.74

29.925
h 1104.83
=
3025 125.74104.83
h 1=125.32

h2
13

Temperature T (C)
30
31.1
35

h (kJ/kg)
125.74
h2
146.64

31.130
h 2125,74
=
3530 146.64125.74
h2= 130.34 kJ/s

heat output
QH = (h2 h1)
=0.05kg/s x (130.34-125.32)
= 0.251
COP= QH/W = 0.251/0.156=1.61

Coefficient of performance vs Temperature of water delivered

Figure 1.1 Graph coefficient of performance against temperature of water delivered

14

Heat delivered vs Temperature of water delivered

Figure 1.2 Graph Heat delivered against temperature of water delivered

Figure 1.1 Graph Compressor power input against temperature of water delivered

15

Experiment 3: Production of vapour copression cycle on p-h diagram and ebergy balances
study
Refrigeration Flow rate , FT2
Refrigerant pressure , FT2
Refrigerant pressure (low),P1
Refrigerant pressure (high) ,P2
Refrigerant temperature ,TT1
Refrigerant temperature ,TT2
Refrigerant temperature , TT3
Refrigerant temperature , TT4
Cooling water flow rate ,FT1
Cooling water flow rate ,FT1
Cooling water inlet temperature, TT5
Cooling water outlet temperature, TT6
Compressor power input

%
LPM
Bars(abs
)
Bars(abs
)
C
C
C
C
%
LPM
C
C
W

60.8
0.8
2.0
6.9
26.3
75.8
30.2
23.0
40.0
2.0
29.9
31.5
158

Calculation:
Determination enthalpy of refrigerant
T, C

h, enthalpy KJ/kg

20

271.38

26.3

hTT1

30

279.97

hTT1

276.79 KJ/kg

T, C

h, enthalpy KJ/kg

70

308.61

75.8

hTT2

80

318.534

hTT2

314.37KJ/kg
16

Calculation at point 3 and 4 (Refer to Table A-11 in Appendix):

T, C

h, enthalpy KJ/kg

30

266.71

30.2

hTT3

32

267.67

hTT3

266.806KJ/kg

T, C

h, enthalpy KJ/kg

22

82.14

23

hTT4

24

84.98

hTT4

83.56KJ/kg

Energy Balance on the condenser

Refrigerant flow rate, LPM = (

cooling water flow rate( )

100

) x 1.26 LPM

40
= 100 x 1.26 LPM
=0.504LPM
0.504 L

1 m3

1000 kg

1 min

min

1000 L

m3

60 s

Convert

17

=0.0084 kg/s
Ein

Eout

hTT3 =

QH + hTT4

QH

(hTT3 - hTT4)

0.0084kg/s (266.806-83.56)KJ/kg

1.54 KW

Energy Balance on the Compressor

Ein

Eout

hTT3 =

QH + hTT4

QH

(hTT2 - hTT1)

0.0084kg/s (276.79-314.37)KJ/kg

0.32KW

Vapour compression cycle on the p-h diagram of R 134-a

Figure 1.4 Graph of pressure against enthalpy

18

Experiment 4: Estimation of the effect of the compressor pressure ratio on volumetric

Refrigerant flow rate , FT2
Refrigerant flow rate , FT2
Refrigerant Pressure (low), P1
Refrigerant Pressure (high), P2
Refrigerant Temperature, TT1

%
LPM
Bar(abs)
Bar(abs)
C

60.8
0.8
2.0
6.9
27.3

1. Compressor Ratio
CPR

Refrigerant pressure high

Refrigerant pressure low

6.9 Bar
2.0 Bar

3.45

2.Volumetric Efficiency in term of enthalphy

Volumetric efficiency =

Actualvolumetric flowrate
Theoretical volume of compressor

Refrigerant flow rate, LPM =

refrigerant flowrate
x 1.26 LPM
100

= 60.8% x 1.26 LPM

100%
= 0.76608 LPM
Density of refrigerant 134a = 4.25

kg
m3

19

Mass flow rate = 0.76608 LPMx

1000 c m
1m
1min
kg
x
x
x 4.25 3
3
1L
(100 cm) 60 s
m

= 5.43x10-5 kg/s
Actual volume flow rate =

mass flow rate

Density of refrigerant 134-a

=5.43x10-5kg/s
4.25 kg/m3
=

1.278x10-5m3/s

Volumetric efficiency =

Actualvolumetric flowrate
Theoretical volume of compressor

= 1.278x10-5m3/s
1.61x10-5 m3/s

=0.7938 x 100% =

79.38%

Experiment 5: Production of heat pump performance curves over a range of evaporating and
condensation
Test
Refrigerant flow rate , FT2
Refrigerant flow rate , FT2
Refrigerant Pressure (low), P1
Refrigerant Pressure (high), P2
Refrigerant Temperature , TT1
Refrigerant Temperature , TT2
Refrigerant Temperature , TT3
Refrigerant Temperature , TT4
Enthalphy 1 (P1,TT1)
Enthalphy 2 (P2,TT3)
Evaporating temperature
Condensing temperature
Compressor power input
Heat deliver in condenser (Refrigerant)

%
LPM
Bar(abs)
Bar(abs)
C
C
C
C
kJ/kg
kJ/kg
C
C
W
W

1
60.7
0.8
1.9
6.8
27.3
76.6
29.8
22.8
277.65
279.80
22.8
29.8
160
27.5

2
60.7
0.8
1.9
6.8
27.4
78.1
30.1
23.0
277.74
266.76
23.0
30.1
157
-140
20

COPH
Test 1

0.17

0.89

Determination enthalpy 1 of refrigerant

T, C

h, enthalpy KJ/kg

20

271.38

27.3

hTT1

30

279.97

hTT1

277.65 KJ/kg

Determination enthalpy 2 of refrigerant

T, C

h, enthalpy KJ/kg

20

271.38

29.8

hTT3

30

279.97

hTT3

279.80 kJ/kg

Refrigerant flow rate, LPM = (

cooling water flow rate( )

100

) x 1.26 LPM

60.7
= 100 x 1.26 LPM
=0.765LPM
0.765 L

1 m3

1000 kg

1 min

min

1000 L

m3

60 s

Convert

=0.0128 kg/s
Ein

Eout

QH

(hTT3 - hTT1)
21

0.0128kg/s (279.80-277.65)KJ/kg

0.0275 kJ/s

COP= QH/W
= 27.5/160
=0.17

Test 2
Determination enthalpy 1 of refrigerant
T, C

h, enthalpy KJ/kg

20

271.38

27.4

hTT1

30

279.97

hTT1

277.74 KJ/kg

Determination enthalpy 2 of refrigerant

T, C

h, enthalpy KJ/kg

30

266.71

30.1

hTT3

32

267.67

hTT3

266.76 kJ/kg

Refrigerant flow rate, LPM = (

cooling water flow rate( )

100

) x 1.26 LPM

22

60.7
= 100 x 1.26 LPM
=0.765LPM
0.765 L

1 m3

1000 kg

1 min

min

1000 L

m3

60 s

Convert

=0.0128 kg/s

Ein

Eout

QH

(hTT3 - hTT1)

0.0128kg/s (266.76-277.74)KJ/kg

-0.14 kJ/s

COP= QH/W
= 140/157
=0.89

23

Discussion

This experiment was carried out to determine the performance of each of the equipment in
the refrigeration unit. In the first experiment, the power input of the heat pump was recorded
at 161kJ/s in order to absorb 83.6J/s heat from the surroundings. The coefficient of
performance of the heat pump that we has been calculated was 0.52.
For the second experiment, the same step as in the first experiment was repeated with
different cooling water flow rate which is at 20%, 40% and 60%. The power input for the heat
pump is different for each water flow rate, which are, 159kJ/s, 157kJ/s and 156kJ/s
respectively. The power input decreasing when the cooling water flow rate is
increasesing.Interpolation method was uesd to calculated the value of the enthalpy at given
temperature based on the value at Table A-4.The value of enthalpy that has been calculated
was used to obtain the values of heat transfer or heat output and the coeffiecient of
performance.The COP calculated for cooling water flow rate at 20%, 40% and 60% is 1.052 ,
1.35 ,1.61 respectively. The COP of heat pump increasing as the cooling water flow rate was
increasing as well.
For the third experiment in refrigeration unit, the change in pressure and temperature for
refrigerant R-134A after passing the condenser and compressor was recorded. We used
interpolation method to calculated the value of enthalpy at different temperature based on
Table A-4 for compressor and condenser. At the compressor the superheated refrigerant was
24

compressed from 0.20 MPa at 26.3C to 0.69Mpa at 75.8 C and the enthalpy calculated is
276.79 kJ/kg and 314.37 kJ/kg respectively. The refrigerant then enter the condenser at
temperature of 30.2C at 0.69MPa and leave the condenser at temperature at 23.0C at
0.69MPa. The pressure is constant because the condenser undergoes the heat rejection process
at constant pressure. The enthalpy calculated at 30.2C and 23.0C is 266.806 kj/kg and
83.56kJ/kg respectively. The enthalpy were decreasing because at the condenser the heat
energy was released to surrounding caused the heat energy in the refrigerant to drop.
For the forth experiment in the refrigeration unit, the compression ratio and volumetric
efficiency has been determined. The values of compressor pressure ratio are 3.45. The
pressure leaving the compressor was 0.69MPa. The volumetric efficiencies were also have
been determined and the values were 79.38%. The higher compression ratio allows the engine
to extract more mechanical energy from a given mass of air fuel mixture due to its higher
thermal efficiency and is most wanted. Based on the value of volumetric efficiency, we can
compare the actual value of volumetric flow rate in theory to the value that obtained from this
experiment. The value of the actual volumetric flow and the theoretical volumetric flow were
1.278x10-5 and 1.61x10-5 respectively. The differences between the actual volumetric flow and
the theoretical flow rate were 3.32x10-6.
For the last experiment, 2 value of enthalphy of refrigerant at a given temperature has been
calculated. The value enthalphy 1 at refrigerant temperature at 27.3 C and the refrigerant
pressure at 019 Mpa is 277.65 kJ/kg for test 1 and for test 2 is 277.74 kJ/kg. The value of
enthalphy 2 at temperature refrigerant at 29.8 C and the refrigerant pressure at 0.68 is 279.80
kJ/kg for test 1 and for test 2 is 266.76 kJ/kg.
The data that we have recorded might not 100% accurate since there is so many thing that can
affect our data and results.Firstly the water flow rate is not in stable condition while taking
reading.The refrigeration unit cannot reach the 80% of flow rate and that might caused
slightly different between our data with the theoretical data.

25

Conclusion

For the conclusion, the power input, heat output and coefficient of performance of a vapour
compression heat pump system have been determined. In experiment 1, the values of heat
pump and coefficient of performance ,COPH are 83.8 kJ/s and 0.52. For the second
experiment,we are able to produced the performance of heat pump curves over a range of
source and delivery temperature. The values of COPH for experiment 2 is 1.052,1.35 and 1.61.
The values of the coefficient of performance is increasing throughout the experiment. From
the results, it can be concluded that the heat pump functioning with a high percent of flow rate
have higher efficiency compare to the lower flow rate. As shown in experiment 3, the p-h
diagram of vapour compression cycle also have been plotted successfully and we are able to
compared the p-h diagram with the ideal cycle and we are also have been performed the
energy balances for the condenser and the compressor. From the calculation that have been
made we know that the different between the actual volumetric flow and the theoretical
volumetric flow were actually really small .Next for the fourth experiment,the compressor
ratio and the volumetric efficiency are also calculated. The ratio is 3.45 and for the
volumetric efficiency is 79.38%. There is slightly difference due to difference in pressure and
refrigerant flow rate.

26

Recommendation

The are so many ways to improved the accuracy in our reading for these experiment. Firstly,
consult with the laboratory technician a day before to ensure the experiment is conducted
smoothlyy and properly without any damage to the equipment. Next, it is better to allow a
higher pressure for the water supply so the flowrate for both inlet and outlet can be easily
adjusted and maintained. Besides, the experiment was conducted in cold surrounding (airconditioned) and it may affect the condenser. The experiment should operate or conducted at a
place with standard room temperature in order to obtain much more accurate data. Last but
noy least, we have to ensure that the mechanical heat pump should run and warm early for
about 15 minutes before we start the experiment.

27

References

1. Yunus A. Cengel, Micheal A. Boles Thermodynamics An Engineering Approach

,McGraw-Hill Book Company, 7 th edition 2011.
2. Brain,Marshall and Sara Elliot, How Refrigerators work 29 November 2006.
Howstuffworks.com <http;//how.howstuffworks.com/refrigerators.htm> 30 September
2016
3. Chemical Engineering Laboratory Manual. (CHE 486), Faculty of Chemical
Engineering, UiTM Shah Alam

28

Appendices

29