Faculty of Engineering and Technology

Mechanical Engineering Department

Mechanical Engineering Lab | ENME 411

Experiment No. (5)

“HEAT PUMP”

Technical Report

The work of:

Moemn Salman | 1181700

Moatasem Sbeih | 1170998

Narmeen Abu-laban | 1171450

Instructor:
Dr. Afif Akel
T.A: Eng. Dana Sbeih

Experiment date: 23th October2021

Due date:1st November 2021

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Abstract:
Heat pumps are heating devices that transport heat from one medium to another. They work
on the principle of refrigeration cycles. A condenser, an evaporator, a compressor, an expansion
valve, and a refrigerant all work together to transfer heat and provide cooling or heating in the
refrigeration cycle. To operate the cycle for heating (also known as the heat pump cycle), the
cycle is reversed, with the refrigerant entering the compressor and exiting as compressed hot gas
(superheated) at higher pressure. After that, it passes through the condenser and becomes liquid.
the refrigerant then flows through an expansion valve, where the pressure drops and it becomes a
combination of liquid and vapor. Finally, it is sent to the evaporator, where it evaporates owing to
air flow (refrigerant has a low boiling point) and is released as a low-pressure, low-temperature
vapor. For the first part of the experiment, a heat pump was set to a constant flow rate of 4 liters
per minute, while recording the inlet and outlet temperatures of different sections with respect to
time, which assisted the analysis of the transient state. Overall power, compressor power, and wet
and dry bulb temperatures were all measured and utilized to compute the heat pump's coefficient
of performance and the internal coefficient of performance. The same procedure was then applied
for part 2, except for the fact that the system was already in a steady state condition but
measurements were taken at different flow rates. Heat supplied and rejected grow to a maximum
value as time passes in the transient analysis, then begin to decrease. The work of the compressor
rises with time, reaches a maximum, and then diminishes. Because the system was subjected to
radiation and stray losses, the heat energy supplied and energy rejected were different.

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Contents

Abstract: ................................................................................................................ 2

Objective: .............................................................................................................. 4

Calculation: ........................................................................................................... 5

Results: ................................................................................................................ 10

Discussion of results:........................................................................................... 13

Conclusion: .......................................................................................................... 14

References and citation: ..................................................................................... 15

Appendices: ......................................................................................................... 16

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Objectives:
This experiment aims to investigate heat pumps, their components, how they function, and
how efficient they are. Also, to derive its characteristics using experimentally obtained data and
compare it to predicted ideal values.

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Calculations:
For sample calculations, run #1 was considered

Constants according to steam tables:

𝜌𝑤 = 0.012833 kg/m3

ℎ𝑣 = 2528.36 kJ / kg

- Air density (𝜌𝑎 ):

𝑃𝑎
𝜌𝑎 = (1)
𝑅𝑇
Where:

𝜌𝑎 : Air density in kg/m3

𝑃𝑎 : Atmospheric pressure (101 kPa)

R: Ideal gas constant ( J/kg·K)

T: Surrounding air temperature (K)

𝑃𝑎 101,000
→ 𝜌𝑎 = = = 1.185 𝑘𝑔⁄𝑚3
𝑅𝑇 287 ∗ (21 + 273)

- Specific humidity:

Φ𝜌𝑤
𝛾= (2)
𝜌𝑎
Where:

𝛾: Air specific humidity at the inlet

Φ: Air relative humidity at the inlet

𝜌𝑤 : density of saturated water vapor at inlet in kg/m3

0.85 ∗ 0.01283
→𝛾= = 0.00932
1.185

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 - Discharge air flow rate:

𝐻1 𝑇2
𝑉 = 0.3014√ (3)
𝑃𝑎
Where:

𝑉: Air flow rate (m3/s)

𝐻1 : Pitot tube head reading (mmH2O)

𝑇2 : Air temperature (K)

40 ∗ (26 + 273)
→ 𝑉 = 0.3014√ = 0.104 m3 /s
101,000

- Mass rate of dry air

𝐻1 𝑃𝑎
𝑚1 = 0.00105√ (4)
𝑇2
Where:

𝑚1 : Mass rate of dry air in kg/s

40 ∗ 101,000
𝑚1 = 0.00105√ = 0.121 𝑘𝑔⁄𝑠
26 + 273

- Enthalpy flow rate of air at conditioner inlet:

𝑄1 = 𝑚1 𝑐𝑝 𝑇1
(5)
Where:

𝑐𝑝 : Specific heat of air (1012 J/kg.oC)

𝑇1 : Air temperature at inlet in K

𝑄1 = 0.121 ∗ 1012 ∗ (21 + 273) = 36 𝑘𝑊

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 - enthalpy flow rate of vapor at conditioner inlet:

𝑄2 = 𝛾𝑚1 ℎ𝑣 (6)
Where:

ℎ𝑣 : specific enthalpy of steam in kJ / kg

𝑄2 = 0.00932 ∗ 0.121 ∗ 2528.36 = 2.86 kW

- enthalpy flow rate of dry air at conditioner outlet:

𝑄3 = 𝑚1 𝑐𝑝 𝑇2 (7)
Where:

𝑄3 : Enthalpy flow rate of dry air leaving conditioner (KW)

→ 𝑄3 = 𝑚1 𝑐𝑝 𝑇2 = 0.121 ∗ 1012 ∗ (26 + 273) = 36.75 𝑘𝑊

- Enthalpy flow rate of water vapor leaving conditioner:

𝑄4 = 𝛾𝑚1 ℎ𝑣 (8)
Where:

m2: condensation flow rate at discharge (kg/s)

→ 𝑄4 = 𝛾𝑚1 ℎ𝑣 = 0.008932 ∗ 0.121 ∗ 2528.36 = 2.86 kW

- Enthalpy flow rate of circulating water at the inlet:

𝑄6 = 𝑚3 𝑐𝑤 𝑇3 (9)
Where:

m3: circulating water flow rate (kg/s)

𝑇3 : circulating water temperature at inlet (K)

4 ∗ 10−3 ∗ 4186.8 ∗ (20 + 273) ∗ 1000

𝑄6 = = 81.78 𝑘𝑊
60

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 - Enthalpy flow rate of circulating water at outlet:

𝑄7 = 𝑚3 𝑐𝑤 𝑇4 (10)
Where:

𝑇4 : circulating water temperature at discharge (K)

4 ∗ 10−3 ∗ 4186.8 ∗ (18 + 273) ∗ 1000

𝑄7 = 𝑚3 𝑐𝑤 𝑇4 = = 81.22 𝑘𝑊
60

- Enthalpy flow rate due to radiation and stray losses:

(𝑄6 − 𝑄7 ) + (𝐸𝑐 + 𝐸𝐹 ) = (𝑄3 + 𝑄4 ) − (𝑄1 + 𝑄2 ) + 𝑄8 (11)

𝑄8 = (𝑄6 − 𝑄7 ) + (𝐸𝑐 + 𝐸𝐹 ) − (𝑄3 + 𝑄4 ) + (𝑄1 + 𝑄2 )

𝑄8 = (81.78 − 81.22) + (1.25) − (36.75 + 2.86) + (36 + 2.86) = 1.19 𝑘𝑊

- Coefficient of performance (𝐶𝑃𝐻 )𝐸 :

(𝑄3 + 𝑄4 ) − (𝑄1 + 𝑄2 )
(𝐶𝑃𝐻 )𝐸 = (12)
(𝐸𝑐 + 𝐸𝐹 )

(𝑄3 + 𝑄4 ) − (𝑄1 + 𝑄2 ) (36.75 + 2.86) − (36 + 2.86)

(𝐶𝑃𝐻 )𝐸 = = = 0.492
(𝐸𝑐 + 𝐸𝐹 ) 1.25

- The ideal value of coefficient of performance (𝐶𝑃𝐻 )𝑚𝑎𝑥 :

0.5(𝑇1 + 𝑇2 )
(𝐶𝑃𝐻 )𝑚𝑎𝑥 = (13)
0.5(𝑇1 + 𝑇2 ) − 0.5(𝑇3 + 𝑇4 )

0.5(21 + 273 + 26 + 273)

(𝐶𝑃𝐻 )𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = 65.9
0.5(21 + 273 + 26 + 273) − 0.5(20 + 273 + 18 + 273)

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 - Internal coefficient of performance (𝐶𝑃𝐻 )𝐼 :

(𝑄3 + 𝑄4 ) − 𝐸𝐹 − (𝑄1 + 𝑄2 )
(𝐶𝑃𝐻 )𝐼 = (14)
𝐸𝑐

(36.75 + 2.86) − 0.4 − (36.1 + 2.86)

(𝐶𝑃𝐻 )𝐼 = = 0.252
0.85

- Ideal value of internal coefficient of performance (𝐶𝑃𝐻 )𝑚𝑎𝑥 :

𝑇10
(𝐶𝑃𝐻 )𝐼 𝑚𝑎𝑥 = (15)
𝑇10 − 𝑇8

Where:

𝑇10 : Refrigerant to air temperature at discharge (K)

𝑇8 : Refrigerant to water temperature at inlet (K)

30 + 273
(𝐶𝑃𝐻 )𝑚𝑎𝑥 = = 10.1
30 − 0

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Results:
Table 1: Properties measured over different time intervals for both, steady state and transient
analysis.
Transient
saturated water
Time Water flow Air density specific discharge air flow rate
vapor density
(min) rate (L.P.M) (Kg/m3) humidity (m3/kg)
(Kg/m3)
0 4 1.185 0.013 0.00932 0.104
5 4 1.185 0.014 0.00932 0.107
10 4 1.185 0.014 0.00932 0.108
15 4 1.181 0.014 0.00982 0.108
20 4 1.181 0.014 0.01043 0.108
25 4 1.181 0.014 0.01043 0.108

Steady state
Time Water flow Air density saturated water specific discharge air flow rate
(min) rate (L.P.M) (Kg/m3) vapor density humidity
0 5 1.181 0.014 0.01043 0.104
5 6 1.181 0.014 0.01043 0.101
10 3 1.181 0.014 0.01043 0.103
15 2 1.181 0.014 0.01043 0.103

Transient
Water mass of dry mass of Enthalpy of enthalpy of fan
Time
flow rate air circulating water vapor condensate power
(min)
(L.P.M) (kg) (kg) (kJ/kg) (kJ/kg) (kW)
0 4 0.121 0.067 2528.36 62.98 0.4
5 4 0.119 0.067 2530.19 67.17 0.4
10 4 0.118 0.067 2530.19 67.17 0.35
15 4 0.117 0.067 2530.19 67.17 0.35
20 4 0.117 0.067 2530.19 67.17 0.3
25 4 0.117 0.067 2532 71.36 0.38

Steady state
Water mass of dry mass of Enthalpy of enthalpy of fan
Time
flow rate air circulating water vapor condensate power
(min)
(L.P.M) (kg) (kg) (kJ/kg) (kJ/kg) (kW)
0 5 0.112 0.083 2532 71.36 0.4
5 6 0.112 0.100 2532 71.36 0.35
10 3 0.111 0.050 2532 71.36 0.32
15 2 0.111 0.033 2532 71.36 0.4

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Table 3: Values of heat transferred at different sections of the heat pump and at different time
intervals for both, steady state and transient analysis.
Transient
Water
Time Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q6 Q7 Q8
flow rate
(min) (kW) (kW) (kW) (kW) (kW) (kW) (kW)
(L.P.M)
0 4 36.13 2.86 36.75 2.86 81.78 81.22 1.19
5 4 35.26 2.79 37.66 2.80 81.78 79.83 1.00
10 4 34.98 2.77 37.96 2.77 81.78 79.83 0.48
15 4 34.99 2.91 38.08 2.91 81.78 79.83 0.42
20 4 34.94 3.09 38.14 3.09 81.78 79.83 0.30
25 4 34.94 3.09 38.14 3.09 81.78 79.83 0.35
30 4 36.13 2.86 36.75 2.86 81.78 81.22 1.19

Steady state
Water
Time Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Q6 Q7 Q8
flow rate
(min) (kW) (kW) (kW) (kW) (kW) (kW) (kW)
(L.P.M)
0 5 33.55 2.96 36.73 2.97 102.23 100.13 0.50
5 6 33.55 2.96 36.73 2.97 122.67 120.58 0.50
10 3 33.09 2.92 36.23 2.93 61.34 59.66 0.05
15 2 33.14 2.93 36.18 2.93 40.89 39.36 0.00

Table 4: Coefficient of performance results for both, steady state and transient analysis.
Transient
Water
Heat rejected Heat added to
Time flow
COP COPideal COPint COPint, ideal to air refrigerant
(min) rate
(kW) (kW)
(L.P.M)
0 4 0.492 65.889 0.252 10.100 0.615 0.558
5 4 1.656 20.966 1.905 8.205 2.401 1.954
10 4 1.984 18.029 2.284 8.308 2.977 1.954
15 4 1.991 16.649 2.280 8.150 3.086 1.954
20 4 2.064 16.237 2.320 8.175 3.200 1.954
25 4 2.001 16.237 2.313 8.175 3.202 1.954
30 4 0.492 65.889 0.252 10.100 0.615 0.558

Steady state
Water
Heat rejected Heat added to
Time flow COPinternal,
COP COPideal COPinternal to air refrigerant
(min) rate ideal
(kW) (kW)
(L.P.M)
0 5 1.993 16.263 2.324 8.175 3.189 2.093
5 6 2.069 15.450 2.354 8.150 3.145 1.675
10 3 2.069 15.450 2.354 8.150 3.145 1.675

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 Air output temperature, compressor work Vs Time
60 1.4

1.2
50

Compressor Work (KW)

Ait Temperature T2 (C)

1
40

0.8
30
Air outlet temperature
0.6
Compressor power
20
0.4

10
0.2

0 0
0 5 10 15 20 25
Time (min)

Figure 1: Air Temperature T2, Compressor work against time for transient analysis.

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Discussion of results:
The performance of a heat pump was assessed in this experiment. The water flow in the
condenser was constant in the transient mode, but time was changing. The compressor's needed
power kept increasing until it reached a maximum value, then declined, as shown in Figure 1. This
is due to the increase in room temperature, which implies that the air entering the heat pump will
have more heat and energy, requiring less compressor power to function.

Table (4) shows that the heat absorption of water (in the condenser) rises with time, implying
that more heat is transferred to the air, as indicated in the table. The increase in air temperature
(T2) and the decrease in water temperature (T4) represent heat rejection and absorption,
respectively. contradicting theory, the energy added and energy rejected differed in values, which
is mainly due to the heat transfer through radiation and the occurrence of stray losses. This
deviation can be presented as Q8 calculated in Equation (12)

Because it is a measure of heat pump efficiency, the coefficient of performance improves

experimentally. As previously stated, as room temperature rises, less heating is required, resulting
in lower input power requirements, thus increasing efficiency. nonetheless, Due to system losses,
experimental results were always lower than theoretical values.

As for the second part: Steady state analysis, the condenser's water flow rate was varied while
time remained constant. As the flow rate was increased, more heat was exchanged, and the system's
input power requirement grew as well. Since the measurements of dry and wet bulb temperatures
were done manually, errors were relatively noticeable in the experiment, altering the
measurements of humidity levels recorded as they heavily rely on them.

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Conclusion:
Heat pumps are used to heat interior areas in HVAC systems. The refrigerant in these
systems is required to collect heat and subsequently reject it to the atmosphere, and because it has
low boiling temperatures, it lowers the heat pump's cost. As a result, they're noted for their low
cost and prolonged service life. Additionally, easy maintenance is ensured due to the simplicity of
their systems. The heat pump mechanism was calculated in depth in this experiment. The system
was subjected to a through steady state and transient heat transfer analysis, with the results
compared and explained. The gauging of dry and wet temperatures couldn’t steer clear of errors,
contrarily to the other temperature measurements as they were recorded digitally.

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References and citation:
1- ENME 411 -Mechanical Lab manual, 2021.
2- F. P. Bleier, Fan Handbook.

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Appendices:
A- Data sheet:

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