To Understand Different Components of VCR System and To Determine Its COP

EXPERIMENT – 1
AIM: -To understand different components of VCR system and to determine its COP.
INTRODUCTION
The term ‘refrigeration’ may be defined as the process of removing heat from a substance under
controlled conditions. It also includes the process of reducing and maintaining the temperature of a
body below the general temperature of its surroundings. In other words, the refrigeration means a
continued extraction of heat from a body whose temperature is already below temperature of its
surroundings. In a refrigerator, heat is virtually pumped from a lower temperature to a higher
temperature. According to Second Law of Thermodynamics, this process can only be performed with
the aid of some external work. It is thus obvious that supply of power is regularly required to drive a
refrigerator. Theoretically, a refrigerator is a reversed heat engine or a heat pump which pumps heat
from a cold body and delivers it to a hot body. The substance which works in a pump to extract heat
from a cold body and to deliver it to a hot body is known as refrigerant.
VAPOUR COMPRESSION CYCLE

Vapour compression cycle is an improved type of air refrigeration cycle in which a suitable working
substance, termed as refrigerant, is used. The refrigerants generally used for this purpose are ammonia
(NH3), carbon dioxide (CO2) and sulphur-dioxide (SO2). The refrigerant used, does not leave the
system, but is circulated throughout the system alternately condensing and evaporating. In evaporating,
the refrigerant absorbs its latent heat from the solution which is used for circulating it around the cold
chamber and in condensing; it gives out its latent heat to the circulating water of the cooler.
The vapour compression cycle which is used in vapour compression refrigeration system is now-a-
days used for all purpose refrigeration. It is used for all industrial purposes from a small domestic
refrigerator to a big air conditioning plant.
Simple Vapour Compression Refrigeration System

It consists of the following essential parts:
Compressor
The low pressure and temperature vapour refrigerant from
evaporator is drawn into the compressor through the inlet
or suction valve A, where it is compressed to a high
pressure and temperature. This high pressure and
temperature vapour refrigerant is discharged into the
condenser through the delivery or discharge valve B.
Oil separator
All refrigeration compressors except centrifugal compressors contain oil,
which lubricates the compressor and forms seals between the moving parts
during the compression.
To minimize the amount of oil that must be transported around the system, an oil
separator can be introduced.
The oil separator is mounted in the high-pressure pipe between the compressor
and the condenser. The oil that is transported by the refrigerant gas to be captured
by the metallic filter in the inlet
Condenser
The condenser or cooler consists of coils of pipe in which the high pressure and temperature vapour
refrigerant is cooled and condensed. The refrigerant, while passing through the condenser, gives up its
latent heat to the surrounding condensing medium which is normally air or water.
Refrigerant liquid receiver

The receiver also stores the entire charge of the refrigerant during the
period when the system is pumped down. The receiver is
usually just a small steel tank with appropriate shut-off and
relief valves.
The receiver is placed in the liquid line (i.e. the part of the refrigeration
cycle where the refrigerant is in the liquid phase) between the condenser
and the filter. It should be filled partly with liquid and partly with vapor
in all operating conditions.
Filters and driers

Moisture, water vapor or foreign matter may cause problems in
any refrigeration system. Moisture may freeze in the orifice of the
expansion valve, cause corrosion of metal parts and wet the motor
windings of a semihermetic compressor. Eventually, this can result
in motor burnout and oil sludge. Foreign matter, on the other hand,
may contaminate the compressor oil and become lodged in valve
parts, rendering the valve inoperative.
Liquid line filter driers are positioned in the liquid line to protect the expansion valve from particle
contamination and to absorb potential humidity in the refrigerant. Different desiccant materials are
available to suit the various types of refrigerants.
Suction line filters are positioned in the suction line (i.e. before the compressor) to protect the
compressor from possible contamination.
Sight glass with humidity indicator

A sight glass, should be positioned in the liquid line in every system. It is generally
located immediately before the expansion valve, and provides a means for viewing
the liquid flow.
If a gas/liquid mixture is detected in the sight glass, this indicates that the sub-
cooling is insufficient. This will disturb the operation of the expansion valve
and may result in severe superheating or system hunting.
Expansion Valve
It is also called throttle valve or refrigerant control valve. The function of the expansion valve is to allow
the liquid refrigerant under high pressure and temperature to pass at a controlled rate after reducing its
pressure and temperature. Some of the liquid refrigerant evaporates as it passes through the expansion
valve, but the greater portion is vaporized in the evaporator at the low pressure and temperature
Evaporator
An evaporator consists of coils of pipe in which the liquid-vapour. Refrigerant at low pressure and
temperature is evaporated and changed into vapour refrigerant at low pressure and temperature. In
evaporating, the liquid vapour refrigerant absorbs its latent heat of vaporization from the medium (air, water
or brine) which is to be cooled.
Suction line accumulator

Suction line accumulators are installed to avoid liquid carry-over to
the compressor, which could affect lubrication and, in the worst-case
scenario, lead to damage if liquid or oil foam enters the compression
chamber. This may cause the expansion device to malfunction. It is
also a problem during start-up and after defrost, when large amounts
of liquid refrigerant can be flushed back to the compressor.
The pressure drop in a suction line accumulator is, as for all
components in the suction line, critical. Pressure drop in the
accumulator can be mistaken for poor evaporation performance.
The processes of this cycle are

Process 1-2: vapor refrigerant is compressed to a relatively high temperature and pressure requiring work
input.
Process 2-3: vapor refrigerant condenses to liquid through heat transfer to the cooler surroundings.
Process 3-4: liquid refrigerant expands to the evaporator pressure.

Process 4-1: two-phase liquid-vapor mixture of refrigerant is evaporated through heat transfer from the
refrigerated space.
Applying mass and energy rate balances
Evaporator
=ℎ −ℎ
The term is referred to as the refrigeration capacity, expressed in kW in the SI unit system.
Compressor (Assuming adiabatic compression)
=ℎ −ℎ
Condenser
=ℎ −ℎ
Expansion valve (Assuming a throttling process)

ℎ =ℎ
&'(
%) * -. /-0
Coefficient of Performance (COP) = = +
=
! "" # $ % ), * -1 /-.
Observations:
Standard Baromatric Pressure 1.01325 Bar

Specific Heat of Water 4.187 KJ/KgK
Specific Heat of Air 0.287 KJ/KgK
Refrigerant R-12
Observation Table:
CONDUCTING TRIALS AND MEASURED READING:
1 Condenser pressure (HP) : 10.1648 Bar

2 Evaporator pressure (LP) : 2 Bar
3 Rotameter reading : ___LPH
4 Condenser inlet tempt. (2 ) : 60ᵒC
5 Condenser outlet tempt.(2 ) : 45ᵒC
6 Evaporator inlet tempt.(2 ) : -15ᵒC
7 Evaporator outlet tempt.(2 ): 0ᵒC
8 Time for 10 revolutions of Compressor Energy meter : 14 Sec
9 Time for 10 revolutions of Heater energy meter : 11Sec
10 Ammeter reading : 176 Amp
11 Voltmeter reading : 3.2 Volt
12 Evaporator bath tempt :(25ᵒC to 28ᵒC) 26.3 ᵒC
Calculation:
EMC (Energy Meter Constant) =3200
(Energy Meter Revolution x 3600)

Compressor Power(W) =
(Time for 10 revolution x EMC)
(Energy Meter Revolution x 3600)

Heater Power (W) =
(time for 10 revolution x EMC)
(Power Consumed by Heater)

COP (Actual) =
(Power Consumed by compressor)
4 /4 45 /46
Theoretical COP= =
4 /4 47 /45
28
Carnot COP=
29 /28
TH=Saturation Temperature Corresponding to Condenser Pressure
TL=Saturation Temperature Corresponding to Evaporator Pressure
Conclusion:
*********

To Understand Different Components of VCR System and To Determine Its COP

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EXPERIMENT – 1

VAPOUR COMPRESSION CYCLE

Simple Vapour Compression Refrigeration System

Refrigerant liquid receiver

Filters and driers

Sight glass with humidity indicator

Suction line accumulator

The processes of this cycle are

Process 3-4: liquid refrigerant expands to the evaporator pressure.

Compressor (Assuming adiabatic compression)

Expansion valve (Assuming a throttling process)

Standard Baromatric Pressure 1.01325 Bar

1 Condenser pressure (HP) : 10.1648 Bar

(Energy Meter Revolution x 3600)

(Energy Meter Revolution x 3600)

(Power Consumed by Heater)

TL=Saturation Temperature Corresponding to Evaporator Pressure

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