MM321 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

Lab 2: Vapor Compression System Page 1

The University of the South Pacific
School of Engineering and Physics
MM 321 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

Lab 2: Vapor Compression Refrigeration System

Name: Jowesh Avisheik Goundar
ID: S11076586

AIM
To determine the coefficient of performance (COP) of a vapor compression refrigeration cycle.

EQUIPMENT
o Cussions Refrigeration Unit
INRODUCTION
Due to many of the impracticalities associated with the reversed Carnot cycle, it became
essential to modify it so that it can become more practical and functional. Therefore, a
resulting cycle developed known as vapour compression refrigeration cycle in which the
impracticalities of reversed Carnot cycle were eliminated by vaporizing the refrigerant
completely before it is compressed and by replacing the turbine with a throttle
valve/expansion valve. This cycle is most widely used for refrigerators, air conditioning
systems and heat pumps. The schematic of the cycle is shown in fig. 1. [1]


Figure 1: Schematic Diagram for Vapor Absorption Cycle [2]

The coefficient of performance (COP) for a refrigeration cycle is defined as the ratio of the rate
of heat transfer from the refrigerated space to the power supplied to the refrigeration cycle.
This can be expressed as:

Thus, in this experiment it is required to determine the COP of the vapor compression
refrigeration cycle.
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Lab 2: Vapor Compression System Page 2

EXPERIMENTAL SET-UP


Figure 2: Schematic Diagram for the refrigeration circuit
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Following results were obtained from the refrigeration unit:
Pressure Condenser = 5 Bar
Pressure Evaporator = 1 Bar
Mass flow rate of the refrigerant = 0.04kg/s
Power input compressor = 1.5kW

Corresponding to these temperatures and with reference to Pressure-Enthalpy Diagram
[Arcton 12], the enthalpy values were noted and tabulated as in table 1.

Table 1: Results for Temperature and its corresponding Enthalpy

Point Temperature [K] Enthalpy [kJ/kg]
1` 293 267
2` 352 303
3 311 116
4 271 116

Superheated
MM321 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

Lab 2: Vapor Compression System Page 3

Figure 2: Pressure-Enthalpy diagram to obtain enthalpy values with respective temperature

Calculations:
Compressor Power:

)
( )


Heat Absorbed by the evaporator (

):

)
( )


Coefficient of Performance (COP):

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Lab 2: Vapor Compression System Page 4

DISCUSSION
From the results it was noted that the refrigeration cycle obtained a COP of 4.19. COP
indicates the ratio of the heat transferred from the refrigerated space to the work supplied to
the cycle (by the compressor). Thus, the greater the COP the better and more efficient the
system is, and since the COP for this system was found to be 4.19, indicated that the system is
quite effective and efficient. The compressor used in this system had a power capacity of
1.5kW, and from the analysis it was found that to successfully remove heat, the system
requires power input of 1.44kW, therefore, this indicated that the result and analysis was
quite proficient and acceptable.

CONCLUSION
From this experiment, the practical aspect of the refrigeration cycle was observed and using
the theory of vapor compression refrigeration cycle the coefficient of performance (COP) of
this refrigeration cycle was calculated. Comparing the calculated data with the experimental
data showed fairly good results. It was also observed that the greater the COP is the efficient
the system becomes as the heat transfer from the refrigerated space increases to the work
input to the system.
REFERENCE

[1] Ahmed, D. M. (2013). Vapor Compression refrigeration Cycle. In MM321 Refrigeration and
Air Conditioning.



[2] HubPages.Inc. (2010, January 16). What is Vapor Compression Refrigeration System.
Retrieved August 17, 2013, from Hub Pages:
http://ninjacraze.hubpages.com/hub/What-is-Vapour-Compression-Refrigeration-
System

.