Running head: Air Conditioning and Refrigeration System

Laboratory 5 Air Conditioning and Refrigeration System

Bianca Graziele Bueno
ME 401 Thermal Measurements Lab
Southern Illinois University, Carbondale

Laboratory 5 - Air Conditioning and Refrigeration System

Abstract
Because of simplicity and low cost, the analysis of refrigeration and air
conditioning systems are very important. Ineffective refrigeration system
scarce nonrenewable resources and also endanger our health and burden the
environment. This is an area of application where more effective systems
and practices can significantly improve our national energy posture. The
main objective of this experiment was to analyze the performance of an
actual air conditioning unit based on experimental measurements

Introduction
Refrigeration and air conditioning play prominent roles in our everyday
lives. Studying these systems are important to achieve a more efficiency
cycle in result to lower the costs.
Vapor-compression refrigeration systems are the most common
refrigeration systems in use today. The vapor-compression system illustrated
in figure 1 shows the components of the refrigeration system.
The goal of this experiment is to observe an air
conditioning/refrigeration system operating and record the data obtained.
The enthalpy refrigerant at each location, the rate of heating, cooling, the
power of the system, and the coefficient of performance of the system will be
calculated.

Laboratory 5 - Air Conditioning and Refrigeration System

Figure 1 Vapor-compression refrigeration cycle.

Objective
Determine the rate of heating, cooling, electrical power used, and
coefficient of performance of the air conditioning system.

Experimental Apparatus and Procedure

Apparatus:
The system is built around a basic vapor compression refrigeration
cycle. Common system components include: condenser, evaporator,
compressor (reciprocating), control valves, control switches, pressure
gauges, thermometers, liquid receivers, filter-driers, sight glasses,
thermostat, reversing valve.

Laboratory 5 - Air Conditioning and Refrigeration System

Figure 2 Vapor-compression refrigeration cycle.

Procedure:
To reduce the system pressure, the hand expansion valve (HEV) was
used. The first step was closing valves CTV, TEV, and LRB. After that, was
opened the valves LRI, LRO, and HEV. Then, was turned on the compressor,
the condenser fan, and evaporator fan. The HEV was partially closed so that
the refrigerant flow rate was approximately in the middle of the gauge.
After doing all those steps, was waited for the system to reach steady
state.
The pressures showed by the compressor discharge (also condenser
inlet), the throttling valve inlet (also condenser outlet), the throttling valve
exit (also evaporator inlet), and the compressor suction (also evaporator
inlet) were recorded.
The R-12 mass flow rate was recorded in pounds per minute.
The thermocouple type K was placed in 6 different spots so we could
record the temperatures.

Laboratory 5 - Air Conditioning and Refrigeration System

Finally the power used by the compressor was recorded by holding the
switc near the power gauge up while was read the electrical power used.
For a greater precision, all the steps above was repeated 3 times for
about four minutes apart from the other. Thus, we could obtained data from
three experimental runs.

Calculations and Results

The table 1 below, shows the details of the thermocouple used in the
experiment:
Table 1 Thermocouple details
Units

Run 1

Run 2

Run 3

Pressure at compressor
discharge

psig

135

135

140

Pressure at throttling valve

inlet

psig

130

135

135

Pressure at throttling valve exit

psig

41

42

42

Pressure at compressor section

Psig or
inHg if
suction

33

34

34

Flow rate of R-12

Lbm/min

1.1

1.15

1.15

Temperature at evaporator inlet

(T1)

35

35

36

Temperature at evaporator
outlet (T2)

62

62

62

Temperature at compressor
inlet (T6)

71

72

73

Temperature at compressor
outlet (T5)

153

158

162

Temperature at condenser inlet

(T4)

127

131

136

Temperature at condenser
outlet (T3)

99

99

101

Laboratory 5 - Air Conditioning and Refrigeration System

Power consumed by compressor

380

380

380

Part 1: This part consists of calculate the average of all three sets of
data. The pressure recorded was gauge pressure and the graphs (Appendix
A) uses absolute pressure (14.7 psi) Thus, was added 14.7 psi onto each
reading.

The new table is:

Units

Run 1

Run 2

Run 3

Avera
ge

Pabs

Pressure at compressor
discharge

psig

135

135

140

136.6
7

151.3
1

Pressure at throttling
valve inlet

psig

130

135

135

133.3
3

147.7

Pressure at throttling
valve exit

psig

41

42

42

41.67

56.37

Pressure at compressor
section

Psig or
inHg if
suction

33

34

34

33.67

48.37

Flow rate of R-12

Lbm/min

1.1

1.15

1.15

1.13

Temperature at
evaporator inlet (T1)

35

35

36

35.33

Temperature at
evaporator outlet (T2)

62

62

62

62

Temperature at
compressor inlet (T6)

71

72

73

72

Temperature at
compressor outlet (T5)

153

158

162

157.6
7

Temperature at
condenser inlet (T4)

127

131

136

131.3
3

Temperature at
condenser outlet (T3)

99

99

101

99.67

Power consumed by
compressor

380

380

380

380

Laboratory 5 - Air Conditioning and Refrigeration System

Part B: Was determined the enthalpy of each location by using the

graph pressure x enthalpy (Appendix A). Values are showed below:

R-22 Analysis
Compressor

condenser

R-22 States

In(6)

Out(5)

In(4)

T(F)

72

157.67

131.33

99.67

P(psia)

48.37

151.31

151.31

151.37

H(Btu/lbm)

88

100

92

Evaporator

Out(3)

85
Throttling valve

R-22 States

In(1)

Out(2)

In(7)

T(F)

35.33

62

90

P(psia)

48.37

48.37

147.7

H(Btu/lbm)

82

89

85

Out(8)
60
56.37
85

Part C: The rate of cooling was determined by using the equation

below:

As the fluid R-22 passes through the evaporator, heat transfer from the
refrigerated space results in the vaporization of the refrigerant.

Q=m ( h 2h 1 )=1.13 ( 8982 )=7.91 Btu /min

After the fluid R-22 leaved the evaporator, it was compressed to a high
pressure and temperature by the compressor. In this system the net power

Laboratory 5 - Air Conditioning and Refrigeration System

input is equal to compressor power. The coefficient of performance of the

vapor-compression refrigerant system is:
Win=380W=21.61 BTU/min

COP=

7.91
0.37
21.61

Uncertainty
Due to the limits of instruments and people using them was made an
uncertainty analysis.
To determine the accuracy of the coefficient of performance. For the
calculous was used the equation:
Ut=

) (

2
T
V =
V

( m( h2h 1)/Win )
m
m

)(

( m(h 2h 1)/ Win )

Win
Win

As we do not have the values of the errors of the flow rate and power
into the compressor, we cannot calculate the uncertain value.

Discussion of Results and Conclusions

Based on the data acquired in the experiment we could determine the
enthalpy at each location, determine the rate of cooling, and calculate the
coefficient of performance of the cycle. Through measurements we obtained
a rate cooling of 4.52 BTU/lbm and a coefficient of performance of
The laboratory experiment effectively demonstrated how an air
conditioner functioned and how certain values are determined. After all this

Laboratory 5 - Air Conditioning and Refrigeration System

analysis, it was possible to learn and understand the concepts behind the
theory from the laboratory.

References

ENGEL, Y. A. Tranfer heat and mass. Editor: McGrawHill. Third Edition. 2007.
930 pag.
INCROPERA, DEWITT, BERGMAN and LAVINE. Fundamentals of Heat and Mass
Tranfer. Sixth Edition. 999 pag.