THERMODYNAMIC LAB: MECHANICAL HEAT PUMP (T3)

KM31401: LAB IV
Nurul Hasmika Binti Watimin
BK16110252
Group 3b
University Malaysia Sabah / Faculty of Mechanical Engineering

ABSTRACT

The main objective of this experiment is to produce heat pump performance curves over a
range of source and delivery temperatures. In this experiment R514 Bench Mounted
Mechanical Heat Pump was used. From this experiment the performance of the heat pump
will be present in performance curve. There are four performance curve which involved in
this experiment which are condenser outlet temperature against mass flow rate, power input
against condenser water outlet temperature, power input against condenser water outlet
temperature and power input against condenser water outlet temperature. The important
parameter in this experiment are time for 1 rev of energy (x/s), air source temperature
(ta/oC), compressor water inlet temperature (t5/oC), condenser water outlet temperature
(t6/oC), and condensing water mass flowrate (mw/gs-1).

1. INTRODUCTION/OBJECTIVE

A heat pump is a machine whose prime function is to absorb heat from a low-grade source,
and to deliver heat at a useful temperature, although higher temperatures are possible in
special circumstances. To do this, a heat pump require a low-grade heat input (from
atmosphere) and a high-grade energy input either in the form of work or as heat at a high
temperature. The COP or coefficient of performance for a heat pump can be expressed as a
curve showing energy consumed to operate the equipment versus the amount of heat
energy provided to the building. This is because COP curves show that we cannot continue
to make effective use of a heat pump at very low or very cold outdoor temperatures, a
backup heating system is required where heat pumps are installed in cold climates.
 2. PROCEDURES

i. Turn the condenser water to about 0. 8 of maximum flow rate, then switch on and
allow the heat pump to stabilized. Make the observations set out below.
ii. Keeping the air temperature constant, reduce the condenser water flow rate so that
condenser water outlet temperature, t6 increase by about 6K. Allow the heat pump to
stabilize, then repeat the observations.
iii. Repeat the procedure until t6 reaches about 55° C.
iv. Calculate the power input, rate of heat delivery and coefficient of performance then
plot them against t6.

3. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

Time for 1 rev of energy meter, x/s 36.76 34.82 32.87 31.05 30.37 29.28 27.89
Air source Temperature, ta/⁰C 25 25 25 25 25 25 25
Compressor Water Inlet Temperature t5/⁰C 30.40 30.90 30.50 30.60 29.80 30.10 30.50
Condenser Water Outlet Temperature t6/⁰C 37.50 38.30 41.80 46.20 48.70 53.20 56.70
Change in temperature (T6 – T5) t/s 7.1 7.4 11.3 15.6 18.9 23.1 26.2
Condensing Water Mass Flowrate mw/gs-1 42 40 36 32 28 24 18
-1
Rate of heat rejection QH j/s 1248.3 1239.1 1702.9 2089.7 2215.2 2320.7 1974.1
Power input P, w 408.1 430.8 456.3 483.1 493.9 512.3 537.8
Coefficient of performance, COP 3.06 2.87 3.73 4.33 4.48 4.53 3.67
Table 1: Tabulation of data

, where c is 4.186 joule/gram °C

* All calculation details are attached in the report appendices section.

 Graph 1: Coefficient of pump against flowrate

Graph 2: Chart of COP against condenser water outlet temperature t6/⁰C

Graph 3: Chart of Rate of heat rejection QH j/s-1 Condenser Water Outlet Temperature t6/⁰C

From this experiment, the condenser inlet temperature was having a small different
in temperature while the condenser outlet temperature was showing a noticeable increasing
in temperature due to the decreasing of water mass flowrate. Besides, as the water mass
flowrate increased the COP of the system will also increase but in this experiment in this
experiment it shows decreasing trend like shown in graph 1.

The decreasing trend may due to an error during the experiment was conducted. In
graph 2, it shows that increasing in condenser water outlet temperature will increased the
COP of the heat pump. This is because, as the outlet water increased the water mass
flowrate will also decrease. If less amount of water supplied to condenser (18 mw/gs-1), the
rise in temperature is higher (56.7oC), compared to the high amount of water (42 mw/gs-1). In
graph 3, it shows that as the rate of heat rejection QH j/s-1 increased the outlet temperature
also increased. This is because if the rate of heat rejection QH j/s-1 is directly proportional to
the COP of heat pump. Therefore, as the COP increased the water outlet is also increased.
 There are several factors that caused errors in this experiment. Firstly, is the error
from equipment. When we turned on the switch, the energy meter jump suddenly. It will
make the revolution unstable at the starting point. Besides, some energy is consumed or
loss to turn on the mechanical heat pump. Then, there have systematic error which is
parallel error. The error will occur when we were taken reading from water mass flow rate
indicator, Energy meter and thermometer. After that, we also found that the condenser
pressure has a little bit change during the experiment. However, these factors would only
contribute to minor errors in the result.

4. CONCLUSION

In conclusion, the COP of heat pump is directly proportional to the water mass flow rate and
the condenser outlet temperature. The rate of heat rejection is directly proportional to the
condenser water outlet. There is some error during the experiment was conducted as
explained at the discussion section.

REFERENCES

[1] http://writing.engr.psu.edu/workbooks/laboratory.html
[2] Boles, Y. A. (2013). Thermodynamics an Engineering Approach. Singapore: McGraw-Hill
[3] A. T. Mustafa College of Engineering, Nahrain University, Jadiriya, Baghdad, Iraq
APPENDICES

= 42 x 4.186 x 7.1
= 1248.3 j/s-1
= 408.1 W

= 40 x 4.186 x 7.4
= 1239.1 j/s-1
= 430.8 W

= 36 x 4.186 x 11.3
= 1702.9 j/s-1
= 456.3 W

= 32 x 4.186 x 15.6
= 2089.7 j/s-1
= 483.1 W

= 28 x 4.186 x 18.9
= 2215.2 j/s-1
= 493.9 W

= 24 x 4.186 x 23.1
= 2320.7 j/s-1
= 512.3 W

= 18 x 4.186 x 26.2
= 1974.1 j/s-1
= 537.8 W