Demonstration of the Vapor-Compression Refrigeration Cycle

I. INTRODUCTION

Refrigeration is defined as the process of removing heat from a substance under

controlled conditions. It includes processes that can reduce and maintain temperature of a
body below the temperature of its surroundings.

Clausius statement states that heat cannot pass from a colder region to hot region.
Heat transfer from cold to hot region cannot occur spontaneously without help of an external
work. In a refrigerator, heat is virtually pumped from a lower temperature to a higher
temperature by an external agent, the refrigeration system. Principles of refrigeration includes
liquids absorbing heat when changed from liquid to gas, gases give off heat when changed
from gas to liquid (Fonder, 2006). The vapor compression cycle is used in refrigerator.

Figure 1. Objective of Refrigerator

The vapor compression cycle involves four components: compressor, condenser,

expansion valve/throttle valve, and evaporator (ARANER, 2019).

In the Figure 2, components of vapor compression refrigeration cycle are shown. Four
processes are also involved in the cycle. Compression takes place in the compressor. It raises
the temperature and refrigerant pressure. Condenser is a heat exchanger. Heat is being
transferred from the refrigerant to a flowing water. Refrigerant expands and releases pressure
when it enters the throttling valve. In evaporators, refrigerant evaporates and absorbs latent
heat of vaporization (ARANER, 2019).

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 Figure 2. Vapor Compression Refrigeration Cycle

The fluid used in refrigerator is called the refrigerant. It is typically found in either
fluid or gaseous state. It can readily absorb heat from environment and can provide
refrigeration (What Is Refrigerant and How Does It Help Your Air Conditioner?, 2016).

II. OBJECTIVES

• To understand how a vapor-compression refrigeration cycle works.

III. METHODOLOGY

A. Materials
The main equipment used in this experiment was the Refrigeration Cycle
Demonstration Unit (RCDU). This experiment also needed an adequate supply of water.

B. Methods
Before the start of the experiment, it was made sure that the connections, set – up
parts and wirings were all in place. Since the Refrigerant Cycle Demonstration Unit (RCDU)
was already used by the previous section, it was assumed that the RCDU was functioning
properly. The sensor cables were all connected to their designated positions while the ball
valves were in correct positions. The hermetic compressor cable was ensured to be connected
to the electric console. The unit was plugged into the electric socket. The main switch at the
back was turned on before the power switch in the front of electric console was turned on.
The initial temperature reading for all eleven were read by turning the selector knob. The
initial temperatures were expected to around 31 degrees Celsius, that is why the RCDU was
left to stabilize so that the readings were close to the desired initial temperature. The waiting
was so long that the experimenters started even if the unit was not fully stabilized. The initial
pressure of Evaporator and condenser were read and recorded. The water supply from the
faucet was turned on with its flowrate in both the evaporator and condenser at 1 L/min. All

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the readings were read every after 5 minutes until the temperatures were constant for 3
consecutive readings. The experiment was taking so long that the experimenters decided to
read the temperatures every after 2 minutes after the 12 th reading. The pressure readings in
the evaporator and condenser were again recorded simultaneous with the temperature
reading.

After the experiment, it was made sure that all the units were turned off and
unplugged. It was ensured that the place is as clean when we arrived.

C. Sketch or Diagram

Figure 3: Electric Console of RCDU

Figure 4: Main Parts of the Refrigeration Cycle Demonstration Unit

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IV. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

During the demonstration of vapour-compression refrigeration cycle, the behaviour of

the refrigerant is different for both evaporators and condensers. When the hermetic
compressor was turned on, the refrigerant formed bubbles on its surface in the evaporator.
The role of the compressor in the system is to pump the refrigerant throughout the system.
Even though that the refrigerant has a low temperature and pressure, it exhibited a different
state and action. The occurrence of the bubbles signifies the boiling of the refrigerant.
Bubbles formed because the particles of the liquid refrigerant vaporize and some get trapped
in the liquid phase. This is due to the absorption of heat of the refrigerant. Since its boiling
point is low, it vaporizes quickly. This is said to be a characteristic of a good refrigerant.

Evaporator Water & Refrigerant Temperature

vs. Time
40
Temperature, (deg Celcius)

30

20

10

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Time (minutes)

T1 (Water in) T2 (Water out) T9 (Refrigerant in) T10 (Refrigerant out)

Figure 5. Evaporator Water and Refrigerant Plot

Condenser Water and Refrigerant Temperature

vs. Time
60
Temperature, (deg Celcius)

50
40
30
20
10
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Time (minutes)

T6 (Cond in) T7 (Cond out) T4 (Water out) T3 (Water in)

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 Figure 6. Condenser Water and Refrigerant Plot

Refrigerant Temperature vs. Time

60
Temperature, (deg Celcius)

50
40
30
20
10
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Time (minutes)

T5 (Comp out) T6 (Cond in) T7 (Cond out) T8 (Expan out) T9 (Evap In) T10 (Evap out)

Figure 7. Refrigerant Temperature Plot

Pressure vs. Time

1.5

1
Pressure (bar)

0.5

0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70

-0.5

-1
Time (minutes)

P evaporator P condenser

Figure 8. Pressure Plot for Evaporator and Condenser

The temperature of the entering and exiting stream doesn’t changes as seen in Figure
5. Their temperature doesn’t change even though the refrigerant absorbs heat because this
heat is use for the latent heat of vaporization. Their pressure also has a close range which
means an insignificant change as seen in Figure 8. Figure 5 also proves that the water

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entering provides heat for the refrigerant entering as the exiting water has a lower
temperature.

In the condenser, the surface level in the refrigerant doesn’t form any bubbles but
liquids are observed to adhere on the edges of the condenser vessel. This is a proof that the
superheated vapor that enters the condenser changes to saturated liquid. The phase changes
from vapor to liquid since the temperature lowers even though the pressure stays the same.
As seen in the experimental results in Figure 8, the pressure for the entering and exiting
stream in the condenser has a very close range which signifies that it doesn’t really change or
if it does, it is insignificant.
In Figure 6, it is shown that the exiting stream in the condenser has lower temperature
than the entering stream. This supports the conclusion that phase change from vapor to liquid
with the evidence of the constant pressure, lowering of temperature, and liquid adherence in
the condenser vessel. The condensation occurs because the refrigerant entering drops heat to
the water which is also coming in and has a lower temperature than it. Figure 6 also support
this as the water exiting the condenser has a higher temperature than the entering stream
which proves that it has absorbed heat.
The role of the water is to provide the heat source for the evaporation of the
refrigerant. The temperature difference between the water (which has a higher temperature)
allows the transfer of heat. Thus, it provides the heat sink for the condensation of the
refrigerant.

V. CONCLUSION

The experiment shows the application of the theories in a vapor-compression

cycle which the principle that governs the process in a refrigeration cycle. The main
components of a refrigeration cycle can also be seen used in the experiment which are the
Condenser, Expansion Valve, Evaporator, and Compressor. The main parameters that were
focused in the experiment were the temperature and the pressure. Pressure is affected by the
flow rate of water supply. One of the most important part of RCDU is the refrigerant which
absorbs the heat in the space that will be cooled. Since the refrigerant’s boiling point is much
lower than water, it evaporates as it absorbs the heat in the surroundings and condenses when
it exchanges the heat absorbed with water.

V1. REFERENCES

ARANER. (2019, May 23). THE VAPOR COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION CYCLE,

STEP BY STEP. Retrieved from ARANER: https://www.araner.com/blog/vapor-
compression-refrigeration-cycle/

Fonder, J. (2006). Basic Refrigeration Cycle. Retrieved from Ag Power Web Enhanced
Course Materials:
https://www.swtc.edu/Ag_Power/air_conditioning/lecture/basic_cycle.htm

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What Is Refrigerant and How Does It Help Your Air Conditioner? (2016, June 7). Retrieved
from AIRESERV: https://www.aireserv.com/about/blog/2016/june/what-is-
refrigerant-and-how-does-it-help-your-ai/

VII. APPENDICES

After Trials
Initial Opening
Flow 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14

T1 27 31 32 32 32 32 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33
T2 27 31 30 30 30 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31 31
T3 28 32 32 32 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33 33
T4 28 32 33 34 35 36 36 36 36 36 37 37 37 37 37 37
T5 30 32 59 62 64 65 68 70 71 73 74 75 76 77 77 77
T6 29 32 45 47 49 49 50 50 51 52 52 52 52 52 52 52
T7 29 31 38 40 42 43 44 45 45 46 46 46 46 46 46 46
T8 28 30 21 21 22 22 22 22 22 22 23 22 23 23 23 23
T9 27 31 22 22 22 22 21 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22
T10 26 28 23 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22 22
T11 27 30 30 31 31 32 32 32 31 33 32 32 32 32 32 32
Pevaporator -0.2 -0.2 -0.4 -0.6 -0.6 -0.6 -0.6 -0.6 -0.6 -0.6 -0.6 -0.6 -0.6 -0.6 -0.6 -0.6
Pcondenser 0 0 1.09 1.2 1.29 1.29 1.29 1.29 1.29 1.29 1.29 1.29 1.29 1.29 1.29 1.29

Table 1: Raw data gathered.