MIME 3450 Energy Laboratory

Lab 4 Vapor Refrigeration Cycle

Section 049C
Lab Date: 6/26/2018

Group Members:
(1) For each case, make a table of state properties (p, T, v, h, and s) for the four states
of
the cycle. Assume the enthalpy to be unchanged across the expansion valve for both
the ideal and actual cycles.

TEV Case
State Data 1 2 3 4
P (bar) 2.5 9.5 9.5 2.5
T (Celsius) 19.6 77.7 41.2 5.3
Density
(m^3/kg) 0.1 0.03 0.001 0.025
h (kJ/kg) 416 460 253 253
s (kJ/kg*K) 1.83 1.84 1.18 1.19

1.5 m Capillary Tube Case

State Data 1 2 3 4
P (bar) 2.8 9.75 9.75 2.8
T (Celsius) 18.5 78.5 41.6 7
Density
(m^3/kg) 0.08 0.026 0.001 0.013
h (kJ/kg) 416 461 254 254
 s (kJ/kg*K) 1.82 1.84 1.17 1.19

6 m Capillary Tube Case

State Data 1 2 3 4
P (bar) 2.1 9 9 2.1
T (Celsius) 16.7 76.9 39.7 2.7
Density
(m^3/kg) 0.10 0.03 0.001 0.017
h (kJ/kg) 416 461 250 250
s (kJ/kg*K) 1.84 1.85 1.17 1.18

(2) On the supplied p-h chart (found in the Thermodynamics textbook by Cengel at
al.), plot the ideal cycle for each case. Use one chart for each case.

TEV Case: ATTACHED.

1.5 m Capillary Tube: ATTACHED.

6 m Capillary Tube: ATTACHED.

(3) For each case, calculate COP.

For TEV Case:

For 1.5 m Capillary Tube Case:

For 1.5 m Capillary Tube Case:

(4) Calculate the mass flow rate of the refrigerant for each case.
TEV case

1.5 m capillary tube

6 m capillary tube

(5) Calculate the heat transfer in the evaporator in each case.

TEV case
1.5 m capillary tube

6 m capillary tube

(6) Calculate the power used by the compressor from the data extracted from the chart and
compare it to the electric power recorded.

TEV case

1.5 m capillary tube

6 m capillary tube

The calculated power is found to be lower than the recorded power in all three cases. They do
keep their order of the 1.5 m capillary tube having the greatest power, the TEV case having the
second most, and the 6m capillary tube having the least.
(7) Which capillary tube do you recommend for operation?

The 6 m capillary tube should be used because the required power to operate it is significantly
less than the 1.5 m capillary tube.

(8) What causes the temperature increase from measuring point 𝑇5 to measuring point
𝑇1?

Friction in the pipe causes the temperature to increase between points T5 and T1.

(9) The experiment was carried out with active evaporator fan. How would the mass
flow and
the evaporation pressure change when the same experiment is carried out with the
fan turned off?

If the evaporator fan is turned off, the mass flow would decrease due to a decrease in velocity
and the evaporation pressure would decrease due to a lower temperature.