TABLE OF CONTENTS PAGE

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION

OBJECTIVES

THEORY

APPARATUS

PROCEDURE

RESULTS

CALCULATIONS

DISCUSSION

CONCLUSION

REFERENCE

APPENDIX
Abstract
This experiment demonstrated the general operation of vapor compression heat pump. It
is to understand the workings of a refrigerant unit which consists of heat exchanger,
condenser and compressor (Stephen Hall, 2012). The objectives of this experiment is to
determine the compression ratio and volumetric efficiency, to plot the vapour compression
cycle on the p-h diagram, to perform energy balance for the compressor and condenser, to
produce the performance of heat pump over a range of source, to determine the power input,
heat output and coefficient of performance of a vapour compression heat pump system. In
order to determine the power input and coefficient of performance of the heat pump, the
temperature, pressure of water and refrigerant are observed. The method of experiments was
using the The SOLTEQ Mechanical Heat Pump and Thermodynamic Refrigeration unit
(Model: HE165) which can test how a heat pump and a refrigeration unit works
simultaneously. The results obtained from the experiment are various. The power input
obtained is 160 W, the heat output is 0.12539 KW and the CoP which is the ratio of heat
output to the amount of energy input of heat pump is 0.78. For second experiment, we obtain
that the flow rate percentage is reduced to 20.9% as temperature increases and the power
input of compressor is about 160.7 W. Then, the CoP that we obtained is 1.45 for first trial,
1.15 and 0.75 for second and third trial respectively. For experiment 3 and 4, we calculated
the for the condenser is 228.45 kJ/kg and for compressor is 41.89 kJ/kg. The conclusions
that we made after the experiments were done as the CoP and heat output decreases, the
temperature of cooling water increases. The heat loss to surroundings have a major impact on
the coefficient of performance of heat pump.
Introduction
A refrigeration unit is a unit composed of several machineries that can transfer heat from a low
temperature to a high temperature. Normally heat can be transfer from a high temperature to low, so to
reverse this process, a refrigerator is needed (Yunus A. Cengel). Refrigerator consists of four main
components which are compressor, evaporator, expansion valve and condenser. Each component
works together to perform a series of process and the process includes a cycle of refrigerant and a
flow of cooling water.

In the experiment, the refrigerator unit used is SOLTEQ Mechanical Heat Pump (Model:
HE165). This device is to give understanding to the user on how refrigeration process worked.

The SOLTEQ Mechanical Heat Pump (Model: HE165) is a bench top unit with all components
and instrumentations mounted on the study base. The heat pump consists of a hermetic compressor, a
water-cooled plate heat exchanger, a thermostatic expansion valve and a water-cooled plate heat
exchanger. The arrangements of the components are in a manner similar to many domestic air-water
heat pumps where they are visible from the front of the unit (G.F. Hundy, 2016).

During the operation, slightly superheated refrigerant (R-134a) vapor enters the compressor from
the evaporator and its pressure is increased. Thus, the temperature rises and the hot vapor then enters
the water cooled condenser. Heat is given up to the cooling water and the refrigerant condenses to
liquid before passing to the expansion valve. Upon passing through the expansion valve, the pressure
of the liquid refrigerant is reduced. This causes the saturation temperature to drop to below that the
atmospheric. Thus, as it flows through the evaporator, there is a temperature difference between the
refrigerant and the water being drawn across the coils. The resulting heat transfer causes the
refrigerant to boil, and upon leaving the evaporator it has become slightly superheated vapor, ready to
return to the compressor.

The temperature at which heat is delivered in the condenser and the evaporator is controlled by
the water flow rate and its inlet temperature. Instrumentations are all provided for the measurement of
flow rates of both refrigerant and cooling water, power input to the compressor and all relevant
temperatures.
Objectives
● To determine the power input, heat output and coefficient of performance of a vapour
compression heat pump system.
● To produce the performance of heat pump over a range of source and delivery
temperatures.
● To plot the vapour compression cycle on the p-h diagram and compare with the ideal
cycle.
● To perform energy balances for the condenser and compressor.

● To determine the compression ratio and volumetric efficiency.

Theory
A heat pump is a mechanism that absorbs heat from waste source or surrounding to
produce valuable heat on a higher temperature level than that of the heat source. The
fundamental idea of all heat pumps is that heat is absorbed by a medium, which releases the
heat at a required temperature which is higher after a physical or chemical transformation.
(​Margaret Rouse​,2014).

Heat pump technology has attracted increasing attention as one of the most promising
technologies to save energy. Areas of interest include heating of buildings, recovery of
industrial waste heat for steam production and heating of process water for e.g. cleaning,
sanitation.
Generally, there are three types of heat pump systems:
i. Closed cycle vapour compression heat pumps (electric and engine driven)
ii. Heat transformers (a type of absorption heat pump) and
iii. Mechanical vapour recompression heat pumps operating at about at 200°C

The Coefficient of Performance, (COP​H​) of a heat pump cycle is an expression of the

cycle efficiency and is stated as the ratio of the heat removed in the heated space to the heat
energy equivalent of the energy supplied to the Compressor (​J.C. McVEIGH,1983).

heat removed f rom heated space

COP H = heat energy equivalent of the energy supplied to the compression

Thus, for the Theoretical Simple Cycle, this may be written as:
heating Ef f ect
COP H = Heat of Compression
(h2 −h3 )
= (h2 −h1 )
The cooling water and refrigerant flow rate display is in percentage (%). Below are the
formula to convert cooling water and refrigerant flow rate to LPM.

Cooling water f low rate (%)

1. C ooling water f low rate (LP M ) = 100%
x 5 LP M

Ref rigerant f low rate (%)

2. Refrigerant flow rate (LPM) = 100%
x 1.26​ LPM

Closed Cycle Vapor Compression Heat Pump

Most of the heat pumps operate on the principle of the vapor compression cycle. In
this cycle, the circulating substance is physically separated from the heat source and heat
delivery, and is cycling in a close stream, therefore called ‘closed cycle’. In the heat pump
process, the following processes take place:

1. In the evaporator the heat is extracted from the heat source to boil the circulating
substance
2. The circulating substance is compressed by the compressor, raising its pressure and
temperature
3. The heat is delivered to the condenser
4. The pressure of the circulating substance (working fluid) is reduced back to the
evaporator condition in the throttling valve.

Figure 1(a) : The closed loop compression cycle

Vapor Compression Heat Pump System Principles

The components are :

1) Condenser
2) Compressor
3) Expansion Valve
4) Evaporator

Four basic processes or changes in the condition of the refrigerant occurs in a Vapor
Compression Heat Pump Cycle. These four processes shall be illustrated in the most
simplistic way.
1. Compression Process ( T 1 to T 2 )
The refrigerant at the pump suction is in gas at low temperature and low Pressure. In
order to be able to use it to achieve the heat pump effect continuously, it must be
brought to the liquid form at a high pressure. The first step in this process is to
increase the pressure of the refrigerant gas by using a compressor. Compressing the
gas also results in increasing its temperature.
2. Condensing Process ( T 2 to T 3 )
The refrigerant leaves the compressor as a gas at high temperature and pressure. In
order to change it to a liquid, heat must be removed from it. This is accomplished in a
heat exchanger called the condenser. The refrigerant flows through one circuit in the
condenser. In the other circuit, a cooling fluid flows (normally air or water), at a
temperature lower than the refrigerant. Heat is therefore transferred from the
Refrigerant to the Cooling fluid and as a result, the refrigerant condenses to a liquid
state (3). This is where the heating takes place.
3. Expansion Process ( T 3 to T 4 )
At Point (3), the refrigerant is in liquid state at a relatively high pressure and
temperature. It flows to (4) through a restriction called the flow control device or
expansion valve. The refrigerant loses pressure going through the restriction. The
 Pressure at (4) is so low that a small portion of the refrigerant flashes (vaporizes) into
a gaseous. In order to vaporize, it must gain heat (which it takes from that portion of
the refrigerant that did not vaporize).
4. Vaporizing Process ( T 4 to T 1 )
The refrigerant flows through a heat exchanger called the evaporator. The heat source
is at a slightly higher temperature than the refrigerant, therefore heat is transferred
from it to the refrigerant. The refrigerant boils because of the heat it receives in the
evaporator. By the time it leaves the evaporator (4) it is completely vaporized.
Apparatus

Figure : Unit Construction for Mechanical Heat Pump (Model : HE165)

1. Pressure switch

2. Receiver Tank

3. Compressor

4. Condenser

5. Pressure Transmitter

6. Control Panel

7. Evaporator

8. Refrigerant Flow Meter

9.Water Flow Meter

Procedure
General Start-up Procedures

1. The unit and all instruments is checked in proper condition.

2. The both water source is checked and the drain is connected

then the water supply is opened and the cooling water flow rate is
set at 1.0 LPM.

3. The drain hose is checked at the condensate collector is

connected.

4. The power supply is connected and the main power is switched

on follows by main switch at the control panel.

5. The refrigerant compressor is switched on. The unit is now

ready for experiment as soon as temperature and pressure are
constant.

​General Shut-down Procedures

1. The compressor is switched off, followed by the main switch

and power supply.

2. The water supply is closed and the water is ensured not left
running.

Experiment 1 :

1. The general start-up procedures is performed.

2. The cooling water flow rate is adjusted to 40%.

3. The system is allowed to run for 15 minutes.

4. All necessary readings is recorded into the experimental data sheet.

Experiment 2 :

1. The general start-up procedures is performed.

2. The cooling water flow rate is adjusted to 80%.

3. The system is allowed to run for 15 minutes.

4. All necessary readings is recorded into the experimental data

sheet.

5. The experiment is repeated with reducing water flow rate so that

the cooling water outlet temperature increases by about 3°C.

6. The similar steps is repeated until the compressor delivery

pressure reaches around 14.0 bars.

7. The experiment is repeated at different ambient temperature.

Experiment 3 :

1. The general start-up procedures is performed.

2. The cooling water flow rate is adjusted to 40% and the system is
allowed to run for 15 minutes.

3. All necessary readings is recorded into the experimental data

sheet.

Experiment 4 :

1. The general start-up procedures is performed.

2. The cooling water flow rate is adjusted to 40%.

3. The system is allowed to run for 15 minutes.

4. All necessary readings is recorded into the experimental data sheet.

5. The experiment is repeated at different compressor delivery pressure.

Results
Experiment 1: Determination of power input, heat output and coefficient of performance

Cooling Water Flow Rate, FT1 % 40.0

Cooling Water Inlet Temperature, TT5 ℃ 27.7

Cooling Water Outlet Temperature, ℃ 28.6

TT6

Compressor Power Input W 160

Experiment 2: Production of heat pump performance curves over a range of source and
delivery temperatures

1 2 3

Cooling Water Flow % 60.9 40.7 20.9

Rate, FT1

Cooling Water Inlet ℃ 28.2 28.3 28.3

Temperature, TT5

Cooling Water Outlet ℃ 29.3 29.6 30

Temperature, TT6

Compressor Power W 161 160 161

Input
Experiment 3: Production of vapour compression cycle on p-h diagram and energy balance
study

Refrigerant Flow Rate, FT2 % 61.8

Refrigerant Pressure (low), P1 Bar (abs) 1.9

Refrigerant Pressure (high), P2 Bar (abs) 6.6

Refrigerant Temperature, TT1 ℃ 24.0

Refrigerant Temperature, TT2 ℃ 77.0

Refrigerant Temperature, TT3 ℃ 25.6

Refrigerant Temperature, TT4 ℃ 22.6

Cooling Water Flow Rate, FT1 % 40.7

Cooling Water Inlet Temperature, TT5 ℃ 28.0

Cooling Water Outlet Temperature, ℃ 29.9

TT6

Compressor Power Input W 156

Experiment 4: Estimation of the effect of compressor pressure ratio on volumetric efficiency

Refrigerant Flow Rate, FT2 % 61.6 61.7

Refrigerant Pressure (low), P1 Bar 1.9 1.9

(abs)

Refrigerant Pressure (high), P2 Bar 6.6 6.6

(abs)

Refrigerant Temperature, TT1 ℃ 24.7 27.0

Compressor Power Input W 156 157

Calculations
Experiment 1 :​Determination of power input, heat output and the coefficient of
performance

1. Mass flow rate

Cooling water f low rate (%)

C ooling water f low rate (LP M ) = 100%
x 5 LP M

C ooling water f low rate (LP M ) = 40%

100% x 5 ​LPM
= 2 L/min

Convert water flow rate to mass flow rate

ρ water = 1000 kg/m3

L 1 m3 kg 1 min
Mass flow rate = 2 min x 1000 L
x1000 m3
x 60 s
= 0.03333 kg/s

2. Compressor Power input

Power = 160 W

3. Heat Output

Using formula,

Q = mC p dT ( Equation 1)
Where,

C p water = 4.18 kg.kJo C

o o o
dT= (28.6 C − 27.7 C) = 0.9 C

Q = (0.03333 kg/s)(4.18 kJ/kg.⁰C)(0.9⁰C)

Q = 0.12539 kW
4. Coefficient of Performance

heat removed f rom heated space

COP H = heat energy equivalent of the energy supplied to the compression

COP H = 0.12539 kW
0.16 kW
COP H = 0.78
Experiment 2 : ​Production of heat pump performance curves over a range of source
and delivery temperatures.

1 2 3

Cooling Water Flow % 60.9 40.7 20.9

Rate, FT1

Cooling Water Flow kg/s 0.05075 0.03392 0.01742

Rate, FT1

Cooling Water Inlet ℃ 28.2 28.3 28.3

Temperature, TT5

Cooling Water Outlet ℃ 29.3 29.6 30

Temperature, TT6

Compressor Power W 161 160 161

Input

Heat Output W 233.35 184.32 122.31

COP H 1.45 1.15 0.75

Figure 1: Graph of COP H Versus Temperature Water Outlet

 Figure 2: Graph Heat Output Versus Temperature Water Outlet

Figure 3: Graph of Compressor Power Input versus Temperature Water Outlet

Experiment 3 :​ Production of vapour compression cycle on p-h diagram and energy
balance study

1. Determination Enthalpy of Refrigerant

By ​refer property table,

At 24.0 ⁰C and 1.9 bar hT T 1 is superheated at refrigerant-134a table.

Interpolate Table 1
Enthalpy (kJ/kg)

Temperature (⁰C) 0.18 MPa 0.1925 MPa 0.20 MPa

20 270.59 270.334 270.18

24 273.810

30 279.25 279.025 278.89

hT T 1 at 24.0 ⁰C and 1.9 bar is 273.81 kJ/kg

At 77.0 ​⁰C and 6.6 bar hT T 2 is superheated at refrigerant-134a table.

Interpolate Table 2
Enthalpy (kJ/kg)

Temperature (⁰C) 0.6 MPa 0.6688 MPa 0.7 MPa

70 309.73 308.77 308.33

77 315.70

80 319.55 318.676 318.28

hT T 2 at 77.0 ​⁰C and 6.6 bar is 315.70 kJ/kg

At 25.6​°C and 6.6 bar​ hT T 3 is saturated liquid at refrigerant-134a temperature table

Interpolate Table 3
Temperature (⁰C) Enthalpy (kJ/kg) hf

24 84.93

25.6 87.25

26 87.83

At 25.6​°C and 6.6 bar​ hT T 3 is 87.25 kJ/kg

At 22.6​°C and 1.9 bar hT T 4 is superheated at ​refrigerant-134a table

Interpolate Table 4
Enthalpy (kJ/kg)

Temperature (⁰C) 0.18 MPa 0.1925 MPa 0.20 MPa

20 270.59 270.334 270.18

22.6 272.594

30 279.25 279.025 278.89

At 22.6​°C and 1.9 bar hT T 4 is 272.594 kJ/kg

 Vapour compression cycle on the p-h diagram
Point 1 2 3 4

Pressure (kPa) 192.5 668.8 668.8 192.5

Temperature (°C) 24 77 25.6 22.6

Enthalpy (kJ/kg) 273.81 315.70 87.25 272.025

Figure 4 : Graph of Vapour compression cycle on the p-h diagram

Figure : Ideal vapor compression cycle

2. Calculation of Energy balance

On The Condenser
(Qin − Qout ) + (W in − W out ) = hout − hin
Qout = hout − hin
Qcond = hT T 3 − hT T 2
= ​87.25 kJ/kg - ​315.70 kJ/kg
= -228.45 kJ/kg

On The Compressor
(Qin − Qout ) + (W in − W out ) = hout − hin
W in = hout − hin
W in = hT T 2 − hT T 1
= ​315.70 kJ/kg - 273.81 kJ/kg
= 41.89 kJ/kg
Experiment 4: ​Estimation of the effect of compressor pressure ratio on volumetric
efficiency

Refrigerant Flow Rate, FT2 % 61.6 61.7

Refrigerant Pressure (low), P1 Bar 1.9 1.9

(abs)

Refrigerant Pressure (high), P2 Bar 6.6 6.6

(abs)

Refrigerant Temperature, TT1 ℃ 24.7 27.0

Compressor Power Input W 156 157

suction pressure of ref rigerant P

Compressor pressure ratio = discharge pressure of ref rigerant = P 1
2

1.9
Compressor pressure ratio = 6.6

= 0.29

actual mass f low rate

Volumetric efficiency = theoretical volume of compressor

Average​ ​percentage of refrigerant = 61.7+61.6

2
=61.65
Density of refrigerant = 4.25 kg/m³

1 m3 kg
Refrigerant flow rate =​ 61.65%
100%
x 1.26 LPM x 1000 L
x 4.25 m3 x​ 160min
s
−5 kg
= 5.502 x 10 s

1 m3 kg
Theoretical volume of compressor = 61.8%
100%
x1.26 LPM x 1000 L
x 4.25 m3 x​ 160min
s
−5 kg
=5.516 x 10 s

−5
Volumetric efficiency = 5.502 ×10 −5 = ​0.997
5.516 ×10
Discussion
The objective of first try out was to determine compressor power input and it was
recorded at 160 W as it needs to compress the low pressure refrigerant vapour from the
evaporator and compresses it into a high pressure vapour. Next, the calculation performed by
using Equation 1 at recorded temperature was used to calculate the heat output, Q and
0.12539 KW was obtained as it is to supply heat to a warm medium. Also in this first tryout,
the coefficient of performance, COP H was determined which is the ratio of heat output to the
amount of energy input of a heat pump, and is valued about 0.78.

For the second experiment, the procedure was repeated at distinct cooling water flow
rate wherein at about 60.9% and data was recorded, after that the cooling water flow rate is
manipulated with other flow rates at 40.7% and 20.9% this was done to decrease the
temperature to at least 3 °C. However, from the data obtained changing the cooling flow rate
changed the temperature for 28.2 °C, 28.3 °C, and 28.3 °C for 60.9%, 40.7% and 20.9%
cooling water flow rate respectively. Temperature decreasing in 3 °C increments was suppose
to produce the performance of heat pump over range of sources such as COP, heat delivered,
power input and delivery temperatures. From the data obtained, cooling water flow rate
percentage was decreased to 20.9% as the temperature increased and the power input of the
compressor had an average of 160.7 W. The COP obtained are 1.45, 1.15, and 0.75 for the
first, second and third trial respectively. Then, several graphs were plotted against the
temperature delivered to observe the behavior of the heat pump as the source is manipulated.

As shown in figure 1 and 2, as the temperature of cooling water flow rate is increases
the COP of heat pump is decreased, this pattern is similar as heat delivered to the surrounding
by the heat pump. This explains that the efficiency of a heat pump depends on several factors.
Especially, the temperature difference between waste heat source and potential user is an
important factor. The temperature difference between condensation and evaporation
temperature mainly determines the efficiency; the smaller the difference, the higher the COP
value. Other than that, system control and efficiency of peripheral equipment like fans also
affect the value of COP. However, as seen in figure 3, the power input, had an average of
161.7W as the temperature increased. This may be due to the machine being utilized with
digital instrument for data acquisition, this way of recording data may have some
disadvantages. The data that appears in the digital display encounter a slight delay to signal
an actual data for recording.

Furthermore, to plot the vapor compression cycle on the p-h diagram, the cooling
water flow rate was adjusted at 40% and the data is recorded as in table for experiment 3.
Then, enthalpy, h for each of recorded temperature and pressure is referred to the property
table of saturated and superheated refrigerant. The interpolated results are in table 1-4. Next,
p-h diagram was plotted as shown in figure 4. In comparison to the theoretical graph the
graph we achieved from our results is very different in shape. This could be due to the
apparatus error.

Lastly, the energy balance for the condenser and compressor is calculated to observe
the heat output from the equipment. At the condenser, as the hot vapor enters, cool air is
blown across it and since air is cooler than refrigerant in about ​228.45 kJ/kg of heat is released
to the warm environment, while 41.89 kJ/kg is needed by the compressor to produce the work
so that the low pressure refrigerant vapor from the evaporator is compressed into a high
pressure vapor.
Conclusion
In conclusion, all experiments were performed and the results were recorded. In
experiment 1, the power input that obtained is 160W, the heat output and the coefficient of
performance of the system is 125.39W and 0.78W respectively.

In experiment 2, the performance of heat pump over a range of source (COP​H​) for
every temperature which are 29.3̊C, 29.6̊C and 30̊C is 1.55, 1.41 and 1.3 respectively. This
shows that as the temperature increases, the COP​H and heat output decreases. Next, for
experiment 3, we get triangle shape which is not similar to the ideal cycle. So for experiment
3 our objective is not achieved. ​In experiment 4, we are using the average percentage of refrigerant
which is 61.65 and the density of refrigerant is 4.25kg/m​3​. So, from this experiment we get the
volumetric efficiency is 0.997 where the actual mass flow rate is 5.502x10​-5 kg/s and the theoretical
volume of compressor is 5.516x10​-5​ kg/s.

So, we can conclude that as the COP increases, the temperature decreases and vice versa.
Recommendation

There are several improvements that can be performed so as to obtain a more

satisfying result in future. Before starting this experiment, we are supposed to do a start-up
and shutdown step in order to make sure there is no gas left in the chamber and ensure
allowing the equipment to warm up around 15 minute or more to adjust its condition to
operating state.

Most importantly, during recording data, keep an eye on the sensor while monitoring
the board because the parameter can increase and decrease really fast and read the procedure
carefully. Not only that, make sure the indicator reading of pressure and temperature read at
the correct position of chamber.

In addition, obtain an average reading by repeating the experiment three times in

order to reduce the range of deviation. Handle the valve carefully and try not to make
mistakes by choosing the valve because it will affect the data. It is also advised to have a
higher constant pressure flow of water supply so that the flow rate of both water inlet and
outlet can be easily adjusted and maintained.

The place where the experiment is conducted also must be stable and no vibration. All
the equipment must be handled carefully in order to avoid explosion because overpressure in
the tank would cause an explosion.
Reference
1. Stephen Hall, in Branan's Rules of Thumb for Chemical Engineers (Fifth Edition), 2012. Retrieved
from

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/refrigeration-system

2. Yunus A. Cengel, Chapter 6: Second Law of Thermodynamics, Thermodynamics: An Engineering

Approach (ninth edition).

3. G.F. Hundy, ... T.C. Welch, in Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps (Fifth Edition),
2016. Retrieved from

https://www.sciencedirect.com/book/9780081006474/refrigeration-air-conditioning-and-heat-pumps

4. ​J.C. McVEIGH M.A., M.Sc., Ph.D., C. Eng., F.I. Mech.E., F. Inst.E., M.I. Prod.E., M.C.I.B.S., in
Sun Power (Second Edition)​, 1983. Retrieved from

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/coefficient-of-performance

5. ​Margaret Rouse​ (2014) ​Definition ​heat pump. Retrieved from

https://whatis.techtarget.com/definition/heat-pump

Retrieved from

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/engineering/coefficient-of-performance

5. ​Margaret Rouse​ (2014). Definition heat pump. Retrieved from

whatis.techtarget.com/definition/heat-pump
Appendix