International Journal of Trend in Scientific Research and Development (IJTSRD)

Volume 3 Issue 6, October 2019 Available Online: www.ijtsrd.com e-ISSN: 2456 – 6470

Design Calculation of Main Components for

Lab Based Refrigeration System
Ko Ko1, Aye Aye San2, Khin Maung Than1
1Assistant Lecturer, Mechanical Department, Technological University, Meiktila, Myanmar
2Lecturer, EI Department, Myanmar Aerospace Engineering University, Meiktila, Myanmar

ABSTRACT How to cite this paper: Ko Ko | Aye Aye

The purpose of this paper is for the students to know the basic function of San | Khin Maung Than "Design
main components of refrigeration system. Theoretical and experimental of Calculation of Main Components for Lab
design calculation of main components and their results are reported in this Based Refrigeration
paper. During the performance of testing, the length of expansion device is System" Published
varied and the result data are also described. In this system, R134a refrigerant in International
is used as working substance. Because it is now being used for a replacement Journal of Trend in
of R-12 CFC refrigerant. It can be handled safely because it is not toxic, Scientific Research
corrosive and flammable. Moreover, it has no damage effect to ozone layer and and Development
greenhouse. (ijtsrd), ISSN: 2456- IJTSRD29212
6470, Volume-3 |
KEYWORDS: main components, refrigeration system, expansion device, Issue-6, October 2019, pp.688-692, URL:
refrigerant, toxic, corrosive, flammable https://www.ijtsrd.com/papers/ijtsrd29
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1. INTRODUCTION
Refrigeration is the process of removing heat from a site
where it is not necessary to transfer the heat to a place where
it makes little or no difference. Refrigeration relates to the
cooling of air or liquids and thus provides lower
temperatures to preserve food processing, cool beverages,
make ice, and for many other applications [1]. Nowadays,
refrigeration system is widely used in residences, offices,
buildings, air ports, hospitals and in mobile applications such
as industrial freezers, electricity production, pharmaceutical,
technical equipment, automobiles, aircrafts etc.
Figure.1. Compressor
2. FUNCTION OF MAIN COMPONENTS
A refrigeration system has mainly five essential components: 2.2. Evaporator
1. Evaporator The function of the evaporator is to receive liquid refrigerant
2. Compressor from the expansion device and to bring it in close thermal
3. Condenser contact with the load. The refrigerant takes up its latent heat
4. Expansion valve from the load and leaves the evaporator as a dry gas.
5. Refrigerant Evaporators are classified according to their refrigerant flow
2.1. Compressor pattern and their function [1]. It is used in the low pressure
The main function of the compressor is to suck the low side of the refrigeration system.
pressure vapour from the evaporator and force it into the
condenser. The refrigerant is continuously circulated by the
compressor through the refrigeration system. to reduce the
volume and increase the pressure of refrigerant. The capacity
of refrigeration system depends on the capacity of
compressor. This system is used hermetic type compressor to
reduce noisy and leakage. And it is a portable type and can be
replaced with another. Figure.2. Evaporator

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2.3. Condenser 3. LAYOUT OF LAB BASED REFRIGERATION SYSTEM
The purpose of the condenser is to remove the hot, high-
pressure gas or vapor refrigerant from the compressor and
cool it to remove first the superheat and then the latent heat,
so that the refrigerant will condense back to a liquid. In
nearly all cases, the cooling medium will be air or water or
combination of the two[1]. As condenser is one of an
important device for the refrigeration system, it is used in the
high pressure side of the refrigeration system.

Figure.5. Lab based refrigeration system

The design and construction of all components for lab based

refrigeration system is as shown in Figure 5. It is a kind of
Figure.3. Condenser domestic refrigerator. All components are fixed firmly on the
stand board. The testing results are based on different
2.4. Expansion Device lengths of capillary tube. The lengths of capillary tube were
It is also known as a metering device. The main performance 0.9144 m, 1.524 m and 2.135 m. Because this lab based
of the expansion device is to control the flow of sufficient refrigeration system was only the project.
pressure differential between the high and low pressure sides
of the system. It is used for metering the correct amount of We observed that during the testing, suction pressure,
refrigerant to the load on the evaporator [2]. discharge pressure and others are changed. Running time is
15 minutes. The components of this system are;
A. Compressor
B. Condenser
C. Evaporator
D. Expansion device
E. High pressure gauge
F. Low pressure gauge
G. Filter drier
H. Sight glass
I. Shutoff valves
Figure.4. Expansion device
4. DESIGN SPECIFICATIONS OF MAIN COMPONENTS
2.5 Refrigerant 4.1. Detail Designs of Compressor
The refrigerant is usually a liquid or gaseous compound. It For the volumetric efficiency of compressor,
1
easily absorbs heat from the fluid medium and can provide
cooling or air conditioning in combination with other  P γ
ηv = 1 + c - c  2  (1)
components such as compressors and evaporators. Without  P1 
refrigerant, there would be no air conditioning and
refrigeration technology. Where,
η v = volumetric efficiency
P1 = suction pressure, Pa
P2 = delivery pressure, Pa
c = clearance (between 2% and 5%)
γ = Isentropic index

For piston diameter and stroke length,

πD 2
PD = ×L×N×n (2)
4
Where,
N = compressor speed, rpm
n = no. of piston
PD = Piston displacement, cm3/rev
Figure.5. Refrigerant L = 0.8D (Hermetic type compressor)

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For required work done of compressor, For Log mean temperature difference,
γ −1
  Td1 -Td2
P  γ ∆Tm = (9)
P1 V1  2 − 1
γ
Wc =  (3) T 
γ −1 P ln  d1 
 1  
 Td2 
Where, Where,
Wc = work done of compressor, kJ/cycle Td1 = maximum temperature difference, °C
Td2 = minimum temperature difference, °C
For the required actual power of compressor,
Wc × N ∆Tm = log mean temperature difference, °C
P= (4)
60 For the capacity of evaporator,
Where, Qeva = U eva ×A eva ×∆Tm (10)
P = actual input power, kW
Where,
For input power of compressor, Q eva = capacity of evaporator, W
Wc U eva = overall heat transfer coefficient, W/m2K
Input power = (5)
η mech A eva = area of the evaporator, m2

Where, For the length of evaporator tube,

η mech = mechanical efficiency A eva = πD eva × L eva (11)
Winput = input power of compressor, W
Where,
4.2. Heat Transfer in Condenser L eva = length of the evaporator tube, m
For heat transfer in condenser, D eva = outside diameter of evaporator, m
Q con = U copper × A con × ∆Tm (6)
For overall heat transfer coefficient of evaporator,
Where, 1
Q con = heat rejected in condenser, W U eva = (12)
1 xa 1
+ +
U copper = overall heat transfer coefficient of air hr ka hi
velocity, (60-65 W/m2K)
A con = area of condenser, m2 Where,
h r = heat transfer coefficient of refrigerant, W/m2
Foe mean temperature of the condenser, h i = heat transfer coefficient of air side, W/m2K

∆Tm =
(T - T ) - (T - T )
r a,in r a,out
(7)
x a = thickness of evaporator, °C
 (T - T ) r a,in
k a = thermal conductivity of aluminum, W/mK
ln  
 (T - T ) 
 
r a,out Air side heat transfer coefficient can be calculated the
Where, following equation,
Tr = condensing temperature, °C 1
 ∆T  3
Ta,in = air inlet temperature, °C h i = 1.24  i  (13)
 D 
Ta,out = air outlet temperature, °C
Where,
For heat transfer area of the condenser, ∆Ti = sub cooling temperature difference, °C
A con = πd t × L con (8)
For modified latent heat transfer coefficient,
Where, 3
d t = outside diameter of condenser, m h fg1 =h fg + cf ∆T (14)
8
L con = length of the condenser, m
Where,
4.3. Detail Designs of Evaporator h fg = latent heat, kJ/kg
Ta = ambient temperature = 306 K
h fg1 = modified latent heat, kJ/kg
T1 = evaporator outlet temperature = 263 K
Te = evaporator temperature = 245 K c f = correction factor

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For heat transfer coefficient of refrigerant, U copper = 60 W/m2K
( )
1
 g × ρ r ρ r − ρ g × k 3r × h fg1 4 By using Equation (7),
h r = 0.555   (15) Mean temperature difference is
 µ ÷ ∆Ti × D i  ∆Tm = 27.6°C

Where, By using Equation (6),

k f = thermal conductivity of refrigerant, W/mK Q con = 323 W
ρ r = density of refrigerant, kg/m3 Area of condenser is
ρ g = density of gas, kg/m3 A con = 0.195 m2
g = gravitational force, m/s
By using Equation (8),
µ = viscosity of refrigerant, kg/ms Length of condenser is
L con = 15.5 m
4.4. Expansion Device
Inside diameter = 0.5 mm to 2.25 mm
Length = 0.5 mm to 5 m 5.3. Design Calculation of Evaporator
Td1 = Ta − Te = 61 K
5. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS Td2 = Ta − To = 43 K
5.1. Design Calculation for Compressor By using Equation (9),
P1 = 96.5 kPa
Log mean temperature difference, ∆Tm = 51.47 K
P2 = 2413 kPa
c = 2%
By using Equation (13),
γ = 1.14
Inside diameter of evaporator,
By using Equation (1),
Volumetric efficiency of compressor is D i = D eva − 2t eva
ηv = 68 % Di = 0.00635 − (2 × 0.00068) = 0.005 m
Heat transfer coefficient of air side is
By using Equation (2), h i = 26.36 W/m2
No. of piston, n = 1
Compressor speed, N = 3000 rpm (2 poles compressor By using Equation (14),
motor) c f = 0.065
L = 0.8D (Hermetic compressors)
Piston displacement is h fg = 215 kJ/kg ( Pr = 0.9 MPa)
PD = 9.2 cm3/rev Heat transfer coefficient for refrigerant side is
Piston diameter, D = 24 mm h fg1 = 216.49 kJ/kg
Piston stroke length, L = 19 mm
By using Equation (15),
By using Equation (3), ρ r = 1379.8 kg/m3
V1 = 9.2 cm3/rev
γ = 1.14 (isentropic compression) ρ g = 4.833 kg/m3
Required work done of compressor is k r = 104.5 × 10−3 W/mK
Wc = 3.5047 × 10−3 kJ/cycle µ = 0.0392 × 10−4 N/m2
Heat transfer coefficient of refrigerant is
By using Equation (4), h r = 44.324 W/m2
Actual power to drive the compressor,
P = 0.1752 kW By using Equation (12),
Q eva = 323 W
By using Equation (5), Overall heat transfer coefficient of evaporator is
ηmech = 0.92 U eva = 23.95 W/m2K
Input power of compressor,
Winput = 3.809 × 10−3kW By using Equation (10),
Area of evaporator is
5.2. Design Calculation of Condenser A eva = 0.2996 m2
d t = 0.004 m
By using Equation (11)
Tr = 65°C Length of the evaporator tube is
Ta,in = 32°C L eva = 15.02 m

5.4. Selection of Expansion Device

Capillary tube is one of the important types of used in expansion device. The selection of capillary depends on the compressor
work done. Due to the testing results, capillary tube length is inversely proportional to the refrigerant flows. And then, condenser

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pressure and evaporator pressure are increased. According to the experiment, the suitable length of the capillary tube is between
1.524 m and 4.877 m.

Table1. Refrigeration Preference Chart for Capillary Tubing (Fan Cooled Units Only and add 10 % length for Static Cooled)
R-134a/R-401a/R-401b
Low Medium High
H.P
°C m °C m °C m
1/8 26 3.073 26 2.337 26 1.346
1/6 26 1.198 26 2.692 26 2.007
1/5 31 1.499 31 0.991 31 0.660
¼ 31 1.194 31 2.515 31 1.676
1/3 42 2.591 42 2 42 0.991

According to above table, the selection for capillary tube length is 1.524 m.
Table2. Results for Main Components of Lab Based Refrigeration System
No. Main Components Value Unit
1 Compressor 3000 rpm
2 Compressor 0.175 kW
3 Piston diameter 0.024 m
4 Stroke length 0.019 m
5 Condenser length 15.5 m
6 Condensing pressure 2413 MPa
7 Condensing temperature 42 °C
8 Evaporator length 15.02 m
9 Evaporating pressure 0.0965 MPa
10 Evaporating temperature -28 °C
11 Capillary tube length 1.524 m
0.0008 ID
12 Capillary tube diameter m
0.0002 OD

Table3. Performance Testing and Results for Capillary Tube Length of 0.9144 m
Time Pressure (psi) Evaporator Temp. (°°C) Condenser Temp. (°°C)
(min) Suction Discharge Inlet Outlet Inlet Outlet
0-5 18 365 8.3 18 41.2 31.2
5-10 20 365 1 13 42.7 32.7
10-15 20 365 0 10 44.7 34.7

Table4. Performance Testing and Results for Capillary Tube Length of 1.524 m
Time Pressure (psi) Evaporator Temp. (°°C) Condenser Temp. (°°C)
(min) Suction Discharge Inlet Outlet Inlet Outlet
0-5 12 345 17 26 38.5 28.5
5-10 12 345 8.1 25 35.9 25.9
10-15 14 350 5 23 25.9 15.9

Table5. Performance Testing and Results for Capillary Tube Length of 2.134 m
Time Pressure (psi) Evaporator Temp. (°°C) Condenser Temp. (°°C)
(min) Suction Discharge Inlet Outlet Inlet Outlet
0-5 13 360 15 26 32.9 22.9
5-10 15 370 7.9 23 37.5 27.5
10-15 16 375 5 21 42 32

6. CONCLUSION
This lab based refrigeration system analyzed the detail The design calculations and results will help for other new
designs of compressor, condenser, evaporator and designs.
coefficient of performance by varying the capillary tube
length. 7. RRFERENCES
[1] G. F. Hundy, A. R. Trott and T. C. Welch: "Refrigeration
This system is simple in structure and easy to maintain. It and Air-Conditioning", Fourth Edition, (2008)
can be used for laboratory experiments of basic refrigeration
[2] William C. Whitman, William M. Johnson, John A.
processes and principles of each component. It is fairly
Tomczyk, Eugene Silberstein: "Refrigeration & Air
inexpensive and therefore much suitable for mechanical
Conditioning Technology", Seventh Edition, (2013)
engineering students. It can also be used as teaching aids.

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