Nazarbayev University

School of Engineering & Digital Sciences

Department of Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

Refrigeration System
Engineering Thermodynamics

Nazarbayev University
53, Kabanbay batyr Ave.,
Astana, 010000, Kazakhstan

Prepared by
Ilyas Ibragimov
Aisar Abdrakhmanov
Saltanat Yermakhanova
Elmira Kadyrova
Zhanibek Maratov
Alina Abdikadyr

Engineering Thermodynamics

Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering

Date of submission: 17.10.2021

Summary
For these experiments, R134A was studied. Using the RA1 unit, different measurements such as
temperatures, flow rates, coefficient of performance, and heat were obtained. The results
measured were tabulated and graphs were plotted for each experiment.

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Table of contents

Summary 2
1 Introduction 3
3 Experimental Procedure 4
3.1 Experimental Procedure A 6
3.2 Experimental Procedure C 6
3.3 Experimental Procedure D 7
3.4 Experimental Procedure F 7
5 Result Description 7
5.1 Result Description A 7
5.2 Result Description C 8
5.3 Result Description D 12
5.4 Result Description F 14
6 Discussion and Engineering Analysis of Results 15
6.1 Discussion A 15
6.2 Discussion C 16
6.3 Discussion D 16
6.4Discussion F 17
7 Conclusions & Recommendations 17
7.1 Conclusion A 17
7.2 Conclusion C 18
7.3 Conclusion D 18
7.4 Conclusion F 19

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 1. Introduction

Refrigeration cycle is the one of the widely used basic processes in thermodynamics. To

examine various thermodynamic properties we need to carry out numerous experiments using a

refrigeration cycle. In this particular laboratory work we use the RA1 refrigeration unit which is

based on a vapour-compression refrigeration system with automatic recording of appropriate

process variables using an integral USB interface device. We can break down this system to four

core components: condenser, expansion valve, evaporator and compressor. In condenser vapour

refrigerant condenses to liquid through heat transfer to the cooler surroundings. After that, this

liquid refrigerant expands to the evaporator pressure in the expansion valve. Then, in the

evaporator two-phase liquid-vapour mixture of refrigerant is evaporated through heat transfer

from the refrigerated space. Finally, in compressor vapour refrigerant is compressed to a

relatively high temperature and pressure, requiring work input from outside and completes the

thermodynamic cycle.

In order to be able to execute operations at different operating speeds, the compressor is

driven by a three-phase electric motor with an inverter drive. Due to implemented Torque Vector

Control in the inverter, speed and the torque of the motor can be measured and logged by PC.

Temperature, pressure and refrigerant flow rate can also be measured and logged. Both

condenser and evaporator consist of brazed plate heat exchangers. To minimize changes in water

temperature a large reservoir of water is utilized by both condenser and evaporator. Operators

can set the speed of the flow of water through each exchanger using the PC. RA1 unit requires

only connection to electrical supply and a PC, in other aspects this unit is self-contained.

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Figure 1: View of a Computer screen using PC Software

Figure 2: Simplified schematic of RA1 unit

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 2. Experimental procedure

Experimental procedure A

1. Set the condenser water pump and evaporator water pump to 50% and 70%

respectively.

2. Check FM1 and FM2 on the RA1 unit to ensure there is flow of water through

both condenser and evaporator.

3. Set the speed of the compressor motor to 80% and check FM3 to ensure that

refrigerant flows around the system.

4. Run the system until the temperature and pressure stabilize.

5. Configure the sample options as ‘manual’ and click the “GO” button to log the

current set of readings from the sensors.

6. Verify that all readings have been logged by looking at the table of results.

Experimental procedure C

1. Set the condenser and evaporator water pump speeds to 100% and 70%

respectively

2. Check that flow rates through the condenser (FM1) and evaporator (FM2) are

indicated on the diagram.

3. Set the compressor motor speed to 80% and run the system until the temperatures

and pressures become stable.

4. For each iteration, reduce the speed of the condenser water pump by 5%

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Experimental procedure D

1. Set the condenser water pump speed and evaporator water pump to 50% and 70%

respectively.

2. Check that flow of water through the condenser (FM1) and evaporator ( FM2) are

indicated on the diagram.

3. Set the compressor motor speed to 100%. Check the area flow meter FM3 to ensure that

refrigerant flows around the system.

4. Let the system run until the temperature and pressure become stable.

5. For every cycle reduce the speed of the compressor by 5%.

6. When the refrigerant flow rate becomes irregular, return the compressor speed to 80%

and let the system settle.

Experimental procedure F

1. Using the data from experimental procedure A analyse the performance of the

refrigeration system.

3. Results

Results A

Table 1: Results of the run

T3, [°C] 20.9

T4, [°C] 42.6

T5, [°C] 30.4

T6, [°C] 29.1

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 T7, [°C] 3.0

Motor Torque T, [Nm] 2.21

Pressure P1, [bar] 2.2

Pressure P2, [bar] 7.1

Water Flow F1, [l/min] 2

Water Flow F2, [l/min] 3.5

𝑄𝑜𝑢𝑡, [W] 931.8

𝑄𝑖𝑛, [W] 948.8

Work in Wc, [W] 273.1

Coefficient of Performance 3.47

Results C

𝑄𝑖𝑛
𝐶𝑂𝑃 = 𝑊
(1)

𝑄 = 𝑚 × 𝑐 × (𝑇2 − 𝑇1) (2

𝑄 = 0. 086215 × 851 × (17 − 2. 5) = 1063. 85 𝑊

𝑚(𝑘𝑔/𝑠) = 𝑉(𝑙/𝑠) × ρ(𝑘𝑔/𝑙) (3)

4.3
𝑚(𝑘𝑔/𝑠) = 60
(𝑙/𝑠) × 1. 203(𝑘𝑔/𝑙) = 0. 086215 𝑘𝑔/𝑠

*The same calculations are used for sample numbers from 2 to 18.

Table 2: Critical Data

Sample 𝑇1 𝑇2 𝑄𝑖𝑛 𝑊𝑖𝑛 𝐶𝑂𝑃𝑒𝑥𝑝 𝑚 𝑄𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟 𝐶𝑂𝑃𝑡ℎ𝑜𝑒𝑟 𝑉
number [°C] [°C] [W] [W] [W] [l/min]
[kg/s]

1 2.5 17.0 902.9 250.4 3.61 0.0862 1063.850 4.2486 4.3

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2 2.6 17.1 920.3 226.8 4.06 0.0882 1088.591 4.7998 4.4

3 2.6 17.1 901.9 267.7 3.37 0.0862 1063.850 3.9740 4.3

4 2.6 17.1 907.1 226.8 4.00 0.0882 1088.591 4.7998 4.4

5 2.5 17.0 900.7 258.8 3.48 0.0822 1014.369 3.9195 4.1

6 2.5 16.7 903.8 278.6 3.24 0.0762 920.695 3.3047 3.8

7 2.4 16.5 869.1 232.7 3.74 0.0702 842.037 3.6186 3.5

8 2.4 16.2 862.5 256.3 3.37 0.0622 729.936 2.8480 3.1

9 2.5 15.8 816.2 243.6 3.35 0.0561 635.409 2.6084 2.8

10 2.4 15.4 800.9 254.6 3.15 0.0481 532.352 2.0909 2.4

11 2.3 14.8 749.7 279.0 2.69 0.0421 447.892 1.6053 2.1

12 2.3 14.0 762.0 233.5 3.26 0.0361 359.337 1.5389 1.8

13 2 13.2 716.1 274.0 2.61 0.0301 286.651 1.0462 1.5

14 2.2 11.2 674.2 274.0 2.46 0.0221 168.919 0.6165 1.1

15 1.6 9.9 534.9 244.9 2.18 0.0160 113.295 0.4626 0.8

16 0.8 7.4 0.0 250.8 0.00 0.0000 0.000 0.0000 0.0

17 1 5.7 0.0 247.8 0.00 0.0000 0.000 0.0000 0.0

18 -1 4.1 0.0 265.1 0.00 0.0000 0.000 0.0000 0.0

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Fig.3 Flow rate (l/min) vs Time (min)

Fig.4 Heat transfer (W) vs Flow rate (l/min)

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Fig.5 Coefficient of performance vs Flow rate (l/min)

Fig 6 Flow rate (l/min) vs Temperature difference (°C)

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 Results D
Table 3. Critical Data

Sample Pressure Compresso Qout Qin Work In Coefficient

number r [W] [W] of
P2 Setting W Performanc
[bar] [W] e
[%]

1 7.7 100 886.4 917.4 299.8 3.13

2 7.5 95 863.8 973.4 256.8 3.52

3 7.6 90 905.3 938.1 283.1 3.1

4 7.5 85 863.8 927.7 239.1 3.15

5 7.4 80 863.8 949.6 270.2 2.98

6 7.4 75 876.7 885.5 320.5 2.8

7 7.3 70 871.9 884.6 329.3 2.71

8 7.3 65 857.6 854.4 265.8 2.61

9 7.3 60 833.8 832 294 3.05

10 7.2 55 795.7 781 220.8 2.97

11 7 50 801.2 795 230.9 3.11

12 7 45 799.2 796.5 229.4 3.32

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Fig 7 CoP over compressor speed

Fig 8 Cop over Pressure P2

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Results F

Mass Flow Rate:

𝑚 = (𝑅/60)/60 * ρ = 0. 0166666/60 * 1. 203 = 0. 0003342 𝑘𝑔/𝑠

Work Done on Refrigerator:

𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 = 𝑚 * 1000 * (ℎ2 − ℎ1) = 0. 0003342 * 1000 * (262. 08 − 241. 99) = 6. 714𝑊

Speed:
𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑 = 120 * (𝐶𝑆/100 * 𝐹)/𝑛 = 120 * (80/100 * 50)/6 = 800 𝑟𝑝𝑚
Mechanical power or Compressor work:
𝑊 = 2 * π * 𝑆𝑝𝑒𝑒𝑑/60 * τ = 2 * π * 800/60 * 2. 21 = 185 𝑊
Compressor Efficiency:
𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 = 𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘/𝑊 * 100 = 6. 714/185 * 100 = 3. 63
Sensible Heat Change in Condenser:
Heat removed from Refrigerant:

𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 𝑚 * (ℎ3 − ℎ2) * 1000 = 0. 0003342 * 1000 * (91. 78 − 262. 08) =− 56. 914𝑊

Energy Leaving the Condenser:

𝑄𝑜𝑢𝑡 = 𝐹1/60 * 4200 * (𝑇2 − 𝑇1) = 2/60 * 4200 * (28. 2 − 21. 7) = 910 𝑊

Condenser Efficiency:
𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 = 𝑄𝑜𝑢𝑡/𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑜𝑢𝑡 * 100 = 56. 914/910 * 100 = 6. 254

Heat Absorbed:

𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛 = 𝑚 * (ℎ1 − ℎ4) * 1000 = 0. 0003342 * (241. 99 − 91. 78) * 1000 = 50. 2 𝑊

Energy Entering the Evaporator:

𝑄𝑖𝑛 = 𝐹2/60 * 4200 * (𝑇9 − 𝑇8) = 3. 5/60 * 4200 * (17. 5 − 21. 3) =− 931𝑊

Evaporator Efficiency :
𝐸𝑓𝑓𝑖𝑐𝑖𝑒𝑛𝑐𝑦 = 𝑄𝑖𝑛/𝐻𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑛 * 100 = 50. 2/931 * 100 = 5. 392

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 4. Discussion

Discussion A

Figure 9: Ts diagram for the Vapour-Compression Refrigeration Cycle

As it was already mentioned in the introduction, the refrigeration cycle goes through four main

processes, which can be seen in Fig 9. First, we start with the saturated vapour at temperature

T3=20.9 °C and pressure P1=2.2 bar, which is compressed and superheated to a temperature

T4=42.6 °C, above saturation temperature, with pressure P2 = 7.1 bar. Then the superheated

vapour at a constant pressure of P2 enters the condenser, where it is cooled down to the

temperature of T5=30.4 °C and condensed into a liquid at a constant pressure and temperature.

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The liquid refrigerant is then passed through the expansion valve, expanding and greatly

decreasing both pressure (back to P1 = 2.2 bar) and temperature (T7 = 3.0 °C) creating a

liquid-vapour mixture. In the evaporator liquid-vapour mixture is completely vaporized again,

increasing temperature back to T3 = 20.9 °C. The saturated vapour goes back to the compressor,

completing the whole cycle.

Discussion C

From Fig 3. The flow rate is reduced by decreasing the speed of the evaporator water

pump. Effects of refrigerant flow rate to the evaporator on the coefficient of performance are

illustrated in Fig 5 with both experimental and theoretical values. According to the graph, with a

decrease in flow rate to the evaporator, the coefficient of performance also declines due to its

linear proportionality to the heat (equation 1). Moreover, it can be seen immediately apparent

from Fig 4 that the heat energy absorbed from the air also decreases because of the flow rate. In

addition, according to Fig 6, the flow rate is inversely proportional to the difference in

temperature, thus a reduction in flow rate results in an increase in temperature difference.

In the graphs, there are some errors between theoretical and experimental values.

Probably, the error occurs due to electrical power supplied to a system, some amount of heat is

dissipated through the wires to the surroundings.

Discussion D

As it was stated in the manual it is important to understand the effect of the difference of

flow rate of the refrigerant to achieve desirable results with maximum efficiency. In this part the

different data was recorded that could show a trend with the change of the flow rate of

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refrigerant. A higher mass flow rate of the refrigerant with the increase of compressor speed may

be responsible for a better distribution of the fluid through the channels and an increase in the

rate of heat transfer. Compressor is used in order to increase the pressure of the refrigerant

accordingly increasing the flow rate. But at the same time those components that increase the

flow rate require higher power input to work so the Coefficient of Productivity should not see

any big difference across different speeds, which exactly happens according to the graphs from

Results of part D.

Discussion F

The values for all efficiencies (condenser efficiency, compressor efficiency, evaporator

efficiency) have a value lower than 10 percent in the calculation part because of the

irreversibilities such as the uncontrolled expansion, heat loss through the walls of the pipe to the

atmosphere outside of the system, and the effect of frequency to the flow. Also, it is possible that

the calculated efficiency values from the experiment can be the result of friction in flow through

the pipe.

5. Conclusions & Recommendations

Conclusion A

Basic vapour-compression refrigeration cycle involves four processes: compression,

condensation, expansion and evaporation. All these processes were previously discussed in the

discussion part and they help to understand how refrigeration works.

The coefficient of performance is equal to 3.47, which is a proof that this is a

refrigeration cycle, because typical range of CoP for refrigeration cycle is somewhere between

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3.0 and 6.0. It means that more heat is exchanged in comparison to work input in the

compressor.

Conclusion C

The performance and size of the evaporator play a key role in improving the total cooling

capacity and the performance of the system. The performance of the evaporator can be improved

through the flow rate adjustments because it is more challenging to predict the value of the

enthalpy due to a two-phase state flow in the evaporator. According to the data acquired from

this experiment, there was an obvious correlation between the adjustment of flow rate and the

performance of the evaporator. To improve the performance of the evaporator, the flow rate

should be increased. However, due to a negative slope in the curve, a larger flow rate leads to

less temperature difference between a refrigerant and the secondary fluid [1]. Therefore, in this

study, it is suggested to increase the flow rate from 160 to 190 L/h.

In addition, an inclination angle of the tube also influences the heat transfer coefficient.

For example, considering vertical low flow, the highest heat transfer coefficient can be achieved

◦
only at 90 angle. Regarding the horizontal flow, the highest heat transfer coefficient is attained at

◦
− 30 [2].

Conclusion D

As it was stated in the discussion, the flow rate of refrigerant is the most important aspect

of the refrigeration system. With increase in compressor speed it is expected that flow rate of

refrigerant increases as well. But, the side effect is that sequentially the higher speed requires a

higher amount of power. Accordingly, the Coefficient of Productivity does not change from

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compressor speed, which are represented in Fig 7 and Fig 8 with dependent inputs being the

pressure from compressor and its speed.

Conclusion F

As it is mentioned above, all of the efficiency values were considerably low. Even If the

efficiency values are less than 10%, the efficiency value for evaporator, compressor, and

condenser was not higher than 100% (not possible to get this efficiency value). The reason for a

small value of the efficiency might be the incorrect readings taken by the measuring instruments.

Recommendations to increase the efficiency of the system can be the use of a good insulation to

minimize the heat loss into buildings and outside nature, to use the highest temperature possible

in a cooling process.

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Bibliography
[1] “6.7 operating point,” SWEP. [Online]. Available:
https://www.swep.net/refrigerant-handbook/6.-evaporators/asas4/. [Accessed: 17-Oct-2021].

[2] Sangkyung Na and Sanghun Song, Busan, publication, 2021.

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