E T H E R

Engineering Educational Equipments

An ISO 9001:2015 Certified Co.

INSTRUCTION MANUAL

for

AIR CONDITIONING TEST RIG

(HUMIDIFICATION & DE-HUMIDIFICATION)

Manufacturers:
ETHER ENGINEERS
52. Industrial Estate
Ambala Cantt. – 133006
Mobile: 09896333447, 09034043447
Website : www.etherengineers.com
E-mail:[email protected]
[email protected]
 Foreword

Welcome to the fast growing family of Ether product owners. We appreciate your interest
in us and thank you for buying our product.

You have chosen the finest quality product in the market which is produced using latest
techniques and has underwent strict quality control tests. It is a product that we are proud
to build and you are proud to own it.

Our products are easy to understand and operate. They are excellent for students who are
trying to gain practical knowledge through experiments.

However your comfort and safety are important to us, so we want you have an
understanding of proper procedure to use the equipment. For the purpose, we urge you to
read and follow the step-by-step operating instructions and safety precautions in this
manual. It will ensure that your favourite product delivers reliable, superior performance
year after year.

This manual includes information for all options available on this model. Therefore, you
may find some information that does not apply to your equipment.

All information, specifications and illustrations in this manual are those in effect at the
time of printing. We reserve the right to change specifications or design at any time
without notice.

Customer satisfaction is our primary concern. Feel Free to contact us for any assistance. So
what are you waiting for, roll up your sleeves and let us get down to work.

Ether Engineers
 Important Information About This Manual

Reminder for Safety

Modification on Equipment:

This equipment should not be modified. Modification could affect its performance,
safety or disturbance. In addition damage or performance problems resulting from
modification may not be covered under warranties.

Precautions and Maintenance:

This is used to indicate the presence of a hazard that could cause minor or
moderate personal injury or damage to your equipment. To avoid or reduce the
risk, the procedures must be followed carefully.
 ENGINEERING EDUCATIONAL EQUIPMENTS
OBJECTIVE:

To study the vapor compression air conditioning cycle and various processes like heating, cooling,
humidification etc.

AIM:

1. To study the Vapour Compression air conditioning cycle.

2. To Calculate Co-efficient of performance- (COP) by the use of P-H diagram.
3. To carry out heating process of fresh air
4. To measure dry bulb, wet bulb temperature of inlet and outlet air.
5. To study the humidification of air.
6. To study the dehumidification of air.

INTRODUCTION:

Air conditioning is the simultaneous control of the temperature, humidity, motion and purity of the
atmosphere in a confined space. Air conditioning applies in the heating season as well as in the cooling
season. The air conditioning has wide applications in submarine ships, aircrafts and rockets. Air
conditioning is associated with the human comfort and controlling humidity ratio.

THEORY:

1. COMPRESSOR:

The main function of compressor is to raise the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant by the
compression of the refrigerant vapor and then pump it into the condenser.

2. Condenser:

This is a heat exchanger and made of copper tubes of U-shape refrigerant flows through these
tubes & getting condensed by the surrounding air to forced or natural air according to the
capacity of the plant. In condenser vapour refrigerant is converted into liquid form.
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3. Filter / drier:

To absorb moisture from the refrigerant filter drier is used. This is made of brass and filled by
silica jell or activated alumina.

4. Expansion service: –

For expansion of refrigerant in evaporated expansion device are used. There are two types of
expansion devices commonly in use, (I) expansion valve, (II) capillary tube. Capillary tube is
a copper tube of very small size. Due to its small size gas is form in is end portion which
causing low temperature in evaporator.

5. Evaporator:

This is made of U-shaped tubes. In these tubes refrigerant circulated. The refrigerant in
evaporator converted into vapour form and in result low temperature creating in surrounding,
due to heat transfer. Evaporator also called as cooling coil or freezing unit.

6. Thermostat:

A thermostat is used to control the temperature in the refrigeration. The bulb of the thermostat
is clamped to the evaporator or Freezer. The thermostat bulb is charged with few drops of
refrigerant. The thermostat can be set to maintain different temperature at a time. When the
desired temperature is obtained, the bulb of the thermostat senses it; the liquid in it
compresses and operates the bellows of the thermostat and open compressor motor contacts.
The temperature at which motor stops is called cut-out temperature. When the temperature
increases, the liquid in the bulb expands thereby closing the bellow contact of the compressor
motor. The temperature, at which compressor motor starts, is called cut-in temperature.

A thermostat is very crucial in operation of refrigerator as the running time of compressor is

reduced considerably thereby cutting the operation cost as well as enhancing the compressor
life due to non-continuous working.
 ENGINEERING EDUCATIONAL EQUIPMENTS

Mechanism of a Simple Vapour Compression Refrigeration System

This is a thermodynamic diagram that looks very complicated at first sight but which in fact can make
calculations straightforward and simple. For the present purposes the most convenient such chart is
the one shown with pressure as the vertical axis (for convenience on a logarithmic scale) and enthalpy
on the horizontal axis. On such a diagram, the properties of the particular refrigerant can be plotted,
including the interphase equilibrium lines such as the saturated vapour line, which are important as
refrigeration depends on evaporation and condensation. Above figure gives charts for two common
refrigerants, refrigerant 134a, and tetrafluoroethane

To start with the evaporator; in this the pressure above the refrigerant is low enough so that
evaporation of the refrigerant liquid to a gas occurs at some suitable low temperature determined by
the requirements of the product. Evaporation occurs and this extracts the latent heat of vaporization
for the refrigerant from the surroundings of the evaporator and it does this at the appropriate low
temperature. This process of heat extraction at low temperature represents the useful part of the
refrigerator. On the pressure/enthalpy chart this is represented by ab at constant pressure (the
evaporation pressure) in which 1 kg of refrigerant takes in (Hb - Ha) kJ.
 ENGINEERING EDUCATIONAL EQUIPMENTS
The low pressure necessary for the evaporation at the required temperature is maintained by the
suction of the compressor.

The remainder of the process cycle is included merely so that the refrigerant may be returned to the
evaporator to continue the cycle. First, the vapour is sucked into a compressor which is essentially a
gas pump and which increases its pressure to exhaust it at the higher pressure to the condensers. This
is represented by the line bc which follows an adiabatic compression line, a line of constant entropy
and work equivalent to (Hc - Hb) kJ kg-1 has to be performed on the refrigerant to effect the
compression.

To complete the cycle, the refrigerant must be condensed, giving up its latent heat of vaporization to
some cooling medium. This is carried out in a condenser, which is a heat exchanger cooled generally
by water or air. Condensation is shown along the horizontal line (at the constant condenser pressure),
at first cd cooling the gas and then continuing along de until the refrigerant is completely condensed
at point e. The total heat given out in this from refrigerant to condenser water is (Hc - He) = (Hc - Ha)
kJ kg-1. This process of evaporation at a low pressure and corresponding low temperature, followed
by compression, followed by condensation at around atmospheric temperature and corresponding
high pressure, is the refrigeration cycle. The high-pressure liquid then passes through a nozzle from
the condenser or high-pressure receiver vessel to the evaporator at low pressure, and so the cycle
continues. Expansion through the expansion valve nozzle is at constant enthalpy and so it follows the
vertical line ea with no enthalpy added to or subtracted from the refrigerant. This line at constant
enthalpy from point e explains why the point a is where it is on the pressure line, corresponding to the
evaporation (suction) pressure.

Overall, the energy side of the refrigeration cycle can therefore be summed up:
heat taken in from surroundings at the (low) evaporator temperature and pressure (Hb - Ha),
heat equivalent to the work done by the compressor (Hc - Hb) and
heat rejected at the (high) compressor pressure and temperature (Hc - He).

A useful measure is the ratio of the heat taken in at the evaporator (the useful refrigeration), (Hb - Ha)
, to the energy put in by the compressor which must be paid for (Hc– Hb). This ratio is called the
coefficient of performance (COP).
 ENGINEERING EDUCATIONAL EQUIPMENTS
DESCRIPTION:

The air conditioning test rig unit is required to conduct experiments and demonstrate the process cooling
of atmospheric air. The unit consists of a compressor. Both evaporator and the air-cooled condenser are
mounted on board with separate fans. Air is sucked from the room and is supplied to the room after
cooling. The system is provided with voltmeter, ammeter, and a digital temperature indicator. The unit
will be fitted with all instruments facilities so that temperature and pressure can be measured at different
points in the air conditioning system. The heater and steam generator is also provided inside the chamber
to study other processes like heating and humidification

UTILITIES REQUIRED:

1. Water Supply.
2. Drain
3. Electricity 230V AC, Single Phase.
4. Space required: 1.6 x 0.6 m.
5. Anemometer

EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE:

COOLING PROCESS:

1. Clean the apparatus and make it free from dust.

2. Ensure that all ON/OFF switches given on the panel are at OFF position.
3. Now switch ON the main compressor, evaporator fan.
4. After the gap of 15 - 20 minutes i.e. when steady state is achieved, take the reading of pressure
gauge, voltmeter, ampere meter and note down Temperature by digital temperature indicator.
5. Find out the temperature drop because of cooling. Also find out the theoretical C.O.P. of the
system using formulae given.
 ENGINEERING EDUCATIONAL EQUIPMENTS
DE HUMIDIFICATION PROCESS:

1. For DE Humidification process, Do not run the compressor. Just switch ON the evaporator fan.
2. Now switch ON the heater fixed inside evaporator chamber.
3. Wait till steady state is achieved.
4. Measure the dry bulb and wet bulb temperature at inlet (i.e. T4, T5) and at outlet (T6, T7).
5. Using Psychometric chart, Find out the increase in temperature and decrease in humidity
6. Switch OFF the heater.
7. Remove the plug of the unit at the end.

HUMIDIFICATION PROCESS :

1. For this switch ON the boiler given. Wait till steam is generated.
2. Switch ON the evaporator fan.
3. Let the steam flow through the chamber.
4. Measure the dry bulb and wet bulb temperature at inlet (i.e. T4, T5) and at outlet (T6, T7).
5. Using Psychometric chart, Find out the increase in temperature and humidity
6. Switch OFF the heater.
7. Release the steam from the boiler if not needed any further.
8. Remove the plug of the unit at the end.

OBSERVATION & CALCULATIONS :

STANDARD DATA:
Density of Air = 1.225 Kg/m3
Specific Heat of air Cp = 1.01 Kj/Kg°C
Area of Duct DA = 0.0783 m2
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OBSERVATION TABLE :
S.No. V I PS Pd T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 T6 T7 T8

CALCULATION:

For COOLING PROCESS:

Heat absorbed by the Air

COP 
Power input

Q  MCP T

VF  V A  D A

M  VF  D

T  T4  T6

V I
P , Kw
1000

H b H a
COP 
Hc  Hb
 ENGINEERING EDUCATIONAL EQUIPMENTS
Where,
Hb is the enthalpy at Temperature T8 and Pressure P1
Ha is the enthalpy at Temperature T2 and Pressure P2
Hc is the enthalpy at Temperature T1 and Pressure P2

For DE HUMIDIFICATION :

Rise in temperature = (T6 – T4), oC

Find h5 corresponding to T4 & T5 from psychometric chart and h6 corresponding to T6 & T7.
Hence, h5 = ____ KJ/Kg
and h6= _____ KJ/Kg
Therefore, amount of heat added or change in enthalpy = Δh = (h6 – h5) KJ/Kg

For HUMIDIFICATION:

For calculating the change in humidity,

Find W5 (i.e. moisture content corresponding to T4 & T5 from psychometric chart)
W5 = ____ Kg/Kg of dry air.
Similarly, find W6 corresponding to T6 & T7
W6 = _____ Kg/Kg of dry air.
Net amount of water vapor added = (W6 – W5) Kg/Kg of dry air.
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NOMENCLATURE:

Nom Column heading Units Types

V Voltmeter reading volts Measured

PS Suction pressure MPa Measured
Pd Discharge pressure MPa Measured
I Ammeter reading amp Measured
T1 Temperature at Compressor Discharge Line °C Measured
T2 Temperature after Condenser °C Measured
T3 Temperature after Capillary Tube °C Measured
T4 Dry Bulb Inlet Temperature °C Measured
T5 Wet Bulb Inlet Temperature °C Measured
T6 Dry Bulb Outlet Temperature °C Measured
T7 Wet Bulb Outlet Temperature °C Measured
T8 Temperature at Compressor Suction Line. °C Measured
h5 Enthalpy of incoming air KJ/Kg Measured
h6 Enthalpy of outgoing air KJ/Kg Measured
Δh amount of heat added or change in enthalpy KJ/Kg Calculated
W5 & W6 Moisture content in incoming & outgoing air Kg/Kg of Measured
dry air
Q Heat Absorbed by Air Kw Calculated
COPact Actual Coefficient of Performance * Calculated
COPtheo Theoretical Coefficient of Performance * Calculated
VF Volumetric Flow Rate m3 Calculated
DA Duct area m2 Given
VA Velocity of air m/sec Measured
P Power Input Kw Calculated
Hb enthalpy at Temperature T8 and Pressure P1 * Calculated

Ha enthalpy at Temperature T2 and Pressure P2 * Calculated

 ENGINEERING EDUCATIONAL EQUIPMENTS

Hc enthalpy at Temperature T1 and Pressure P2 * Calculated

M Mass flow rate of air Kg/sec Measured
CP Specific heat of air Kj/Kg°C Given

PRECAUTIONS & TROUBLESHOOTING:

1. Never run the apparatus if power supply is less than 180 volts and above 230 volts.
2. If electric panel is not showing the input on the mains light, check the main supply.