2023-24

Lingaya’s vidyapeeth
Old Faridabad, Haryana

MEA 455C Automotive air conditiong lab

School of Mechanical and Automobile Engineering

Course code Course title
MEA-455C AUTOMOBILE AIR CONDITIONING LAB

LIST OF EXPERIMENTS

1. To understand different components of VCR system and to determine It’s

C.O.P.
2. To perform different psychrometric processes and analyze the same using
psychrometric chart.
3. To determine C.O.P. of an Ice-plant.
4. To study the vapour compression Refrigeration System and determine its
COP of split air conditioning system and draw p-h and T-s diagram.
5. To study the working of window air conditioning system and determine its
COP and draw p-h and T-s diagram.
6. To study the mechanical heat pump and find its COP.
7. To study the cut- sectional models of Reciprocating and Rotary Refrigerant
compressors.
8. To study the various controls used in Refrigerating and Air Conditioning
systems.
9. To study a vapour absorption system and determine its COP.
 Experiment 1
PRACTICAL 1: To understand different components of VCR system and to determine
It’s C.O.P.
Objectives:
 To study different components of VCR system.
 To determine C.O.P. of VCR System.
Refrigeration: Theory:
Refrigeration may be defined as an art of producing and maintaining a temperature in a space
below the surrounding temperature. It also includes the process of removing heat from the
substance under controlled conditions. It is used for the manufacturing of ice and similar
products. This is widely used for cooling of storage chambers in which perishable foods, drinks
and medicines are stored. The refrigeration has also wide application in submarine ships,
aircrafts
Standard Vapour Compression Cycle: - (SVCC)
This cycle consists of following four processes:
(1) Reversible adiabatic compression from the saturated vapour to a superheated condition.
(2) Reversible heat rejection at constant pressure (de-superheating and condensation of the
refrigerant)
(3) Irreversible is enthalpy expansion from saturated liquid to a low-pressure vapour.
(4) Reversible heat addition at constant pressure.
System components and its function: -
(1) Compressor: - Compressor is most important part of the system. The compressor raises the
measure of incoming vapour from the evaporator to a high pressure. Different type of
compressor are:
 Reciprocating compressor
 Rotary compressor
 Screw compressor
 Centrifugal compressor
The selection of the above-mentioned compressor depends upon the usage. Usually, domestic
refrigerator is installed with reciprocating compressor. A hermetic type of compressor is one in
which the compressor and motor integral on one shaft and they are both contained in a pressure
shield housing. It is compact in size, quiet, low in cost and no problem of refrigerant gas leakage.
The motor in a hermetic type of compressor is cooled by refrigerant suction gas.
(2) Condenser: - The function of a condenser is to remove heat from the superheated high
pressure refrigerant vapour and to condense the vapour into a sub cooled high pressure liquid.
This is accomplished a cooling medium either air or water. The air-cooled condenser may be of
static cooled type where natural convective motion of air surrounding heat is enough to cool the
condenser or they may be of fan cooled type. The static cooled condenser is used in domestic
refrigerators. In commercial appliances and windows air-conditioners usually fan cooled
condensers are used. The water condenser is normally used in large system firms 5 tons and
above.
(3) Expansion Devices: -As the high pressure sub-cooled refrigerant liquid from the condenser
passes through the expansion device its pressure and temperature is reduced. And outlet
refrigerant, mostly in liquid stage. Expansion device are of many types and are selected as per
the requirement. For example, for constant evaporator pressure requirement automatic
expansion valve are used. If variation in cooling load is high the thermostatic valves are best
suited. Hermetic compressor are almost invariably are used with capillary tube, through a few
of them might also be used with thermostatic expansion valves.
(a) Thermostatic expansion valve: -
Thermostatic expansion valve controls the mass flow rate of refrigerant by sensing evaporator
outlet temperature. Thus the valve is sensitive to the cooling load. If the load is more, the degree
of super hit of refrigerant coming out of the evaporator increases. To maintain the degree of
super heat to preset level, more liquid is fed to evaporator. When the load is low, valve closes
and less liquid quantity is fed. Selection of thermostatic expansion is done on the basis of
refrigerant used in capacity.
(b) Capillary tube: -
It is the simplest and cheapest form of expansion device. It does not include any moving parts
hence no maintenance is required. Capillary tube is supposed to be a single point operation
device in the sense that the best control is achieved only at a given set of operating parameters.
Under varying loads the capillary tube does not function satisfactorily. For example at lower
loads than designed value capillary tube may overfeed the evaporator causing liquid to return to
compressor. Under higher loads than designed the capillary tube starves the evaporator,
causing excessive return gas superheat. Hence for variation in cooling loads, it is not suitable.
(4) Evaporator: -The function of evaporator is to remove heat from the product or the area to
be cooled and maintain it at any desired temperature. The liquid refrigerant inside the
evaporator evaporates by absorbing heat and converts into vapour refrigerant and then it
returns back into the compressor. Various types of constructions of the evaporator used in
refrigerant system e.g.
a) Finned tube evaporator coil
b) Bare tube soldered/clamped to the tank
c) Bare tube dipped in the liquid to be cooled
d) Shell & coil type evaporator
The choice of particular construction depends on the type of appliance. However in every case
the heat capacity depends on these factors viz. temperature difference between the load and the
refrigerant, heat transfer co-efficient and areas of the heat transfer.
(5) Drier: - If by chance refrigerant is containing any water particle then in low temperature
region (i.e. at and after the expansion valve) it forms ice and chokes the valve or bends thereby
preventing the smooth passage of refrigerant through it. To prevent this drier is used to remove
any water particles carried into the refrigerant. It is used in between the evaporator and
compressor.
(6) Accumulator: -It is fitted in between the evaporator and compressor. It prevents the liquid
refrigerant from entering the compressor

Description of Setup:
The unit is equipped with compressor operate on 220V AC supply and works on R-134 a. The
unit is fitted on with compressor, air cooled condenser, condenser fan motor drier, thermostatic
expansion valve, solenoid valve, capillary tube, expansion valve refrigerant flow motor water
calorimeter (cooling coil), suction gauge, discharge gauge, digital temperature indicator with
probe to measure different temperatures, heater inside the calorimeter, cooling thermostat, one
number charging valve provided to charge the liquid refrigerant. The voltmeter and ampere
meter for compressor have been provided which are duly interlocked type writing for safety
point of view.

Technical Specifications:

 Compressor : Hermetically sealed make

 Agitator : Compatible capacity
 Condenser : Air cooled compatible to compressor
 Condenser cooling fan : Compatible capacity with permanent lubricating motor
 Evaporator : Made of Stainless steel insulated with ceramic wool/P.U.F
 Rotameter : Make Eureka
 Expansion device : Capillary tube solenoid & thermostatic valve
 Pressure gauges : 2 Nos.
 Safety control : Time delay circuit
 Temperature sensor : RTD PT-100 type
 Control panel : Digital voltmeter (0-300V) and ammeter (0-10A)
 Temp. Measurement : Digital temperature indicator with multi-channel switch

Experimental Procedure:

1. Switch in main board, check voltage. It should not be less than 180 V.
2. Start the condenser fan motor.
3. See that all the respective indication lights are on.
4. 5. Switch on the compressor.
6. At the time of the start of the unit, note down the reading of voltage, ampere, suction and
discharge gauge- pressures reading for compressor.
7. Check and note down the reading of various temperature through digital temp. Indicator.
8. Always close the door of the evaporator.
9. Note down the reading of the pressure gauge. Absence of any reading will indicate the
blockage or leakage of gas.
10. After the gap of 15 minutes, start the agitator motor for two minute for equalization of water
temperature and note down all the readings.
11. Now if you want to provide or test load on our compressor, switch on the heater.
12. Check and note don the readings of temperature, pressure and energy.
13. Now let the unit run for at least 10-20 minutes.
14. Switch on the agitator motor for 2 minutes for equalization of water temperature.
15. Check the water temperature through Digital Temp. Indicator. It must not go ahead of 350C.
16. After taking the required readings, switch off the heating process if the unit runs with
compressor or cooling process.
17. While closing the unit, first switch-off the compressor, condenser, fan motor, and all the
other valves and switches on the unit.
18. Always check the indication lights provided on the board for each comp

Observation Table:
ρ – Density of water = 1000 kg/m3
Cpw – specific heat of water = 4.186 KJ/kg oC
Energy Suction Suction Delivery T1 T2 T3 T4 T5
o o o o o
meter for 20 pressure pressure pressure C C C C C
blinks Kg/cm2 Kg/cm2 Kg/cm2

Nomenclature: -
T1 – Temperature of compressor inlet (suction) (oC)
T2 – Temperature of compressor outlet (discharge) (oC)
T3 – Temperature of condenser outlet (oC)
T4 – Temperature of evaporator inlet (oC)
T5 – Temperature of water inlet (oC)
T6 – Temperature of water outlet (oC)
H1 – Enthalpy at compressor inlet (KJ/kg)
H2 – Enthalpy at compressor outlet (KJ/kg)
H3 – Enthalpy of sub-cooling at condenser outlet (KJ/kg)
H4 - Enthalpy of refrigeration at evaporator inlet (KJ/kg)
P1 & P2– Pressure at compressor suction and discharge (kg/cm )2

V & I – Voltmeter and ammeter reading

Conclusion:
 Experiment 2
PRACTICAL 2: TO PERFORM DIFFERENT PSYCHROMETRIC PROCESSES AND ANALYZE THE
SAME USING PSYCHROMETRIC CHART

Objective:
 To study psychrometric chart.
 To analyse the psychrometric processes using psychrometric chart.

Theory: Psychrometer:
The word ‘PSYCHROMETERY’ means study of properties of atmospheric moist air.
Therefore, the device which measures the property of moist air is known as
psychrometer.
The types of psychrometer which will be studied under this experiment are:
1. Sling psychrometer
2. Wet bulb & Dry bulb thermometers
3. Hair type hygrometer
4. Barometer
1. Sling psychrometer:
It is used to measure the thermodynamic wet bulb temperature of the air.
Thermodynamic wet bulb temperature is the temperature at which water by
evaporating into air, may bring the air to saturation adiabatically at the same
temperature. In construction, a wet bulb thermometer is attached at two points along
length of the wooden sick & the thermometer whirl around it. When the thermodynamic
temperature is to be measured,
a) Wet the wick
b) Whirl the thermometer around the wooden stick for some time
c) Then immediately measure the temperature
2. Wet bulb & Dry bulb thermometer:
It is mounted on a wooden piece. As the name indicates they are used to measure the
wet bulb and dry bulb temperature respectively. In case of wet bulb thermometer, the
bulb of the thermometer is always covered with a wet wick. But in case of dry bulb
thermometer, bulb of the thermometer is not covered with wet wick; rather it is always
kept dry.
3. Hair type hygrometer:
It directly measures the relative humidity of the air in terms of percentage. Relative
humidity is the rate of mole fraction of water vapour in each sample of moist air to the
mole fraction of water vapour if the same air is brought to saturation a t constant
pressure and temperature. Volume of the hair and biological matter changes in
humidity. This is the working principle of it. The scale also gives the idea of weather viz.
dry, normal, or humid.
4. Barometer:
It measures the pressure of the moist air. There are two scales provided on it. The outer
scale gives the pressure of the air in terms of inches of mercury whereas the inner scale
gives the pressure of air in terms of milli bars.

There are two equations by which we can calculate psychrometric properties. They are
as follows:
 Experiment-3
PRACTICAL 3: STUDY OF PACKAGED PLANT

Objective:
 To determine C.O.P. of an Ice-plant.

Theory:
Natural ice was used for preservation purpose for a very long time. But it has been replaced to a
large extent by manufactured ice since the beginning of twentieth century because of the
uncertainly of the natural supply and also because of the cost of transportation to the retail
trade.
The manufacturer of ice is one of the principal needs of refrigeration and it will continue, as ice
is the cheapest means for short time preservation of food. A vast amount of research has been
put in developing a least expensive means of manufacture.
The quantity of ice required for different purpose is very large so that the manufacture of ice is
one of the principal applications of refrigeration. Ice factories are commonly installed now a day
in every small town of India to fulfil day-to-day requirements of the people.
The appearance of the ice plays important role for the sale in the retail trade. Therefore,
preliminary chemical treatment and filtration of water, agitation of water during freezing to
issue transparency, core sucking to remove impurities in the water supply and scoring of ice
cakes in size required for retail trade are important features of ice manufacturing.
In present day ice factories, all the operations mentioned above are automatically done to keep
the speed of production and distribution.
The vapour compression refrigeration cycle is based on a circulating fluid media viz. a
refrigerant having special properties of vaporizing at temperatures lower than the ambient and
condensing back to the liquid form, at slightly higher than ambient conditions by controlling the
saturation temperature and pressure.
When the refrigerant evaporates or boils at temperature lowers then ambient it extracts or
removes heat from the load and lowers the temperature consequently providing cooling.
The superheated vapour is increased to a level by the compressor to reach a saturation pressure
so that heat added to vapour is dissipated / rejected into the atmosphere, using operational
ambient conditions with cooling medians such as air or water. The vapour is condensed to
liquid form and recycled gain to form the refrigeration cycle.
Main components of refrigeration cycle: -
1. Compressor
2. Condenser
3. Throttling device
4. Evaporator
Compressor:
The compressor is known as the heart of the refrigeration system. It pumps the refrigerant
vapour in refrigeration cycle as the heart pumps blood in the body. The low temperature,
pressure, superheated vapour from the evaporator is conveyed through suction line and
compressed by compressor to a high pressure, without any change of gaseous state and the
same is discharged into condenser. During this process, heat is added to the refrigerant and is
known as heat compression. The compressor should have a compression ratio to raise the
pressure of the refrigerant to such a level that the saturation temperature of the discharged
refrigerant is higher than the temperature of the available cooling medium, to enable the
superheated refrigerant to condenser at normal ambient condition.
Condenser:
The heat is added in the evaporator and compressor to the refrigerant is rejected in condenser
at high temperature. This superheated refrigerant vapor enters the condenser to dissipate its
heat in three stages. First on entering the refrigerant loses its superheat, it then loses its latent
heat at which the refrigerant is liquefied at saturation temperature pressure. This liquid loses
its sensible heat, further and the refrigerant leaves the condenser as a sub-cooled liquid.
The heat transfer from refrigerant to cooling medium takes place in the condenser. The sub-
cooled liquid from condenser is collected in a reservoir and is then fed through the throttling
device by liquid line to the evaporator.
There are several methods of dissipating the rejected heat into the atmosphere by condenser.
These are water-cooled, air cooled and evaporative cooled condensers.
Throttling device:
Throttling device is design to pass maximum possible liquid refrigerant to obtain a good
refrigeration effect. The line should be properly designed to have minimum pressure drop. The
throttling device is a pressure reducing device and a regulator for controlling the refrigerant
flow. It also reduces the pressure from the discharge pressure to the evaporator pressure
without any change of state to the liquid refrigerant.
Various types of throttling devices are a) Capillary tubes b) Thermostatic valves c) Hand
expansion valves d) Hand valves.
Evaporator:
The liquid refrigerant from the condenser at high pressure is fed through a throttling device to
an evaporator at a low pressure. On absorbing the heat to be extracted from media to be cooled,
the liquid refrigerant boils actively in the evaporator and changes state. The refrigerant gains
latent heat to vaporize at saturation temperature /pressure and further absorbs sensible heat
from media to be cooled and gets fully vaporized and superheated.

Technical Specifications:
Compressor : Hermetically sealed along with its std. accessories
Condenser : Fins and tube type air cooled condenser
Condenser fan motor : one no.
Cooling coil : Water immersed type.
Agitator with motor : Provided to circulate the brine.
Brine tank cabinet : Inner and Outer surface of brine tank fabricated with S.S
Temperature measurement : RTD PT-100 type.
Control panel : Digital voltmeter (0-300V) and ammeter (0-10A)
Temperature Indicator : Digital temperature indicator with multi-channel switch

Description of Setup:
Primary refrigerant : R-22 refrigerant gas
Secondary refrigerant : Brine solution
Measuring controls : Suction pressure gauge for low pressure measurement
: Discharge pressure gauge for high pressure measurement
: Filter, drier, capillary tube type expansion device
: Main switch, Voltmeter, Amp-meter for compressor I/p
: Switches and indication lights
Temperature indicator : Digital temperature indicator provided with RTD sensors.
Chemical Required : Sodium chloride (NaCl ) – 15 kg

Experimental Procedure: Starting procedure:

1. Give supply of 220V on the main switch of the rig.
2. Check the voltage.
3. Switch on the condenser fan switch.
4. After 2 minutes, switch on the compressor.
5. Check the compound and pressure gauge and note the readings.
6. Note down the pressure and temperature readings.
7. Put brine solution in the ice tank.
8. Note down the temperature of the brine tank from digital temperature indicator.
9. At the time of starting the apparatus note down the ampere & voltage reading.
10. Note down the reading of gauges, temperatures, ampere meter & voltmeter after running of
the rig at least 20 to 30 min. take 2 to 3 readings.
11. Start the agitator motor for 5 minutes only, after the gap of every 15 minutes.
12. Run the unit continuing at least 2-3 hours and note down the brine solution temperature, if
the brine temperature reaches up to 40C then put water in the ice can for freezing.
13. Now again check the temperature of suction pressure and discharge pressure.
14. Always close the door of ice tank and the door should be open at the time of putting ice cans
of lifting the same.
 Experiment-4
PRACTICAL 4: Split Air conditioning

Objective:
 To determine C.O.P. of air-conditioning test rig.
 To determine apparatus dew point of air-conditioning test rig.
Theory:
Previously the air conditioning for human comfort was considered luxury in most of the
countries but now a days it is a necessity. Therefore air conditioning industry is growing
fastly throughout the world. Due to increase in population and industrialization the
uncomfort may be due to the inadequate supply of oxygen or unbearable temperature.
Full air conditioning does the automatic control of an atmospheric environment either
for comfort of human being or animals or for the proper performance of some industrial
or scientific processes. The purpose of air conditioning is to supply sufficient volume of
clean air containing a specific amount of water vapour and at a temperature capable of
maintaining predetermined atmospheric conditions.

In brief the air conditioning the space signifies.

1. Temperature Control: You can enjoy a perfect constant temperature because of the
control of not only cooling but also heating.
2. Humidity Control: The room can be humidified or dehumidified.
3. Air Filtering, Cleaning and Purification: The room is cleaned by removing dust and
dirt from the air.
4. Air movement and Circulation: Air which is cleaned and controlled in temperature
and humidity is distributed throughout the room. As a result, room air can be
maintained evenly.

Description of Setup:
The equipment consists of a hermetically sealed compressor, air cooled condenser, blower for
air circulation through a duct mounted on a frame, an evaporator is placed in the duct, also
there are heaters of suitable capacity in the duct. The refrigerant used in the system is R22. The
mass flow rate of air through duct can be varied by arrangement provided on the blower unit.
The humidity of air is increased by introducing steam generated in small boiler. The relative
humidity of air at inlet and outlet can be measured by noting dry / wet bulb temperatures. The
duct is insulated from outside to avoid heat loss. The control panel consists of switches,
voltmeter, ammeter etc. as well as energy meter for measuring the power consumption of
compressor. The refrigeration circuit and duct are mounted on a fabricated frame.

Experimental Procedure
It is represented as given below.
for starting the test rig. Put ‘ON” the air condenser fan and run it for 2-3 minutes.
1. Then start blower with suction full open.
2. Now put ‘ON’ the compressor switch, so that refrigeration cycle may produce refrigeration
effect.
3. Run the plant for achieving steady temperature at condenser and Evaporator.
4. Note down the following observations.

Observation Table
 Experiment-5
PRACTICAL 5: Window Air conditioning

Objective:
To Determine COP and Tonnage capacity of a Air Conditioning
system.
Apparatus: - Compressor, Condenser, Evaporator, Capillary
Tube, Ammeter, Voltmeter.
Theory: -
Air conditioning equipment is used to maintain controlled
atmospheric conditions as per required. The controlled atmospheric
conditions may be required for human comfort or manufacturing
processes of engineering goods. Air conditioning systems are
classified in two groups.
1. Packed Units
2. Central Unit
A packed unit is self-contained unit, because complete unit including
compressor, evaporator, condenser, fan motor etc. are kept in a
common enclosure. Capacity of packed or window AC is 1 to 1.5 T.R.
This AC is mounted with the room which is required for controlled
atmosphere.
A window AC mainly consists of following sub-assemblies:
1. System assembly includes compressor, condenser, evaporator,
expansion
device, and filter.
2. Motor with blower & fan assembly includes, a double ended shaft
motor, a fan
and a motor and suitable bracket for it.
3. Cabinet and air distributing assembly – it includes a cabinet as
enclosure for
whole system, an air distributing system.
4. Control panel assembly – it includes the switched those required
to control the
entire AC system as per the requirement, IC temperature, humidity
etc.
The AC Test Rig is designed and fabricated, to determine the
performance and to study its working principle. The AC test Rig
consist a 1.5 T sealed compressor unit, a finned condenser (heating
coil) and evaporator (cooling coil), a double ended (shaft) motor to
run fan and blower simultaneously and fitted on a wooden stand and
properly covered by grill. A duct is assembled along with blower unit
as a carrier of comfort air, the velocity of the air passing through the
coil is measured by using a pilot tube fitted in duct itself and
connected to V-tube manometer which
is fitted on control panel. The control panel is fitted over compressor
and fanblower assembly. Control panel consist of 1 phase energy
meter to measure power consumed by compressor, a Rota meter to
measure flow rate of refrigerant pressure gauge to measure
pressure of discharge side compound vacuum gauge to measure
suction side pressure, a digital temperature indicator to measure
temperature at various places. The desired temperature find out by
changing position of selector switch with it. A voltmeter and
ammeter is also fitted on control panel.
Window type air conditioner
The performance of an air-conditioning system is expressed in terms
of co-efficient of performance. And COP is the ratio of net
refrigerating effect and power supplied to do the work i.e.
COP = Rn / W
Where
Where
= heat removed by
Rn
system = m. CpT
m = mass of air supplied /
Cp minute. = Specific heat of air=
T Difference in temperatures.
Precautions: -
1. Run the system for quite some time before taking readings.
2. Note down number of revolutions of energy meter carefully with
the help of
stop watch.
3. Insure considerable cooled air output from air duct.
4. The system should not switch OFF immediately after once
switched ON.
5. The control valve of pressure and compound gauge should open
partly; when it
is required to measure pressure otherwise valves must be closed.
6. Do not twist any pipe line and handle all switches valves very
carefully only as
and when required
Observation Table
 Experiment-6

PRACTICAL 6: To study the mechanical heat pump and find its COP.

Aim: -To determine the COP and Tonnage capacity of a

Mechanical Heat pump.
Apparatus Used: - Compressor, Condenser, Evaporator, Capillary
Tube, Ammeter, and Voltmeter.

Theory: -
A mechanical heat pump is mechanical equipment which is used to
supply the heat to the system, where it is installed, and maintain its
temperature more than that of surrounding. Mechanical heat pump
absorbs heat from surrounding (atmosphere). Work input to a heat
pump is supplied by compressor. With reference to the fig. Heat Q 2
is supplied to the room and temperature T 2 is maintained above the
T1 whereas heat Q1 is absorbed by the surrounding. Hence
performance of heat pump is given by
COP=Q/W

Technical Specification: -
Compressor = hermetically sealed of 1/3 T
Discharge pressure gauge = 0-3 - PSI
Suction pressure gauge = - 30-0-150 PSI
T1 & T2 are temperature of discharge suction side 0C
T3 and T7 are temperature of water 0C
T2, T3, T5 and T6 are temperature of inlet and outlet of heating and
cooling coil.
Procedure: -
Fill measured quantity of water in condenser and evaporator banks
and note down the initial temperature of tanks by means of selector
switch as T4i. Now note down the energy meter and switch on the
power supply to compressor. Run the compressor for unit time (say
30 minute) and note down the change in temperature of T 4f and
energy meter reading. Above procedure may be repeated for cooling
coil also.
Temperature sensor details: -
1. T1 = Temperature Sensor: Fixed at Compressor Discharge Line
2. T2 = Temperature Sensor: Fixed after Condenser
3. T3 = Temperature Sensor: Inside hot water tank
4. T4 = Temperature Sensor: fixed after capillary tube
5. T5 = Temperature Sensor: Inside cold-water tank
6. T6 = Temperature Sensor: Fixed at Compressor Suction Line