Introduction

The vapor compression cycle is widely used in refrigeration systems, including refrigerators, refrigeration air conditioning, freezers, and auto air conditioners. R22 and R12 refrigerant are the most commonly used, but are being phased out due to effects on the ozone layer. A simple vapor compression cycle consists of evaporator, condenser, compressor, expansion valve and a refrigerant receiver. Heat absorbed by the working fluid from the low pressure evaporator and is rejected at condenser at a higher temperature. Refrigerant vapor leaving the evaporator is pumped into the high pressure by a compressor. Expansion valves are used to reduce the pressure of the refrigerant and decrease the boiling point of the refrigerant. Expansion valves are also known as metering device. There are six major kinds of refrigerant controls. They are, Automatic expansion valve Thermostatic expansion valve Capillary tube Thermal electric expansion valve Low pressure side float valve High pressure side float valve Theory COP of refrigeration cycle = Refrigeration effect / compressor work COP of Heat pump cycle = Heat rejected by the condenser / work done COP (Heat pump) = COP (Refrigeration) + 1 Refrigeration effect is calculated by measuring the air flow in the evaporator duct and temperature. Heat pumped to out is calculated by measuring the air flow in the condenser duct and its temperature.

isen = Wisen / Watt meter reading

Wisentropic is calculated by assuming isentropic compression and Actual amount of power consumed
by the compressor can be calculated by means of electrical Watt meter.

Calculations Thermostatic Expansion valve Electrical energy supplied Condenser heat rejected = (5/360) x 3.6 x 106 / 104.8 = 477.1 W = mair x Cair x T = (0.1026 x 1.59) m3/s x 1.25 kg/m3 x 1.006 kJ/kg0C x (35.8 28.7)0C =1.456 kW = 1456W Evaporator heat absorption = mair x Cair x T = (0.10875 x 0.66) m3/s x 1.25 kg/m3 x 1.006 kJ/kg0C x (28.7-22.3)0C = 0.574kW = 574W COP heat pump = Condenser heat rejected / Work done = 1456/ 477.1 = 3.05 COP refrigeration cycle = Refrigeration effect / Work done =574 / 477.1 = 1.2 Capillary tube Electrical energy supplied Condenser heat rejected = (5/360) x 3.6 x 106 / 118.4 = 422.3W = mair x Cair x T = (0.1026 x 1.4) m3/s x 1.25 kg/m3 x 1.006 kJ/kg0C x (34.6 29.2)0C = 0.975 kW = 975W Evaporator heat absorption = mair x Cair x T = (0.10875 x 0.62) m3/s x 1.25 kg/m3 x 1.006 kJ/kg0C x (29.2-23.9)0C = 0.446kW = 446W COP heat pump = Condenser heat rejected / Work done =975/ 422.3 = 2.31 COP refrigeration cycle = Refrigeration effect / Work done = 446/422.3 = 1.06

Thermostatic Expansion valve Wisentorpic = (209-188) kJ/kg x 0.011 kg/s =231W isen = Wisentorpic / Watt meter reading = (231/477.1) x 100% = 48.42% Capillary tube Wisentorpic = (212-182) kJ/kg x 0.0038kg/s = 120W isen = Wisentorpic / Watt meter reading = (120/422.3) x 100% = 28.42%

Discussion 1) Check whether the calculated COP values are satisfying the equation 1 or not. If not give reasons for that. Thermostatic expansion valve COP (Heat pump) = COP refrigeration cycle + 1 = 1.2 + 1 =2.2 Practical COP (Heat pump) Capillary tube COP (Heat pump) = COP refrigeration cycle + 1 = 1.06 + 1 = 2.06 Practical COP (Heat pump) = 2.31 = 3.05

There is a difference between the practical values and the theoretical values. The reasons for this deviation may be the errors of getting reading from thermometers and other instruments, the energy losses due to the friction, reading may not be taken in steady state.

Discuss each type of valves used and details about the principal class they belong
Automatic expansion valve
An automatic expansion valve (Figure 1-B) maintains a constant pressure in the evaporator. Normally this valve is used only with direct expansion, dry type of evaporators. In operation, the valve feeds enough amount of liquid refrigerant to the evaporator to maintain a constant pressure in the coils. This type of valve is generally used in a system where constant loads are expected. When a large variable load occurs, the valve will not feed enough refrigerant to the evaporator under high load and will over feed the evaporator at low load. Compressor damage can result when slugs of liquid enter the compressor. These expansion valves are suitable for constant load applications and instead of larger variable load. These types of valves have limitations of poor efficiency and over-feeding of the evaporator at low loads. These are used in domestic refrigerators and freezers.

Figure 01 A-Thermostatic Expansion valve. B-Automatic Expansion valve

Thermostatic expansion valve

A thermostatic expansion valve (Figure 1-A) keeps a constant superheat in the refrigerant vapor leaving the coil. The valve controls the liquid refrigerant, so the evaporator coils maintain the correct amount of refrigerant at all times. The valve has a power element that is activated by a remote bulb

located at the end of the evaporator coils. The bulb senses the superheat at the suction line and adjusts the flow of refrigerant into the evaporator. As the superheat increases (suction line), the temperature, and therefore the pressure, in the remote bulb also increases. This increased pressure, applied to the top of the diaphragm, forces it down along with the pin, which, in turn, opens the valve, admitting replacement refrigerant from the receiver to flow into the evaporator. This replacement has three effects. First, it provides additional liquid refrigerant to absorb heat from the evaporator. Second, it applies higher pressure to the bottom of the diaphragm, forcing it upward, tending to close the valve. And third, it reduces the degree of superheat by forcing more refrigerant through the suction line. Thermostatic expansion valve has limitations of cannot be set to maintain a certain evaporator temperature and pressure, only a constant superheat, evaporator temperature and pressure will vary with the loading of the system, small flow rates are considerably difficult to control accurately and cannot be used for all most all ammonia cycles.

Capillary tube
The capillary tube (Figure 2) consists of a long tube of small diameter. It acts as a constant throttle on the refrigerant. The length and diameter of the tube are important; any restrictions cause trouble in the system. It feeds refrigerant to the evaporator as fast as it is produced by the condenser. When the quantity of refrigerant in the system is correct or the charge is balanced, the flow of refrigerant from the condenser to the evaporator stops when the compressor unit stops. When the condensing unit is running, the operating characteristics of the capillary tube equipped evaporator are the same as if it were equipped with a high-side float. Figure 2 Capillary Tube

The capillary tube is best suited for household boxes, such as freezers and window air-conditioners, where the refrigeration load is reasonably constant and small horsepower motors are used. These types of expansion valves has advantages of simple in design and small in size, low cost, no moving parts, enables compressor motor to restart on no-load and low starting torque motors can be used.

Low-side float expansion valve

The low-side float expansion valve controls the liquid refrigerant flow where a flooded evaporator is used. It consists of a ball float in either a chamber or the evaporator on the low-pressure side of the system. The float actuates a needle valve through a lever mechanism. As the float lowers, refrigerant enters through the open valve; when it rises, the valve closes.

High-side float expansion valve

In a high-side float expansion valve, the valve float is in a liquid receiver or in an auxiliary container on the high-pressure side of the system. Refrigerant from the condenser flows into the valve and immediately opens it, allowing refrigerant to expand and pass into the evaporator. Refrigerant charge is critical. An overcharge of the system floods back and damages the compressor. An undercharge results in a capacity drop.

Comment about the calculations and suggest the ways of improvement.

The readings are not taken in the steady state. The faults in the pressure gauges and thermometers. Human errors of when taking the readings.

Improvements can be done as follows, Use accurate pressure gauges and thermometers. Take the readings in steady state. Take at least five readings for one type of expansion valve.

Discuss the use of ammonia instead of R12

R12 is the most commonly used refrigerant in small refrigeration systems. Due to its high stability, excellent thermodynamic properties, low index of compression making and good cooling characteristics R12 is commonly used. But also NH3 has advantages of Low weight of liquid circulated per Ton of refrigeration, high efficiency, low cost and low volumetric displacement and excellent thermal properties. Ammonia also has highest refrigerating effect per kg of refrigerant. Also there are some other advantages of ammonia. Normally compressor oil is heavier than liquid ammonia which making it easy to drain out. On the other hand, oil solubility is absolutely essential with the R12 in order to facilitate oil return. This makes oil management in an ammonia system a relative very easy. But copper, brass, bronze cannot be used with ammonia and metal choices must be mild steels, stainless steels, nickel concern with compressors. The major difference between the R12 and ammonia with respect to compressors has to do with the motor open drive versus hermetic.

What prevent using NH3 in commercial refrigeration units.

NH3 doesnt use as a refrigerant in commercial plants due to various reasons. NH3 can be explosive in some occasions and also health reasons. Ammonia is not, a poison and repeated exposure to it produces no additive (chronic) effects on the human body. Skin damage depends upon the length and concentration of exposure and can range from mild irritation, to a darkened freeze-dry burn, to tissue destruction. Because liquid ammonia boils at -28F, the expanding gas has the potential to freeze anything in its path of release, including human flesh and organs. However, even in small concentrations in the air it can be extremely irritating to the eyes, throat, and breathing passages. And also NH3 has a penetrating odor.

ME 4380 Refrigeration and Air Conditioning

Test on Vapor Compression Refrigeration

Name Index No Field

: Manawadu U.E : 080298N : Mechanical Eng.

Date of Sub: 03 Apr 2012