Exercise C - Varying the Water Flow Rate in the

Evaporator
Objective
To investigate the effect on the refrigeration system of the flow of water through the
evaporator and to determine the optimum flow rate for a given system load.

Method
Running the RA1-MKII at nominal settings then varying the flow of water through the
evaporator, whilst logging the results to observe the effect on the remainder of the
system.

Equipment Required
RA1-MKII Refrigeration Unit

Compatible PC with Armfield RA1-MKII software

Theory
The cold mixture of liquid/vapour refrigerant, after the expansion valve, passes
through the evaporator where it is heated and evaporated into a vapour. Heat is
transferred to the refrigerant and from the warmer water. In RA1-MKII the evaporator
is a plate heat exchanger, composed of multiple, thin, closely spaced plates that
have very large surface areas and fluid flow passages for heat transfer. The plates
are brazed together to give a permanent, leak free arrangement. The refrigerant and
the cooling water are separated by the thin plates allowing good heat transfer.

Equipment Set Up
Ensure that the equipment has been installed in accordance with the Installation
section.

Check that the USB connection is made between the RA1-MKII unit and the PC, and
that the RA1-MKII software is installed and running (‘IFD: vCOM (n) m’ displayed in
bottom right hand corner where n is the number of the virtual COM port on the PC).

Check that the combined circuit breaker / RCD on the electrical console is in the ‘On’
(up) position. Turn the unit on by pressing the ON/OFF switch on the console.

Check that sensible ambient values for temperatures, pressures etc are displayed on
the mimic diagram of the software. Do not click ‘Compressor On’ in the software until
instructed.

Procedure
Set the condenser water pump (Pump 1 speed) to 40% and the evaporator water
pump (Pump 2 speed) to 100%.

Check that there is a flow of water through both the condenser and evaporator
indicated by F1 (typically 1.5 l/min) and F2 (typically 8.0 l/min) on the mimic diagram.

Set the compressor motor speed to 50% (typically 3200 RPM) then click
‘Compressor On’ (1). The compressor will run at 3000 RPM for 30 seconds then
change to the set speed. Check that refrigerant flows around the system indicated by
the variable area flowmeter F3 on the RA1-MKII.

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Configure the sample options as ‘Automatic / 10 seconds intervals’ and click the
“GO” button to log the readings from the sensors. View the graphs of T1, T3 & T7 on
the primary Y axis and P1 & P2 on the secondary Y axis.

Let the system run until the temperatures and pressures are reasonably stable then
reduce the speed of the evaporator water pump by 10%, wait for the system to
stabilise then click the “GO” button once to log the parameters.

Repeat the procedure reducing the evaporator water pump speed in steps of 10% to
reduce the flow through the evaporator to the minimum of 2.5 l/min. Note: If the flow
drops below 2 l/min or any of the warnings appear in the low temperature alarm may
operate before this depending on ambient conditions.)

Return the evaporator water pump speed to 60% and allow the system to settle.

If time permits change the flow of water through the condenser then optimise the flow
of water through the evaporator to suit.

Results
View the table of results and compare the changes in the system as the flow through
the evaporator is reduced.

Using a spreadsheet or plotting graphs independently using data obtained when

conditions have stabilised at each setting of compressor speed:

Plot the graph of Coefficient of Performance against evaporator water flowrate (F2).

Conclusion
Discuss what happens to the system when the water flow rate in the evaporator is
changed.

Is there an optimum flow rate for greatest performance in the evaporator?

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