Curtin

University
Department of Mechanical Engineering

Advanced Refrigeration System Design

Lab Report







By:
Name: Dhruv Patel
Student Id: 18109775
Lecturer: Dr Chris Ford
Date Performed: 12th October 2017
Due Date: 19th October 2017





Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction ........................................................................................................................ 1
2.0 Results ................................................................................................................................... 2
2.1 Question 1. Identify the major components of the small condensing unit. ............. 2
2.2 Question 2. Calculate the coefficient of performance of both the unit. .................... 3
2.3 Question 3. Calculate the overall coefficient of performance and total condense
power absorbed. ....................................................................................................................................... 4
2.4 Question 4. Recalculate the CoP and total compressor power absorbed for the
cascade system. ......................................................................................................................................... 5
3.0 Discussion ............................................................................................................................ 6
4.0 Appendix ............................................................................................................................... 7


Table of Figures

Figure 1 Small Condensing Unit .................................................................................................................. 2

Figure 2 Schematic diagram of R134a Refrigeration system (cool room) ............................... 3
Figure 3 Schematic diagram of R404a Refrigeration system (Freezer) .................................... 3
Figure 4 Schematic Diagram of Cascade system .................................................................................. 5
List of Tables

Table 1 Laboratory Readings ....................................................................................................................... 3

Table 2 Results obtained for R134a and R404a Refrigerant system .......................................... 4
Table 3 Overall CoP of refrigeration system and total compressor power absorbed .......... 4




1.0 Introduction
Refrigeration is used in many application such as preservation of materials or food. This
lab session focuses on the operation of a refrigeration unit, particularly the coefficient of
performance of the system.

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2.0 Results
2.1 Question 1. Identify the major components of the small condensing unit.

Figure 1 Small Condensing Unit

Condenser: In refrigeration system, condenser liquefy the superheated refrigerant gas

sucked by compressor from the evaporator, into saturated liquid states. In condensation
process, the heat will flow form condenser to the surrounding ambient only if the
condensation temperature is higher than ambient temperature or in some case cooling
water is used as coolant.

Oil Separator: The oil separator is the vertical container installed in the compressor
discharge line which store oil temporarily in an oil reservoir built into to the bottom
part of the container before it returns to the compressor. Its main function is to remove
oil from the discharge gases s it leaves the compressor.

Liquid Receiver: The primary function of a liquid receiver is to store fluid refrigerant.
It provides continuous flow fluid refrigerant to the expansion valve and provide tankage
for the refrigerant charge during system maintenance or service.

Dual Pressure Switch: It act as a control device which is used as a safety control.
Whenever the discharge pressure of the compressor becomes excessive or drops down
the compressor is stopped by cutting he power supply to prevent the possible damage.

Compressor: The compressor compresses the low-temperature and low-pressure
refrigerant vapour draw from evaporator, through a suction line. Its main function is to
transform low-temperature refrigerant vapour to high –temperature vapour
(superheated), increases pressure.

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 2.2 Question 2. Calculate the coefficient of performance of both the unit.
Table 1 Laboratory Readings

Readings/notes R134a R404a

Compressor intake pressure (kPa) 224.106 279.264
Compressor discharge pressure (kPa) 775.686 1616.85
Compressor intake temperature (oC) 19.8 16
Compressor discharge temperature (oC) 46.5 40
Condenser exit temperature (oC) 26 27
Room temperature (oC) 5.1 -18

The schematic diagram and the results of R134a and R404a refrigeration system is
shown below:

Figure 2 Schematic diagram of R134a Refrigeration system (cool room)

Figure 3 Schematic diagram of R404a Refrigeration system (Freezer)

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Table 2 Results obtained for R134a and R404a Refrigerant system

Readings R134a R404a

Compressor intake pressure 224.106 280kPa
Compressor discharge pressure 775.686 1600kPa
CoP 4.72 2.35
m 0.0622 kg/s 0.0918 kg/s
Win 2.12 kW 6.38 kW

2.3 Question 3. Calculate the overall coefficient of performance and total
condense power absorbed.
The overall CoP of refrigeration system and total compressor power absorbed is shown
table below. Calculation is shown in appendix.

Table 3 Overall CoP of refrigeration system and total compressor power absorbed

Readings R134a R404a

Qref 10 kWR 10 kWR
m 0.0622 kg/s 0.0918 kg/s
Win 2.12 kW 6.38 kW
Overall Cop 3.13
Total Compressor Power Absorbed WT 6.38 kW

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 2.4 Question 4. Recalculate the CoP and total compressor power absorbed
for the cascade system.

Figure 4 Schematic Diagram of Cascade system

The results obtained for the cascade system is shown below. The calculation is shown in
appendix.
Low Stage High stage
Readings Side Load
System system
Qref 10 kWR 10 kWR 11.55 KWR
m 0.0639 kg/s 0.0622 kg/s 0.0718 kg/s
Win 1.55 kW 4.57 kW
Overall Cop 3.27
Total Compressor Power
Absorbed WT
6.12 kW

3.0 Discussion
To make calculation simpler and to avoid many interpolation the pressure values
measured during the laboratory session is altered to the nearest pressure values of the
properties table. Table 2 shows the nearest pressure values used to perform calculation
for R134a and R404a refrigeration unit and the difference between both the values
were quite negligible.

Although the calculations were performed with high accuracy, the readings obtained
from the actual refrigeration system is not equal to the those obtained from the ideal
refrigeration system. The differences in the values may be due to inaccuracy of the
measuring equipment, the method used and any assumption made, which will impact
the calculated CoP values. The one of the assumption made as there is no pressure
losses through pipework or heat exchanger, which will result in a greater CoP values.
Both the condenser intake and discharge temperature were measured using infrared
thermometer. While recording the temperature values it was observed asbestos
insulation around the pipe, this allows air to transfer through, forming condensation
around pipe. Also, thermometer was not in contact with the refrigerant, it was
separated by the inner wall of the pipe and insulation surrounding the pipe. Thus, due
to the poor insulation and the pocket of air surrounding the thermometer, results into
the increased and reduced temperature readings. While reading the gauges, human
errors will also influence the readings recorded. Due to all this factor, difference in
temperature value is observed between calculated and the measured values.

Also, the data used for the calculation was for the actual refrigeration system (taking
into consideration pressure losses through pipe work and heat exchanger, pressure
drop due to friction etc.) but the calculations were made without considering these
considerations. The CoP is the benefit over the cost and indicates the systems efficiency
in energy usage, increasing the work input will decreases CoP . The CoP obtained for the
R134a system is 4.72 and CoP obtained for R404a is 2.35. The CoP of the system is
dependent on the amount of work applied to the working fluid in compression. For
R134a and R404a refrigeration unit the work input is 2.12 kW and 6.38kW respectively.
Thus, the CoP for R404a is less than R134a because of the higher work input of R404a
system as it requires to compress high temperature differences. Therefore, the overall
CoP of the system is 3.13.

The CoP obtained for cascade system is 3.27, which is less than the expected CoP of the
cascade system. The CoP of the cascade system is expected to be higher than the overall
single stage refrigeration system. This is due to the design of the cascade system, where
the evaporator of the high stage system (higher temperature) serve as condenser for
the low stage system (low temperature). This, means that the work done by the
compressor decreases hence improving the CoP of the system. Du to marginal errors in
the calculation, the results obtained are slightly off (0.6% lower). Therefore, it is
recommended that the cascade system is more efficient but due to the cost of system it
is not advisable to upgrade the system.

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4.0 Appendix
The necessary calculations are shown below:

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