EXPERIMENT 4 HEAT PUMP

TABLE OF CONTENT

1. ABSTRACT 1
2. OBJECTIVE 2
3. RESULT & DISCUSSION 3
4. CONCLUSION & RECOMMENDATION 6
5. REFERENCES 7
6. APPENDICES 8

CLB 20403 THERMODYNAMICS SEPTEMBER 2018

EXPERIMENT 4 HEAT PUMP

1.0 ABSTRACT

The purpose of this experiment is to produce the performance curve of heat pump over
a range of source and delivery temperature. In this experiment, an equipment called SOLTEQ
Mechanical Heat Pump (Model: HE165) was used. Heat pump is a device that absorbs heat
from waste source or surroundings to produce valuable heat on a higher temperature level
than the heat source. This equipment used the principle of vapour compression cycle which
used refrigerant as the working fluid that passes through all components such as compressor,
evaporator and condenser. Throughout the experiment, I showed that in graph constructed,
coefficient of performance (COP) against the cooling water outlet temperature, TT6, it is clearly
plotted that the values of COP are never less than one and inversely proportional. This is
because, as the value of COP is decreasing, the ratio of total heat delivered by the heat pump
to the amount of electricity needed to drive the heat pump is also decreasing. Based on theory,
the useful heat is always greater than the amount of work put into the system. So, the electrical
energy used is an efficient source. There were few recommendations made in order to get
more accurate results in the future such as increased the COP by using the VAR system,
improving the equipment design and change the actual system.

CLB 20403 THERMODYNAMICS SEPTEMBER 2018

EXPERIMENT 4 HEAT PUMP

2.0 OBJECTIVE

The objective of this experiment was:

1. To produce the performance curve of heat pump over a range of source and delivery
temperature.

CLB 20403 THERMODYNAMICS SEPTEMBER 2018

EXPERIMENT 4 HEAT PUMP

3.0 RESULT
4.0 DISCUSSION

In this experiment, SOLTEQ Mechanical Heat Pump (Model: HE165) was used to
create the performance curve of heat pump over a range of source and delivery temperatures.
This mechanical heat pump is using the principle of vapour compression cycle which use
refrigerant as the working fluid that passes through all components such as compressor,
evaporator and condenser. This type of heat pump is used widely in industrial sector as it
moves heat instead of generating heat, giving more energy efficiency. Also, it is powered by
electricity, so it can save substantially on fuel consumption (1).

Figure 1 The process flow of the refrigerant in heat pump.

The cycle begins in the compressor where pressure low, low temperature gas is
compressed to a high pressure, high temperature super-heated vapours. This vapour flows
into first heat exchanger; condenser that will allow this high pressure, high temperature
refrigerant to reject heat causing the refrigerant to condense into a saturated liquid. The
refrigerant moves across an expansion valve into a second heat exchanger; evaporator. Inside
this heat exchanger, heat is absorbed by the refrigerant. This absorbed heat causes the liquid
refrigerant to boil off into a completely vaporized state (Industrial Heat Pumps, n.d).

CLB 20403 THERMODYNAMICS SEPTEMBER 2018

EXPERIMENT 4 HEAT PUMP

Table 1 Result recorded

Test 1 2 3 4 5
Cooling water 80 48 40 24 2.0
flowrate, FT2 %
Cooling water 4.0 2.4 2.0 1.2 1.0
flowrate, FT2, LPM
Cooling water inlet 30.7 30.8 30.9 31.0 31.2
temperature, TT5 °C
Cooling water outlet 35.0 37.9 43.0 44.3 47.2
temperature, TT6 °C
Compressor power 311 318 335 343 353
input, W

Based on table 1, the flowrate of the cooling water, the temperature of cooling water
for inlet and outlet and compressor power input has been recorded and a total of 5 tests were
conducted. the temperature recorded for TT5 are in fixed range between 30-31oc while
temperature recorded for TT6 are increasing because the cooling water flow are used to let
the high pressure, high temperature refrigerant to reject heat and let the refrigerant to
condense.

60

50

40
TT6

30

20

10 y = -10.59x + 77.255
R² = 0.9342

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3 3.5 4 4.5
Cophp

Figure 2 Coefficient of Performance against cooling water outlet temperature, TT6

CLB 20403 THERMODYNAMICS SEPTEMBER 2018

EXPERIMENT 4 HEAT PUMP

When analysing heat pump theory, one does well to consider the coefficient of
performance (COP). The COP of heat pumps is never less than 1. The useful heat is always
greater than the amount of work put into the system. So, the electrical energy that is used to
drive the compressor is an efficient source of mechanical work that converts into heat.

As it clearly plotted from graph 1, the values of COP are never less than one and
inversely proportional. The value of R2 is near to 1 and shows data collected are fitted to the
regression line. As the value of COP is decreasing, the ratio of total heat delivered by the heat
pump to the amount of electricity needed to drive the heat pump is also decreasing.

Hence, there are several errors that might occurred during run this experiment were
from the result this system cannot be considered as ideal cycle because it is not possible to
achieve the theoretical results in real life as many aspects need to be considered. Next, the
limitation by using refrigerant as it will contribute a greenhouse effect in case of leakage and
when low amount of water flow through condenser more energy will be wasted.

CLB 20403 THERMODYNAMICS SEPTEMBER 2018

EXPERIMENT 4 HEAT PUMP

5.0 CONCLUSION

The expectation of this experiment was to produce the performance curve of heat
pump over a range of source and delivery temperatures. 5 times of test were recorded as to
saw the different when conducted the experiment. Besides, it can be concluded from the
plotted graph that the expectation for this experiment was achieved as the result same with
the theory stated that the COP value never be less than one and the value of R2 also below
than one which was 0.9342.

Furthermore, there are several recommendations that can be carried out to reduce the
problem that might occurred during run the experiment. The CO2 refrigerant performance
shows better efficiency and reduced environmental impact. First, the COP can be increased
by using double effect VAR system, other attempts have been made to improve the
performance of the present experimental system. Next, to obtain satisfactory results, further
modifications with improved design of certain components in the present system are required.
Besides, designers need to bring changes in the actual system for optimum performance and
less wastage of energy. Lastly, the CO2 refrigerant is best replacement for globally used
artificial refrigerants.

CLB 20403 THERMODYNAMICS SEPTEMBER 2018

EXPERIMENT 4 HEAT PUMP

6.0 REFERENCE

1. Hundy, J. (n.d.). Vapour Compression Cycle - Understanding Refrigeration. Retrieved

from: http://www.alephzero.co.uk/ref/vapcomcyc.htm [September 12, 2018].

2. Industrial Heat Pumps. (n.d.). Heat pumps. Retrieved from:

http://industrialheatpumps.nl/en/how_it_works/ [September 12, 2018].

CLB 20403 THERMODYNAMICS SEPTEMBER 2018