WENTWORTH INSTITUTE of TECHNOLOGY

MECHANICAL ENGINEERING TECHNOLOGY LABORATORIES

EXPERIMENT #8

EXPERIMENT TITLE: ​Vapor Compression Refrigeration System

INSTRUCTOR: ​Mansour Zenouzi

GROUP MEMBERS: GRADING:

Kurt Wiessmeyer (Data, Results) Abstract:________________

Keven Fuertes (Conclusion, English Mechanics) Introduction:_____________

Sean Fogarty (Abstract, Introduction) Procedure:_______________

Nicholas Tetreault (Procedure, Sample Calc’s, Plots,

Results:_________________

Diagrams, Results) Data:___________________

Sample Calc’s:_________

Diagrams:_____________

Graphs:_______________

Conclusions:_____________

English Mechanics:________

DATE REPORT

SUBMITTED:​ 12/05/2017
GRADE:​______________ GROUP LEADER:​_____________

Abstract:
A vapor refrigeration cycle is similar to a power cycle if the goal were reversed. Instead
of introducing heat to a system to produce work, a refrigeration cycle requires work in order to
move heat from one location to another.
An Ideal refrigeration cycle consists, mainly, of two heat exchangers, a compressor, and
an expansion valve. The process begins as the compressor produces high density vapor which is
lead into the first heat exchanger. Now that the vapor is much denser than the air, the specific
heat has increased due to the reduction in volume. This causes much of the heat to be rejected by
the system while in the first heat exchanger.
The vapor then travels through the expansion valve which increases the volume of the
substance. With an increased volume and reduced enthalpy, the vapor is able to absorb a great
deal of heat through the second heat exchanger. The vapor is then lead into the compressor and
the cycle repeats.

Introduction:
The vapor compression refrigeration cycle takes advantage of multiple stages of the
working fluid. Because fluids have a much larger thermal mass than air, they are able to absorb a
great deal more heat and transfer this heat in a useful manor.
After the air is taken in by the fan and processed by the compressor, it is taken in by the
condenser. The condenser works by compacting the vapor of the working fluid into a liquid
stage. Now in liquid form, the substance has a great deal more heat per unit volume, and thus
higher temperature, than the surroundings. This allows it to transfer a great deal of heat to a
desired location outside of the system. The fluid then enters the expansion valve.
When the working fluid enters the evaporator, it does so in liquid-vapor form and at a
lower temperature than the surrounding air. Because of this temperature difference, the fluid is
able to absorb latent heat from the surroundings and become a nearly uniform vapor. In this
stage, heat is drawn in form the surroundings in order to obtain a vaporous state of the working
fluid and increase the functionality of the refrigeration cycle.
The vapor compression refrigeration cycle is able to operate by taking advantage of the
evaporation and condensation properties of the working fluid. When the fluid is condensed to a
liquid stage, the heat per unit volume goes up dramatically, producing a greater temperature.
Likewise, when the fluid is evaporated, it absorbs heat and is allowed to take a gaseous state.
While in this state, it is able to absorb a great deal of heat from the surrounding environment
very quickly, making the refrigeration process more effective.

Procedure:
 1. Visually inspect the system and identify all components.
2. Attach thermocouple leads so that temperatures can be read at different points.
3. Start up the unit and let it run until a steady state is reached. At this condition the
temperatures and pressures will not be changing. (About 15 min).
4. After the system stabilizes, record the temperatures and pressures at the specified system
points.
5. Record the temperatures and pressures at 10 min intervals for a test run of 30 minutes.
6. Shut off the unit.

Diagrams:

Figure 1 - Hampden Air Conditioning Demonstrator

Data:
Run 1 Pressure (psig) Temperature (F)

Location 0 min 10 min 20 min 30 min 0 min 10 min 20 min 30 min

Compressor Suction -- 67.9 -- -- -- 76.9 -- --

Compressor Discharge -- 83.6 -- -- -- 146.6 -- --

Condenser inlet -- 83.6 -- -- -- 146.6 -- --

Condenser outlet -- 83.6 -- -- -- 76.9 -- --

Expansion valve inlet -- 83.6 -- -- -- 76.9 -- --

Expansion valve outlet -- 67.9 -- -- -- 83.9 -- --

Evaporator inlet -- 67.9 -- -- -- 83.9 -- --

Evaporator outlet -- 67.9 -- -- -- 76.9 -- --

Table 1 - Run 1, 100% Blower Speed, 977.1 fpm, 252 mL/min refrigerant, 835 Watts

Run 2 Pressure (psig) Temperature (F)

Location 0 min 10 min 20 min 30 min 0 min 10 min 20 min 30 min

Compressor Suction -- 71.0 -- -- -- 83.1 -- --

Compressor Discharge -- 86.0 -- -- -- 150.1 -- --

Condenser inlet -- 86.0 -- -- -- 150.1 -- --

Condenser outlet -- 86.0 -- -- -- 77.6 -- --

Expansion valve inlet -- 86.0 -- -- -- 77.6 -- --

Expansion valve outlet -- 71.0 -- -- -- 76.9 -- --

Evaporator inlet -- 71.0 -- -- -- 76.9 -- --

Evaporator outlet -- 71.0 -- -- -- 83.1 -- --

 Table 2 - Run 2, 70% Blower Speed, 828.78 fpm, 390 mL/min refrigerant, 850 Watts

Temperature (F) Evaporator inlet (F) Evaporator outlet (F) Duct exit (F)

Tdb 72 92.6 98.9

Twb 68.9 76.9 76.1

Results:
Location Pressure (psia) Temperature (°F) Enthalpy (BTU/lb)

Compressor Suction 82.6 76.9 113.10

Compressor Discharge 98.3 146.6 58.98

Condenser Inlet 98.3 146.6 58.98

Condenser Outlet 98.3 76.9 36.05

Expansion Valve Inlet 98.3 76.9 36.05

Expansion Valve Outlet 82.6 83.9 36.93

Evaporator Inlet 82.6 83.9 36.93

Evaporator Outlet 82.6 76.9 113.10

Table 4 - Calculated Results for 100% Blower Speed

Location Pressure (psia) Temperature (°F) Enthalpy (BTU/lb)

Compressor Suction 85.7 83.1 114.90

Compressor Discharge 100.7 150.1 63.04

Condenser Inlet 100.7 150.1 63.04

Condenser Outlet 100.7 77.6 34.74

Expansion Valve Inlet 100.7 77.6 34.74

Expansion Valve Outlet 85.7 76.9 35.95

Evaporator Inlet 85.7 76.9 35.95

 Evaporator Outlet 85.7 83.1 114.90
Table 5 - Calculated Results for 70% Blower Speed

Run COP

Blower at 100% 1.407

Blower at 70% 1.522

Table 6 - Calculated Coefficient of Performance for each Run

Sample Calculations:
P a = P g + 14.7psi
P a = 67.9psig + 14.7psi
P a = 82.6psia

q in
C OP = wnet
= Evaporator Outlet−Evaporator Inlet
W ork of Compressor
(113.1−36.93) BTlbU
C OP = (113.1−58.98) BT I
lb

C OP = 1.407

Plots:
 Figure 2 - P-H Diagram for Both Runs

Conclusions:
Overall, the lab was successful in the sense that the objective of finding the coefficient of
performance, as well as a P-h diagram of the cycle, were evaluated and found using the enthalpy
different between the inlet and outlet of the evaporator. The P-h diagram accurately represents
the vapor compression refrigeration system and follows that of predictions made before-hand. It
was also determine that at a 70% blower speed, the coefficient of performance yielded a higher
rating, whereas 100% blower speed was smaller. This shows that this system operates more
efficiently at a slightly lower blow speed than at a maximum operating speed. However, to
determine the most efficient blower speed, more tests would have to be ran at a larger range of
blower speeds.