REFRIGERATION LABORATORY UNIT

1. INTRODUCTION
Heat is transferred in the direction of decreasing temperature, that is, from high-temperature
mediums to low-temperature ones. This heat transfer process occurs in nature without requiring
any devices. The reverse process, however, cannot occur by itself. The transfer of heat from a
low temperature medium to a high temperature one requires special devices called refrigerators.
Refrigerators, like heat engines, are cyclic devices. The working fluid used in the refrigeration
cycle is called a refrigerant [1]. For a refrigerator to obey the second law of thermodynamics,
work input must be introduced into the process. The refrigerator used in this experiment is called
R713 refrigeration unit which uses vapor-compression cycle. Fig. 1 shows a typical vapor-
compression refrigerator cycle.
The refrigerator involves four processes which are compression, condensation, expansion
and evaporation. The working fluid used is refrigerant-134a. At first, the refrigerant enters a
compressor at low pressure and low temperature. Work is being input to compress the refrigerant
adiabatically, increasing its pressure and temperature. The hot refrigerant will then flow into a
condenser. The refrigerant will be exposed to a lower temperature region where heat energy will
be transferred from the refrigerant to the surrounding. The refrigerant condenses and leaves the
condenser at high pressure and low temperature. The refrigerant will then flow into a throttling
valve in the expansion process. The pressure and the temperature of the refrigerant will decrease
due to the throttling effect. Lastly, the cold refrigerant enters evaporator which is in contact of
the refrigerated space. Heat energy from the refrigerated space will be absorbed by the low
temperature refrigerant. The refrigerant then leaves the evaporator into the compressor again
which completes one cycle. In a household refrigerator, the freezer compartment where heat is
absorbed by the refrigerant serves as the evaporator, and the coils, usually behind the refrigerator
where heat is dissipated to the kitchen air, serve as the condenser (Fig. 2). Amongst many types
of refrigeration cycles, vapor compression refrigeration cycles are the most broadly used cycle
for household refrigerators due to its high flexibility. Despite the importance, refrigerators are
known for their high energy consumption alongside air conditioning systems. This is mainly
because of the around the clock operation and the complexity of the individual mechanical and
electrical components with in the refrigerator. Therefore, it has become a necessity to optimize
the performance of a refrigerator so that the global energy consumption could also be positively
impacted.

2. OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this experiment is to analyze the relationship of the refrigeration load and
determine the performance of the main components of the refrigeration unit. The refrigeration
load is manipulated by changing the voltage supplied. The unit enables students to plot the
pressure-enthalpy and performance graphs as conditions are changed, so enhancing their
understanding of the theory.

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3. THEORY
The objective of a refrigerator is to maintain the refrigerated space at a low temperature by
removing heat from it. Discharging this heat to a higher-temperature medium is merely a
necessary part of the operation, not the purpose. The most frequently used refrigeration cycle is
the vapor-compression refrigeration cycle (for refrigerators, air-conditioning systems, and heat
pumps), which involves four main components: a compressor, a condenser, an expansion valve,
and an evaporator, as shown in Fig. 1. It consists of four processes:

1-2 Isentropic compression in a compressor

2-3 Constant-pressure heat rejection in a condenser
3-4 Throttling in an expansion device
4-1 Constant-pressure heat absorption in an evaporator

Fig. 1. Schematic, 𝑇- 𝑠 and 𝑃- ℎ diagrams for the ideal vapor-compression refrigeration cycle

Fig. 2. An ordinary household refrigerator [1]

The rate of heat energy absorbed by the refrigerant at evaporator and the rate of heat energy
rejected by the refrigerant at condenser are calculated. The calculation can be done by applying
the first law of thermodynamics which states that energy cannot be destroyed or created, it can
only change its form [2].
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 Noting that energy can be transferred by heat, work, and mass only, the energy balance in
equation 1 for a general steady-flow system can also be written more explicitly as:
𝑉2 𝑉2
𝑄̇𝑖𝑛 + 𝑊̇𝑖𝑛 + ∑ 𝑚̇ (ℎ + ̇ ̇
+ 𝑔𝑧) = 𝑄𝑜𝑢𝑡 + 𝑊𝑜𝑢𝑡 + ∑ 𝑚̇ (ℎ + + 𝑔𝑧) (1)
2 2
𝑖𝑛 𝑜𝑢𝑡

To measure the efficiency of the refrigerator, coefficient of performance can be used.

Coefficient of performance is the ratio of heat absorbed to the energy input [1]. The coefficient
of performance, COP can be calculated using the formula:
𝐷𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡
𝐶𝑂𝑃 = (2)
𝑅𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡

Notice that the value of COPR can be greater than unity. That is, the amount of heat removed
from the refrigerated space can be greater than the amount of work input. This is in contrast to
the thermal efficiency, which can never be greater than 1. In fact, one reason for expressing the
efficiency of a refrigerator with another term—the coefficient of performance—is the desire to
avoid the oddity of having efficiencies greater than unity.
An actual vapor-compression refrigeration cycle differs from the ideal one in several ways,
owing mostly to the irreversibilities that occur in various components. Two common sources of
irreversibilities are fluid friction (causes pressure drops) and heat transfer to or from the
surroundings.
In the ideal cycle, the refrigerant leaves the evaporator and enters the compressor as saturated
vapor. In practice, however, it may not be possible to control the state of the refrigerant so
precisely. Instead, it is easier to design the system so that the refrigerant is slightly superheated
at the compressor inlet. This slight overdesign ensures that the refrigerant is completely
vaporized when it enters the compressor. Also, the line connecting the evaporator to the
compressor is usually very long; thus the pressure drop caused by fluid friction and heat transfer
from the surroundings to the refrigerant can be very significant. The result of superheating, heat
gain in the connecting line, and pressure drops in the evaporator and the connecting line is an
increase in the specific volume, thus an increase in the power input requirements to the
compressor since steady-flow work is proportional to the specific volume.
The compression process in the ideal cycle is internally reversible and adiabatic, and thus
isentropic. The refrigerant is assumed to leave the condenser as saturated liquid at the compressor
exit pressure. However, it is unavoidable to have some pressure drop in the condenser as well as
in the lines connecting the condenser to the compressor and to the throttling valve. Also, it is not
easy to execute the condensation process with such precision that the refrigerant is a saturated
liquid at the end, and it is undesirable to route the refrigerant to the throttling valve before the
refrigerant is completely condensed. Therefore, the refrigerant is subcooled somewhat before it
enters the throttling valve. We do not mind this at all, however, since the refrigerant in this case
enters the evaporator with a lower enthalpy and thus can absorb more heat from the refrigerated
space. The throttling valve and the evaporator are usually located very close to each other, so the
pressure drop in the connecting line is small.

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4. EXPERIMENTAL RIG
The experimental set up is based on Figs. 3 and 4. This experiment’s aim is to find out how
the refrigeration load affects the major components in a refrigeration system. This experiment uses
refrigeration laboratory unit. Before starting the experiment, the refrigeration unit must be checked
to be in proper conditions. The water inlet and drain of the refrigeration unit are connected to a
water supply in the laboratory. The water must be supplied before the refrigeration unit is turned
on to prevent overheating. The water flow rate is fixed at 20 g/s. The refrigeration unit is then
turned on and the input is switched from the motor to evaporator. The voltage supplied to the
evaporator heaters is adjusted to 100 V. The current supplied is measured and recorded using the
amperemeter. When the refrigeration unit is running, the surface of the expansion valve should not
be touched to prevent potential heat loss. The compressor power must be kept constant using the
dynamometer. The refrigeration unit is left to run for at least 3 minutes to make sure that the unit
has completed a cycle. The temperature, T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6 are measured and recorded using
the temperature indicator. The pressure of the evaporator and the condenser are measured and
recorded. The refrigerant flow rate indicated by the flowmeter is recorded. The experiment is then
repeated with voltage supplied to the evaporator heaters at 150 V and 200 V.

Fig. 3. Diagram of the experimental rig [2]

The refrigeration load can be calculated using the formula:

𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑙𝑜𝑎𝑑 = 𝑉 ∙ 𝐼 (3)

where,

V=Voltage, V

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I= Current, A
The absolute pressure, Pabsolute can be calculated using the formula:
𝑃𝑎𝑏𝑠𝑜𝑙𝑢𝑡𝑒 = 𝑃𝑔𝑎𝑢𝑔𝑒 + 𝑃𝑎𝑡𝑚 (4)

where,
Pabsolute = Absolute pressure, kPa
Pgauge = Gauge pressure, kPa
The rate of heat absorbed from the refrigerated space, 𝑄̇𝐿 can be calculated using:

𝑄̇𝐿 = 𝑚̇𝑟 ∙ (ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑡 − ℎ𝑖𝑛 ) (5)

where,

𝑄̇𝐿 = Rate of heat absorbed from the refrigerated space, kW

𝑚̇𝑟 = Mass flow rate of refrigerant, kg/s

hin = Enthalpy of refrigerant at evaporator inlet, kJ/kg

hout = Enthalpy of refrigerant at evaporator outlet, kJ/kg

The rate of heat rejected to the surrounding, 𝑄̇𝐻 can be calculated using formula:

𝑄̇𝐻 = 𝑚̇𝑟 ∙ (ℎ𝑖𝑛 − ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑡 ) (6)

where, 𝑄̇𝐻 = Rate of heat rejected to the surrounding, kW

𝑚̇𝑟 = Mass flow rate of refrigerant, kg/s

hin = Enthalpy of refrigerant at condenser inlet, kJ/kg

hout = Enthalpy of refrigerant at condenser outlet, kJ/kg

The power input for compressor, 𝑊̇𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝 can be calculated using the formula:

𝑊̇𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝 = 𝑚̇𝑟 ∙ (ℎ𝑜𝑢𝑡 − ℎ𝑖𝑛 ) or 𝑊̇𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝 = 𝑄̇𝐻 − 𝑄̇𝐿 (7)

where,

𝑊̇𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝 = Power input for compressor, kW

𝑚̇𝑟 = Mass flow rate of refrigerant, kg/s

hin = Enthalpy of refrigerant at compressor inlet, kJ/kg

hout = Enthalpy of refrigerant at compressor outlet, kJ/kg

In calculations, the enthalpy values will be obtained from the log 𝑃- ℎ diagram (see Appendix).

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 Fig. 4. Refrigeration Laboratory Unit [2]

5. CALCULATIONS and MEASUREMENTS

5.1 Refrigerant in the System
Refrigerants that are friendly to the ozone layer that protects the earth from harmful ultraviolet
rays have been developed. The once-popular refrigerant R-12 has been replaced by the chlorine-
free R-134a. The refrigerant R134a was used as a working fluid. Refrigerant 134a used in the
refrigerator has a great chemical and thermal stability, low toxicity and is non-flammable, besides
having an excellent compatibility with most materials [3]. It is widely used in automobile air
conditioners and household refrigerators. It is also widely used in the industrial and commercial
chillers in addition to transport in positive temperatures. The mass flow rate of refrigerant (𝑚̇ 𝑟 )
cycled within the present system can be read on refrigerant flow meter (rotameter) as g/s directly.

5.2. Calculation of Cooling Capacity and Performance

All four components associated with the vapor-compression refrigeration cycle are steady-
flow devices, and thus all four processes that make up the cycle can be analyzed as steady-flow
processes. The kinetic and potential energy changes of the refrigerant are usually small relative to
the work and heat transfer terms, and therefore they can be neglected in equation 1. The condenser
and the evaporator do not involve any work, and the compressor can be approximated as adiabatic.

The coefficient of performance of the refrigeration unit, COPR is calculated using:

𝐷𝑒𝑠𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑢𝑡𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝐶𝑜𝑜𝑙𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡

𝐶𝑂𝑃 = = (8)
𝑅𝑒𝑞𝑢𝑖𝑟𝑒𝑑 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡 𝑊𝑜𝑟𝑘 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡

𝑄̇𝐿
𝐶𝑂𝑃𝑅 = (9)
𝑊̇𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝

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6. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE
1. The experiment setup is based on the Figs. 3 and 4.
2. All instruments are checked to be in a proper condition before starting the experiment.
3. The water inlet and drain are checked to be connected to the water supply.
4. The water flow rate is fixed at 20 g/s.
5. The refrigeration unit is switched on and the input is switched to evaporator input from motor
input.
6. The voltage of the evaporator heaters is adjusted to 100 V. The current is measured and
recorded using the amperemeter.
7. The compressor power is kept constant according to the dynamometer.
8. The refrigeration unit is allowed to run for 3 minutes to allow the unit to complete one cycle.
9. The temperature, T1 to T6 are measured and recorded using the temperature indicator.
10. The pressure of the evaporator and the condenser are recorded.
11. The refrigerant flow rate is recorded.
12. Steps 6 to 11 are repeated with voltage of the evaporator at 150 V and 200 V.
13. All data is recorded and tabulated in a table.

Table 1. Tabulated results of current, temperature, pressure of evaporator and pressure of

condenser and refrigerant flow rate at different voltage

Test No

Unit 1 2 3 4 5 6
Voltage V

Current A

T1 C

T2 C

T3 C

T4 C

T5 C

T6 C

Pressure of evaporator kPa

Pressure of condenser kPa

Refrigerant flow rate kg/s

Water flow rate kg/s

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Table 2. Tabulated results of rate of heat absorbed, heat rejected, power input and coefficient of
performance at different refrigeration load

Test No

Unit 1 2 3 4 5 6

Refrigeration Load W

Actual value of rate of heat

kW
absorbed
Ideal value of rate of heat
kW
absorbed
Actual value of rate of heat
kW
rejected
Ideal value of rate of heat
kW
rejected
Coefficient of performance
-
of refrigerator (actual)
Coefficient of performance
-
of refrigerator (ideal)

7. PREPARING REPORT
1- For each test, the ideal vapor-compression cycle will be sketched on the 𝑃- ℎ diagram of
R134a (see Appendix).
2- The experimental and the theoretical data will be calculated and presented in Table 2.
3- How does the refrigeration load affect the performance of the refrigeration system?

REFERENCES
1. Çengel, Y. A., Boles M. A. and Kanoğlu, M. “Thermodynamics: An Engineering
Approach”, 10th Ed. McGraw-Hill, 2024.
2. P.A. Hilton Ltd. (1998), Schematic Diagram of R713 Refrigeration Laboratory Unit.
Experimental Operating and Maintenance Manual, Stockbridge, Hampshire.
3. URL, Chapter 9: Refrigerants, Refrigeration Cycles and Refrigeration Systems,
http://www.itcmp.pwr.wroc.pl/~kriogen/Wyklady/PodsChlod/Refrigeration/refrigeratio
n%209.1.pdf

Appendix. Pressure - enthalpy diagram for R134a

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 5
01
0
02 3 0

0.0
R134a Ref :D.P.Wilson & R.S.Basu, ASHRAE Transactions 1988, Vol. 94 part 2. 0 .0 0.00 40
50.00 DTU, Department of Energy Engineering 0.00 0.0050 0.0060

100
s in [kJ/(kg K)]. v in [m^3/kg]. T in [ºC] 0.0070
M.J. Skovrup & H.J.H Knudsen. 06-03-27 100
40.00 0.0080

90
90 0.0090
0.010

.70

80
30.00
80

s=1
0

70
02
0.0 70 0.015
v =
20.00 030

60
= 0. 0 60
v 0.020
040
0.0

50
v=
50
060

40
0.0 0.030
v= 40
10.00 080
9.00 0.0

30
v= 10 0.040
8.00 0.0 30
v=
7.00
5

0.050
0

1.75

20
1.85
1.9

1.9

6.00 20

s=
1.80
015 0.060
0

0.
s=

s=
s=

v=
s=
2 .0

5.00 0.070

10
s=

20 10 0.080
0 .0
4.00 v= 0.090
5

Pressure [Bar]
0.10
2.0

0
30
0.0 0
s=

3.00 v=
0

40
0.0
2.1

v= 0.15

-10
s=

-10
2.00 0
5

0. 06 0.20
v=
2.1
s=

-20
.080
0

v= 0 -20
2.2

.10
0.30
s=

v= 0
1.00
5

-30
0.90 .1 5 -30
2.2

v= 0 0.40
s=

0.80 .20
v= 0
0.70 0.50
0.60

-40
0.60
-40
0.50
x = 0.10 0.20 0.30 0.40 0.50 0.60 0.70 0.80 0.90 -40 -20 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160
s = 1.00 1.20 1.40 1.60
140 160 180 200 220 240 260 280 300 320 340 360 380 400 420 440 460 480 500 520 540 560
Enthalpy [kJ/kg]