Thermodynamics Lab

(Course # 0934345)
First Semester 2024/25
Lab Report

School of Engineering
The University of Jordan, Amman-Jordan

Refrigeration Laboratory
(UNITR714)

By

Kareem Nidal M. Ibrahim 0215928

Kareem Al-Makahleh 0212724
Waleed Al-Azhari 2213249
Hasan Khalil Awad 0218015
Dheif Allah M. Alhanandeh 0214991

Section 2

December 23rd, 2024

1
Abstract
This report analyzes the vapor compression refrigeration cycle through experimental evaluation
of its key components: the evaporator, compressor, and condenser. The Coefficient of
Performance (COP) is determined using direct measurements and enthalpy change rates. A
pressure-enthalpy (P-h) diagram is constructed to assess refrigerant states throughout the cycle.
The findings highlight the system's efficiency and the thermodynamic principles underlying its
operation.

2
Introduction
Refrigeration plays a vital role in industrial, commercial, and household applications by enabling
the transfer of heat from a lower to a higher temperature region using external energy. The vapor
compression refrigeration cycle, widely used for its efficiency, operates through key components:
the evaporator, compressor, and condenser. This experiment examines the performance of a
vapor compression system, evaluates its Coefficient of Performance (COP) through direct
measurements and thermodynamic principles, and analyzes refrigerant behavior using a
pressure-enthalpy (P-h) diagram.
Objective:
1. To study the performance of an actual vapor compression refrigeration cycle, and perform
energy balances on its different components.
2. To evaluate the coefficient of performance using Direct Measurements.
3. To evaluate the coefficient of performance using Enthalpy Change Rate.

Apparatus
- Device Name: Computer-Linked Refrigeration Laboratory Unit - Model RC 714

• Refrigerant: R-134a (Tetrafluoroethane - CF3CH2F)

- Components:

• Belt-driven compressor
• Electrically heated evaporator
• Thermal expansion valve
• Water-cooled condenser

- Operational Features:

• Quick response and stabilization

• Adjustable operating standards

- Built-in Measurements:

• Temperatures
• Pressures (condenser and evaporator)
• Flow rates (refrigerant and cooling water)
• Power (evaporator and motor)
• Motor torque and compressor speed

3
 Figure (1): Refrigeration Unit

Data Collected
Presented below in table (1) are the data collected for the experiment.

Table (1): Data Observed

Refrigeration Laboratory Unit

Test: Constant Condenser Pressure Atmospheric Pressure: 90 kPa

SERIES No. Parameter 1 2 UNITS
1 Condenser Pressure, Pc (abs.) 1089 1089 kPa

2 Evaporator Pressure, Pe (abs.) 405 309 kPa

3 Compressor Suction Temp. (T1) 9.6 2.8 C

Refrigerant
4 Compressor Delivery Temp. (T2) 54.7 53.3 C
HFC134a
5 Refrigerant Leaving the Cond. (T3) 33.4 34.2 C

6 Evaporator Inlet Temp. (T4) 8.5 1.5 C

7 R134a Flow Rate (ṁR ) 6.7 6 g/s

4
 8 Cooling water inlet Temp. (T5) 23.7 23.4 C
Water
Condenser 9 Cooling water outlet Temp. (T6) 31 34 C
Cooling
10 Water Flow Rate, (ṁw ) 40 20 g/s

11 Evaporator Heat input, Q̇ e 1135 755 Watt

12 Motor Input, Ẇm 525 500 Watt

Others 13 Spring Balance Force (F) 15 14.5 N

14 Compressor Speed (nc) 740 750 rpm

15 Motor speed (nm = 1.98 × nc) 1465.2 1485 rpm

Results
Presented below in table (2) are the findings of the experiment, followed by figure (2) showing Pressure
vs enthalpy.
Table (2): Summary of Results

No. Compressor Evaporator Condenser COP

parameters

Q'
Ps Pf Pi Ph Q' e,1 Q' e,2 Q' c,1 Q' c,2 COP R,act
rad+conv

1 379.56006 126.52002 253.04004 200.33 179.23006 1135 1055.92 1220.56 1256.25 5.270903

2 371.86628 128.22975 243.63653 192 179.866275 755 916.98 886.16 1108.98 4.7759375

Table (3): First Trail

Pressure Enthalpy
State
kPa kJ/kg
1 405 256.1
2 1089 286
3 1089 98.5
4 405 98.5

5
 P-h Diagram
1200 3 2

1000

800

600

4 1
400

200

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300 350

Figure (2): Pressure vs enthalpy for first trail

Table (4): Second Trail

Pressure Enthalpy
State
kPa kJ/kg
1 309 252.5
2 1089 284.5
3 1089 99.67
4 309 99.67

P-h Diagram
1200 2
3
1000

800

600

400 4
1
200

0
0 50 100 150 200 250 300

Figure (3): Pressure vs enthalpy for second trail

6
Sample of Calculations
For Trail 1

- Compressor Shaft Power

2𝜋 × 𝑛𝑐 × 1.98
𝑃𝑠 = 𝑇 × 𝜔 = 𝐹 × 𝑟 ×
60
2𝜋 × 740 × 1.98
𝑃𝑠 = 15 × 0.165 ×
60
∴ 𝑃𝑠 = 379.56 𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑡

- Compressor Friction Power

2𝜋 × 𝑛𝑐 × 1.98
𝑃𝑓 = 𝑇 × 𝜔 = 𝐹𝑓 × 𝑟 ×
60
2𝜋 × 740 × 1.98
𝑃𝑓 = 5 × 0.165 ×
60
∴ 𝑃𝑓 = 126.52 𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑡

- Compressor Indicated Power

𝑃𝑖 = 𝑃𝑠 − 𝑃𝑓

𝑃𝑖 = 379.56 − 126.52
∴ 𝑃𝑖 = 253.04 𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑡

- Compressor Power Input from Enthalpy Change

𝑃ℎ = 𝑚̇𝑟 × (ℎ2 − ℎ1 )
𝑃ℎ = 6.7 × (286 − 256.1)
∴ 𝑃ℎ = 200.33 𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑡

- Heat Losses from the Compressor

𝑄̇𝑟𝑎𝑑+𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣 = 𝑃𝑠 − 𝑚̇𝑟 × (ℎ2 − ℎ1 )

𝑄̇𝑟𝑎𝑑+𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣 = 379.56 − 6.7 × (286 − 256.1)
∴ 𝑄̇𝑟𝑎𝑑+𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑣 = 179.23 𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑡

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- Evaporator Load from Enthalpy Change Rate

𝑄̇𝑒,2 = 𝑚̇𝑟 × (ℎ1 − ℎ4 )

𝑄̇𝑒,2 = 6.7 × (256.1 − 98.5)
∴ 𝑄̇𝑒,2 = 1056 𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑡

- Evaporator Load from Enthalpy Change Rate

𝑄̇𝑐,1 = 𝑚̇𝑤 × 𝐶𝑝𝑤 (𝑡6 − 𝑡5 )

𝑄̇𝑐,1 = 40 × (256.1 − 98.5)

∴ 𝑄̇𝑐,1 = 1220.56 𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑡

- Condenser Load from Enthalpy Change Rate

𝑄̇𝑐,2 = 𝑚̇𝑟 × (ℎ2 − ℎ3 )

𝑄̇𝑐,2 = 6.7 × (286 − 98.5)
∴ 𝑄̇𝑐,2 = 1256 𝑊𝑎𝑡𝑡

- Coefficient of Performance

𝑄̇𝐿 𝑚̇𝑟 × (ℎ1 − ℎ3 )

𝐶𝑂𝑃𝑅,𝑎𝑐𝑡 = =
𝑊𝑐𝑜𝑚𝑝 𝑚̇𝑟 × (ℎ2 − ℎ1 )
(256.1 − 98.5)
𝐶𝑂𝑃𝑅,𝑎𝑐𝑡 =
(286 − 256.1)
∴ 𝐶𝑂𝑃𝑅,𝑎𝑐𝑡 = 5.27

8
Discussion
Through the experiment, we engaged with various components of the refrigeration system,
including the compressor, condenser, expansion valves and evaporator and we observed the
operation of these components including compression, condensation, expansion and evaporation.
Since the objective of this experiment is to study the performance of a refrigeration cycle using
both charts and actual data, it should be noted that there is difference in the results by these two
methods. The main cause of this is to keep in mind that all the components used are not 100%
efficient and there are frictional and heat losses. So, the values of performance parameters
obtained from both of them were compared.
For example, the value of compressor power input from enthalpy change rate (𝑃𝐶 ) which was
calculated using the p-h diagram represents the rate of energy absorbed by the refrigerant, while
the corresponding value obtained from direct measurements represents the power delivered to the
compressor. It was noticed that the value was calculated by actual data is more than the
corresponding value obtained from the chart.
It was also found that temperature and pressure had a significant effect on the COP, where COP
increases for each ℃ the evaporating temperature is raised. And the value of COP calculated
from the data in which there are many variables which reduces the efficiency is less than the
value of an ideal cycle.
Sources of Error:
1. Frictional and heat losses: Which cause the performance parameters obtained using the
chart to deviate from the corresponding values calculated using direct measurements.
2. Error in using P-h diagram: Wrong values of enthalpy obtained from the chart.
3. Human Error: In recording the experimental values (like temperatures) and errors due
to approximation.

Conclusion
Overall, this experiment shows the performance of the refrigeration system which can be
calculated by using p-h diagram and direct measurements. Also, how it is affected by frictional
and heat losses, which reduces the coefficient of performance of the refrigeration cycle, and it
will increase as the evaporator temperature increase under constant condenser pressure condition.

9
Appendix A: Collected data

Refrigeration Laboratory Unit

Test: Constant Condenser Pressure Atmospheric Pressure: 90 kPa
SERIES No. Parameter 1 2 UNITS
1 Condenser Pressure, Pc (abs.) 1089 1089 kPa

2 Evaporator Pressure, Pe (abs.) 405 309 kPa

3 Compressor Suction Temp. (T1) 9.6 2.8 C

Refrigerant
4 Compressor Delivery Temp. (T2) 54.7 53.3 C
HFC134a
5 Refrigerant Leaving the Cond. (T3) 33.4 34.2 C

6 Evaporator Inlet Temp. (T4) 8.5 1.5 C

7 R134a Flow Rate (ṁR ) 6.7 6 g/s

8 Cooling water inlet Temp. (T5) 23.7 23.4 C

Water
Condenser 9 Cooling water outlet Temp. (T6) 31 34 C
Cooling
10 Water Flow Rate, (ṁw ) 40 20 g/s

11 Evaporator Heat input, Q̇ e 1135 755 Watt

12 Motor Input, Ẇm 525 500 Watt

Others 13 Spring Balance Force (F) 15 14.5 N

14 Compressor Speed (nc) 740 750 rpm

15 Motor speed (nm = 1.98 × nc) 1465.2 1485 rpm

10