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1. Introduction
Refrigeration is a major application of thermodynamics. The purpose of refrigerator is to take heat
from a low temperature region (thus maintaining a cold-space), and transfer it to a higher temperature
region. In this experiment, the vapour-compression refrigeration cycle, in which the refrigerant is
vaporised and condensed alternately and is compressed in the vapour phase as shown in Figure 1 is
studied. Under steady flow conditions, the energy transfers in most components in a refrigerator can
be analysed using the steady flow energy equation applied to an open system. Furthermore, the aim of
the experiment is to show an understanding of the principles of vapour compression refrigeration
cycle and to appreciate and apply thermodynamic analysis to a refrigerator.
2. Objectives
The purpose of this experiment is:
(i)
to determine the changes in state and phase of the refrigerant which occur in each of
the following systems: evaporator, condenser, compressor, and throttle valve.
(ii)
to identify the energy transfers which occur for each of the above open systems.
(iii)
to illustrate the individual state points and values for one sample test on the attached
p-h diagram
(iv)
(vi)
to present their trends against evaporator saturation temperature and to show the
measurements of the condensing temperature.
4. Experiment
When the refrigerator has reached the steady state conditions, the pressures, temperature and the
refrigerant and water flow rates for different evaporator heat inputs are measured.
The following steps are taken in order to determine energy transfer for each open system:
(1) The steady flow energy equation for each system is written down by omitting any terms that
is considered irrelevant.
(2) The values of enthalpy at each points 1, 2, 3 and 4 shown in Figure 1 is determined.
(3) The sample calculations in the booklet is followed and the test result table attached is
completed.
5. Result
Generally, based on the above schematic, fresh atmospheric air flows through a compressor that
brings it to a higher pressure. After that, energy is added by spraying fuel into the air and igniting it
inside the combustion chamber so the combustion generates a high-temperature flow. Next, the hightemperature and high-pressure gas enters the turbine where it expands down to the exhaust pressure,
producing a shaft work output in the process.