FACULTY OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

In the name of Allah, The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful

Lab 9 : Air-Conditioning
BMM 3531 Eng. Thermodynamics Lab
Lab Instructors

Muhamad Zuhairi Sulaiman

Idris Bin Mat Sahat
Prof. Dr. K. V. Sharma
Amir Bin Abdul Razak
Mohd Razali Bin Hanipah
Lab Location
Thermodynamics Laboratory, FKM
Lab Objectives

By the end of this lab, students should be able to:

1. Discuss the basic refrigeration cycle

2. To calculate the refrigeration effect and coefficient of performance of
the air conditioning system
3. Analyze the p-h diagram for air conditioning systems

Date: ____________________
20
Group Members Student ID Section

100

Due Date: Delivered Date:

1.0 Introduction

Air-conditioning is a widespread feature of building engineering, designed to make the occupants

feel comfortable and at ease. The main functions of an air-conditioning system include heating and
cooling, and humidifying and dehumidifying in order to create the desired indoor air conditions.

The Air-Conditioning Unit includes all the components found in air-conditioners installed in
buildings. It additionally has a complete refrigeration unit, enabling the system to cover most of the
spectrum of experiments in the field of refrigeration and air-conditioning engineering.

In compiling the exercises, care was taken to achieve a didactically logical sequence. The first
element is a theoretical introduction to the individual components and their mode of functioning.
Later the principles are investigated in more detail on the basis of experiments. This does not only
involve calculations; rather, the greater part of the evaluation procedure is carried out with the aid of
graphs. The measured values are display on digital indicators for recording and calculation purposes.

2.0 Unit Design

2.1 Unit Construction

Figure 1 shows schematic diagram of the air conditioning system.

1
10

3 11
4

6 12

13

8 14

15

Figure 1: Unit Construction for Air Conditioning Unit (Model: AC 01)

 Control Panel 9. Refrigerant Flow Transmitter
Expansion Valve 10. Humidity/Temperature Sensor
Orifice 11. Fan
DP Transmitter 12. Humidifier
Heater 13. Sight Glass
Pressure Switch 14. Refrigerant Pressure Transmitter
Refrigerant Condenser 15. Filter Dryer
Refrigerant Compressor

The air-conditioning unit principally consists of two assemblies:

a. Air-conditioning system
b. Refrigeration unit

2.2 Air Conditioning System

Based on the various measurement locations, the schematic for the complete air-conditioning
system is as follows.

Figure 2: Process Schematic Diagram for Air Conditioning Unit

The air-conditioning system comprises the following components:

i) Combined Temperature / Relative Humidity Transmitter

A measuring probe consists of a temperature sensor and a relative humidity sensor.

ii) Radial Fan

The air volume flow can be varied with the aid of a speed adjuster.
iii) Steam Humidifier
The steam air humidifier has an electric power consumption of 2 kW.

iv) Pre-heater
The pre-heater consists of four electric air heaters, each with an output of 0.5 kW. The
individual heaters are configured to enable heating powers of 0, 1 and 2 kW to be set.

v) Evaporator
The evaporator used is the direct evaporator of a refrigeration unit.

vi) Re-Heater
The re-heater is constructed in exactly the same way as the pre-heater. The individual air
heaters only deliver an output of 0.25 kW, however, which means a maximum heating power
of 1 kW is achieved.

vii) Orifice
Mass flow rate can be calculated from the orifice correlation by measuring differential
pressure across the orifice.

2.3 Refrigeration unit

The refrigeration unit circulates the refrigerant R134a. The following schematic shows the circuit,
and the components of the unit.

Figure 3: Process Schematic Diagram for Refrigeration Unit

 The labeled components are:
i) Compressor
ii) Condenser
iii) Expansion valve
iv) Evaporator

The temperatures and pressures in the refrigerant circuit are recorded by electronic sensors and
indicated on digital indicators. The volume flow of the refrigerant is measured with the aid of a flow
transmitter.

There are 4 basic processes or changes in state of the refrigerant occur in a Vapour-Compression
Refrigeration Cycle. These 4 processes shall be illustrated in the most simplistic way with the aid of
above Schematic Sketch.

i) Compression Process (1 to 2)
Refrigerant at point 1 is low temperature and low Pressure gas. In order to be able to use it
again to achieve the refrigerating effect continuously, it must be brought back to liquid form at
a high pressure. The first steep in this process is to increase the pressure of the refrigerant gas
by using a compressor. Compressing the gas also results in increasing its temperature.

ii) Condensing Process (2 to 3)

The refrigerant leaves the compressor as a gas at high temperature and high pressure. In
order to change it to a liquid, heat must be removed from it. This is accomplished in a heat
exchanger called the condenser. The refrigerant flows through air finned condenser and
cooled down by surrounding air facilitate with electrical fan. Heat is therefore removed from
the refrigerant; the refrigerant condenses to a liquid state at point 3.

iii) Expansion Process (3 to 4)

Refrigerant at point 3 in liquid state with a relatively high pressure and temperature will flow
through a restriction called the flow device or expansion valve. The refrigerant loses pressure
going through the restriction therefore a small portion of the refrigerant flashes (vaporizes)
into a gas. In order to vaporize, it must gain heat (which it takes from that portion of the
refrigerant that did not vaporize), thus resulting in cooling by a low temperature.

iv) Vaporizing Process (4 to 1)

The refrigerant flows through a heat exchanger called the evaporator. The fluid to be cooled
is at a slightly higher temperature than the refrigerant, therefore heat is transferred from it to
the refrigerant producing the cooling effect desired. The refrigerant boils because of the heat
it receives in the evaporator. By the time it leaves the evaporator at point 1 it is completely
vaporized.
The refrigerant has thus returned to its initial state and is now ready to repeat the cycle, in a
continuous manner.
3.0 Theory

Students need to develop by themselves the fundamental of air conditioning system according to
thermodynamics principles. This part should cover cyclic process of the air conditioning system and
it processes on T-s and p-h diagrams. Students also need to explain equation involve in order to
determine performance of the system. Your theory should reflect to objectives.

4.0 EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE

4.1 General Start-up Procedure

1. Perform a quick inspection to ensure that the unit is in proper operating condition.
2. Make sure the humidifier water supply is connected to a tap water source.
3. Connect a drain hose to the condensate collector at the bottom of the air duct.
4. Turn on the power supply switch.
5. Switch on the main power switch for the air

Procedures:

1. Switch on the radial fan and run the air velocity at 15 to 75 percent of the maximum air
speed.
2. Switch on the refrigeration unit.
3. Allow the system for approximately 15 minutes to reach steady state.
4. Record temperature TT1, TT2, TT3, TT4, PT1 and PT2 of the refrigeration circuit. Obtain
the refrigerant flowrate, FT1 from refrigerant flowmeter.

4.2 General Shut-down Procedure

1. Switch off the pre-heaters and re-heaters and allow the heaters to cool down with fan on.
2. Turn off the fan speed control knob, then the fan switch.
3. Make sure that all other switches on the control panel are switched off.
4. Switch off the main switch and power supply.
5. Close the tap water supply.
5.0 Results

Record required data for analysis.

6.0 Discussions

Discuss outcomes of the result based on the experimental data obtained. You may apply your
understanding in thermodynamics principles. Show all graph, chart, calculation process
involve. You may use the attachment given.

7.0 Question

a. State 3 differences of an Air Conditioning unit and a Refrigeration unit.

b. There is a chart that usually referred when dealing with the parameters regarding
surrounding air and cooled air (not refrigerant) especially if using an Air Conditioning.
Name that chart and state five (5) parameters that can be obtained from the chart.
c. Define and explain the functions of four essential equipments in an Air Conditioning.

8.0 Conclusion
Based on the experiment, draw your own conclusion.

9.0 References

State any references used. Make sure your report should not use website link as you
reference.

Acknowledgement

Thanks to the following staffs for their contributions in preparing the laboratory sheet:

i. Nik Mohd Izual Hj.Nik Ibrahim - izual@ump.edu.my

ii. Mohd Yusof Taib - myusof@ump.edu.my
iii. Nasrul Azuan Bin Alang - azuan@ump.edu.com
APPENDIX 1