Study and Trial on Refrigerator

Theory:-
Introduction: - A domestic refrigerator is one of the simplest of refrigeration devices
widely used all over the world. It uses a fractional HP hermetically sealed compressor,
a natural convection condenser, a capillary tube as an expansion device, and direct
expansion type roll-bond evaporator. As far as the controls are concerned, an ON-OFF
type thermostat controls the average temperature of the refrigerator. The inside heat
transfer takes place by natural convection and convective currents set due to density
difference of cold and warm air.

Construction: - The domestic refrigerator is having a vertical cabinet. The inside of

which is made-up of PVC material. The outside construction is of CRCA sheet metal
duly powder coated or epoxy coated paint. These two portions are separated by
polyurethane foam insulation.

The compressor (a hermetically sealed one) is located at the rear end bottom portion.
The condenser, which is made up of 5 mm dia MS tubes made in zigzag pattern. It is a
natural convection type condenser. Small wire-like rods (which are called "fins") are
fixed to the tubes in order to enhance the heat transfer rate to the surroundings. At the
end of the condenser, there is filter /drier.

Inside the cabinet, at the upper portion, there is location of evaporator. The evaporator
tubes are made up of aluminum through which cold refrigerant circulates. A suction
line accumulator is fixed at the end of evaporator.

A lighting bulb operated by door switch is housed inside the cabinet. An adjustable
thermostat with a defrosting mechanism is placed to control the temperature inside the
refrigerator.

Suitable shelves, racks and compartments are provided inside the cabinet for the
required items to be stored and preserved.
Principal of operation-

This Refrigerator Works on simple Vapour Compression Cycle Continuously

circulating, evaporating, and condensing a fixed supply of refrigerant in a closed
system accomplish mechanical refrigeration. Evaporating occurs at a low temperature
and low pressure while condensation occurs at a high temperature and pressure. Thus,
it is possible to transfer heat from an area of low temperature (i. e. refrigerator
cabinet) to an area of high temperature (i.e. kitchen)

Beginning the cycle at the evaporator inlet the low pressure liquid expands, absorbs
heat, and evaporates, changing to a low pressure vapor at the evaporator outlet.

The Compressor pumps this vapour from the evaporator through the accumulator
increases its pressure, and discharges the high pressure vapour to the condenser
accumulator is designed to protect the compressor by preventing slugs of liquid
refrigerant from passing directly into the compressor. An accumulator should be
included on all systems subjected to varying load conditions or frequent compressor
cycling. In the condenser, heat is removed from the vapour which then condenses and
becomes a high pressure liquid. In some systems this high-pressure liquid drains from
the condenser into the liquid storage or receiver tank. On other systems, both the
receiver and the liquid line valve are omitted.

A heat exchanger between and the liquid line and the suction line is also an option
item which may or may not be includes in a given system design.

Between the condenser and the evaporator an expansion device is located.

Immediately preceding this device is a liquid line strainer/ drier which prevent
plugging of the valve or tube by retaining scale, dirt and moisture. The flow of
refrigerant into the evaporator is controlled by the pressure differential across the
expansion device or, in the case of a thermal expansion valve, by the degree of
superheat of the suction vapour. Thus, the thermal expansion valve shown requires a
sensor bulb located at the evaporator outlet. In any case, the flow of refrigerant into
the evaporator load increase as the evaporator load increases.
 As the high pressure liquid refrigerant enters the evaporator it is subjected to a much
lower pressure due to the suction of the compressor and the pressure drop across the
expansion device. Thus the refrigerant tends to expand and evaporate. In order to
evaporate the liquid must absorb heat from the air passing over the evaporator.

Eventually the desired air temperature is reached and the thermostat or cold control
will break the electrical circuit to the compressor motor and stop the compressor.

As the temperature of the air through the evaporator rises, the thermostat or cold
control remakes the electrical circuit. The compressor motor and starts, and the cycle
continue.
Construction and Working: - The refrigerator works on vapour compression cycle.
The refrigerant vapour is compressed by means of compressor to a pressure at which
temperature obtained at the end of compression will be more than the atmospheric so
that, at this high temperature, it will reject heat to the atmosphere and will then get
condensed. The condensate is then allowed to pass through a capillary so that the
pressure and temperature are lowered. Capillary tube acts as a throttling device. The
low temperature refrigerant enters the evaporator, where it absorbs heat from the
surrounding space and consequently, the refrigerant evaporates. This saturated or
superheated vapour is sucked by the compressor and the cycle is repeated.

Along with these major components, there will strainer/ drier and accumulator. The
strainer/drier will absorb residual moisture if at all present in the refrigerant to avoid
freezing in the capillary. The accumulator will not allow the liquid refrigerant to enter
into the compressor.
Specifications:-

Refrigerator Make PANOSONIC INDIA PVT. LTD.

Gross Volume 190 Liters
Storage Volume 186 Liters
Power Source 220- 240 V ; 50Hz; 1 Phase, AC
Input Watts 100 W
Current 0.90 A
Refrigerant R-134 a
Freezer Ice Trays Provided Component Shelf provided Freezer
door rack.
 Refrigerator
Heater for load /Light Bulb
Energy Meter Compressor
Voltmeter & Ammeter for
heater
Pressure Gauges
Storage shelves provided
Shelf-half adjustable/full folding provided
Shelf Eggs provided
Shelf Bottle provided
Crisper Provided
Glass Shelf Provided
Provided.
Provided.
Provided.
2 nos provided.

Temperature Digital Temperature Indicator with selector to Display

refrigerant temperatures to silent points.
Operating Procedure:-

1) Keep unit on surface level

2) Give stabilized power supply of 230V AC 50 Hz.

3) Start the unit; wait for minimum 30 min. to reach steady state.

4) Record reading as per observation tables.

Observations Table:-

Value
Sr. No. Parameter Unit
Initial Final
o
1. Ambient Temperature T6 c
Temp. Of refrigerant after compression o
2. c
T1 (Condenser Inlet)
Temp. of refrigerant after Condensation o
3. c
T2 (Expansion Inlet)
Temp. of refrigerant after expansion T3 o
4. c
(Evaporation Inlet)
Temp. of refrigerant after evaporation T4 o
5. c
(Compression Inlet)
o
6. Average cabinet temp. T5 c
Initial Energy meter Reading for
7. KWhr
compressor
Final Energy meter Reading for
8. KWhr
compressor
9. Voltage for heater Volts
10. Current for heater Amps
 11. Suction pressure Psig
12. Discharge pressure Psig
13. Heating Load Kw

Calculations:-

1) Actual C.O.P. :-
Actual Refrigeration Effect = Heat available in the inside of refrigerator + Heating Load

= mcp + V*I cos

(cos is power factor and equal to 1 for 40 watt bulb)

Compressor Work = Final energy meter reading Initial energy meter reading
=

Actual C.O.P. of refrigerator = Actual Refrigeration Effect / Actual Compressor Work

=
2) Theoretical C.O.P.:-
We have, from P-H chart,

Enthalpy of refrigerant after evaporation: H1=

Enthalpy of refrigerant after compression: H2=
Enthalpy of refrigerant after condensation: H3=
Enthalpy of refrigerant after expansion: H4=

Refrigeration Effect = H4-H1

Compressor Work = H2-H1
Theoretical C.O.P. of refrigerator = Refrigeration Effect / Compressor Work
= H4-H1 / H2-H1

1) Relative C.O.P. of refrigerator = Actual C.O.P. / Theoretical C.O.P

Results:-

2) Cooling capacity of refrigerator =

3) Actual C.O.P. of refrigerator =
4) Theoretical C.O.P. of refrigerator =
5) Relative C.O.P. of refrigerator =
 A) Study and Trial on Refrigeration Tutor

Introduction-
The schematic diagram of experimental set-up has been shown in figure. The test Section was a
copper capillary tube in which the refrigerant expand from high pressure side to low pressure
side. Helical coiled capillary tube was put in horizontal position. The refrigerant entered into
evaporator from capillary tube consisting of copper coil submerged in a water tank. A 500 W
capacity electric heater was fitted in the evaporator tank to provide heat load to evaporator. This
electric heater was connected across energy meter. Heat load given to the system was measured
with the help of this energy meter. The energy consumption of system was measured with the
help of energy meter which was connected across the compressor. An agitator was provided to
maintain the uniform bulk temperature of water in evaporator. Refrigerant from evaporator
entered into hermetically sealed compressor. High pressure superheated vapours emerging from
compressor entered into condenser. The superheated vapours were condensed in coiled
condenser. Drier-cum-filter was also installed after to remove unwanted solid particles and
moisture. A float type rotameter was installed after drier-cum-filter. The refrigerating unit
consists of hermetically sealed compressor, an air cooled condenser and an evaporator.
Evaporator of cooling unit is dipped in tank filled with water.

Construction Details
1. Hermetic sealed compressor unit and tubular condenser unit are used.
2. The evaporator unit was properly insulated to the best of the effort so as to minimize the heat
leakage into the system from the surrounding.
3. Refrigerant R134a was used as the cooling fluid.
4. A filter/drier, specific for R134a, was installed just after the condenser unit in order to avoid
any situation of choking of the flow lines. The filter/drier does not allow the ice to be formed in
the flow lines by absorbing all the moisture particles present in the flowing fluid.
5. Two analogue pressure gauges were used to determine the pressure of the flowing fluid in the
high pressure and the low pressure line. The pressure gauge in the high pressure line was
installed just after the filter/drier and just before the capillary tube. Another pressure gauge was
installed in the low pressure return line to measure the pressure of the fluid returning back to the
compressor.
6. A digital temperature meter was used to determine the temperatures that were to be used in the
analysis of the system.

Test Procedure
1. Place the machine in the proper position where its level is horizontal and it is well ventilated.
The machine must have at least 1.0 meter clearances from all sides.
2. Give 230 volts, 50Hz, and I phase supply to the unit.
3. Incoming cable should be adequate size (at least 1.5 sq. mm) to prevent overheating of it.
4. The electrical point should have a MCB of 16 Amps rating.
5. Ensure proper earthing.
6. Fill the calorimeter or isothermal bath with clean water.
7. Start the compressor and heater after 5 seconds interval by putting the switch ON.
8. The pump in the calorimeter will equalize the temperature in the tank Refrigerant passes
through the tubes and water is around it. Refrigerant will lose its enthalpy to water and it will
evaporate. Water temperature will reduce. The heater will offset the cooling effect &maintain the
temperature of the bath practically constant.
9. Adjust the heater load with the help of dimmer such that the water temperature remains
constant.
10.Record the time required for 10 pulses of compressor & heater energy meters. Here, Heater
Load is equal to the refrigeration effect.
11. Record all the readings as per the observation table.
12. Allow at least 1/2 hrs running time for correct results.
13. The readings of the temperature and pressure are plotted on the PH chart and the
corresponding enthalpies are noted down and from the obtained values of the enthalpies, the
parameters like the refrigeration effect and the compressor work are determined.
14. The Actual COP of the system is determined by using actual refrigeration effect and the
Theoretical COP of the system is determined by actual work done by the compressor on the
system and compressor work obtained from PH chart.
Observation table:-

Energy Energy Mass

Set Refrigeration Constant for Constant flow
Point Time Temperature Pressure (psi) compressor for Heater kg/sec.
(Sec.) T1 T2 T3 T4 Suction Discharge Time for 10 pulses

Calculations:-

Actual cop=
Compression work=

Heater work =

Copactual =

Cop theoretical =
 B) Study and Trial on Water Cooler Test Rig

DEVELOPMENT OF SYSTEM & EXPERIMENTAL INVESTIGATION

Introduction:
Water cooler is an application of mechanical refrigeration, which deals with acquiring and
controlling of the temperatures lower than atmospheric temperature. Refrigeration is the process
of removing heat at a low temperature level and rejecting at a relatively high temperature.
Refrigeration is accomplished by various methods such as vapor compression system, absorption
system, steam jet refrigeration cycle.
Observation Table :

Refrigeration Temperature Pressure (psi) Time for

After After After After Water 10 pulses
Starting
Evap. Comp. Cond. Expan. inlet Suction Discharge of Energy
Time (Sec.)
T1 T2 T3 T4 T5 Meter

Calculations:-

Volume of Tank = l*b*h

= 340*340*305
Refrigeration Effect = mcp

Compression work=

Copactual =

Cop theoretical =