Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Experiment No.

Experiment No. 3
1.0 Title of the experiment: -
To calculate Coefficient of Performance of air conditioning test rig.

2.0 Prior Concepts: -

Psychrometric properties, VCR system.

3.0 New concept: -

Propositions 1
"Simultaneous control of temperature, relative humidity, purity and velocity of air is known as air
conditioning"

Proposition 2 -
Psychrometric process:
(i) Heating (ii) Cooling (iii) Humidification (iv) Dehumidification (v) Mixing of air streams.

4.0 Learning objectives: -

4.1 Intellectual skills
1. To understand meaning of various psychrometric processes such as humidification
dehumidification etc.
2. To know the details of the instruments used to get desired processes.
3. To Calculate theoretical / actual cop system.
4. To select proper set of equipments to get desired processes.
4.2 Motor skills
1. To plot operating cycle on p-h & T-S chart.
2. To read psychrometric properties from chart.
3. To record properties such as pressures, temperatures etc.

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Experiment No. 3 Refrigeration & Air Conditioning

5.0 Apparatus: -
Thermometer, Anemometer

6.0 Diagram:-

7.0 Stepwise procedure:-

In air conditioning, air is supplied and maintained at desired indoor condition irrespective of external
conditions. Air is treated in air conditioning plant and then it is supplied to the space. Depending
upon the outdoor condition air is heated, humidified cooled, dehumidified, etc.
Important Terms related with air conditioning RH/SHF/DPT
(a) R.H. (Relative humidity) : It is the ratio of mass of water vapour in a certain volume of mass
air at a given temperature to the mass of water vapour in the same volume of saturated air
at the same temperature.
(b) DBT: It is the temperature of air when cooled moisture in the air starts condensing.
SHF: It is ratio of sensible heat load to total heat load.
Refer to operating manual of test rig.
i. Open the swivel levers completely.
ii. Keep re-circulating duct closed.
iii. Connect the power supply to the unit
iv. Depending upon the experiment to be carried, proceed as follows.
a. Cooling of atmospheric air at constant specific humidity.
Start the condenser fan, start refrigeration unit within 2-3 minutes liquid refrigerant
flow will be observed in rotameter. Observe the temp of air and refrigerant on temp
indicator, wait for steady state condition to achieve and note the observations in table.
b. Heating of atmospheric air at constant specific humidity.
Start the airflow & set selector switch to reheater keep fresh air flappers open and
keep recirculation duct closed. Wait for steady state, adjust heater input to get required
temp of air.
c. Humidification through steam.
Put sufficient water in steam generator and start steam generator heater. Wait till
sufficient pressure of steam is developed. Open steam control valve and admit steam
to conditioning section. Control the opening of valve so that pressure is constant.
d. Dehumidification.
Start airflow and start the refrigeration circuit. Reduce airflow by partially closing inlet
flapper. Keep recirculating flapper closed. When airflow is cooled below DPT
condensation of moisture in air will occur which will reduce the humidity of air.

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Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Experiment No. 3

8.0 Observation Table:

8.1 For cooling of air at constant specific humidity

Sr. Refrigerant Flow HP LP Com- Condenser. Air Air Cond. Air Cond.
no. side rate pressor Fan Velocity
Energy energy
TCI TCO Teo DBT WBT DBT WBT

8.2 For heating of air at constant specific humidity:

Sr. no. Heater side Air velocity Air Ambient Conditioned air
time for 10
revolutions
of energy
meter
DBT WBT DBT WBT

8.3 Humidification:

Sr. No. Steam Ambient Corresponding Suction Corresponding

pressure specific specific
humidity from humidity
chart from chart
DBT WBT DBT WBT

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Experiment No. 3 Refrigeration & Air Conditioning

8.4 Dehumidification:

Sr. No Air Ambient Corresponding Suction Corresponding

Velocity specific specific
Humidity Humidity
from chart from chart
DBT WBT DBT WBT

9.0 Sample Calculations: -

Table 8.1
From P-H Chart,

H1 = kJ/Kg
H2 = kJ/Kg
H3 = kJ/Kg
H4 = kJ/Kg

COP = H1-H4
H1-H2
Refrigerating effect (Actual),

N x 3600
RE = ---------------
Th x EMCH

Where, N = No of revolutions
Th = time in seconds
Work of compressor (Actual)
N x 3600
W.D. = ---------------
Th x EMCC

Where, Nc = No of revolutions of energy meter

Th = time in seconds
EMCH = Energy meter constant for heater
EMCC = Energy meter constant for compressor
COP (Actual) = RE / WD
1) Cooling of atmospheric air
Pv
RH = ------- x 100 @ DBT
Ps
Pv = --------- bar

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Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Experiment No. 3

W = 0.622 x Pv
---------- = Kg wv / kgda
P - Pv
h = _______
2) Heating of atmopspheric air
Pv
RH = ------- x 100 @ DBT
Ps
Pv = --------- bar
W = 0.622 x Pv
---------- = = Kg wv/kgda
P - Pv
h = __________
3) Humidification:
RH of ambient air (From psychrometric chart corresponding to DBT and WBT) =
RH of conditioned air =
RH of conditioned air - RH of ambient air
% Increase in RH = -----------------------------------------------------
RH of ambient air

4) Dehumidification:
RH of ambient air =
RH of conditioned air =
RH of conditioned air - RH of ambient air
% Increase in RH = ------------------------------------------------------
RH of ambient air

10.0 Results:
1) Theoretical COP of refrigeration cycle =
2) Actual COP of refrigeration cycle =
3) Decrease in DBT during cooling process =
4) Increase in Dbt during the heating process =
5) Increase in RH =
6) Decrease in RH =

11.0 Questions: (Attempt 3-5 questions as directed by teacher)

1. List any three industrial applications where cooling with dehumidification of air is desired?
2. Name the equipment used in experiment for measurement of mass flow rate of refrigerant?
3. Name the device used to measure air velocity in the experiment? What are the other devices?
4. Name the refrigerant used in system with its chemical formula?
5. What will happen when hot and humid air is, mixed with cold air?
6. List the methods used for dehumidification?
7. What is relative COP of the system?

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Experiment No. 3 Refrigeration & Air Conditioning

(Space for answer)

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Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Experiment No. 3

(Space for answer)

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