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Heriot-Watt University
School of Engineering and Physical Science
Chemical & Petroleum Engineering

Stage 2 Laboratory Experiment

Experiment 10: Mechanical Heat Pump

Contents

1 Introduction ...................................................................................................................... 1
2 Objectives................................................................................................................................... 1
3 Basic Theory .............................................................................................................................. 2
4 Equipment .................................................................................................................................. 5
5 Operational Notes...................................................................................................................... 6
6 Experimental Data Sheets ........................................................................................................ 8
7 Analysis and Discussion................................................................................................... 9
8 Safety Note ................................................................................................................................ 9
9 Appendix .................................................................................................................................. 10

1 Introduction

The SOLTEQ Heat Pump Equipment (Model: HE165-A) has been designed to provide
students with a practical and quantitative demonstration of a vapour compression cycle, and
is suitable for all course levels (intermediate and undergraduate). Refrigerators and heat
pumps both apply the vapour compression cycle, although the applications of these machines
differ, the components are essentially the same.

The Heat Pump Equipment is capable of demonstrating the heat pump application where a
large freely available energy source, such as the atmosphere is to be upgraded for water
heating. The unit will be of particular interest to those studying Mechanical Engineering,
Energy Conservation, Thermodynamics, Building Services, Chemical Engineering, Plant and
Process Engineering, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning.

2 Objectives

i) To determine the power input, heat output and coefficient of performance of a vapour
compression heat pump system.
ii) To produce the performance of heat pump over a range of source and delivery
temperatures.
iii) To plot the vapour compression cycle on the p-h diagram and compare with the ideal
cycle.
iv) To perform energy balances for the condenser and compressor.
v) To plot the performance of heat pump over a range of evaporating and condensation
temperatures which is the saturation temperature at condensing pressure.
vi) To determine the compression ratio and volumetric efficiency.

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3 Basic Theory

A heat pump is a mechanism that absorbs heat from waste source or surrounding to produce
valuable heat on a higher temperature level than that of the heat source. The fundamental
idea of all heat pump is that heat is absorbed by a medium, which releases the heat at a
required temperature which is higher after a physical or chemical transformation.

Heat pump technology has attracted increasing attention as one of the most promising
technologies to save energy. Areas of interest are heating of buildings, recovery of industrial
waste heat for steam production and heating of process water for e.g. cleaning, sanitation.

Generally, there are three types of heat pump systems:

i. Closed cycle vapour compression heat pumps (electric and engine driven)
ii. Heat transformers (a type of absorption heat pump), and;
iii. Mechanical vapour recompression heat pumps operating at about at 200C

3.1 Closed Cycle Vapour Compression Heat Pump

Most of the heat pumps operate on the principle of the vapour compression cycle. In this
cycle, the circulating substance is physically separated from the heat source and heat delivery,
and is cycling in a close stream, therefore called closed cycle. In the heat pump process,
the following processes take place:

1. In the evaporator the heat is extracted from the heat source to boil the circulating
substance;
2. The circulating substance is compressed by the compressor, raising its pressure and
temperature;
3. The heat is delivered to the condenser;
4. The pressure of the circulating substance (working fluid) is reduced back to the evaporator
condition in the throttling valve.

Figure 1: The closed loop compression cycle

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3.2 Vapour Compression Heat Pump Principles

Figure 2: Vapor Compression Heat Pump Cycle

The labelled components are:

1. Condenser
2. Compressor
3. Expansion Valve
4. Evaporator

Four basic processes or changes in the condition of the refrigerant occur in a Vapor
Compression Heat Pump Cycle. These four processes shall be illustrated in the most simplistic
way with the aid of above schematic sketch.

i) Compression Process (t1 t2)

The refrigerant at the pump suction is in gas at low temperature and low Pressure. In order
to be able to use it to achieve the heat pump effect continuously, it must be brought to the
liquid form at a high pressure. The first step 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 (t2 t3)

The refrigerant leaves the compressor as a gas at high temperature and 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 one circuit in the condenser. In the other
circuit, a cooling fluid flows (normally air or water), at a temperature lower than the refrigerant.

Heat is therefore transferred from the Refrigerant to the Cooling fluid and as a result, the
refrigerant condenses to a liquid state (3). This is where the heating takes place.

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iii) Expansion Process (t3 t4)

At Point (3), the refrigerant is in liquid state at a relatively high pressure and temperature. It
flows to (4) through a restriction called the flow control device or expansion valve. The
refrigerant loses pressure going through the restriction. The Pressure at (4) is so low that a
small portion of the refrigerant flashes (vaporizes) into a gaseous. In order to vaporize, it must
gain heat (which it takes from that portion of the refrigerant that did not vaporize).

iv) Vaporizing Process (t4 t1)

The refrigerant flows through a heat exchanger called the evaporator. The heat source is at
a slightly higher temperature than the refrigerant, therefore heat is transferred from it to the
refrigerant. The refrigerant boils because of the heat it receives in the evaporator. By the time
it leaves the evaporator (4) 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.

3.3 Coefficient of Performance

The Coefficient of Performance, (COPH) of a heat pump cycle is an expression of the cycle
efficiency and is stated as the ratio of the heat removed in the heated space to the heat
energy equivalent of the energy supplied to the Compressor.

COPH = Heat removed from heated space / Heat energy equivalent of the
energy supplied to the Compressor

Thus, for the Theoretical Simple Cycle, this may be written as:

COPH = Heating Effect / Heat of Compression (1)

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4 Equipment

Figure 3: Unit assembly of Mechanical Heat Pump (Model: HE165A)

1. Expansion valve 6. Evaporator

2. Refrigerant flowmeter 7. Low Pressure Cut Off Switch
3. Sight Glass 8. High Pressure Cut Off Switch
4. Filter Drier 9. Inlet Refrigerant
5. Coaxial Condenser 10. Compressor

4.1 Specifications

a) Compressor Type : Hermetic

Refrigerant: R-134a
Swept Volume : 5.60 cm3/rev
Compression Speed : 2800 RPM

b) Condenser
Type : Coaxial Condenser
Medium : Water

c) Evaporator
Type : Fan Cooled / Continuous Tube / External Finned

d) Expansion Valve
Type : Thermostatic

e) Refrigerant Flowmeter
Range: 0 0.8 LPM

f) Water Flowmeter
Range: 0 4.5 LPM

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Figure 4: Schematic diagram for Heat Pump Equipment (Model: HE165-A).

5 Operational Note

5.1 General Start-up Procedures

1. Check that the unit and all instruments are in proper condition.
2. Check that the both water source and drain are connected then open the water supply
and set the cooling water flowrate at 1.0 LPM.
3. Check that the drain hose at the condensate collector is connected.
4. Connect the power supply and switch on the main power follows by main switch at the
control panel.
5. Switch on the refrigerant compressor and observe that there is sufficient refrigerant in
the system. The unit is now ready for experiment as soon as temperature and
pressures are constant.

5.2 General Shut-down Procedures

1. Switch off the compressor, and the water pump follows by main switch and power
supply.
2. Close the water supply and ensure that water is not left running.

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5.3 Experiment 1: Determination of power input, heat output and coefficient of

performance
Procedures:

1. Perform the general start-up procedures.

2. Adjust the cooling water flowrate to 3.0 LPM.
3. Allow the system to run for 15 minutes.
4. Record all necessary readings into the experimental data sheet.
5. Repeat the experiment with reducing water flowrate. Maintain the evaporating
temperature (TT4) by covering part of the evaporator for the purpose of lowering the
evaporating load.
6. Repeat similar steps until the compressor delivery pressure reaches around 14.0 bar.
7. The experiment may be repeated another constant evaporating temperature (TT4).

Note: The cooling water and refrigerant flow rate display is in percentage (%).

Below is the formula to convert cooling water and refrigerant flow rate to LPM.

1. Cooling water flow rate (LPM) = Cooling water flow rate (%) 4.5 LPM
100%

2. Refrigerant flow rate (LPM) = Refrigerant flow rate (%) 0.8 LPM
100%

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6 Experimental Data Sheets

6.1 Experiment 1: Determination of power input, heat output and coefficient of

performance

Results:
Table 1

Test 1 2 3 4 5

Cooling water flowrate, FT2 LPM 3.0 2.5 2.0 1.5 1.0

Cooling water flowrate, FT2 %

Refrigerant flowrate, FT1 LPM

Refrigerant flowrate, FT1 %

Refrigerant Pressure (Low), PT1 Bar(g)

Refrigerant Pressure (High), PT2 Bar(g)

Refrigerant Pressure (Low), PT1 Bar(abs)

Refrigerant Pressure (High), PT2 Bar(abs)

Refrigerant Temperature, TT1 C

Refrigerant Temperature, TT2 C

Refrigerant Temperature, TT3 C

Refrigerant Temperature, TT4 C

Cooling water inlet temperature,
C
TT5
Cooling water outlet temperature,
C
TT6
Compressor Power Input, P W

Compressor Pressure Ratio -

Volumetric Flowrate of Refrigerant
m3/s
at Compressor Suction
Compressor Swept Volume m3/s

Volumetric Efficiency %

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7 Analysis and Discussions

1. Calculate the Heat output and Coefficient of performance.

2. Plot the performance curves for Heat Pump (COP, Heat Delivered, and Compressor
Power Input) versus Temperature of Water Delivered.
3. Plot the experimental vapour compression cycle on the p-h diagram of R-134a and
compare with the ideal cycle.
4. Perform energy balance on the condenser.
5. Perform energy balance on the compressor.
6. Plot the performance curves for Heat Pump (COP, Heat Delivered, and Compressor
Power Input) versus Condensing Temperature.
7. Calculate the compressor pressure ratio and volumetric efficiency.

8 Safety Note

1. The unit must be operated under the supervision of trained personnel.

2. All operating instructions supplied with the unit must be read and understood before
attempting to operate the unit.
3. Always check and rectify any leak.

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Appendix: Pressure-Enthalpy Diagram

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EPS Chemical Engineering 11

Heriot-W att University B49CE January 2017 v1