HEAT TRANSFER AND REFRIGERATION LABORATORY

COURSE CODE: ME 471

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY, ROURKELA

LAB REPORT
ON
PERFORMANCE TEST OF VAPOR ABSORPTION
REFRIGERATION TRAINER

ME-1
GROUP-1
SUB GROUP-5

PREPARED BY-
115ME0323 : SOUMYA RANJAN SAHOO
115ME0405 : DEEPAK KUMAR
115ME0406 : J NAVA SAIKRISHNA
115ME0407 : KEDARI SAI SAMPATH
Submission Date: 20th Sept 2018
Subject Teacher: Dr.M.K.MOHARANA
 DECLARATION

We hereby claim that the project report entitled “Performance test of

vapor absorption refrigeration trainer” prepared was true to our knowledge and
the experiment we conducted. The report is made based on the experiment that
we did as a group and all content & figures are prepared by our group members
only. The report does not contain any content copied from other groups of the
experiment in case if found any, we are eligible for any type of liable punishment.

ROLL NO NAME OF STUDENT % WORK PERFORMED SIGNATURE

115ME0323 SOUMYA RANJAN SAHOO 25

115ME0405 DEEPAK KUMAR 25

115ME0406 J NAVA SAI KRISHNA 25

115ME0407 K SAI SAMPATH 25

AIM OF THE EXPERIMENT:
To conduct performance test on Vapor absorption refrigeration trainer and to find out co-
efficient of performance (COP) of the system.

THEORY:

Refrigeration is defined as a process of cooling a system below the temperature of the

surroundings by means of extracting the heat from the refrigerated space and then rejecting the
heat to the atmosphere or any other sources. The most widely used refrigeration system is vapor
compression refrigeration system. But vapor compression system require electrical power supply
only. So the alternative refrigeration which can also be working without electrical energy supply
is vapor absorption refrigeration system. Among all vapor absorption refrigeration system
Ammonia-Water system is widely used. Where Ammonia is the refrigerant and water is the
absorbent also act as the transport medium. This system is more economical when there is an
availability of an inexpensive thermal source like geothermal energy, solar energy, or the steam
from the steam power plant. It also comes handy when there is no electrical power availability.

The vapor absorption refrigeration system comprises of all the processes in the vapor
compression refrigeration system like compression, condensation, expansion and evaporation.
The major difference between the two systems is the method of compression of the refrigerant
in the refrigeration cycle. In the vapor compression system, the compressor sucks the refrigerant
from evaporator and compresses it to the high pressure. The compressor also enables the flow
of the refrigerant through the whole refrigeration cycle. In the vapor absorption cycle, the
process of compression is carried out by three different devices called as the absorber, pump and
the generator. Thus the absorber, pump and the generator replace the compressor in the vapor
absorption cycle.

Another major difference between the vapor compression and vapor absorption cycle is the
method in which the energy input is given to the system. In the vapor compression system the
energy input is given in the form of the mechanical work from the electric motor run by the
electricity. In the vapor absorption system the energy input is given in the form of the heat. This
heat can be from the excess steam from the process or the hot water. The heat can also be
created by other sources like natural gas, kerosene, heater etc. though these sources are used
only in the small systems

MAIN COMPONENTS OF VCR TRAINER:-

A vapor absorption refrigeration system is consisting of six major components instead of four in
case of VCR. Here compressor is replaced by absorber, pump and generator.
1. Condenser: Just like in the traditional condenser of the vapor compression cycle, the
refrigerant enters the condenser at high pressure and temperature and gets condensed. The
condenser is of water cooled type.
2. Expansion valve: When the refrigerant passes through the expansion valve, its pressure and
temperature reduces suddenly. This refrigerant (ammonia) then enters the evaporator.
3. Evaporator: The refrigerant at very low pressure and temperature enters the evaporator and
produces the cooling effect. In the vapor compression cycle this refrigerant is sucked by the
compressor, but in the vapor absorption cycle, this refrigerant flows to the absorber that acts
as the suction part of the refrigeration cycle.
4. Absorber: The absorber is a sort of vessel consisting of water that acts as the absorbent, and
the previous absorbed refrigerant. Thus the absorber consists of the weak solution of the
refrigerant (ammonia) and absorbent (water). When ammonia from the evaporator enters
the absorber, it is absorbed by the absorbent due to which the pressure inside the absorber
reduces further leading to more flow of the refrigerant from the evaporator to the absorber.
At high temperature water absorbs lesser ammonia, hence it is cooled by the external coolant
to increase it ammonia absorption capacity.
5. Pump: When the absorbent absorbs the refrigerant strong solution of refrigerant-absorbent
(ammonia-water) is formed. This solution is pumped by the pump at high pressure to the
generator. Thus pump increases the pressure of the solution to about 10bar.
6. Generator: The refrigerant-ammonia solution in the generator is heated by the external
source of heat. This is can be steam, hot water or any other suitable source. Due to heating
the temperature of the solution increases. The refrigerant in the solution gets vaporized and
it leaves the solution at high pressure.
Expect these components it also uses a rectifier and a heat exchanger to improve the cop.
WORKING PRINCIPLE:-
It basically use the advantage of the fact that Some liquids like water have great affinity for
absorbing large quantities of certain vapors (NH3) and reduce the total volume greatly. So the
absorber decrease the volume of the refrigerant. The absorption refrigeration system differs
fundamentally from vapor compression system only in the method of compressing the
refrigerant. An absorber, generator and pump in the absorption refrigerating system replace the
compressor of a vapor compression system.

The work of the compressor in case VCR system is achieved by the combined effect of Absorber,
Pump and Generator. All other components such as Condenser, Expansion Valve & Evaporator
do the same thing as in case of VCR system. Just like in the traditional condenser of the vapor
compression cycle, the refrigerant enters the condenser at high pressure and temperature. Here
the heat from strong ammonia solution vapor is extracted and condensed to produce ammonia
liquid. The condenser is of water cooled type. Then condensed refrigerant passed through the
expansion device its pressure and temperature reduces suddenly. This refrigerant (ammonia)
then enters the evaporator. The refrigerant at very low pressure and temperature enters the
evaporator and produces the cooling effect. In the vapor compression cycle this refrigerant is
sucked by the compressor, but in the vapor absorption cycle, this refrigerant flows to the
absorber that acts as the suction part of the refrigeration cycle.

The absorber is a sort of vessel consisting of water that acts as the absorbent, and the previous
absorbed refrigerant. Thus the absorber consists of the weak solution of the refrigerant ammonia
and absorbent water. When ammonia from the evaporator enters the absorber, it is absorbed
by the absorbent due to which the pressure inside the absorber reduces further leading to more
flow of the refrigerant from the evaporator to the absorber. The initial flow of the refrigerant
from the evaporator to the absorber occurs because the vapor pressure of the refrigerant-
absorbent in the absorber is lower than the vapor pressure of the refrigerant in the evaporator.
When the refrigerant entering in the absorber is absorbed by the absorbent its volume decreases,
thus the compression of the refrigerant occurs. Then the refrigerant moves to the generator by
using the pump. Thus pump increases the pressure of the solution to about 10bar. The
refrigerant-ammonia solution in the generator is heated by the external source of heat. This is
can be steam, hot water or any other suitable source. Due to heating the temperature of the
solution increases. The refrigerant in the solution gets vaporized and it leaves the solution at high
pressure. The water vapor carried with ammonia is removed in the rectifier and only the
dehydrated ammonia gas enters into the condenser. Then from the condenser the same process
will repeat. In this way a vapor absorption refrigeration trainer works.

Setup Diagram:

FIG: VAPOUR ABSORPTION REFRIGERATION SYSTEM

PROCEDURE:

1. The overhead tank was filled with water.

2. The main switch was turned on.

3. The heater and condenser fan were turned on.

4. Then, for about half an hour, waiting was done till cooling effect was achieved.

5. Using the TSS, temperature of different parts was measured.

6. When the temperature in the evaporator reached 5 degree centigrade, the refrigeration jar
was kept inside the refrigeration chamber.

7. The thermocouple was kept in the jar and water from overhead tank was allowed to flow by
opening the valve. Simultaneously, the stopwatch was started.

8. Temperature at different positions, ammeter and voltmeter readings were noted down from
the digital meter after the steady state was reached.

9. Quantity of water collected in the jar was checked along with the time for collection and mass
flow rate was calculated.

10. 𝐶𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑒𝑛𝑠𝑒𝑟 𝑓𝑎𝑛, ℎ𝑒𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑟 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑚𝑎𝑖𝑛𝑠 𝑤𝑒𝑟𝑒 𝑠𝑤𝑖𝑡𝑐ℎ𝑒𝑑 𝑜𝑓𝑓.

11. Finally calculation of Carnot, theoretical and actual COP was done.

FORMULA USED:

1. THEORETICAL COP

𝑄𝑒 𝑇𝑒 𝑇𝑔−𝑇𝑐
(𝐶𝑂𝑃)𝑡ℎ𝑒𝑜𝑟𝑒𝑡𝑖𝑐𝑎𝑙 = = ×
𝑄𝑔 𝑇𝑐−𝑇𝑒 𝑇𝑔

Where,

Tg = T2 = Generator temperature in degree K

Tc = T3 = Condenser outlet temperature in degree K

 Te = T4 = Evaporator inlet temperature in degree K

2. CARNOT COP

𝑇𝑒
(𝐶𝑂𝑃)𝑐𝑎𝑟𝑛𝑜𝑡 =
𝑇𝑐−𝑇𝑒

Where, Te = T4 and Tc = T3

3. REFRIGERATION EFFECT (QC)

𝑄𝑐 = 𝑀𝑤 × 𝐶𝑝𝑤 × (𝑇7 − 𝑇6)𝑘𝑊

Where,

Mw = (Vw × 10-6 × 1000) / t) kg/sec

Cpw = 4.18 kJ/kg K

T6 = water temperature in the jar

T7 = water temperature in overhead tank

t = time taken in sec.

4. POWER INPUT (Qg)

𝑉×𝐼
𝑄𝑔 = 1000 𝑘𝑊

5. ACTUAL COP

𝑅𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑄𝑐
(𝐶𝑂𝑃)𝑎𝑐𝑡𝑢𝑎𝑙 = = 𝑄𝑔
𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡

Observation Table:
Sl.no V(v) I (A) T1 (oc) T2 (oc) T3 (oc) T4 (oc) T5 (oc) T6 (oc) T7 (oc) T8 (oc)
1. 252 0.3 130 126 31.3 5 23.9 24.4 25 27.2
V = voltage in volt

I = current in ampere

T1= temperature at inlet of generator of refrigerant

T2= refrigerant temperature at outlet of generator

T3= refrigerant temperature at outlet of condenser

T4= refrigerant temperature inlet of evaporator

T5= refrigerant temperature outlet of evaporator

T6=water temperature in collecting or measuring jar

T7= water temperature at overhead tank

T8=outlet temperature of air

Mw = mass of water collected in measuring jar

t = time taken for mw of water collection

Calculation:
𝑄𝑒 𝑇𝑒 𝑇𝑔−𝑇𝑐
1. COP theoretical = = ×
𝑄𝑔 𝑇𝑐−𝑇𝑒 𝑇𝑔
Where Tg = T2
Tc = T3
Te = T4
𝑇4 𝑇2−𝑇3
COP theoretical = 𝑇3−𝑇4 × = 7.945
𝑇2

𝑇4
2. COP Carnot = 𝑇3−𝑇4 = 10.57

T4 = evaporator inlet

3. Refrigerant effect:
Qe = Mw × Cpw × (T6 – T7)
Vw = 160 CC/300s = 0.534 CC/s

so

Mw = 5.34* 10-4 kg/s.

Qe = 5.34* 10-4 × 4.18 × (25 – 24.4)

Qe = 1.341× 10-3 kW

4. Power input:
𝑉∗𝐼
Qg = kW
1000

252×0.3
= = 0.0756 kW
1000

5. COP actual:
𝑟𝑒𝑓𝑟𝑖𝑔𝑒𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑜𝑛 𝑒𝑓𝑓𝑒𝑐𝑡 𝑄𝑒
COP actual = = 𝑄𝑔
𝑝𝑜𝑤𝑒𝑟 𝑖𝑛𝑝𝑢𝑡

1.341× 10−3
= = 0.017
0.0756

Conclusion:

We had successfully conducted the experiment on Performance test on a vapour absorption

refrigeration system and calculated all the cops.

***************END******************