Slides for ME 114 Laboratory

Vapor-compression refrigeration

Vapor-compression refrigeration and its representation on T-s diagram (Thermodynamics 4th ed., Cengel and Boles, Figure 10-3)

Slides for ME 114 Laboratory

Question to Ponder
You know that you have a saturated R12 mixture at the exit of the expansion valve. You have both a temperature and a pressure gauge at that point. If your pressure gauge reads 400 kPa when the actual pressure is 390 kPa (only a small error), what type of substance would it look like you have at this point subcooled liquid, saturated mixture, or superheated vapor? Watch out for this problem whenever you have a mixture.

Slides for ME 114 Laboratory

Slides for ME 114 Laboratory

Hilton Air Conditioning Unit

Steam is added at the inlet. Air is preheated before sending it through the evaporator. If the temperature and relative humidity is right, liquid will condense as the air passes through the evaporator. Air is then reheated near the end. A normal air conditioning unit would not include all of these processes. Air flow rate is measured at the exit of the unit with an orifice plate and manometer.

Slides for ME 114 Laboratory

1st law, no condensation or evaporation:

Basic Equations

& & & & Q W = me he mi hi

Where is the only place in this system where the power input term would be kept? 1st law with condensation:

& & & Qair = mair ( hout hin ) + mcondensatehcondensate

If we dont measure the temperature of the condensate, what would be a good estimate of the temperature?

Slides for ME 114 Laboratory

Measuring Humidity: Approaches

Glass thermometer with wet wick will measure wet-bulb temperature, which can be used with drybulb temperature to determine humidity and state. (psychrometer) Cellulose sponge-type material expands with changes in relative humidity, which can be calibrated or used with dial indicator. (hygrometer) Electronic: Capacitance or resistance changes with relative humidity can be calibrated. Digital readout common. (electronic hygrometer)

Slides for ME 114 Laboratory

Slides for ME 114 Laboratory

Humidity Meters

DMM/thermometer/ relative humidity meters (source: www.omega.com)

Sling psychrometer (becoming obsolete) Source: sciencekit.com

Slides for ME 114 Laboratory

Measuring Mass Flow Rate With Pressure Drop

Orifice plates, flow nozzles, and venturi tubes are common. The greater the air flow rate, the greater the pressure drop. What general equation is used to calculate velocity?

Flow nozzle

Source: White, F.M., Fluid Mechanics 2nd Ed.

Slides for ME 114 Laboratory

Examples
Orifice plate Venturi

Manufacturer: Airflow Measurement Systems

Rotameter (used for R12 measurement in this experiment) Source: http://lambdasquare.com/