ME2121 2

C4
PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF AIRCONDITIONERS

10/11/2012

LAB REPORT

Group 2L1
Low Kah Hou
A0084776M

NATIONAL UNIVERSITY OF SINGAPORE

DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Introduction
Air conditioners are widely used in tropical countries like Singapore where the controlling of
humidity and temperature is required for human comfort and for storing special equipment
such as computers. This laboratory manual outlines an experimental procedure for the
performance study of a room air conditioner.

Objective
To study the performance of a room air conditioner and examine the refrigeration cycle of the
air conditioner and by evaluating the cooling capacity and power consumption under different
operating conditions.

COMPUTATION ( raw data and schematic diagram are attached together below )
(i)

Capacity of the Air Conditioner

m a

Flowrate
(outlet )

For air outlet,

7.7
60

1
0.845

= 0.1519 kg/s

Given that:
Cpa = 1.02 kJ/kg dry air 0C,
hfg = 2465 kJ/kg
First Method:
Sensible heat transfer,

Q s= m
a C pa ( T i T o )
0.1519 1.02 10 3 (25.514.4 )
1719.8 J/s

Latent heat transfer,

Q l =m
a h fg ( W i W o )
3

0.1519 2465 10 ( 0.01020.0088 )

524 .2 J/s
Capacity of air conditioner,

Qt =Qs +Ql
Qt =1719.8+ 524.2=2244 J/s

Second Method:
Capacity of air conditioner,

Q t =m
a ( hi ho )
0.1519 ( 52.036.0 )
2.43 k J/s =2430 J/s

Average Capacity = (2244 + 2430) / 2 = 2337 J/s

(percentage difference = (2430 2244) / 2244 x 100% = 8.29%

reason for the difference might be the inaccuracies in reading the Psychrometric Chart due to
the imprecise scale)

(ii)
COP=

Coefficient of Performance and EER

2337
723
3.232

EER= COP x 3.412

11.03
(iii)

Fraction of capacity for dehumidification

Ql 524.2
=
=0. 2243
Qt 2337

DISCUSSION
Refrigeration Cycle Theory
In an ideal cycle, work is done on the refrigerant vapour in the compressor to increase its
temperature and pressure and becoming a superheated steam.
The refrigerant then flows to the condenser where the steam is air cooled and liquefied at a
constant pressure.
The high pressure liquid then flows to an expansion valve to lower its pressure in an adiabatic
process.
The lowered pressure refrigerant vapour is then allowed to evaporate through an evaporator.
Hence, the heat absorbed by the evaporator from the surrounding creates the cooling effect.
Anomalous result
It is observed that T3 (compressor outlet) is higher than T2 (condenser inlet). However
according to theory, the temperature should drop due to the heat loss to surrounding. The
reason might be the inaccuracy of thermometer of plus minus 0.1 Degree Celsius.
Possible Sources of Error
1) The experiment was conducted in a small enclosed room with multiple air- conditioning
units running at the same time. This could affect the air flow and thus lead us to a less
accurate result.
2) It was difficult to get an accurate reading from the Psychrometric Chart due to the
imprecise scale used. Hence a poor estimation is taken instead.

COP Indication

Source : http://app2.nea.gov.sg/elc_tickrating.aspx

From the experiment, we obtained a COP value of 3.232, hence achieving a Very Good
Energy efficiency rating.
Ways to increase COP
1) We can ensure there is well ventilated space behind the condenser so that heat is dissipated
from the condenser coils quickly to the surrounding.

2) We can ensure that there is no leakage in the capillary tubes so that the pressure doesnt
decrease due to leakages.

CONCLUSION
This experiment taught me the refrigerator cycle from the workings of an air-conditioner. The
cycle involves an evaporated, compressor, expansion valve and condenser. The evaporator
absorbs heat from the environment, thus creating the cooling effect. From a Psychrometric
Chart, I can find values such as specific volume, enthalpy, humidity ratio and wet bulb
temperature when given only temperature and relative humidity.