Basic Refrigeration Trainer

(Compression Type)
(SMT-RAC-00)

Operational Manual
 Note
This document has been made accurate to the best of our knowledge, however
there is no liability for errors. If there is an error discovered, please notify the
company with complete details. Experimental results provided (if any) are for the
sole purpose of guidance and influence of different variables on accuracy and
precision of experimental results must be considered.
 Warning
This unit has been designed to be safe for users during operation. As with any other sophisticated
piece of equipment, danger exist if equipment is mishandled or not maintained properly.
Presence of competent personnel during the operation of equipment is advised.

It is the user’s responsibility to exercise safe practices during the operation of this unit.

Hot Surface Electric Shock

The ESOLS Basic Refrigeration Trainer (Compression Type) (SMT-RAC-00) is a
standalone bench top unit designed for the study of vapor compression type refrigeration system.
The unit consists of a hermetic compressor, condenser, evaporator, and expansion elements.

Unit Description
Bench top unit
Compressor: SECOP FR10G
Air flow rates: 700 m3/hr
Electricity: 230V AC, 60Hz, 1-phases
Theoretical Fundamentals:

A standard refrigerator will have mechanical elements that make it easy for it to achieve and
maintain cold temperatures. They are the components that will maintain the refrigeration cycle.
These components are highly specialized in order to provide the desired effects.

They include a compressor, condenser, expansion valve/metering or throttling device and an

evaporator. Additionally, the fridge has to use a refrigerant, a substance that is used to provide
the cooling effect. The refrigerant has to pass through all these components and in each, it is
altered to achieve the required temperatures.

Here are the refrigeration components that complete the cycle.

Compressor

Its work is to control the flow of the refrigerant by acting as a motor and a pump. This allows it
to pressurize the refrigerant and reduce its volume.

There are five types of compressors used in both commercial and domestic refrigerators. They
include reciprocating, rotary, screw, centrifugal and scroll. Of the five, the reciprocating
compressor is the most commonly used in home and commercial kitchen refrigerators.
Condenser

The condenser works by condensing the refrigerant. The refrigerant entering the condenser is hot
and pressurised. The condenser then cools the refrigerant by converting it into a liquid state.

There are three types of condensers.

• Air-cooled. you will find this in small refrigerators such as the ones used at home. They
are ideal when the refrigerant quantity is small. The air-cooled condenser is also called
coil condenser because it comes with aluminium or copper coils at the back of the fridge.
The coils increase the surface area for cooling the refrigerant.

Air-cooled condensers are further divided into two. The natural convection condenser which uses
the natural flow of air to cool the refrigerant and the forced convection condenser which uses a
fan to draw in cold air.

• Water-cooled condensers. These are used in large plants where there is more refrigerant.
They use water to provide the cooling effect on the refrigerant. Water-cooled refrigerants
are further subdivided into three.

• Tube-in-tube or double pipe type

• Shell and coil type
• Shell and tube type

Water-cooled systems typically work better when operating in higher ambient temperatures.

• Evaporative Condensers. These are used in ice plants and are a combination of water-
cooled and air-cooled condensers. As such, they come with benefits from both types of
condensers.

Expansion Valve

The expansion valve helps reduce the pressure and temperature of the refrigerant. The sudden
drop in pressure and temperature produces a cooling effect.

The expansion valve also regulates the amount of refrigerant used in meeting the load
requirements. The load, in this case, are the products that need cooling in the refrigerator.

There are various types of expansion valves. They include:

• Capillary Tube
• Constant Pressure or Automatic Throttling Valve
 • Thermostatic Expansion Valve
• Float Valve

Evaporator

The evaporator absorbs heat inside the refrigerator. It acts as a medium of exchange for heat
from the stored products (load) to the refrigerant. In most cases, the evaporator is the coldest part
of the fridge or the freezer.

Here, the refrigerant is cold and moves at a slower pace in order to absorb as much heat as
possible from the load. As it absorbs the heat, it gets hotter and turns into a gas. By vaporising
the refrigerant more heat is absorbed from the load. The refrigerant, now hot and in gaseous
form, is then pushed back into the compressor.

The Refrigeration Cycle

The refrigeration cycle starts and ends with the compressor. The refrigerant flows into the
Compressor where it is compressed and pressurised. At this point, the refrigerant is a hot gas.
The refrigerant is then pushed to the Condenser which turns the vapour into liquid and absorbs
some of the heat. The refrigerant then proceeds to the Expansion Valve where it expands, losing
pressure and heat.

The refrigerant coming out of the expansion valve is cold and slow due to the loss of pressure. It
enters the Evaporator in a liquid state where the exchange of heat takes place thus cooling the
load inside the refrigerator. As the gas cools down the load, it absorbs the heat which turns it into
a gas. The gas is then pushed back into the Compressor where it can start the cycle again.

During the refrigeration cycle, a build-up of ice around the evaporator may occur. Both
commercial fridges and freezers will combat this build-up with some form of defrost system.
Read more about different types of defrosting function here.

Understanding the Refrigeration Cycle

The refrigeration cycle basically involves the movement of refrigerant from one place to the next
and in different forms with the ultimate goal of pulling down temperatures whether in a cabinet,
counter or even cold room format. The one main importance of learning how your commercial
fridge works is so that you understand how to clean and maintain equipment effectively. For
example, understanding that your fridge uses an air-cooled condenser will help you find the ideal
position for your unit in order to make its work easier and lower the energy consumption. By
understanding the basics, only then can one fully benefit from their commercial refrigeration.
Objective:
Demonstration of operation of a compression type refrigeration system and its different
components.

Procedure
• Turn on the refrigeration unit.
• Allow the system to stabilize
• Once the system has achieved reasonable stability, observe and record the temperatures
of different parts of refrigeration circuit.
• Comments on the behaviour shown by the refrigerant shown in different parts of the
refrigeration circuit. Record and comment on the temperature of air streams passing
through the evaporator and condenser.
• After the experiment has been completed, turn off the unit.

Evaporator Evaporator Compressor Compressor

Inlet outlet Inlet out
Sr. Comments
Temperature Temperature Temperature Temperature

3
 Objective:
• Estimation of performance of compression type refrigeration system.

Procedure:
• Turn on the refrigeration unit.
• Allow the system to stabilize
• Once the system has achieved reasonable stability, observe, and record the temperatures
and pressures in different parts of refrigeration circuit.
• Determine Carnot coefficient of performance using following expression.

COP = Tc/(Th - Tc)

Evaporator Evaporator Compressor Compressor

Inlet outlet Inlet out
Sr. COP Comments
Temperature Temperature Temperature Temperature

Tc = Evaporator outlet Temperature

Th = Compressor outlet Temperature