CAPACITY CONTROL AND FAULTS IN REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS
The efficient control of the capacity and temperature in refrigeration systems is an important topic in refrigeration technology. With different methods of capacity control can be investigated.
The components of a refrigeration circuit with refrigeration and freezing chambers are arranged clearly in the trainer. Solenoid valves enable the separate or parallel operation of the evaporators in the two chambers. The circuit is equipped with a capacity controller, a start-up controller and a combined pressures switch for the delivery and intake sides of the compressor. One heat exchanger each in the inlet of the two evaporators enables the supercooling of the refrigerant to be investigated for the efficiency of the process. The refrigeration capacity of the two individual chambers is controlled by a thermostat. The refrigeration chamber also features an evaporation pressure controller.
There are two defrosting methods for the freezing chamber: an electric defrost heater and a hot gas defrosting where hot refrigerant is fed directly from the compressor in the opposite direction through the evaporator. The simulation of 12 different faults, such as e.g. faulty valves or clogged pipes, is activated using a touch panel PC.
Relevant measured values are transmitted directly to the touch panel PC and analysed. The software enables e.g. the representation of the cycle in the log p-h diagram. The well-structured instructional material sets out the fundamentals and provides a step-by-step guide through the experiments. The unit shall perform the following experiments and investigations:
Learning Objectives / Experiments
Familiarisation with the key devices for changing the refrigeration capacity
Thermostat
Capacity controller
Start-up controller
Evaporation pressure controller
Condensation pressure controller
Fault finding in refrigeration system components
Effect of refrigerant supercooling
Familiarisation with defrosting methods
Electric defrost heater
Hot gas defrosting
Representation of the thermodynamic cycle in the
Log p-h diagram
Specification
Investigation of a refrigeration system with refrigeration and freezing chambers
Refrigeration circuit with compressor, condenser, capacity controller, start-up controller, combined pressure switch and 2 evaporators in insulated chambers
Each chamber with solenoid valve, thermostat, thermostatic expansion valve, fan and heat exchanger for refrigerant supercooling
Refrigeration chamber with evaporation pressure controller
Freezing chamber with electric defrost heater and hot gas defrosting
Separate or parallel operation of the chambers via solenoid valves
Simulation of 12 faults
Touch panel PC for fault activation, data acquisition, evaluation and representation in the