Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Lab

Overview

The Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Lab lets learners operate and evaluate a wide range of cooling systems. They study the components, controls and instrumentation of the vapour-compression refrigeration system (VCRS), test alternative refrigerants and investigate air-conditioning processes on a psychrometric chart.

Thermodynamic models built from measured data show how evaporator and condenser temperatures change the performance of a system – the knowledge needed to design, commission and optimise HVAC&R equipment. ASFAN designs, supplies, installs and commissions the complete Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Lab, with operating manuals, experiment sheets and instructor training.

Key Equipment

• Refrigeration test rig – VCR cycle measurements
• Air-conditioning test rig – heating, cooling, humidification and dehumidification
• Absorption refrigeration system – heat-driven refrigeration
• IoT-enabled refrigeration and heat-pump system – remote monitoring and data logging
• Cascade refrigeration system – low-temperature applications
• Ice-slurry test rig – thermal storage and secondary cooling
• Domestic refrigerator set-up – household system study
• Cycle-analysis software (EES) – refrigeration-cycle modelling
• Psychrometric analysis set-up – air-conditioning processes
• Expansion-valve demonstration unit – throttling devices
• Control-devices set-up – thermostats, pressure switches and controls

Learning Objectives

By the end of the training, learners will be able to:

• Explain the role of each component and control element in a VCRS.
• Quantify the effect of key operating parameters on system performance.
• Evaluate COP, refrigerant flow rate and compressor work.
• Recommend ways to improve the efficiency of refrigeration systems.

Career Relevance

The lab prepares learners for HVAC&R design, installation, commissioning and energy-efficiency work.