Simple Compression Refrigeration | PolarX – 501
The Simple Compression Refrigeration PolarX-501 is a benchtop refrigeration training unit for engineering laboratories demonstrating the full compression refrigeration and heat pump cycle using R134a CFC-free refrigerant. This simple compression refrigeration apparatus includes a piston compressor (104 W, 278 W refrigeration capacity at 5/40°C), thermostatic expansion valve, pipe coil evaporator, and pipe coil condenser, each submerged in 1700 ml water tanks for direct energy balance measurement. Six Type-K temperature sensors (-40 to 400°C), two pressure gauges (-1 to 16 bar suction, -1 to 25 bar delivery), a sight glass, pressure safety switch, 1.2 L liquid receiver, filter drier, and a digital multifunctional power meter (0 to 500 V, 0 to 40 A) provide complete instrumentation. Optional LabVIEW-based Software PX-501 enables digital data acquisition and results calculation on any Windows operating system.
The Simple Compression Refrigeration PolarX – 501 is a bench-top laboratory unit designed to demonstrate the fundamentals of a compression refrigeration cycle using a piston compressor, thermostatic expansion valve, pipe coil evaporator, and pipe coil condenser. This simple compression refrigeration unit uses CFC-free refrigerant R134a, includes two water-filled tanks with temperature sensors to simulate the environment, and is fully instrumented with pressure gauges, six K-type temperature sensors, a sight glass, and a digital multifunctional power meter for comprehensive refrigeration cycle analysis.
Product Overview
The Simple Compression Refrigeration PolarX – 501 demonstrates a straightforward compression refrigeration system in a simplified bench-top format. The four primary components of the refrigeration circuit are a piston compressor, a thermostatic expansion valve, an evaporator, and a condenser. Both the evaporator and condenser are formed as pipe coils, with each end submerged in a separate water-filled tank to simulate the environment. The cold water tank represents heat removal (evaporator side) and the hot water tank represents heat rejection (condenser side).
The compressor has a power consumption of 104 W at 5/40°C and a refrigeration capacity of 278 W at 5/40°C. Refrigerant R134a (CFC-free) is used throughout the circuit. Two manometers display the refrigerant pressures on the high-pressure side (-1 to 25 bar) and the low-pressure side (-1 to 16 bar). The evaporation temperature of the refrigerant is displayed on a separate scale on the low-pressure manometer. A sight glass upstream of the expansion valve shows the aggregate state of the refrigerant.
Six K-type temperature sensors with a range of -40 to 400°C measure temperatures digitally across the system. Two water-filled tanks of 1700 ml each are fitted with temperature sensors for monitoring the cooling and heating effects. A pressure switch protects the compressor on both the suction side and the delivery side. A liquid receiver with a maximum working pressure of 450 psig and a capacity of 1.2 L is included. A filter drier rated at a maximum working pressure of 450 psig is also fitted. A digital multifunctional power meter measures AC voltage (0 to 500 V) and AC current (0 to 40 A). Optional LabVIEW-based DAQ software is available for PC-based data acquisition.
Technical Specifications
| Parameter | Detail |
|---|---|
| Model Reference | PolarX-501 |
| Category | Refrigeration and Air Conditioning |
| Refrigerant | R134a, CFC-free |
| Compressor Type | Piston compressor |
| Compressor Power Consumption | 104 W at 5/40°C |
| Refrigeration Capacity | 278 W at 5/40°C |
| Suction Side Pressure Range | -1 to 16 bar |
| Delivery Side Pressure Range | -1 to 25 bar |
| Expansion Element | Thermostatic expansion valve |
| Evaporator | Pipe coil submerged in water tank |
| Condenser | Pipe coil submerged in water tank |
| Water Tank Volume | 2 x 1700 ml |
| Temperature Sensors | 6 x Type-K, range -40 to 400°C |
| Sight Glass | Upstream of expansion valve |
| Pressure Safety Switch | Suction side and delivery side |
| Liquid Receiver Capacity | 1.2 L |
| Liquid Receiver Max Working Pressure | 450 psig |
| Filter Drier Max Working Pressure | 450 psig |
| AC Volt Measurement Range | 0 to 500 V |
| AC Ampere Measurement Range | 0 to 40 A |
| Optional Software | Software PX-501 (LabVIEW-based, Windows compatible) |
Technical Data
Compressor
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Power Consumption | 104 W at 5/40°C |
| Refrigeration Capacity | 278 W at 5/40°C |
Pressure Gauges
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Suction Side (Low Pressure) | -1 to 16 bar |
| Delivery Side (High Pressure) | -1 to 25 bar |
Temperature Sensors
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Type | Type-K |
| Range | -40 to 400°C |
| Quantity | 6 |
Water Tanks
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Quantity | 2 |
| Volume each | 1700 ml |
Liquid Receiver
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Working Pressure | 450 psig |
| Capacity | 1.2 L |
Filter Drier
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Maximum Working Pressure | 450 psig |
Digital Multifunctional Power Meter
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| AC Voltage Range | 0 to 500 V |
| AC Current Range | 0 to 40 A |
Key Features
- Refrigerant Circuit: R134a CFC-free refrigerant through piston compressor, thermostatic expansion valve, pipe coil evaporator, and pipe coil condenser
- Compressor Performance: 104 W power consumption, 278 W refrigeration capacity at 5/40°C on this simple compression refrigeration apparatus
- Pressure Monitoring: two manometers, suction side -1 to 16 bar, delivery side -1 to 25 bar, with separate evaporation temperature scale
- Temperature Measurement: 6 x Type-K sensors, -40 to 400°C range, digital display
- Water Tanks: 2 x 1700 ml tanks simulate environment for evaporator (cold side) and condenser (hot side) heat exchange measurement
- Sight Glass: monitors aggregate state of refrigerant upstream of expansion valve
- Pressure Safety Switch: protects compressor on both suction and delivery sides
- Liquid Receiver: 1.2 L capacity, 450 psig maximum working pressure
- Filter Drier: 450 psig maximum working pressure
- Power Meter: digital multifunctional, 0 to 500 V AC and 0 to 40 A AC measurement
- Optional Software: PX-501, LabVIEW-based DAQ software for measurement and results calculation on any Windows operating system
Experiments
- Compression refrigeration circuit fundamentals
- Identification of the compressor, evaporator, condenser, and expansion element as primary refrigeration system components
- The connection between a liquid’s boiling point and pressure
- The use of a heat pump or refrigeration system
- Gaining a fundamental knowledge of the thermodynamic cycle
- Simple energy balance
Construction and Design
The Simple Compression Refrigeration PolarX-501 is a self-contained benchtop unit housing all primary refrigeration cycle components. The piston compressor drives refrigerant R134a through a closed circuit. The condenser and evaporator are each constructed as pipe coils, with both ends of each coil submerged in separate 1700 ml water-filled tanks that simulate the hot-side and cold-side environments. A thermostatic expansion valve controls refrigerant flow between the high-pressure and low-pressure sides of the circuit. Two manometers display suction side pressure (-1 to 16 bar) and delivery side pressure (-1 to 25 bar). Six Type-K temperature sensors across the circuit provide digital temperature readouts over a -40 to 400°C range, with a separate scale for evaporation temperature. A sight glass positioned upstream of the expansion valve allows direct visual monitoring of the refrigerant’s aggregate state. A pressure safety switch on both suction and delivery sides protects the compressor from overpressure conditions. A 1.2 L liquid receiver and a filter drier, both rated to 450 psig maximum working pressure, are integrated into the high-pressure side. A digital multifunctional power meter measures AC voltage and current for power consumption analysis. Optional Software PX-501 developed in National Instruments LabVIEW provides DAQ-based measurement, data logging, and results calculation compatible with any Windows operating system, with electronic sensors included when the software option is selected.
Software
Software PX-501 (Optional): DAQ software developed in National Instruments LabVIEW environment for measuring and calculating experimental results. Electronic sensors are included with the software option. Compatible with any Windows operating system.
Scope of Delivery
- 1 experimental module
- 1 instruction manual
Q1: What refrigerant does the Simple Compression Refrigeration PolarX-501 use?
The unit uses R134a, a CFC-free refrigerant widely used in commercial and industrial refrigeration and heat pump systems.
Q2: How are the cooling and heating effects measured on this simple compression refrigeration apparatus?
The evaporator and condenser pipe coils are each submerged in separate 1700 ml water-filled tanks. Temperature sensors in each tank measure the temperature change caused by heat absorption (evaporator, cold water) and heat rejection (condenser, hot water), enabling direct energy balance calculations.
Q3: What pressure ranges are covered by the two manometers?
The suction side (low pressure) manometer covers -1 to 16 bar. The delivery side (high pressure) manometer covers -1 to 25 bar.
Q4: What is the function of the sight glass on the PolarX-501?
The sight glass is positioned upstream of the expansion valve and allows direct visual monitoring of the aggregate state of the refrigerant, indicating whether the refrigerant is in liquid or vapour phase at that point in the circuit.
Q5: Is data acquisition software available for the PolarX-501?
Yes. Optional Software PX-501, developed in National Instruments LabVIEW, provides digital data acquisition, measurement, and results calculation. Electronic sensors are included when this option is selected, and the software runs on any Windows operating system.
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