The efficient use of energy in refrigeration is an important topic. A higher capacity requirement is implemented in industry by connecting several small compressors in parallel. This permits the optimum adaptation to the capacity requirement by adding and removing compressors. ET 428 includes three compressors connected in parallel for this purpose which can be switched on or off via a controller.
The components of a refrigeration circuit with three compressors are arranged clearly in the trainer. A glycol-water circuit with pump and tank with heater serves as cooling load at the evaporator. An internal heat exchanger in the refrigeration circuit allows for the refrigerant supercooling to be examined for process efficiency. The quantitative analysis of the efficiency takes place using an energy balance in the glycol-water circuit and by measuring the electrical power of the compressors.
To protect the three compressors, the refrigeration circuit is equipped with a combined pressure switch for the delivery and intake sides. To ensure a secure oil supply to the three compressors, an oil separator is provided on the delivery side of the compressors. The separated oil is returned to the compressors on the intake side. The oil is monitored through sight glasses in the respective lines.
Relevant measured values are recorded by sensors. The measured values can be read on digital displays. At the same time, the measured values can also be transmitted directly to a PC via USB. The data acquisition software is included.
