Determining the Efficiency of the Hot Air Engine as a Refrigerator

The Hot-Air Engine as a Refrigerator Experiment is designed to determine the efficiency of a hot-air engine operating as a refrigeration system. In this experiment, the hot-air engine is driven externally by an electric motor with the cylinder head closed. The electrical heating energy required to maintain the cylinder head at ambient temperature is measured, allowing students to evaluate the performance and efficiency of the engine operating in the reverse thermodynamic cycle. Manufactured by Atico Export India.

Principle

The experiment is based on the reverse operation of a hot-air engine as a refrigeration machine. The engine is driven by an electric motor, causing heat to be transferred from the cooled region to the surroundings. Electrical heating energy is supplied to maintain the cylinder head at ambient temperature, and this energy is used to determine the refrigeration performance and efficiency of the system.

Objectives

• Determine the efficiency of a hot-air engine operating as a refrigerator.
• Study the reverse thermodynamic cycle.
• Measure the electrical heating energy required to maintain thermal equilibrium.
• Analyze the performance of a refrigeration system.
• Understand the principles of heat transfer and refrigeration.

Hot-Air Engine :

• Quantity: 1

Power Measurement Accessories :

• Quantity: 1 Set

Experiment Motor :

• Quantity: 1

Motor Control Unit :

• Quantity: 1

Variable Extra-Low Voltage Transformer :

• Quantity: 1

Electronic Counter :

• Quantity: 1

Fork-Type Light Barrier :

• Quantity: 1

Multi-Core Cable :

• 6-Pole
• Length: 1.5 m
• Quantity: 1

Analog Multimeter :

• Quantity: 2

Mechanical Hand-Held Stopwatch :

• Quantity: 1

Thermometer :

• Range: -10°C to +50°C
• Resolution: 0.1 K
• Quantity: 1

V-Shaped Stand Base :

• Quantity: 1

Stand Rod :

• Length: 25 cm
• Diameter: 12 mm
• Quantity: 1

Plastic Beaker :

• Quantity: 1

Connecting Leads :

• Current Rating: 19 A
• Length: 50 cm
• Red/Blue Pair
• Quantity: 1

Connecting Leads :

• Current Rating: 32 A
• Length: 100 cm
• Color: Black
• Quantity: 3

Immersion Pump :

• Quantity: 1

Low Voltage Power Supply :

• Output: 3 / 6 / 9 / 12 V
• Quantity: 1

Silicone Tubing :

• Diameter: 7 mm
• Length: 1 m
• Quantity: 2

Wide-Mouthed Can :

• Capacity: 10 L
• Quantity: 1

Reverse Cycle Operation :

• Demonstrates the operation of a hot-air engine as a refrigeration machine.

Motor-Driven System :

• External experiment motor provides controlled engine operation.

Electrical Heating Measurement :

• Measures the heating energy required to maintain the cylinder head at ambient temperature.

Accurate Speed Measurement :

• Fork-type light barrier and electronic counter provide precise rotational speed measurements.

Complete Experimental Setup :

• Includes mechanical, electrical, and thermal measurement accessories.

Educational Design :

• Ideal for demonstrating refrigeration cycles and thermodynamic principles.