THE PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF A PLATE TYPE EVAPORATOR AND A SHELL AND TUBE EVAPORATOR

Abstract-In this paper, a refrigeration system using shell and tube evaporator will be converted to a refrigeration system using a plate type evaporator. The performance of the modified system will be evaluated and compared with the performance of the plate type evaporator. A refrigeration system working on a shell and tube evaporator was selected, charged with refrigerant R134a. Temperature and pressure readings were taken at both the inlet and outlet of both the evaporator and condenser unit respectively. The refrigeration system with shell and tube evaporator was then removed and replaced with a plate type evaporator. The system was evacuated, charged with refrigerant and readings were taken at both the inlet and outlet of the evaporator and condenser respectively. Experimental results obtained shows that the refrigeration efficiency of the shell and tube evaporator was 64.33% and that of the plate type evaporator was 85.24%. The result obtained shows that the COP of the refrigerator using the plate type evaporator is higher than that of the refrigerator using the shell and tube evaporator. The refrigeration system working on a plate type evaporator has higher refrigeration capacity and lower compressor work, low liquid hold up, higher surface area than the shell and tube evaporator system.