See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/313831813

Energy Consumption and Stability Investigation of Constant Temperature

and Humidity Test Chamber

Article  in  International Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration · February 2017

DOI: 10.1142/S2010132517500109

CITATIONS READS

8 1,242

2 authors, including:

Kwesi Mensah
Hanbat National University
18 PUBLICATIONS   55 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

Development of a Geothermal System for Snow Melting View project

Development of a Novel Heat Recovery Technology for Energy Savings and Energy Efficiency in Conditioned Environments View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Kwesi Mensah on 16 March 2018.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 International Journal of Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration
Vol. 25, No. 1 (2017) 1750010 (11 pages)
© World Scienti¯c Publishing Company
DOI: 10.1142/S2010132517500109

Energy Consumption and Stability Investigation

of Constant Temperature and Humidity Test Chamber

Kwesi Mensah
Graduate School of Mechanical Engineering, Hanbat National University
125 Dongseodaero Yuseong-gu Daejeon, 34158 Korea
[email protected]

Jong Min Choi*

by UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND on 05/24/17. For personal use only.
Int. J. Air-Cond. Ref. 2017.25. Downloaded from www.worldscientific.com

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Hanbat National University

125 Dongseodaero Yuseong-gu Daejeon, 34158, Korea
[email protected]

Received 24 October 2016

Accepted 7 February 2017
Published 9 March 2017

Temperature and humidity chambers are used to simulate many thermal-environmental condi-
tions, as well as to observe the e®ects that a range of temperature and humidity have on a product
or material at the manufacturing stage. The energy consumption and accuracy of these test
chambers over the last decades have raised concerns for recent researchers. In this study, the
energy consumption and stability of a temperature and humidity chamber was investigated under
various operating and environmental conditions by adopting a variable speed compressor to the
refrigeration unit. The accuracy of temperature and humidity was also investigated. It is found
that, for a given surrounding environmental condition, as the dry bulb temperature conditions of
the temperature and humidity chambers increased, the cooling capacity of the system increased
while the refrigerating unit's power decreased for all operating conditions. However, the total
energy consumption of the test unit increased due to an increment in the electric heater output. In
maintaining e®ective stability of temperature and humidity test chambers, it is observed that,
varying the refrigeration unit capacity by adjusting compressor speed has the potential for
reducing the temperature and relative humidity °uctuations within the chamber for a given
operating condition. Adopting a variable speed compressor to the refrigerating unit, have the
potential for reducing the energy consumption signi¯cantly according to increment of setting
temperature of the chamber as well as ensuring system stability for temperature and
humidity chambers.

Keywords: Temperature and humidity chamber; energy consumption; electric heater; variable
speed compressor; refrigerator.

*Corresponding author.

1750010-1
 K. Mensah and J. M. Choi

1. Introduction and improvement in aesthetics and controls.8 of

Industries such as manufacturing, engineering, food environmental chambers. Pad¯eld.9 developed an
processing and packaging performs climatic-related open-top climatic chamber for simulating tempera-
environmental tests with the variation of pressure, ture and humidity gradients across a wall or roof.
temperature, humidity and moisture e®ects as well Pad¯eld's design presented di®erent options for
as mechanical environmental tests to evaluate performing experiments and for monitoring the test
product's reliability and quality at various condi- specimen. Feng et al.7 developed a low cost tem-
tions before releasing product to the general market. perature chamber for precision measurements.
These tests are also necessary in ensuring product Thermoelectric coolers were used for the cooling of
quality and avoiding the cost and loss of reputation the inside chamber circulating air directly. This
that is likely to occur after a manufactured product eliminates the e®ects of vibration as reported in the
fails on the general market due to the performance previous design.10
change and low durability in the actual environ- Current innovative chambers have improved
mental conditions. Figure 1 shows various categories aesthetics and easier operating interfaces allowing
of environmental testing available and some exam- researchers to test products faster. The signi¯cant
ples of the tests being conducted. Several types of area of improvement in environmental testing
by UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND on 05/24/17. For personal use only.
Int. J. Air-Cond. Ref. 2017.25. Downloaded from www.worldscientific.com

test chambers including pressure, humidity or tem- chambers has been in the control electronics. This
perature chambers for climatic chambers, and vi- allows operators to observe and program the con-
bration, thermal shock and stress chambers, are dition of the test specimen with ease. In an experi-
used to measure the performance of products under mental investigation on the performance of
shock or vibration. temperature and humidity chamber, Mensah et al.11
Conventional temperature and humidity cham- indicated that a variation in the operating condi-
ber is equipped with air circulating fans, refrigera- tions of these chambers will result in a correspond-
tion unit, electric heater, and humidi¯er for ing variation in the power consumption of the
simulating the thermal-environmental condition. system. Rare literature is found on the performance
These conventional test chambers are also equipped of these environmental chambers in the aspect of
with constant speed compressor adopted to the re- energy consumption with variation of operating and
frigeration unit to operate at all test conditions.1 environmental conditions, and on the information
The temperature and humidity chamber consumes a about environmental test chambers. In this paper,
lot of energy during its operation. Available litera- the basic structure and function of the environ-
tures and researches have focused on the calibration mental chamber were introduced, the energy con-
and characterization.2–6 design for speci¯c purpose.7 sumption and performance of a temperature and
humidity chamber was investigated under various
operating and environmental conditions by adopt-
ing a variable speed compressor to the refrigeration
unit. Also the use of variable speed compressor for
Environmental Tes
ng minimizing test chamber °uctuations and ensuring
chamber stability is analyzed.

Mechanical Tes
ng Clima
c Tes
ng 2. Environmental Test Chamber

Example of Tests: Example of Tests: An environmental chamber is an enclosure used to
Humidity/
test the e®ects of speci¯ed environmental conditions
Shock Vibra
on Fa
gue Temperature Pressure
Moisture on biological items, industrial products, materials,
and electronic devices and components. Its interior
chamber environment is regulated or controlled to a
Combined Tes
ng speci¯c set of parameters. Such chambers can be
used: as a stand-alone test for environmental e®ects
on test specimens, or as preparation of test speci-
Fig. 1. Categories of environmental testing with some mens for further physical or chemical tests, or fur-
examples. ther as environmental conditions for conducting

1750010-2
 Energy Consumption and Stability Investigation of Constant Temperature and Humidity Test Chamber

testing of specimens. Environmental chambers Circulating Fans

range in size from small bench-top boxes to huge
computer-controlled walk-in rooms, depending on
Humidifer Supply Air
the desired tests. Climatic tests, such as air pressure,
humidity, temperature and light, and dynamic or
mechanical tests, i.e., shock, vibration, acceleration, Electric Heater Test Chamber
rotation, etc. Climatic test chambers are used for
performing climatic tests. An example is the tem- Evaporator
perature and humidity chamber. Climatic test such Return Air
as humidity and moisture e®ect on a manufactured
product helps to access at early stages, the degrad-
ing e®ect of water damage on a product. High
moisture content in a product may result in corro- Expansion
Device
sion between conductive components of the product,
Heat
whereas an extremely low humidity may result in Exchanger
brittleness. High temperature e®ects in a product
by UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND on 05/24/17. For personal use only.
Int. J. Air-Cond. Ref. 2017.25. Downloaded from www.worldscientific.com

testing may promote oxidation and chemical reac- Refrigeration unit

Compressor
tions, changes in resistance, inductance and capac-
itance capabilities of the test specimen, as well as Fig. 2. Schematic diagram of a climatic chamber.
formation of metal compounds (thermal di®usion)
on the test specimen, etc. Low temperature testing
of a product may cause moisture to freeze on the conditions by adopting a variable speed compressor
product, increase heat losses, cracking e®ects on to the refrigerating unit.
¯nished surfaces, etc.1
Climatic test chambers can be distinguished with
2.1. Stability of temperature and
the type of temperature range that test chamber is
operated.12 The type of chamber cooling mechanism humidity chamber
has also been used to distinguish between climatic Maintaining stable conditions within a climatic test
chambers. Main reported cooling mechanism cate- chamber is crucial for monitoring the performance
gory includes, the use of expendable refrigerants or and condition of the test specimen. Temperature
use of mechanically cooled refrigeration systems. and humidity control is critical in the preservation
Expendable refrigerants are liquid/gases that can be of manufactured products and test specimens since
injected directly into the space being cooled or into unacceptable levels of these parameters generally
heat exchangers. As the liquid enters the chamber contribute signi¯cantly to the breakdown of pro-
(directly or through a ¯n coil), it absorbs heat and ducts and materials. A rapid increase in tempera-
°ashes into a gas. The gas is then expelled and ture increases deterioration reaction rate and melts
vented out of the chamber and it is normally passed heat-susceptible materials. A change in relative hu-
through ducts mounted outdoors. Common refrig- midity causes dimensional alteration in hygroscopic
erants used for this purposes are liquid nitrogen materials (for example, wood and other organic
(LN2 Þ and liquid carbon dioxide (LCO2 Þ.13 Figure 2 materials), resulting in delamination of sensitive
shows a schematic diagram for a temperature and materials. One major challenge has been to ensure
humidity testing chamber. Existing mechanically minimum and acceptable °uctuation range of tem-
cooled climatic chambers adopts a single speed perature and humidity test chambers in performing
compressor to the refrigerating unit.6,9 Not many product testing at the manufacturing level. Mea-
works have been conducted on the investigation of sures such as use of special regulators to react with
energy savings potential of mechanically cooled temperature and humidity disturbances both inside
temperature and humidity test chambers.11 The and outside the chambers as well as use of special-
next section investigates experimentally the energy ized envelopes for insulation purposes are not always
saving potential and analyzes the possibility of su±cient.14 Due to the on-o® control scheme of
minimizing chamber °uctuation of climatic chamber many electric heater and humidi¯er components,
under varying operating and environmental Kazanskaya.14 indicated that, in order to ensure a

1750010-3
 K. Mensah and J. M. Choi

minimum temperature °uctuation for a constant was installed at the lower portion of the system
temperature chamber, the frequency of periodic while the working chamber was located at the upper
temperature °uctuations at the electric heater inlet portion of the chamber. In order to perform test at
should not exceed the system locking frequency for a various compressor speeds, a compressor with an
given °uctuations amplitude. The IEC60068.2,3 and inverter control is adopted. The experimental test
ISO 17025.15 provides a series of calibration meth- was conducted according to the variation of tem-
ods and guidelines for environmental test chambers perature and humidity. The test conditions are set
in the aspect of ensuring an acceptable °uctuation by the operator at the front control panel. The
ranges for various types of environmental testing compressor was operated at the maximum speed to
chambers. Rare literature is found with regards to obtain low temperature and humidity condition.
experimental investigations. Since there were no generally accepted standard
This study investigated experimentally the po- for the test procedure of a temperature and hu-
tential of ensuring stable setting conditions within a midity chamber in the aspect of power and energy
400 L capacity temperature and humidity chamber consumption of the test chamber, the experiments
with the adoption of a variable speed compressor were performed at varying dry bulb temperature
technology to the refrigerating unit. range from 20  C to 45  C. The relative humidity
by UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND on 05/24/17. For personal use only.
Int. J. Air-Cond. Ref. 2017.25. Downloaded from www.worldscientific.com

was also varied within the range of 25% to 55%. The

compressor speed was varied within 25 to 60 Hz for
2.2. Operating principle of temperature
the operating condition of the test chamber. The
and humidity chamber surrounding dry bulb and wet bulb temperatures of
Generally, climatic chambers such as temperature the temperature and humidity chamber were ¯xed
and humidity chambers are designed to control and at 27  C and 19  C respectively to avoid the perfor-
maintain temperature and relative humidity at set mance change of the refrigerator. Once the system
points within the working chamber (space), as de- and the surrounding reached a steady state, the
termined by the operator at the front control panel experimental data were recorded continuously for
of the system. The working chamber refers to the 30 min with 2-s interval, and then averaged over the
volume of space where the product to be tested is test period. Table 1 shows the detailed experimental
placed. As shown in Fig. 2, air is constantly circu- test conditions that were conducted.
lated through the chamber by using the circulating Dry bulb temperature and relative humidity
fans. The circulating air passes through the evapo- sensor were used to measure chamber inside condi-
rator of the refrigerator, electrical heater, and hu- tions with an accuracy of 0.1  C and 0.5%,
midi¯er in series. Cooling and dehumidi¯cation are respectively.
achieved by using the evaporator of the refrigeration Refrigerant temperatures and pressures at the
system. The temperature is regulated by adjusting selected locations in the experimental setup as
the electric heater's output. The humidity is set up shown in Fig. 3 were measured using thermocouples
by adding water vapor to the chamber circulating and pressure transducers. Thermocouples were used
air by humidi¯er. to monitor the temperature of air at the inlet of the
electric heater. The power input to the test system
was measured by using a power meter with an un-
3. Experimental Setup and Test certainty of 0.01% of full scale. Table 2 shows the
Procedure detailed speci¯cations of the test unit.
Figure 3 shows the schematic diagram for the ex- A temperature sensor and a relative humidity
perimental setup. The test unit is placed in a con- sensor at the working space of the chamber were
trolled environment (surrounding) equipped with an monitored by the controller (A TEMI 250016).
electric heater, humidi¯er and a refrigerating unit to When the system started to operate, the refrigerator
ensure stable surrounding conditions for the test unit. was turned on at the ¯xed speed. The temperature
The surrounding controlled environment helps to and humidity were controlled by the heater outputs
monitor e®ectively, the performance of the test unit. to electric heater and humidi¯er, respectively. All
The size of the test specimen working chamber heater outputs were adjusted by using a SSR to get
was 0.82
0.7
0.7 m3. The refrigeration system a quick reply.

1750010-4
 Energy Consumption and Stability Investigation of Constant Temperature and Humidity Test Chamber
by UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND on 05/24/17. For personal use only.
Int. J. Air-Cond. Ref. 2017.25. Downloaded from www.worldscientific.com

Fig. 3. Schematic diagram of experimental setup.

Table 1. Experimental test conditions.

Test unit's setting condition Test unit's surrounding condition

DB RH Compressor speed DB WB
C % Hz C C

Low temperature conditions

20 — 50,60,70 27 19
15 — 50,60,70
10 — 50,60,70
5 — 50,60,70
Compressor speed variation
25 40 25,30,40,50,60,70 27 19
35 25,30,40,50,60,70
45 25,30,40,50,60,70
Relative humidity variation
15,25,35,45 25 40 27 19
15,25,35,45 35 40
15,25,35,45 45 40
15,25,35,45 55 40

1750010-5
 K. Mensah and J. M. Choi

Table 2. Temperature and humidity test chamber speci¯cations.

Test unit speci¯cations

Internal Size (W
D
HÞ 0:82
0:7
0.7 (m)

Material External material Steel plate, surface electrostatic spraying

Internal material Stainless steel plate
Insulation materials Polyurethane foam
Refrigerator Refrigerant R-22
Compressor Inverter scroll type, rated capacity 10.7 kW
Evaporator Fin tube type, 6-rows and 7
Condenser Fin tube type, 6-rows and 20
Heater for dry bulb temperature 7.0 kW (SR control)
Heater for humidi¯er 2.0 kW(SSR control)

4. Results and Discussions resulted in an increase in the power consumption of

by UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND on 05/24/17. For personal use only.

the test unit. Generally, the cooling capacity of the

Int. J. Air-Cond. Ref. 2017.25. Downloaded from www.worldscientific.com

To examine the energy saving potential of the

vapor compression refrigeration unit increases with
temperature and humidity chamber adopting vari-
an increment of evaporator inlet air temperature,
able speed compressor to the refrigeration unit, se-
while the power consumption decreases due to a
ries of experiments were conducted at varying
decrease of pressure ratio of the compressor. The
operating and environmental conditions. This
total power consumption of the test chamber in-
section discusses the various results that were ob-
creased even though that of the refrigeration unit
served by comparing and analyzing the results of a
decreased. This was because increasing rate of the
conventional test chamber and the proposed new
electric heater output was higher than the decreas-
system.
ing rate of refrigerator power consumption. The
electric heater output increased with an increment
4.1. Conventional temperature and of setting temperature due to an increment of the
humidity chamber performance refrigerator capacity. Figure 5 also shows an incre-
ment in test unit power consumption when the
This subsection discusses the results of a conven-
setting dry bulb temperature is varied from 25  C to
tional temperature and humidity test chamber with
45  C and at a ¯xed relative humidity of 40%.
a ¯xed refrigeration unit's compressor speed of 60 Hz
operated within the dry bulb temperature range
of 20  C and 45  C inclusive and a relative humid-
ity of 40% for dry bulb temperatures above 0  C.
Constant speed compressor refrigeration systems
have been adopted in all conventional climatic test
chambers.10,14,17
Figure 4 shows the variation of power consump-
tion according to the variation of dry bulb temper-
ature. The setting dry bulb temperature is varied
from 20  C to 5  C. Under low temperature con-
ditions (negative temperatures), the relative hu-
midity of the test chamber is assumed to be zero.
The humidi¯er is turned o® automatically when the
relative humidity is assumed to be zero. The test
was conducted under no-load condition. No-load
condition refers to the condition where no test
specimen is placed within the temperature and hu-
midity chamber. For a ¯xed compressor speed, it is Fig. 4. Variation of test unit power consumption with dry
observed that increasing the dry bulb temperature bulb temperature.

1750010-6
 Energy Consumption and Stability Investigation of Constant Temperature and Humidity Test Chamber

10.0 temperature of refrigeration unit as a result of

Compressor speed = 60Hz Relative humidity : 40%RH varying dry bulb operating temperature, will lead to
a varying cooling capacity of the refrigerating unit.
Power consumption (kW)

9.6
Hence it is imperative for the cooling capacity of
temperature and humidity chambers to be adjusted
9.2 according to varying operating condition for opti-
mum performance of the system.
8.8
Figure 7 shows the variation of dry bulb tem-
perature with evaporator exit temperature. It is
observed that, increasing the dry bulb temperature
8.4 also increases the evaporator exit air temperature,
while the increasing rate of dry bulb temperature of
the chamber is higher than it of the evaporator exit
8.0
20 25 30 35 40 45 50 air temperature. This may be because the refriger-
Dry bulb temperature ( C) o ator cooling capacity increased according to an in-
crement of dry bulb temperature. The evaporator,
by UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND on 05/24/17. For personal use only.
Int. J. Air-Cond. Ref. 2017.25. Downloaded from www.worldscientific.com

Fig. 5. Variation of test unit power consumption with dry heater and humidi¯er are arranged serially as shown
bulb temperature.
in Fig. 3. A smaller increasing rate in the evaporator
exit air temperature than it in the dry bulb tem-
An increase in the dry bulb temperature results in perature resulted in an increase in the air tempera-
an increase in the condensing and evaporating ture di®erence across the inlet and outlet of electric
temperatures of the refrigerating unit. However, the heater for a ¯xed compressor speed and relative
rate of increment in the evaporating temperature is humidity as shown in Fig. 8.
higher than the rate of increment in the condensing These variation in temperature di®erences can
temperature for the given operating condition as a®ect the test unit stability for a given operating
shown by Fig. 6. conditions. Minimizing the temperature variation
In these conventional test units, the cooling ca- across the electric heater and humidi¯er is very
pacity of the refrigerator unit is normally selected to important for e®ective monitoring of the perfor-
cover the lowest expected temperature condition of mance of the test specimen.
the temperature and humidity test chambers. From the analysis and observations outlined in
However it can be stated that, varying evaporating Sec. 4.1, it is therefore highly recommended that,

50.0 30
49.5 Compressor speed = 60Hz Evaporating Relative humidity : 40%RH
Evaporator Exit Air Temperature (oC)

Compressor speed = 60Hz

Condensing
Saturation Temperatures (oC)

49.0 Relative humidity = 40%RH

48.5 25
48.0
47.5
47.0
20
46.5
46.0

15
-4

-6
10
-8

-10 5
20 25 30 35 40 45 50 20 25 30 35 40 45 50
o o
Dry bulb temperature ( C) Dry bulb temperature ( C)

Fig. 6. Variation of refrigeration unit saturation temperatures Fig. 7. Evaporator exit air temperature variation with dry
with test unit dry bulb temperature. bulb temperature at highest compressor speed.

1750010-7
 K. Mensah and J. M. Choi

12.0 7.0
Compressor speed (Hz)
11.5 Compressor Speed = 60Hz Relative Humidity = 40%RH 50Hz
6.5 60Hz (Conventional Test Unit)
across Electric Heater (oC)

70Hz
Air Temperature Difference

11.0 6.0

Power consumption (kW)

10.5 5.5
10.0
5.0
9.5
4.5
9.0
4.0
8.5
3.5
8.0
3.0
7.5
2.5
7.0
20 25 30 35 40 45 50 2.0
Dry bulb temperature (oC) -25 -20 -15 -10 -5 0
o
Dry bulb temperature ( C)
Fig. 8. Air temperature variation with dry bulb temperature
by UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND on 05/24/17. For personal use only.
Int. J. Air-Cond. Ref. 2017.25. Downloaded from www.worldscientific.com

across heater. Fig. 9. Variation of power consumption according to dry bulb

temperature of the chamber and compressor speed.

test unit's refrigeration capacity and the test unit

system °uctuation should be adjusted and opti- consumption of it is reduced. However, the heater
mized according to the operating conditions to in- output increases with increase in dry bulb setting
crease system performance and to save energy. temperature and hence causing the test unit's total
Section 4.2 investigates the potential of using vari- power consumption to increase. The refrigerators'
able speed compressor technology adopted to the cooling capacity is regulated by varying the com-
refrigeration unit to adjust the refrigeration unit pressor speed for a ¯xed operating condition.
capacity according to the operating condition, and It is seen from Fig. 9 that, at 20  C, it is possible
to also minimize test unit °uctuation and improve to operate the compressor at speeds 50, 60 and 70 Hz
system stability and ¯nally to reduce the energy and same setting condition is maintained. However,
consumption of conventional test units. at 60 Hz (simulating the conventional test cham-
bers), the power consumption is 3.77 kW while at
50 Hz, the power consumption is 3.16 kW. This
4.2. Variable speed compressor
means that, operating the compressor at minimum
temperature and humidity
speed of 50 Hz, a potential for minimizing the energy
chamber performance consumption of temperature and humidity test
Figure 9 shows the variation of power consumption chambers. Similar trend can be observed when
according to the variation of compressor speed and the dry bulb temperature is varied from 20  C
dry bulb temperature respectively. Under low tem- to 5  C.
perature conditions (negative temperatures), the Figure 10 shows the variation of power con-
relative humidity of the test chamber is assumed to sumption according to the variation of compressor
be zero. It is observed that, for a ¯xed operating speeds for dry bulb temperatures of 25  C, 35  C and
condition of the test chamber, an increase in the 45  C at a ¯xed relative humidity value of 40%.
compressor speed of the refrigerating unit yields a It can be seen that, at test unit operating condi-
corresponding increase in the power consumption of tion of dry bulb temperature of 45  C, it is possible to
the test chamber while the same operating condition vary the compressor speed between 25 and 70 Hz
is maintained. Also, increasing the dry bulb tem- inclusive, and the same test condition is maintained
perature also resulted in an increase in the power within the test unit. At a compressor speed of 25 Hz,
consumption of the temperature and humidity the power consumption is 5.9 kW while at 70 Hz, a
chamber. Increasing the dry bulb setting tempera- 9.66 kW of power was recorded. This means that, it
ture within the chamber increases the cooling is better to operate the test unit at the minimum
capacity of the refrigerating unit while the power compressor speed (25 Hz) to reduce the power

1750010-8
 Energy Consumption and Stability Investigation of Constant Temperature and Humidity Test Chamber

11.0 14
Dry bulb temperature (oC) Relative humidity : 40%RH Relative humidity = 40% Dry bulb temperature (oC)
25 13 25
35
35

across electric heater (oC)

45

Air Temperature Difference

45 12
Power consumption (kW)

8.8
11

10

6.6 9

7
4.4 6

4
2.2 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Compressor Speed (Hz)
Compressor speed (Hz)
Fig. 12. Air temperature variation with dry bulb temperature
by UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND on 05/24/17. For personal use only.
Int. J. Air-Cond. Ref. 2017.25. Downloaded from www.worldscientific.com

Fig. 10. Variation of power consumption according to com-

across heater.
pressor speed for various dry bulb temperatures.

consumption than operating it at higher compressor for di®erent dry bulb temperatures across the
speeds of 60 Hz (as in the case of conventional test electric heater.
unit) or 70 Hz as showed in Fig. 10. Minimizing the air temperature di®erence across
Figure 11 shows the variation of the evaporator the electric heater can make the heater output small
exit air temperature with compressor speed. It is hence causing a reduction in the power consumption
observed that, as the compressor speed reduces, the of the test unit for a given operating condition.
evaporator exit air temperature increases for all dry Figures 13–15 show the temperature and hu-
bulb temperature conditions. An increase in the midity variations within test specimen working
evaporator exit air temperature for a ¯xed dry bulb space for compressor speeds of 40, 30 and 25 Hz re-
temperature and relative humidity, causes a reduc- spectively at the setting condition of 25  C dry bulb
tion in the air temperature di®erence across temperature and 40% relative humidity value. It is
the heater. Figure 12 shows the variation of air observed from Figs. 13–15, reducing the compressor
temperature di®erence with compressor speed speed for the given operating conditions results in a
decrease in the chamber °uctuations. This is be-
40
cause, reducing the compressor speed, for a ¯xed
Relative humidity = 40% Dry bulb temperature (oC)
Evaporator Exit Air Temperature (oC)

36
25
35 50 52
32 45 48 Setting condition: Temperature
25oC and 40%RH Relative Humidity 48
46 Compressor : 40Hz
28
44 44
RHmax
Relative Humidity (%)

24 42
40
Temperature (oC)

40
20 38 RHmin
36
36
16 32
34
32 28
12
30
24
8 28
Tmax
26 20
4 24 Tmin
16
22
0 20 12
20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800
Compressor Speed (Hz) Time (Sec)

Fig. 11. Evaporator exit air temperature variation with com- Fig. 13. Temperature and relative humidity of the chamber at
pressor speed. 40 Hz.

1750010-9
 K. Mensah and J. M. Choi

50
Setting condition: Temperature
52 humidity chamber has been investigated under
48
46
25oC and 40%RH Relative Humidity 48 various operating and environmental conditions by
Compressor : 30Hz
44 44 adopting a variable speed compressor to the refrig-

Relative Humidity (%)

RHmax
42
40 eration cycle. It was found that, a 60% reduction in
Temperature (oC)

40
38
RHmin
36 the compressor speed (from 70 to 25 Hz) results in
36
32
energy savings of about 49.2% of the total power
34
32 28
consumption when the dry bulb temperature is be-
30
24
tween 45  C and 25  C and the relative humidity is at
28 40%. When the dry bulb temperature is between the
26 Tmax 20
24 Tmin
ranges of 20  C and 5  C, a 29% reduction in the
16
22 compressor speed (from 70 to 50 Hz) results in about
20 12
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 28% energy savings of the total power consumption
Time (Sec) of the test chamber. By regulating the compressor
speed, the total power of the test unit can be re-
Fig. 14. Temperature and relative humidity of the chamber
duced at all test conditions.
at 30 Hz.
In ensuring e®ective stability of temperature and
by UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND on 05/24/17. For personal use only.
Int. J. Air-Cond. Ref. 2017.25. Downloaded from www.worldscientific.com

humidity test chambers, it is observed that, reduc-

50 52
ing the compressor speed by 43% (from 70 to 40 Hz)
48 Setting condition:
25oC and 40%RH
Temperature
Relative Humidity
can reduce the temperature and relative humidity
48
46 Compressor : 25Hz °uctuations within the chamber by 43% and 61%,
44 44
Relative Humidity (%)

42 RHmax respectively, when the chamber dry bulb tempera-

40
ture is operated with 25  C and 45  C. Adopting a
Temperature (oC)

40 RHmin

38 36
36
variable speed compressor to the refrigerating unit
32 has the potential for reducing the energy consump-
34
32 28 tion signi¯cantly at all test conditions of the
30
28
24 chamber as well as ensuring system stability for
26 Tmax
20 temperature and humidity chambers.
24 Tmin
16
22
20 12
0 200 400 600 800 1000 1200 1400 1600 1800 References
Time (Sec)
1. K. Yoshinori and S. Yasuko, What is environmental
Fig. 15. Temperature and relative humidity of the chamber testing? Part 1, Espec Technology Report, Osaka,
at 25 Hz. Japan (1996).
2. International Electrotechnical Comission (IEC),
Environmental Testing Con¯rmation of the Perfor-
relative humidity value, the air temperature at the mance of Temperature and Humidity Chambers,
exit of the evaporator decreases as shown in Fig. 11. CEI-IEC 600683-6, Geneva, Switzerland (2001).
This causes a reduction in the air temperature dif- 3. International Electrotechnical Comission (IEC),
ference across the electric heater as shown in Fig. 12, Environmetal Testing, Calculation of Uncertainty
hence causing the °uctuations within the system to of Conditions in Climatic Test Chambers,
reduce. It is therefore recommended that, test units CEI-IEC60068-3-11, Geneva, Switzerland (2007).
should be operated at minimum speeds in order to 4. Euramet Technical Committee for Thermometery,
increase the stability of the operating conditions. Caliberation of Climatic Chambers. Guidance
for Caliberation Laboratories cg-20 version 3.0,
Braunschweig, Germany (2011).
5. Conclusion 5. D. Mac Lochlainn, M. White, S. Wettstein,
R. Farley, C. Aicken and R. Gee, A comparison of
Temperature and humidity test chambers are climatic chamber hygrothermal characterization
used for testing of manufactured specimens in many techniques as described in IEC60068, Int. J. Ther-
industrial and manufacturing industries globally. mophys. 36 (2015) 2199–2214.
In this study, the energy consumption and perfor- 6. A. Leskinen, P. Yli-Pirila, K. Kuuspalo, O. Sippula,
mance of a 400 L capacity temperature and P. Jalava, M.-R. Hirvonen, J. Jokiniemi,

1750010-10
 Energy Consumption and Stability Investigation of Constant Temperature and Humidity Test Chamber

A. Virtanen, M. Komppula and K. E. J. Lehtinen, Mechanical Engineers Conf., Yeosu, Korea (2016),
Characterization and testing of a new environ- pp. 351–352.
mental chamber, Atmos. Meas. Tech. 8 (2015) 12. Weiss Technik UK, Floorstanding WVC Tempera-
2267–2278. ture and Climatic Test Chambers (2016).
7. J. Feng, R.-J. Li, K.-C. Fan, H. Zhou and H. Zhang, 13. Cincinnati Sub-Zero (CSZ) Products Inc, Points to
Development of a low-cost and vibration-free Consider when Purcasing and Installing Environ-
constant-temperature chamber for precision mea- mental Chambers, Cincinnati, OH 45241, United
surement, Sens. Mater. 27 (2015) 329–340. States (2015).
8. J. L. W. A. Van Geel, R. Bosma, J. Van Wensveen 14. T. L. Kazanskaya, E®ect of periodical air tempera-
and A. Peruzzi, Thermistors used in climatic cham- ture °uctuations on thermal stability of constant-
ber at high temperature and humidity, Int. J. temperature chambers, Meas. Tech. 16 (1973) 387–
Thermophys. 36 (2015) 569–576. 389.
9. T. Pad¯eld, A climate chamber for simulating a 15. International Standards Organisation, General
temperature and humidity gradient across a wall or requirements for the competence of testing and cal-
roof, Department of Building and Energy. Technical ibration laboratories, ISO/IEC 17025:2005, Geneva,
University of Denmark Conservation Department, Switzerland (2005).
The National Museum of Denmark (2000). 16. Samwon Tech. Co. Ltd, TEMI2000 Series, Installa-
by UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND on 05/24/17. For personal use only.
Int. J. Air-Cond. Ref. 2017.25. Downloaded from www.worldscientific.com

10. J. Feng, R.-J. Li, H. Ya-Xiong and K.-C. Fan, tion and Operation Manual, Temperature and Hu-
Development of a low-cost mini environment midity Programmable Controller, 3rd Edition,
chamber for precision instruments, Proc. SPIE 9903, South Korea (2015).
Int. Symp. Precision Mechanical Mearsurements, 17. AAON Heating and Cooling Products, Modulating
Liandong Yu, Xia'men, China (2016). Temperature and Humidity Control, ModTemp/
11. K. Mensah, B. M. Yoo, J. M. Choi and S.-B. Yoon, HumCntrl.R68130.110914, Tulsa, Oklahoma, Unit-
Study on the performance of a temperature and ed States (2016).
humidity chamber, Proc. Korean Society of

1750010-11

View publication stats