Abstract:

An interactive tool for supporting practical learning in the educational field of refrigeration is presented in this communication. The application, which has been developed by the authors, allows for on-line representations of the variations in the main operating parameters of real refrigeration plants, such as cooling capacity, power consumption and coefficient of performance, by means of integrating different software (LabView, MatLab and RefProp). Two groups of practical lessons have been developed by using this tool, in which students operate two refrigeration plants (a single-stage and a two-stage) and obtain, by means of a graphical interface, the effects produced by changes in the operating conditions. By using this tool, the theoretical concepts explained in class are noticed and analysed in laboratory lessons, achieving an easy and quick assimilation of the actual behaviour of the refrigeration plants.
This communication explains in detail the interactive tool, the main objectives pursued in the practice lessons and the first impressions of the students about how this new learning method is perceived.

Keywords:

Interactive learning, refrigeration, vapour compression plants, Practice lessons.