No abstract

Polyol Ester oil–air two-phase counter current flow experiments were performed with small diameter tubes to measure gas velocities for the counter current flow limitation point and the flow reversal point. The test section was made of a Pyrex glass tube to allow visual observation. The geometry of the test section was designed to simulate various shapes of suction lines of refrigerators. The inner diameter of the test tube was 7 mm and the height was 1 m. The inclination of the test tubes varied from vertical to crank type with various horizontal lengths. An empirical oil return criterion was suggested based on the flow reversal points. This criterion was also verified using a refrigerator test apparatus and refrigerant.