Investigation on the Mass Flow Rate of a Refrigerator Compressor Based on the p–V Diagram

Abstract

The refrigerant mass flow rate of a refrigerator compressor can only be measured by a mass flow meter and heat balance method. This paper focuses on the expansion and compression phase in which the compressor cylinder is closed, and proposes a measurement method of instantaneous mass flow of the refrigerator compressor. The comparison of the experimental pressure variation in the p–V diagram and the theoretical adiabatic process implied that the expansion and compression process of the refrigerator compressor approximated the adiabatic process. Based on the approximations and the experimental p–V diagram, a calculation method for refrigerant mass in the cylinder during the expansion and compression phase is proposed. Subsequently, the mass flow of the refrigerator compressor can be obtained. Furthermore, compared with experimental data and based on the method proposed in this paper, the error of the mass flow rate obtained is less than 3.13%. Based on this calculation method and the experimental p–V diagram, the influence of suction pressure on compressor performance is investigated.

Special Issue on Thermodynamic and Exergy Analyses of Cooling, Power, and Energy Systems

“…The first paper by Li et al, (2020) [5] evaluated the energy and exergy efficiency of a corn dryer, which introduced a combined infrared radiation-countered flow circulation. The second paper, authored by He et al [6], proposed a new method to investigate the refrigerant mass flow in a refrigerator using a p-V diagram. Wang et al [7] investigated the dynamic characteristics of the reed valve in compressors based on the fluid-structure interaction method to improve the thermal performance of a compressor.…”

Investigation on Dynamic Characteristics of the Reed Valve in Compressors Based on Fluid-Structure Interaction Method

“…In industry, reciprocating compressors are widely used [1], for instance, in refrigeration [2], air compression [3,4], petrochemical industry [5], and liquefied natural gas [6].…”