Analysis of oil-free linear compressor operated at high pressure ratios for household refrigeration

Kun Liang

Energy, 2018, vol. 151, issue C, 324-331

Abstract: Compared with conventional reciprocating compressor for vapour compression refrigeration (VCR) system, linear compressor offers higher energy efficiency and oil-free operation, which allows the use of mini/micro-channel heat exchangers. However, there are key challenges when oil-free linear compressors are used for household refrigeration with typical high pressure ratios (above 10), such as high clearance loss, high piston offset, and very non-linear gas spring. Previous papers by the author have demonstrated the feasibility of oil-free linear compressor for electronics cooling at lower pressure ratios (below 3.5). This paper presented comprehensive analysis of these issues as a key step towards developing oil-free linear compressor for household refrigeration. The model of non-linear gas spring at high pressure ratios is validated by measurements of a previous prototype linear compressor with minimum flow. Piston offset can be effectively controlled by solenoid valve at 1 Hz. Gas leakage increases by a factor of 2.5 if the piston is fully eccentric in the cylinder. The gas leakage loss can be 27% of power input for pressure ratio of 13.6 using R600a.

Keywords: Linear compressor; Household refrigeration; Resonant frequency; Gas spring; Gas leakage; High pressure ratio (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (3)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:energy:v:151:y:2018:i:c:p:324-331

DOI: 10.1016/j.energy.2018.03.068

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