Numerical Study on Liquid-Return Characteristics in the Accumulator of the R290 Rotary Compressor

Jie Lin, Nini Guo, Jianhua Wu, Liangkun Hong and Jianjiang Jiang
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Jie Lin: Key Laboratory of Air-Driven Equipment Technology of Zhejiang Province, College of Mechanical Engineering, Quzhou University, Quzhou 324000, China
Nini Guo: Key Laboratory of Air-Driven Equipment Technology of Zhejiang Province, College of Mechanical Engineering, Quzhou University, Quzhou 324000, China
Jianhua Wu: School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China
Liangkun Hong: Hongwuhuan Group Co., Ltd., Quzhou 324000, China
Jianjiang Jiang: Hongwuhuan Group Co., Ltd., Quzhou 324000, China

Energies, 2022, vol. 15, issue 7, 1-17

Abstract: Liquid often exists in the accumulator of the rotary compressor during the process of startup or defrost of air-conditioning systems. Too much liquid entering the compressor cylinder would result in excessive pressure caused by the liquid compression, which is a great threat to the compressor. The liquid return through the liquid-return hole is the key to ensure the stable operation of the compressor. In this paper, the liquid-return characteristics in the liquid-return holes of the accumulator, including the mass-flow rate, liquid velocity and pressure difference between the liquid-return holes, during the startup process of the R290 rotary compressor are numerically investigated. The numerical simulation using the fluent volume of fluid (VOF) method was experimentally validated with the error of 1.55%. The comparison of liquid-return characteristics using different refrigerants is conducted. Effects of refrigerant solubility in the oil, refrigerant/oil-mixture type, liquid-return-hole diameter and compressor frequency on the liquid-return characteristics and liquid shape trough the liquid-return hole are discussed. The results show that the surface tension and viscosity of the liquid are the main factors affecting the liquid-return speed. The liquid-return rate of the refrigerant R290 is slower than that of other refrigerants R22 and R410A. The liquid-return rate increases with the increase in the compressor frequency. We conclude that for air-conditioning systems using R290 as refrigerant, increasing the number of return holes or the hole diameter is necessary to improve the liquid-return characteristics of the compressor. This research will provide theoretical guidance for the optimization of liquid return of rotary compressors using new refrigerants.

Keywords: rotary compressor; liquid return; accumulator; R290 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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