IIR document

Performance of a semihermetic reciprocating compressor with propane and mineral oil.

Author(s) : DA RIVA E., DEL COL D.

Type of article: Article, IJR article

Summary

The experimental performance of a semihermetic reciprocating compressor working with propane as the refrigerant is reported in this paper. Tests have been performed both with and without an internal heat exchanger between the vapour suction line and the liquid line, at different settings of the expansion valve. The suction vapour superheating is shown to improve volumetric efficiency and, therefore, global compression efficiency. Experimental results are discussed and explained by means of the high solubility of propane in the mineral oil used as the lubricant, which can cause an excessive reduction of the refrigerant-oil mixture viscosity at low suction superheating. Besides, the possibility of condensation on a cold spot inside the cylinder has also been considered. A modified version of the empirical model by Pierre (1982) for the prediction of volumetric and global compression efficiencies is proposed for propane.

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Pages: pp. 752-763

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Details

  • Original title: Performance of a semihermetic reciprocating compressor with propane and mineral oil.
  • Record ID : 2011-0111
  • Languages: English
  • Source: International Journal of Refrigeration - Revue Internationale du Froid - vol. 34 - n. 3
  • Publication date: 2011/05

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