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Flow visualization and analytical model of coalescing oil separator for compressors.

Number: pap. 1405

Author(s) : XU J., HRNJAK P.

Summary

Oil management is an important issue for compressors. Oil separation is commonly needed in air conditioning or refrigeration systems to reduce the oil circulation rate and keep the oil inside the compressor. For compactness, oil separation structure integrated into the compressor is more and more popular than traditional external oil separator. However, a quantitative guideline for the design of oil separation structure is missing for irregular geometry and realistic flow condition at the compressor discharge. In this paper, coalescence, as one of the major mechanisms of droplet separation, is studied by flow visualization and analytical models. The oil mist flow through separator is visualized by a high-speed camera and analyzed quantitatively. Oil droplet size distribution is estimated by video processing. Important flow details are revealed, including oil droplet collision, oil droplet coalescence, oil film breakup and re-entrainment. Separation efficiency is estimated by the ratio between drained and incoming oil mass flow rate. Pressure drop is also measured to evaluate the cost brought by extra separation structures. An analytical model for coalescing oil separator is developed based on the mass flow balance through multiple layers of coalescing separators. The results of the model are verified by experimental measurements of a full vapor compression cycle with R134a and PAG oil. The results and conclusion give useful guidelines for oil separator design and operation.

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Pages: 11

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Details

  • Original title: Flow visualization and analytical model of coalescing oil separator for compressors.
  • Record ID : 30024334
  • Languages: English
  • Source: 2018 Purdue Conferences. 24th International Compressor Engineering Conference at Purdue.
  • Publication date: 2018/07/09

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