Lecture 4

REFRIGERATION (CHAPTER 15) (Compressors)

Compressor: Most complex and expensive item in system

TYPES OF COMPRESSORS

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INTRODUCTION
Compressors are generally of two types.
Rolling piston

1. Positive displacement compressors.

This type increases the pressure of the refrigerant vapor
by reducing the volume. Examples are the reciprocating,
rotary (rolling piston, rotary vane, single screw, and twin screw),
scroll, and trochoidal.

Ref:
• Hundy. G. F. , Trott. A. R. , Welch. T. C. , Chapter 4 – Compressors, Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps (Fifth Edition), 2016, 59-87.
• https://m.blog.naver.com/kwtech0/221105532347 [Accessed: February 15, 2023].
INTRODUCTION
Compressors are generally of two types.
1. Positive displacement compressors.
This type increases the pressure of the refrigerant vapor
by reducing the volume. Examples are the reciprocating (Single and Double-acting)
rotary (rolling piston, rotary vane, single screw, and twin screw),
scroll, and trochoidal.

Ref:
• Hundy. G. F. , Trott. A. R. , Welch. T. C. , Chapter 4 – Compressors, Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps (Fifth Edition), 2016, 59-87.
• https://www.thomaspumps.com/en-es/knowledge-hub/rotary-vane-pump [Accessed: February 15, 2023].
 INTRODUCTION
Compressors are generally of two types.
1. Positive displacement compressors.
This type increases the pressure of the refrigerant vapor
by reducing the volume. Examples are the reciprocating,
rotary (rolling piston, rotary vane, single screw, and twin screw),
scroll, and trochoidal.

Ref:
• Hundy. G. F. , Trott. A. R. , Welch. T. C. , Chapter 4 – Compressors, Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps (Fifth Edition), 2016, 59-87.
• https://imgflip.com/gif/1fotoy [Accessed: February 15, 2023].
• https://okmarts.com/news/how-does-a-refrigeration-compressor-work-with-animation-for-each-type.html [Accessed: February 15, 2023].
 INTRODUCTION
Compressors are generally of two types.
1. Positive displacement compressors.
This type increases the pressure of the refrigerant vapor
by reducing the volume. Examples are the reciprocating,
rotary (rolling piston, rotary vane, single screw, and twin screw),
scroll, and trochoidal.

Ref:
• Hundy. G. F. , Trott. A. R. , Welch. T. C. , Chapter 4 – Compressors, Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps (Fifth Edition), 2016, 59-87.
• https://www.staff.city.ac.uk/~sj376/a.htm [Accessed: February 16, 2023].
 INTRODUCTION
Compressors are generally of two types.
1. Positive displacement compressors.
This type increases the pressure of the refrigerant vapor
by reducing the volume. Examples are the reciprocating,
rotary (rolling piston, rotary vane, single screw, and twin screw),
scroll, and trochoidal.

Ref:
• Hundy. G. F. , Trott. A. R. , Welch. T. C. , Chapter 4 – Compressors, Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps (Fifth Edition), 2016, 59-87.
• https://makeagif.com/i/5nQ27b [Accessed: February 16, 2023].
 INTRODUCTION
Compressors are generally of two types.
1. Positive displacement compressors.
This type increases the pressure of the refrigerant vapor
by reducing the volume. Examples are the reciprocating,
rotary (rolling piston, rotary vane, single screw, and twin screw),
scroll, and trochoidal.

Ref:
• Hundy. G. F. , Trott. A. R. , Welch. T. C. , Chapter 4 – Compressors, Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps (Fifth Edition), 2016, 59-87.
• https://www.pumpschool.com/principles/gerotor.php [Accessed: February 16, 2023].
 INTRODUCTION
Compressors are generally of two types.
Generally, not used for refrigeration because of very
high speeds to required pressure limit.

2. Dynamic compressors.
Dynamic compressors increase the pressure of refrigerant vapor by a continuous transfer of angular momentum
to the vapor from the rotating member followed by a conversion of this momentum into a pressure rise. The
centrifugal compressor is of this type.

Ref:
• Hundy. G. F. , Trott. A. R. , Welch. T. C. , Chapter 4 – Compressors, Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps (Fifth Edition), 2016, 59-87.
 Roto-dynamic Type Compressors
Centrifugal Compressors
In the diffuser, the refrigerant is decelerated and as a
result the dynamic pressure change is converted into
static pressure rise.
Components Description:
1. Refrigerant Inlet (eye): inducts and accelerates
the fluid to the impeller inlet.
2. Impeller: transfers energy to the fluid in the form
of increased static pressure (enthalpy) and kinetic
energy. 5
4
3. Vane-less Diffuser: converts the KE at
the impeller outlet into enthalpy and
pressure rise. 1
3 2
4. Volute Casing: collects the fluid and
rises pressure further.
5. Outlet: Discharges the refrigerant.
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SIDE NOTE

Ref: Ch 12
The dimensionless parameter is called the specific speed.
Specific speed varies with flow coefficient just as the other
coefficients and efficiency discussed earlier do.
 INTRODUCTION
Piston Compressor

Ref:
• https://www.bluedm.com.au/blog/what-is-a-piston-compressor/ [Accessed: February 16, 2023].
ANALYSIS
Compressors are generally of two types.
Piston Compressor Modelling

• The pressure in the cylinder is assumed constant during

the exhaust process (Pc = Pd).
• The gas in the volume Vd expands in a polytropic
process from state d to state a.
• State b is generally different from that at a because of
the mixing of the expanded clearance volume vapor
and the intake vapor.
• The vapor is compressed from state b to state c in a
polytropic process.
• Heat transfer may occur during the exhaust process c–
d.