Bulletin of the JSME Vol.11, No.

1, 2016

Journal of Thermal Science and Technology

Performance evaluation of the variable refrigerant flow (VRF)

air-conditioning system subjected to partial and unbalanced
thermal loadings
Napoleon ENTERIA*, Hideki YAMAGUCHI**, Masato MIYATA**, Takao SAWACHI**
and Yasou KUWASAWA*
*Building Research Institute (BRI), 1 Tachihara, Tsukuba 305-0802, Ibaraki, Japan
E-mail: [email protected]
**National Institute of Land and Infrastructure Management (NILIM), 1 Tachihara, Tsukuba 305-0802, Ibaraki, Japan

Received 30 December 2015

Abstract
This paper shows the performance evaluation of the variable refrigerant flow (VRF) air-conditioning system
subjected to partial and unbalanced thermal (cooling and heating) loadings. The one outdoor unit’s and two
indoor units’ VRF system was used as a test specimen in the controlled outdoor chamber in which temperature
and humidity were controlled. The indoor chamber thermal loading was controlled from full to partial thermal
loadings and from balanced to unbalanced thermal loadings with respect to the specified rated capacity of the
test specimen. The purpose of this study is to determine the real performance of the system when it is operating
under actual operating situations. The general results show that the system coefficient of performance much
depends on the partial and unbalanced thermal loadings. It is shown that the system maximum coefficient of
performance occurred at around 50% of the rated thermal loadings. It is shown that as the load balance ratio
decreases, the system coefficient of performance decreases, particularly for the cooling operation, due to the
increase of compressor speed to support the refrigerant sub-cooling. In the heating operation, the compressor
speed increase is very minimal which results in a very small decrease of the system coefficient of performance
as the load balance ratio decreases. Based on this study, the system coefficient of performance becomes much
different as the system is operating at partial thermal loadings. Also, during the unbalanced thermal loadings, the
system coefficient of performance further decreases, particularly during the cooling operation. With the results
of the study and analyses of the system operation, it is important to consider how the VRF system operates in an
actual building when estimating the energy consumption of the VRF air-conditioning system to be installed in a
new or in a retrofitted building.

Key words: Air-conditioning system, Variable refrigerant flow, Thermal loading, Energy consumption

1. Introduction

The maintenance of a building’s indoor thermal and environmental conditions is one of the most energy intensive
parts in the building’s day-to-day operation. In temperate and sub-temperate climate, the application of the air-
conditioning system is vital to support both cooling during the summer season and heating during the winter season. In
a tropical climate, the air-conditioning system is utilized to control both indoor temperature and humidity. In a hot and
dry climate, the air-conditioning system is intensively used to control the indoor air temperature. The variable refrigerant
flow (VRF) air-conditioning system is becoming the choice for buildings as it is flexible in its operation, with its partial
loading capability, unbalanced loading in different indoor conditions, different settings which depend on different indoor
requirements, occupants’ comfort and so on (Goetzler, 2007). The rating of the air-conditioning systems such as the VRF
air-conditioning system is based on evaluation standards which depend on a different set of measurements such as the
Japan Industrial Standards (JIS) (JIS, 2015). In the evaluation standard, the system is operated in steady and controlled
conditions with specified loading and air conditions. In reality, the operations of the VRF air-conditioning systems

Paper No.16-00005
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Enteria, Yamaguchi, Miyata, Sawachi and Kuwasawa, Journal of Thermal Science and Technology, Vol.11, No.1 (2016)

installed in buildings may be either in partial (less than full capacity) or unbalanced (indoor units not operating at the
same capacity) thermal loadings, or in both conditions (less than full capacity and indoor units not operating at the same
capacity) at the same time. Once the VRF air-conditioning system operates in partial or/and unbalanced thermal loadings,
it is expected that the compressor is either operating in on-off (intermittent) mode at very low partial thermal load or of
steady on (continuous) mode at a higher partial thermal load. It is expected that at full thermal loading capacity, the
compressor is operating at steady on.
The VRF air-conditioning system utilizes the variable speed electric motor using an inverter to drive the
compressor. The advantage of using the variable speed drive compared to a constant drive is that the refrigerant flow rate
varies depending on the thermal loading. Coupled with the electronic expansion valve (EEV) to regulate the refrigerant
flow, the indoor temperature setting can be smoothly maintained. As the compressor speed varies due to the change of
the electric motor speed, the electric power consumption varies as well. Hence, by using the variable speed operated
compressor, the electric power consumption is lowered compared to the constant speed, particularly for a partial thermal
load. As the application and usage of the VRF air-conditioning system increases, the more accurate estimate of the actual
electric energy consumption becomes important during the design phase of new buildings or retrofitted buildings to
estimate the building energy consumption (Building Energy Standard of Japan, 2013). Hence, a performance evaluation

6m
** Not Drawn to Scale 6m Door Door

Control
IU H C
H C Outdoor Chamber
12 m Control 8m
H C
IU OU
Data
Indoor Chamber 3 Monitor
Refrigerant
Pipe
Outdoor Chamber: Control Control
Capacity: 0.33kW to 56kW
DB Temperature Range: -20 oC to 45 oC Door
Relative Humidity Range: 30 to 80%
Indoor Chamber (Each): H IU C H IU C 4.35 m
Heating Capacity (H): Up to 12 kW
Cooling Capacity (C): Up to 12.5 kW Indoor Chamber 2 Indoor Chamber 1
Humidification Capability: Yes

Door
4.35 m
 Air-Conditioning System Evaluation  Air-Conditioning System Evaluation
a) •Performance Measurement Facilities •Measurement Facilities
 Outdoor Chamber  Indoor Chamber

Grayed to protect
machine name

Grayed to protect
machine name

Inside View Inside View

Outside View Outside View

20 21
b)

Fig. 1. Testing controlled chambers: a) schematic diagram, and; b) actual view.

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Q7 T7 P7
Evaporator (Condenser) Pressure Sensor (Refrigerant)

71 EEV Fan 81 Temperature Sensor (Refrigerant)

E
Indoor Unit 1 Flow Sensor (Refrigerant)
EEV
Q6 T6 P6
Sub-Cooler RIU(1) SIU(1) Temperature & Humidity Sensor (Air)
5 6 Indoor Chamber 1
Rotation Sensor (Air Fan & Compressor)
EEV
Fan 4W E Electric Power Consumption Meter
Valve 1
IOU Evaporator (Condenser)
Oil
Recovery 72 82
EEV Fan
E
EOU 3 Indoor Unit 2
2

Condenser RIU(2) SIU(2)

(Evaporator) Compressor
4 Indoor Chamber 2
E Cooling
Outdoor Unit
(Heating)

Outdoor Chamber

Fig. 2. Schematic diagram of the single outdoor unit and double indoor units’ variable flow air-conditioning system.

of the VRF air-conditioning system subjected to partial and particularly in unbalanced thermal loading is needed, as it
has not yet been fully done as presented in previous studies (Horie and Hihara, 2012; Watanabe et al., 2009; Watanabe
et al., 2007).
This paper shows the evaluation of the single outdoor unit and double indoor units’ VRF air-conditioning system
subjected to partial and unbalanced thermal loadings. The VRF system was evaluated in testing chambers which the air
temperature and humidity were set to the desired conditions. The thermal loadings were varied based on partial and
unbalanced thermal loadings. The results of this study are important in the determination of the real VRF air-conditioning
system performance when operating in partial and unbalanced thermal loadings as normally happens in actual building
operations.

2. Methodology

2.1 Test facilities

Figure 1 shows the diagram (Fig. 1a) and view (Fig. 1b) of the testing facilities used to make the performance
evaluation of the VRF air-conditioning system shown in this paper. The testing facilities consist of one outdoor chamber
and three indoor chambers. The outdoor chamber can support the system with an outdoor capacity from 0.33kW to 56kW.
The outdoor chamber dry bulb (DB) temperature can be varied from -20 oC to 45 oC. The relative humidity range can be
varied from 30% to 80% controlled by using a wet bulb temperature sensor for the outdoor temperature when it is above
the freezing point off water. The three indoor chambers can simulate both cooling and heating loads, and can support a
heating load up to 12 kW with humidification capability. The indoor chamber can support a cooling load up to 12.5kW.
The indoor chambers 1 and 2 are separated. In the indoor chamber 3, the two indoor units can be installed in tandem. In
this study, indoor chambers 1 and 2 are used. Monitoring and control devices using different sensors are installed to
change the independent parameters, monitor these parameters and store them using desktop computers.

2.2 Test specimen

Figure 2 shows the schematic diagram of the VRF air-conditioning system with R410A refrigerant subjected to
measurement in controlled chambers. The outdoor unit is installed in the outdoor controlled chamber (See Fig. 1) in
which the air temperature and humidity are set to prescribed values. The indoor units are installed in the indoor chambers
(See Fig. 1) in which the air temperature and humidity are controlled based on the required values. The VRF air-

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Table 1 Specified values of the variable refrigerant flow air-conditioning system in the study.
Operation Mode Rated Rated
Electric Consumption, kW Capacity, kW
Cooling 6.61 22.4
Heating 6.43 25

Table 2 Test cases for the measurement of the single outdoor unit and double indoor units’ variable flow air-conditioning
system.
Operation Mode Outdoor Conditions, °C Indoor Conditions, °C Percentage Loading, % Load Balance Ratio, α
(Outdoor Chamber) (Indoor Chamber) (Respect to Rated Load, Table 1) (Ratio of Indoor Units Load)
27 °C DBT, 19 °C WBT
Cooling 35 °C DBT 100, 75, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 5 1, 0.5, 0
10.5 g/kg HR
7 °C DBT, 6 °C WBT
Heating 20 °C DBT 100, 75, 60, 50, 40, 30, 20, 10, 5 1, 0.5, 0
5.4 g/kg HR

conditioning system’s outdoor and indoor units are connected using the specified refrigerant piping and insulation. There
are several sensors attached in the system, such as the electric power meter to measure the electric power consumption
of the outdoor and indoor units. Refrigerant flow meters are installed in the refrigerant piping to measure the refrigerant
flow rates as presented in the diagram. Refrigerant absolute pressure sensors are installed in the different locations in the
refrigerant piping network to measure the pressure of the refrigerant. Refrigerant temperature is also measured as shown
in the diagram. The temperature sensors are attached on the surface of the refrigerant tube and covered with insulation.
Air temperatures and relative humidity sensors are installed both in the outdoor unit and indoor units to measure the air
properties. Rotation sensors are installed for the measurement of rotation of the compressor, outdoor air fan and indoor
air fans. Table 1 shows the rated values of the VRF air-conditioning system used in this study. The presented values are
based on the catalogue values for the test specimen in this study.

2.3 Test cases

Table 2 shows the measurement conditions used to measure the performance of the VRF air-conditioning system
when subjected to partial loading and unbalanced loading. The outdoor and indoor conditions are based on the JIS
measurement standard (JIS, 1999). The outdoor and indoor conditions of the air are shown in the table, as are the
percentage loading of both cooling and heating operations. The 100% loading is the rated cooling or heating load shown
in Table 1. For example, the 50% loading is half of the rated thermal loadings. The load balance ratio (α) is proposed and
introduced in this paper and shown in the Eq. (1). For example, for α to equal 1, the indoor chamber 1 load will be equal
to the indoor chamber 2 load. For the case of α to equal 0.5, it means that the load of indoor chamber 2 is half that of
indoor chamber 1. For the case of α to equal 0, it means that there is no load for indoor chamber 2, and indoor unit 2 is
turned-off.


Q IC2  
  ; Q IC  Q IC (1)
2 1
Q IC1

n  n 
1
n 
Time
Q Cooling / Heating 1
n  Q Cooling / Heating
TimeCycle
COPa  ; COPb  (2)
n  n 
1
n 
Time
E Cooling / Heating 1
n  E Cooling / Heating
TimeCycle

2.4 Test evaluation

Figure 3 shows the represented different compressor operating scenarios observed based on the VRF air -

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Cooling/Heating Cooling/Heating

Cycle

Time Time
Cooling/Heating Cooling/Heating

Cycle

a) Time
b) Time

Fig. 3. Calculation of the actual coefficient of performance: a) compressor at steady on (continuous) mode, and; b)
compressor at on-off (intermittent) mode.

conditioning system operation. Figure 3a shows the steady on operation in a case where the compressor is operating
continuously. In this case, the compressor might be operating at a constant speed or at a sinusoidal or variable speed,
depending on the thermal load conditions and the system. Figure 3b is the on-off or intermittent operation which is
happening at a very low thermal loading. The on and off operation span depends much upon what the loading amount
will be. The calculation of the thermal capacity is based on the moist air enthalpy difference between the return air and the
supply air in the indoor unit multiplied by the air flow rate. The air flow rate calculation is based on the obtained
correlation of the indoor units’ air fans speed to the air volumetric flow rates from a separate measurement. The electric
energy consumption is based on the outdoor unit power consumption. The indoor units’ electric power consumption is
not considered in the calculation of the coefficient of performance. This is intended to compare the actual power
consumption with respect to the rated electric power consumption shown in Table 1. It is noted here that the electric
power consumption of the indoor unit is very minimal, less than 40W each. Equation (2) shows the calculation of the
coefficient of performances for cases shown in Fig. 3: COPa for the case shown in Fig. 3a and COPb for the case shown
in Fig. 3b.

3. Results and discussion

3.1 Instantaneous data

Figure 4 shows the instantaneous results with specified times shown for the electric power consumption, cooling
capacity and return air of the two indoor units with the conditions presented in Table 2. Figures 4a and 4b show the results
for the case of a 100% loading. It is shown that steady on operation of the compressor is, as expected, at full capacity.
The steady on operation of the compressor resulted to the almost stable conditions of the return air dry bulb temperature
(DBT) and humidity ratio (HR). Figures 4c and 4d show the instantaneous results for the case of a 20% partial load. It is
shown in the results that the compressor is operating in the on-off mode. The on-off operation of the compressor resulted
in the fluctuation of the return air dry bulb temperature (DBT) and humidity ratio (HR). Based on the observations
gathered during the measurement of the system, the system steady on compressor operation can be attained above a 35%
partial load in this test specimen. Below the 35% partial loading, the compressor is operating in the on-off mode.
Figure 5 shows the instantaneous operation of the system with the specified time shown in the graphs during the
heating operation with the condition presented in Table 2. Figures 5a and 5b show the instantaneous results for the 100%
load. As shown and as expected, the compressor operation is steady on to support the heating load at full capacity. With
the steady on operation of the compressor, the return air dry bulb temperature (DBT) becomes stable. Figure 5c and 5d
show the results for the case of a 20% partial load. It is shown that the compressor is operating in the on-off mode. As
presented, the return air dry bulb temperature (DBT) is fluctuating as it depends on the compressor operation. It is noted
here that during the heating operation, the indoor humidity is not controlled. Based on the observation for the full range
of heating loads, the compressor steady on operation occurred at above 50% of the partial load compared to above 35%
in the case of the cooling operation. This is due to the several factors such as the electric motor, compressor and the
control function which affect the operation of the compressor when comparing the cooling and heating operations.

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25 25 40 20
Electric Consumption, kW

Cooling Capacity, kW

Return Air DBT, °C

20 20

Retrun Air HR, g/kg

30 15
15 15
20 10
10 10
5 5 10 5

0 0 0 0
10:04:48 10:12:00 10:19:12 10:26:24 10:33:36 10:04:48 10:12:00 10:19:12 10:26:24 10:33:36
Time, Hour Time, Hour
Electric Consumption Cooling Capacity IU_1 DBT IU_2 DBT IU_1 HR IU_2 HR
a) b)

25 25 40 20
Electric Consumption, kW

Cooling Capacity, kW
Return Air DBT, °C

Retrun Air HR, g/kg

20 20 30 15
Compressor Off
15 15
20 10
10 10
5 5 10 Compressor Off 5

0 0 0 0
16:33:36 16:40:48 16:48:00 16:55:12 17:02:24 17:09:36 16:33:36 16:40:48 16:48:00 16:55:12 17:02:24 17:09:36
Time, Hour Time, Hour
Electric Consumption Cooling Capacity IU_1 DBT IU_2 DBT IU_1 HR IU_2 HR
c) d)

Fig. 4. Instantaneous results electric power consumption, cooling capacity and for indoor units’ return air: a-b) steady on
mode at 100% load during cooling operation, and; c-d) on-off mode at 20% load during cooling operation.

25 25 40 20
Electric Consumption, kW

Heating Capacity, kW

Return Air DBT, °C

Retrun Air HR, g/kg

20 20 30 15
15 15
20 10
10 10
10 5
5 5
0 0 0 0
15:36:00 15:43:12 15:50:24 15:57:36 16:04:48 15:36:00 15:43:12 15:50:24 15:57:36 16:04:48
Time, Hour Time, Hour
Electric Consumption Heating Capacity IU_1 DBT IU_2 DBT IU_1 HR IU_2 HR
a) b)

25 25 40 20
Electric Consumption, kW

Compressor Off
Heating Capacity, kW

20 20
Return Air DBT, °C

Retrun Air HR, g/kg

30 15
15 15
20 10
10 10
5 5 10 5
Compressor Off
0 0 0 0
14:45:36 14:52:48 15:00:00 15:07:12 15:14:24 15:21:36 15:28:48 14:45:36 14:52:48 15:00:00 15:07:12 15:14:24 15:21:36 15:28:48
Time, Hour Time, Hour
Electric Consumption Heating Capacity IU_1 DBT IU_2 DBT IU_1 HR IU_2 HR
c) d)

Fig. 5. Instantaneous results for electric power consumption, heating capacity and for indoor units’ return air: a-b) steady
on mode at 100% load during heating operation, and; c-d) on-off mode at 20% load during heating operation.

Comparing the results for Figs. 4c and 5c shows that during the off period of the compressor, the heating capacity
approaches zero due to the decrease of the indoor units fan speed, compared to the cooling operation in which the indoor
units air fan is continuously operating. The control function of the cooling operation puts the indoor units’ air fan in the
on-mode, while during the heating operation the control function puts the indoor units’ air fan in the on-mode but at a
lower speed when the compressor stops. In addition, the outdoor unit air fan subsequently stop both cooling and heating
operations when the compressor stops, as no refrigerant is circulating in the outdoor unit heat exchanger.

3.2 Compressor speed

Figure 6 shows the average compressor speed at different loading conditions as presented in Table 2. Figure 6a

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100 100

Compressor Speed [Hz]

Compressor Speed [Hz]

80 80
60 60
40 40
20 20
α= 1 α= 0.5 α= 0 α= 1 α= 0.5 α= 0
0 0
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1
Cooling Load Ratio [-] Heating Load Ratio [-]
a) b)

Fig. 6. Compressor speed at different load ratios: a) cooling operation, and; b) heating operation.

4 4

High Pressure [MPa]

High Pressure [MPa]

3 3

2 2

1 1
α= 1 α= 0.5 α= 0 α= 1 α= 0.5 α= 0
0 0
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1
Cooling Load Ratio [-] Heating Load Ratio [-]
a) b)

Fig. 7. Refrigerant high pressure side at different load ratios: a) cooling operation, and; b) heating operation.

shows the compressor speed during the cooling operation from balanced load (α = 1) to unbalanced loads (α = 0.5 and
0). As shown in the results, the compressor speed increases as the load balance ratio decreases. This trend is due to the
needed refrigerant flow rates requirement for support for the high cooling load and for the sub-cooler. Furthermore, for
the same cooling load ratio, example 0.4, the compressor speed increases as the load balance ratio decreases, α = 1 to 0.
This situation is due to the concentration of the cooling load requirement to the one indoor unit instead of to the two
indoor units. As the concentration of the cooling requirement increases for the one indoor unit, the required heat transfer
between the air and the refrigerant increases. With the same indoor unit heat exchanger size, it is expected that the
resistance of heat transfer between the refrigerant and air increases due to the limited area for higher load compared to
when the two indoor units are operating.
Figure 6b shows the results of the average compressor speed during the heating load operation. It is shown in the
results that the compressor speed increases as the heating load increases to support the high refrigerant flow rate going
to the indoor units, as in the same case for the cooling operation. However, as presented in the results, the compressor
speed when the unbalanced heating load increases is minimal. In Fig. 2 for the case of the cooling operation, the
refrigerant passed to the sub-cooler which the refrigerant flow rate split between going to indoor units and going back to
the compressor from the sub-cooler. As explained in the previous paragraph, when the unbalanced loading increases, a
high compressor speed is needed to support the higher refrigerant flow rate; however, in the case of the heating operation,
the higher increase of the compressor speed to support the higher refrigerant flow is not needed as the refrigerant has
passed first to the indoor units’ heat exchangers to dissipate heat before passing to the sub-cooler and outdoor unit heat
exchanger to absorb heat.

3.3 Refrigerant high pressure side

Figure 7 shows the average pressure of the refrigerant on the high pressure side (after the compressor). The general
results show that the refrigerant pressure increases as the loading increases due to the increase of the compressor speed
to support the high refrigerant flow requirement. Figure 7a shows the refrigerant high pressure side during the cooling
operation. It is shown in the result that the high side pressures are all the same even with the increasingly unbalanced
loading. The high side refrigerant pressure occurred after the compressor or within the outdoor unit heat exchanger. When
the refrigerant pressure increases, its temperature also increases. To increase the heat transfer rate between the refrigerant
side and air side, the speed of the air fan of the outdoor unit heat exchanger increases. The increase of the outdoor unit
heat exchange air fan controls the high pressure side of the refrigerant as the heat transfer resistance is decreased. Figure

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Low Pressure [MPa] 2.0 2.0

Low Pressure [MPa]

1.5 1.5

1.0 1.0

0.5 0.5
α= 1 α= 0.5 α= 0 α= 1 α= 0.5 α= 0
0.0 0.0
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1
Cooling Load Ratio [-] Heating Load Ratio [-]
a) b)

Fig. 8. Refrigerant low pressure side at different load ratios: a) cooling operation, and; b) heating operation.

7b shows the refrigerant pressure during the heating operation at different unbalanced loading conditions. As shown in
the results, the refrigerant pressure increases as the unbalanced heating load increases. The high refrigerant pressure side
is in the indoor units of the system. The increase of the high side refrigerant pressure results in an increase of the
refrigerant temperature. As the unbalanced load increases to one indoor unit, it is expected that the resistance to heat
transfer will increase due to the limit of heat exchanger size for the increased thermal load. With the increasing heat
transfer resistance, the refrigerant pressure increases as its temperature increases.

3.4 Refrigerant low pressure side

Figure 8 shows the average pressure of the refrigerant on the low pressure side (before the compressor). The general
results show that the refrigerant pressure decreases as the loading increases due to the increase of the compressor speed
to support the higher refrigerant flow requirement to the indoor units’ heat exchanger. Figure 8a shows the refrigerant
low pressure side during the cooling operation. It is shown in the result that the low pressure side decreases as the load
balance ratio decreases. As the loading increases to one of the indoor units, it is expected that the resistance to heat
transfer increases due to the limit of heat transfer surface area. With the increasing heat transfer resistance for the heat
transfer, the low pressure refrigerant cannot properly absorb heat from the air and this results in a decreasing low pressure
side because the refrigerant temperature cannot increase due to heat transfer resistance between the air and the refrigerant.
It is worth mentioning that in the case of the outdoor unit used during the heating operation, the outdoor air fan speed
increases which results in a decrease of heat transfer resistance and results in the increase of the heat transfer rate and
control of the low refrigerant pressure. However, in the case of the cooling operation, the indoor unit heat exchanger’s
air fan cannot increase its speed to avoid the discomfort of the occupants for cooled and high air speed circulating the
indoor environment such as in an office room. Figure 8b shows the refrigerant pressure during the heating operation at
different unbalanced loading conditions. As shown in the results, the refrigerant pressures are all the same for the same
heating load ratio even with the decreasing load balance ratio. The control of the refrigerant pressure is due to the increase
of the heat transfer rate between the refrigerant side and the air side. Unlike in the case of the cooling operation in which
the air fan cannot operate at a higher speed, the outdoor unit fan speed increases when the requirement for heat transfer
rate increases as the air is just dumped outside.

3.5 Coefficient of performance

Figure 9 shows the average coefficient of performance during both the cooling and heating operations under
different partial load ratios and load balance ratios. As expected in the general performance of the system, the maximum
coefficient of performance occurred in the median part in the case of the balanced loading. This is due to several factors
affecting the performance such as the high effectiveness of heat transfer rate at a lower thermal load, compressor
performance and electric motor performance. As the load balance ratio decreases, the performance of the system
decreases due to the needed refrigerant flow requirements as explained above, particularly for the cooling operation.
Figure 9a shows the coefficient of performance during the cooling operation. The coefficient of performance decreases
for the same cooling load ratio when the load balance ratio decreases. Hence, operating the system at an unbalanced
cooling load decreases the coefficient of performance of the system. In most cases and in actual building operation, the
VRF air-conditioning system is operating with an unbalanced loading due to the different cooling requirements in
different parts of the building. Figure 9b shows the coefficient of performance of the system during the heating operation.

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6 6
5 5
4 4

COP [-]
COP [-]

3 3
2 2
α= 1 α= 0.5 α= 0 α= 1 α= 0.5 α= 0
1 1
0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1 0.0 0.1 0.2 0.3 0.4 0.5 0.6 0.7 0.8 0.9 1.0 1.1
Cooling Load Ratio [-] Heating Load Ratio [-]
a) b)

Fig. 9. Coefficient of performance at different load ratios: a) Cooling

cooling operation, and; b) heating operation.
Heat

Pressure [MPa]
Pressure [MPa]

α=1 α=1
α = 0.5 α = 0.5
α=0 α=0

Enthalpy [kJ/kg] Enthalpy [kJ/kg]

a) b)

Fig. 10. P-h diagram for α = 1, 0.5 and 0: a) cooling operation at 36% partial load, and; b) heating operation at 40% partial
load.

It is shown in the results that the performances are almost the same for the same heating load ratio even with the decrease
of the load balance ratio. As explained in the previous section, the increase of the compressor speed is minimal in the
heating operation compared to the cooling operation.

3.6 P-h diagram

Figure 10 shows the P-h diagram of the VRF air-conditioning system subjected to balanced and unbalanced thermal
loadings. Figure 10a shows the P-h diagram for the cooling operation comparing the 36% partial load with different load
balance ratios (α = 1, 0.5 and 0). As shown in the result, the low pressure side of the refrigerant decreases as the
unbalanced load ratio decreases. As explained in the previous section, the decrease of the low pressure side is due to the
limitation of the heat transfer between the air side and the refrigerant side. When the refrigerant cannot take more heat
from the air due to the heat transfer resistance between the refrigerant and air side, the refrigerant pressure and
temperature will not increase as it did not absorb any heat. On the other hand, during the heating operation, as shown in
Fig. 10b, the high refrigerant pressure side increases as the load balance ratio decreases. The same applies in the case of
the cooling operation; the refrigerant cannot dissipate the heat to the air side as the heat transfer resistance between the
air side and refrigerant side increases.
In the case of the outdoor unit as shown in Fig. 10a, during the cooling operation, the refrigerant high pressures
are the same even with the unbalanced loading. Based on the evaluation of the system operation during unbalanced
loading, the air fan speed in the outdoor unit increases as the load balance ratio decreases. When the air fan speed
increases, the air flow rate in the outdoor heat exchanger also increases. With the increase of the air flow rate, the amount
of heat transfer increases as the heat transfer resistance decreases. With this situation, the build-up of pressure in the
outdoor unit or of the high pressure side is maintained due to the increase of the heat transfer from the refrigerant to the
air. During the heating operation (Fig. 10b), the same occurred in the outdoor unit, the outdoor air fan speed increased to
increase the heat transfer from the air to the refrigerant. The increase of heat transfer from air to refrigerant resulted in
the control of the low pressure side of the refrigerant during the heating operation.
In Fig. 10a, it is shown that when the load balance ratio decreases, the amount of sub-cooling increases. As the
cooling load increases to one indoor unit heat exchanger as the load balance ratio decreases, the heat transfer rate is
affected due to the increase of the heat transfer resistance. To reduce this heat transfer resistance, the sub-cooling

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operation approaches maximum level so as to decrease the temperature of the refrigerant that will be passing the
electronic expansion valve (EEV). With lower inlet temperature and low refrigerant flow, the heat transfer resistance
between the refrigerant and air is reduced as the heat transfer area is large for the lower refrigerant flow. Hence, the
evaporation process of the refrigerant is effective and the heat transfer is high. However, for the load balance ratio of
0.5, it was observed that the EEV of indoor unit 2 is operating at open and close compared to indoor unit 1 which is
always open with minimal fluctuation. This situation could be the reason why at 0.5 load balance ratio, the average
value of sub-cooling is slightly higher than of load balance ratio of 1. In the case of the heating operation, Fig. 10b, the
refrigerant passing the indoor unit is in the gas-phase. During the heat transfer between the air and refrigerant, the
refrigerant gradually condenses as opposed to the cooling operation, in which the refrigerant passing the indoor unit is in
a two-phase state. It is noted here that at the load balance ratio of 0, the sub-cooler EEV did not operate and this is why
the result has no sub-cooling shown in the P-h diagram as observed in the system operation. The almost isentropic process
in the refrigerant compression as shown in Fig 10 is due to the external parameters affecting the obtaining of the data in
the inlet and outlet of the compressor. For example, the compressor is located in a very small and insulated box which
might affect the measurement of temperatures in the tubes. It is noted here that putting the temperature sensors inside the
refrigerant tubes might resolve the measurement of the temperature. However, as this study is on the performance
evaluation of the commercial VRF system, putting the temperature sensors inside the refrigerant tubes might affect the
system’s actual performance and defeat the main purpose of the present study, which is the actual performance evaluation
of the commercial VRF system when subjected to different load balance ratios and partial load ratios as measured by the
electric energy consumption.

5. Conclusion

This paper shows the performance evaluation of the VRF air-conditioning system as it is subjected to full and
partial thermal loadings. This paper also shows the evaluation of the system subjected from balanced to unbalanced
thermal loading operations. In the evaluation, the one outdoor unit’s and two indoor units’ VRF air-conditioning system
was used as the test specimen.
The results of the study show that the operation of the system at different partial thermal loadings affects the system
performance. They show that at around 50% partial thermal load with a balanced thermal load (α = 1), the system
coefficient of performance is at its maximum. It is also shown that an unbalanced thermal load (α < 1) operation affected
much of the system’s performance, particularly during the cooling operation. In the cooling operation, the compressor
speed increases when compared to the heating operation. The increase of the compressor speed during the cooling
operation is due to the high refrigerant flow rate to support the sub-cooling of the refrigerant going to the indoor unit
which is subjected to a higher load. As the cooling load becomes concentrated in one indoor unit heat exchanger, the heat
transfer rate is affected due to the limited heat transfer area; hence, to resolve this, the compressor operates at a higher
speed to increase the refrigerant flow to support the further sub-cooling of the refrigerant that passed through the indoor
unit heat exchanger at a low flow rate.
In the cooling operation, the low pressure side of the refrigerant decreases as the load balance ratio decreases. This
is due to the effect of the heat transfer resistance between the refrigerant and air. When the resistance of the heat transfer
between the air and refrigerant increases due to the increase of the heating load for the same heat transfer area, the
refrigerant pressure decreases as the refrigerant temperature decreases. In the heating operation, the refrigerant passed
first through the indoor units before the sub-cooler. It is also shown that the high refrigerant pressure side increases as
the load balance ratio decreases due to the increase of the refrigerant temperature passing the indoor unit heat exchanger,
as there is a high resistance of heat transfer between the air side and the refrigerant due to the heat exchanger surface area
being the same for the increased load.
As this study shows, the system coefficient of performance changes as partial thermal loading is taking place in
the system’s operation. In addition, the system coefficient of performance is much reduced, particularly for the cooling
operation, as unbalanced loading is taking place in the system’s operation. In the actual building operation, it is expected
that the VRF air-conditioning system will be operating with partial and unbalanced thermal loadings. The results of this
study show the importance of how the VRF air-conditioning system operates in a planned or retrofitted building when
estimating its electric energy consumption. A more accurate contribution of the VRF air-conditioning system in whole
building energy consumption is possible with a good estimate of VRF air-conditioning system electric consumption.

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Acknowledgment

This research is part of the research project funded by a grant from the Japan New Energy and Industrial
Technology Development Organization (NEDO) with contract number P15007. In addition, this research is part of a
project entitled “Verification and Systematization of Evaluation Method of Performance for Consolidation of Energy-
Conservation Standards in Building”.

Nomenclatures

C Cooler S Supply Air

Ė Electric consumption (kW) T Temperature (oC)
h Specific enthalpy (kJ/kg) IC Indoor chamber
H Heater IU Indoor unit
HR Humidity ratio (g/kg) OC outdoor chamber
I Inlet Air OU outdoor unit
n Specified time for data COP Coefficient of performance
O Outlet Air DBT Dry Bulb Temperature (oC)
P Pressure (MPa) EEV Electronic expansion valve

Q Heating / Cooling capacity (kW) JIS Japan Industrial Standards
Q Refrigerant Flow (kg/s) WBT Wet Bulb Temperature (oC)
R Return Air VRF Variable refrigerant flow

Greek letter

α Load balance ratio (α = 1, Balanced; α < 1, Unbalanced)

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