TY - JOUR
T1 - A numerical study on the effect of oil lubricant on the heat transfer and efficiency of a vapour compression refrigeration system
AU - Li, Zhaohua
AU - Shen, Hao
AU - Liang, Kun
AU - Chen, Xinwen
AU - Zhu, Zhennan
PY - 2022/5
Y1 - 2022/5
N2 - The involvement of oil lubricants in vapour compression refrigeration (VCR) systems could adversely influence the flow, heat transfer and efficiency of refrigeration. A numerical model for a VCR system using linear compressor, R1234yf, and POE oil is developed in this study to investigate the effect of oil lubricant on the flow and heat transfer as well as the system performance including cooling capacity and coefficient of performance (COP). The proposed model is validated by measurements of a prototype oil-free VCR system with most of the simulated data falling within ±20% of measurements. The evaporator heat transfer coefficient, cooling capacity, and COP for the system from the proposed model show a positive correlation with oil circulation rate (OCR). The COPs and pressure losses for oil-free system are 15–28% higher and 36–60% lower than that of oil-lubricated system respectively.
AB - The involvement of oil lubricants in vapour compression refrigeration (VCR) systems could adversely influence the flow, heat transfer and efficiency of refrigeration. A numerical model for a VCR system using linear compressor, R1234yf, and POE oil is developed in this study to investigate the effect of oil lubricant on the flow and heat transfer as well as the system performance including cooling capacity and coefficient of performance (COP). The proposed model is validated by measurements of a prototype oil-free VCR system with most of the simulated data falling within ±20% of measurements. The evaporator heat transfer coefficient, cooling capacity, and COP for the system from the proposed model show a positive correlation with oil circulation rate (OCR). The COPs and pressure losses for oil-free system are 15–28% higher and 36–60% lower than that of oil-lubricated system respectively.
KW - COP
KW - Heat transfer coefficient
KW - Numerical model
KW - Oil effect
KW - Pressure drop
KW - R1234yf/POE mixture
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85127111273&partnerID=8YFLogxK
UR - https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0735193322001385?via%3Dihub
U2 - 10.1016/j.icheatmasstransfer.2022.106016
DO - 10.1016/j.icheatmasstransfer.2022.106016
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:85127111273
SN - 0735-1933
VL - 134
JO - International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer
JF - International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer
M1 - 106016
ER -