applied

sciences
Article
Investigation on the Mass Flow Rate of a Refrigerator
Compressor Based on the p–V Diagram
Zhilong He 1 , Dantong Li 1 , Lantian Ji 1 , Xiaolin Wang 2 and Tao Wang 3, *
1 School of Energy and Power Engineering, Xi’an Jiaotong University, Xi’an 710049, China;
zlhe@mail.xjtu.edu.cn (Z.H.); ldt15028772022@stu.xjtu.edu.cn (D.L.); jlt364844834@stu.xjtu.edu.cn (L.J.)
2 School of Engineering, University of Tasmania, Hobart, TAS 7001, Australia; Xiaolin.Wang@utas.edu.au
3 School of Energy and Power Engineering, Zhengzhou University of Light Industry,
Zhengzhou 450000, China
* Correspondence: wangtao@zzuli.edu.cn




Received: 13 August 2020; Accepted: 11 September 2020; Published: 23 September 2020


Abstract: The refrigerant mass flow rate of a refrigerator compressor can only be measured by a mass
flow meter and heat balance method. This paper focuses on the expansion and compression phase in
which the compressor cylinder is closed, and proposes a measurement method of instantaneous mass
flow of the refrigerator compressor. The comparison of the experimental pressure variation in the p–V
diagram and the theoretical adiabatic process implied that the expansion and compression process
of the refrigerator compressor approximated the adiabatic process. Based on the approximations
and the experimental p–V diagram, a calculation method for refrigerant mass in the cylinder during
the expansion and compression phase is proposed. Subsequently, the mass flow of the refrigerator
compressor can be obtained. Furthermore, compared with experimental data and based on the
method proposed in this paper, the error of the mass flow rate obtained is less than 3.13%. Based on
this calculation method and the experimental p–V diagram, the influence of suction pressure on
compressor performance is investigated.

Keywords: p–V diagram; mass flow rate; suction pressure; refrigerator compressor

1. Introduction
The refrigerator compressor determines the mass flow rate of the refrigerator system, which
has a significant impact on the refrigeration capacity of the refrigerator [1,2]. Moreover, the flow
rate of refrigerant is an important performance parameter that reflects the transport capacity of the
compressor [3,4].
Since the flow rate of the reciprocating compressor is unsteady, it is very difficult to measure the
instantaneous flow rate directly. The refrigerant flow rate of the compressor is usually measured by a
mass flow meter in the refrigeration system or calculated by a mathematical model with many empirical
coefficients. To predict the refrigerant mass flow rate in a domestic refrigerator, Fatouha et al. [5]
developed a theoretical model of adiabatic capillary tubes. Björk et al. [6–8] proposed a simple
technique to measure refrigerant mass flow rate by quick-closing valves and a tank. Based on the
technique, the author studied the refrigerant mass charge distribution in both steady-state and transient
conditions of the refrigerator.
Researchers have analyzed the influence factors of refrigerant mass flow rate to improve the
efficiency of the compressor. Fabrício et al. [9] stated that flow rate loss was linked to the backflow rate
through the suction valve. Ribas et al. [10] found that in refrigerator compressors, the vapor superheating
in the suction process accounts for 49% of the overall mass flow rate loss. Morriesen et al. [11] revealed
that the compressor mass flow rate was strongly linked to the valve motion.

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10, 6650; doi:10.3390/app10196650 www.mdpi.com/journal/applsci

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A p–V diagram of the reciprocating compressor is traditionally used to analyze the thermodynamic
A p–V diagram of the reciprocating compressor is traditionally used to analyze the
process in the cylinder [12]. Ma et al. [13] showed that the experimental p–V diagram of a CO2
thermodynamic process in the cylinder [12]. Ma et al. [13] showed that the experimental p–V diagram
compressor and presented the flow losses related to the suction and discharge valves in the diagram.
of a CO2 compressor and presented the flow losses related to the suction and discharge valves in the
Their research clearly showed that the suction power loss was lower than the discharge flow loss
diagram. Their research clearly showed that the suction power loss was lower than the discharge
since the amplitude of the pressure loss in the discharge process was much larger than that in the
flow loss since the amplitude of the pressure loss in the discharge process was much larger than that
suction process.
in the suction process.
Based on the literature mentioned above, few studies have focused on the direct measurement
Based on the literature mentioned above, few studies have focused on the direct measurement
for the flow rate of the refrigerator compressor, which is helpful to reveal the law of mass flow
for the flow rate of the refrigerator compressor, which is helpful to reveal the law of mass flow rate
rate variation and to optimize the compressor. In this paper, a refrigerator compressor is modified
variation and to optimize the compressor. In this paper, a refrigerator compressor is modified to
to facilitate the installation of sensors to record the pressure variation in the compressor cylinder.
facilitate the installation of sensors to record the pressure variation in the compressor cylinder. Based
Based on the measurements and investigation of the expansion and compression phases of the
on the measurements and investigation of the expansion and compression phases of the refrigerator
refrigerator compressor, a calculation method for refrigerant mass flow rate is presented. Furthermore,
compressor, a calculation method for refrigerant mass flow rate is presented. Furthermore, the
the calculation method is verified by experiments and used to study the performance of compressor.
calculation method is verified by experiments and used to study the performance of compressor.
2. Experimental Setup
2. Experimental Setup
2.1. Test Compressor
2.1. Test Compressor
To install the sensors, an existing WQ153Y refrigerator hermetic compressor (Qianjiang
To installHangzhou,
refrigeration, the sensors, an existing
China) WQ153YR600a
with refrigerant refrigerator hermeticas compressor
was modified, shown in the (Qianjiang
Figure 1.
refrigeration, Hangzhou, China) with refrigerant R600a was modified, as shown in the Figure
The compressor structural parameters are listed in Table 1. The power of the compressor is rated 1. The
at
compressor structural parameters are listed
170W and the displacement is 44.53 L·min . −1in Table 1. The power of the compressor is rated at 170W
and the displacement is 44.53 L·min−1.

Figure 1.
Figure Schematic diagram
1. Schematic diagram of
of modified
modified compressor.
compressor.

Table 1. The refrigerator compressor structural parameters.

Table 1. The refrigerator compressor structural parameters.
Parameters Value
Parameters Value
Crank Radius
Crank Radius 10 10
mm mm
Connecting Rod Length 40.5 mm
Connecting Rod Length
Cylinder Diameter
40.531mmmm
Cylinder Diameter
Rated Speed 31 mm
2950 r·min−1
Rated
Relative Clearance Speed
Volume 2950 r·min
2.35%−1
Relative Clearance Volume 2.35%
Due to the small internal space of the refrigerator compressor, the sensors to record the compressor
Due to the small internal space of the refrigerator compressor, the sensors to record the
p–V diagram were installed with consideration of their dimensions and the actual structure of the
compressor p–V diagram were installed with consideration of their dimensions and the actual
compressor. In this paper, the high-precision pressure sensors were embedded in the valve seat,
structure of the compressor. In this paper, the high-precision pressure sensors were embedded in the
as shown in Figure 2, to record the transient pressure in the cylinder.
valve seat, as shown in Figure 2, to record the transient pressure in the cylinder.
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10, 6650 3 of 11
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Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Figure The installation
The installation
2. The of
installation of pressure
of pressure sensor.
pressure sensor.
sensor.

2.2. Data Acquisition

2.2. Data
Data Acquisition System
System
2.2. Acquisition System
The
The data
data acquisition system
acquisition system for the
system for
for the experiment
experiment inin
in this
this paper
paper is
is shown
shown inin Figure
Figure 3.
3. The
The NI-9205
NI-9205
The data acquisition the experiment this paper is shown in Figure 3. The NI-9205
(National
(National Instruments,
Instruments, Austin, TX,
Austin, TX, USA)
USA) was
was used
used forfor the
the acquisition
acquisition of
of pressure
pressure signals
signals from aa
from
(National Instruments, Austin, TX, USA) was used for the acquisition of pressure signals from a
KULITE
KULITE pressure
pressure sensor
sensor (Kulite
(Kulite Semiconductor
Semiconductor Products,
Products, Inc.,
Inc., Leonia,
Leonia, NJ,
NJ, USA)
USA) with
with sampling
sampling rate
rate
KULITE pressure sensor (Kulite Semiconductor Products, Inc., Leonia, NJ, USA) with sampling rate
set
set to
to 50
50 kHz;
kHz; measurement
measurement accuracy
accuracy was
was 0.1%
0.1% (full
(full scale). The mass
scale). The
The mass flow
flow ofof the
the compressor
compressor waswas
set to 50 kHz; measurement accuracy was 0.1% (full scale). mass flow of the compressor was
measured
measured by
by aa Coriolis
Coriolis mass
mass flowmeter
flowmeter (CMF)
(CMF) (Emerson,
(Emerson, St.
St. Louis,
Louis, MO,
MS, USA) with
USA) with aa 0.1%
0.1% reading
reading
measured by a Coriolis mass flowmeter (CMF) (Emerson, St. Louis, MS, USA) with a 0.1% reading
measurement
measurement accuracy.
accuracy.
measurement accuracy.

Figure 3.
Figure 3. Test
Test facility for
Test facility for the
the refrigeration
refrigeration system.
system.

3. Method to Calculate the Refrigerant Mass Flow Rate

3. Method to Calculate the Refrigerant Mass Flow Rate
3.1. Validation of
3.1. Validation
Validation of Adiabatic
Adiabatic Process
Process Hypothesis
Hypothesis in the
the Expansion
in the Expansion Phase
Phase and
and Compression
Compression Phase
Phase
3.1. of Adiabatic Process Hypothesis in Expansion Phase and Compression Phase
As
As shown
shown in in Figure
Figure 4,
4, the
the experimental
experimental pressure
pressure variations
variations inin the
the expansion
expansion and and compression
compression
As shown in Figure 4, the experimental pressure variations in the expansion and compression
phases are
phases are in
are in good
in good agreement
good agreement with
agreement with the
with the theoretical
the theoretical adiabatic
theoretical adiabaticpressure
adiabatic pressure variations.
pressure variations. The
variations. The error
The errorbetween
error the
between
phases between
theoretical
the theoreticaladiabatic
theoretical adiabaticpressure
adiabatic pressure variations
pressure variations and
variations and experimental
and experimental
experimental datadata
data are are listed
are listed
listed in in Table
Table 22.. The
in Table 2. The
The maximum maximum
maximum errorerror
the
error
in the in the compression
compression and and expansion
expansion phase phase
is is −2.50%
−2.50% and andrespectively.
4.64%, 4.64%, respectively.
The The approximate
approximate pressure
in the compression and expansion phase is −2.50% and 4.64%, respectively. The approximate pressure
pressure
variationvariation
implies implies thethat
that the the leakage
leakage and heat
and heat
heat transfer
transfer havehave little
little influenceon
influence onthethe refrigerator
refrigerator
variation implies that leakage and transfer have little influence on the refrigerator
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compressor and can be ignored since the rotation speed of refrigerator compressor is high. Therefore,
compressor and can be ignored since the rotation speed of refrigerator compressor is high. Therefore,
the compression and expansion phases can be approximately considered as an adiabatic process [14].
the compression and expansion phases can be approximately considered as an adiabatic process [14].

Figure 4. Comparison of theoretical adiabatic pressure variations and experimental data in a

Figure 4. Comparison of theoretical adiabatic pressure variations and experimental data in a p–V
p–V diagram.
diagram.
Table 2. The error between theoretical adiabatic pressure variations and experimental data.
Table 2. The error between theoretical adiabatic pressure variations and experimental data.
Compression Phase Expansion Phase
Experimental Compression
Adiabatic Line Phase Expansion
Experimental Phase
Adiabatic Line
Error (%) Error (%)
Pressure
Experimental (MPa)
(MPa) Pressure (MPa)
Experiment (MPa)
0.088 Adiabatic
0.086 Error
1.86 0.529 Adiabatic
0.504 Error
4.64
Pressure al Pressure
0.089 0.088 (MPa)
Line 1.04(%) 0.473 Line (MPa)
0.483 (%)
−2.16
0.090(MPa) 0.090 0.24 (MPa)
0.457 0.467 −2.12
0.091 0.088 0.092 0.086 1.86
−1.73 0.529
0.449 0.504
0.450 4.64
−0.23
0.094 0.089 0.095 0.088 −1.20
1.04 0.440
0.473 0.432
0.483 1.81
−2.16
0.097 0.098 −1.06 0.425 0.413 2.86
0.099 0.090 0.101 0.090 0.24
−2.10 0.457
0.390 0.467
0.384 −2.12
1.53
0.103 0.091 0.105 0.092 −1.73
−1.68 0.449
0.357 0.450
0.366 −0.23
−2.31
0.109 0.094 0.109 0.095 −0.81
−1.20 0.294
0.440 0.303
0.432 −3.17
1.81
0.114 0.114 0.00 0.292 0.287 1.50
0.117 0.097 0.120 0.098 −1.06
−1.72 0.425
0.268 0.413
0.264 2.861.51
0.126 0.099 0.125 0.101 −2.10
0.54 0.390
0.246 0.384
0.250 1.53
−1.68
0.130 0.103 0.132 0.105 −1.45
−1.68 0.230
0.357 0.236
0.366 −2.59
−2.31
0.137 0.140 −1.63 0.206 0.212 −2.91
0.148 0.109 0.148 0.109 −0.81
−0.14 0.294
0.202 0.303
0.200 −3.17
0.71
0.154 0.114 0.158 0.114 0.00
−2.50 0.292
0.195 0.287
0.190 1.502.65
0.166 0.117 0.168 0.120 −1.53
−1.72 0.172
0.268 0.170
0.264 1.510.66
0.178 0.181 −1.60 0.159 0.162 −1.35
0.126 0.125 0.54 0.246 0.250 −1.68
0.130 0.132 −1.45 0.230 0.236 −2.59
0.137 0.140 −1.63 0.206 0.212 −2.91
0.148 0.148 −0.14 0.202 0.200 0.71
0.154 0.158 −2.50 0.195 0.190 2.65
0.166 0.168 −1.53 0.172 0.170 0.66
0.178 0.181 −1.60 0.159 0.162 −1.35
0.190 0.194 −2.01 0.151 0.153 −1.41
0.205 0.210 −2.37 0.148 0.146 1.33
0.223 0.228 −1.92 0.145 0.139 4.70
0.242 0.248 −2.72 0.121 0.120 0.86
0.268 0.272 −1.31 0.111 0.111 −0.16
0.296 0.299 −1.15 0.106 0.106 0.24
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10, 6650 5 of 11

Table 2. Cont.

Compression Phase Expansion Phase

Experimental Adiabatic Line Experimental Adiabatic Line
Error (%) Error (%)
Pressure (MPa) (MPa) Pressure (MPa) (MPa)
0.190 0.194 −2.01 0.151 0.153 −1.41
0.205 0.210 −2.37 0.148 0.146 1.33
0.223 0.228 −1.92 0.145 0.139 4.70
0.242 0.248 −2.72 0.121 0.120 0.86
0.268 0.272 −1.31 0.111 0.111 −0.16
0.296 0.299 −1.15 0.106 0.106 0.24
0.325 0.331 −1.74 0.094 0.091 3.97
0.363 0.368
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10, x FOR PEER REVIEW −1.34 0.081 0.081 −0.05 5 of 11
0.412 0.412 0.09 0.075 0.078 −3.75
0.461 0.463 −0.53 0.068 0.066 2.77
0.412 0.412 0.09 0.075 0.078 −3.75
0.531 0.525 1.17 0.061 0.063 −2.97
0.461 0.463 −0.53 0.068 0.066 2.77
0.531 0.525 1.17 0.061 0.063 −2.97
The polytropic exponent is an important indicator to evaluate the reciprocating compressor
The polytropic
performance, exponent and
since faultless is anleaking
important
valvesindicator to evaluate
show different the reciprocating
gradients compressor
in the expansion and
performance, since faultless and leaking valves show different gradients in the expansion
compression phase. The polytropic exponents in the expansion and compression phase are 1.0968 and
compression phase. The as
and 1.0935, respectively, polytropic
shown in exponents in the
Figure 5. The expansion and
approximately compression
equal phase are
exponents illustrate 1.0968
that that
and 1.0935, respectively, as shown in Figure 5. The approximately equal exponents illustrate
the modified compressor is faultless and that the heat transfer can be ignored at a higher rotation that that
the modified
speed [15]. compressor is faultless and that the heat transfer can be ignored at a higher rotation
speed [15].

Figure 5. Comparison of experimental data and adiabatic calculation in a log(p)–log(V/Vmax) diagram

Figure 5. Comparison of experimental data and adiabatic calculation in a log(p)–log(V/Vmax) diagram
Knowing if the compression and expansion phases are approximate to the theoretical adiabatic
Knowing if the compression and expansion phases are approximate to the theoretical adiabatic
process is critical to the correctness of the method for calculating the mass flow rate of the compressor,
process is critical to the correctness of the method for calculating the mass flow rate of the compressor,
which is proposed in Section 3.2.
which is proposed in Section 3.2.

3.2. Calculation Method

Due to the high rotation speed, the refrigerant leakage and the heat exchange between the
cylinder wall and the refrigerant can be ignored in the refrigerator compressor [12]. Therefore, in the
expansion and compression phases, the valves are closed and the refrigerant mass remains constant
[16]. Moreover, the temperature and velocity gradients in compressor cylinder are small enough to
neglect the irreversibility [12].
In the compression and expansion phases, the compressor cylinder is regarded as a closed
thermodynamic system with masses  exp , respectively. During the compression phase,
m com and m
the refrigerant in the cylinder includes the fresh refrigerant suctioning from the suction line and the
refrigerant remaining in the clearance volume. During the expansion phase, the refrigerant in the
cylinder only includes the refrigerant remaining in the clearance volume. Thus, the refrigerant mass
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10, 6650 6 of 11

3.2. Calculation Method

Due to the high rotation speed, the refrigerant leakage and the heat exchange between the
cylinder wall and the refrigerant can be ignored in the refrigerator compressor [12]. Therefore, in the
expansion and compression phases, the valves are closed and the refrigerant mass remains constant [16].
Moreover, the temperature and velocity gradients in compressor cylinder are small enough to neglect
the irreversibility [12].
In the compression and expansion phases, the compressor cylinder is regarded as a closed
. .
thermodynamic system with masses mcom and mexp , respectively. During the compression phase,
the refrigerant in the cylinder includes the fresh refrigerant suctioning from the suction line and the
refrigerant remaining in the clearance volume. During the expansion phase, the refrigerant in the
cylinder only includes the refrigerant remaining in the clearance volume. Thus, the refrigerant mass
flow rate of the compressor in one cycle can be calculated:
. . .
m = mcom − mexp (1)
.
where m is the refrigerant mass in the chamber, which is assumed to remain constant during the
expansion and compression phases.
Following Section 3.1, the compression and expansion phases approximate adiabatic processes.
Based on thermodynamics, the two phases follow the relationship:

Cp
!
.
mexp,com = Vc ρ p, (2)
Cv

where Vc is the cylinder volume at the corresponding time, and p is the refrigerant pressure in the
cylinder. The ratio Cp /Cv is usually considered equal to the adiabatic exponent. Moreover, the density
ρ of refrigerant in the cylinder is a function of p and Cp /Cv . The physical property data for R600a are
derived from NIST PEFPROP [16].
In Equation (2), in fact, Cp /Cv is determined by the corresponding temperature and p. However,
the measurement of the instantaneous refrigerant temperature in the cylinder is a difficult problem.
In this paper, due to the expansion phase and compression phase being close to the adiabatic
process, the adiabatic exponent is approximately equal to the polytropic exponent obtained from the
log(p)–log(V/Vmax) diagram [12]. In addition, p and Vc could be measured directly by experiment.
Based on the Equation (2), a method is proposed to obtain the refrigerant mass in the two
phases. A flow chart for calculating the refrigerant mass in the compression phase is shown in
Figure 6. The calculation is started by the assumed temperature and the adiabatic exponent obtained
experimentally. The pressure, density, and mass in the cylinder can be calculated by the temperature
and adiabatic exponent. With the volume variation of the cylinder and adiabatic process, the variation
of pressure is obtained. In addition, the convergence condition of the calculation is whether the
difference between the experimental and the calculation pressure variations is sufficiently small.
Subsequently, the refrigerant mass in the expansion phases can be obtained in the same way.
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10, 6650 7 of 11
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10, x FOR PEER REVIEW 7 of 11

Start

Based on experimental log(p)-

log(V/Vmax) , obtain adiabatic
exponent

Select N data points of pressure with

corresponding cylinder volume in
compression phase

i=1, assume the temperature

at the first data point

Calculate the pressure and density at the

first data point based on temperature and
adiabatic exponent

Calculate the mass in

cylinder

Calculate the pressure based on

mass with corresponding cylinder
and adiabatic exponent i=i+1
Correct the
temperature
Yes
i<N

No No

Obtain the variation of pressure with

corresponding cylinder volume

Comparison of experimental
and calculated pressures, whether
meet the precision

Yes

End

Figure6.6.Flow
Figure Flowchart
chartfor
forthe
themethod
methodof
ofcalculating
calculatingthe
therefrigerant
refrigerantmass
massininthe
thecylinder
cylinder
4. Results and Discussion
4. Results and Discussion
4.1. Verification of Mass Flow Calculation Method
4.1. Verification of Mass Flow Calculation Method
To verify this method, the mass flow of the compressor is measured in the experiment.
To verify this
The comparison method,
of the the massand
experimental flow of the compressor
calculated flow rate isis shown
measured in the3,experiment.
in Table The
which implied
comparison of the experimental and calculated flow rate is shown in Table 3, which implied
that the error of the mass flow calculation method proposed in this paper is less than 3.13% and the that the
error of the mass flow calculation method proposed
calculation method meets the engineering requirement. in this paper is less than 3.13% and the
calculation method meets the engineering requirement.
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10, x FOR PEER REVIEW 8 of 11

Table 3. The comparison of the experimental and calculated flow rate.

Appl. Sci. 2020, 10, 6650 8 of 11
Flow Rate
Suction Suction Discharge
By the p–V By Flow Error
Pressure Temperature Pressure
Table 3. The comparison of the experimental andDiagram
calculated flow rate. Meter (%)
(MPa) (℃) (MPa)
(kg·h−1) (kg·h−1)
Flow Rate
Suction Suction Discharge
0.11 −5.60 0.59 6.09 5.99 Error 1.64
Pressure Temperature Pressure By the p–V Diagram By Flow Meter
0.12(MPa) −2.50 0.75 6.91 (%)
(°C) (MPa) (kg·h−1 ) (kg·h−1 ) 6.72 2.75
0.10 0.11 −0.80
−5.60 0.59 0.66 6.09 5.17 5.99 5.03 1.64 2.71
0.11 0.12 2.80
−2.50 0.75 0.64 6.91 5.45 6.72 5.38 2.75 1.28
0.08 0.10 −0.80
6.40 0.66 0.60 5.17 3.51 5.03 3.40 2.71 3.13
0.11 2.80 0.64 5.45 5.38 1.28
0.08 6.40 0.60 3.51 3.40 3.13
4.2. Effect of Suction Pressure on the Compressor Performance
4.2. Effectefficiency
Volume of Suction Pressure
and flow on loss
the Compressor Performanceperformance indexes of compressors. Based
are two important
on the experimental p–V diagram
Volume efficiency and flow and thetwo
loss are mass flow rate
important calculation
performance method
indexes proposed inBased
of compressors. this paper,
on
the effect of suction pressure
the experimental on theand
p–V diagram volume efficiency
the mass and
flow rate the suction
calculation flowproposed
method loss are investigated.
in this paper,
the effect
The of suction
volumetric pressureof
efficiency onthe
therefrigerator
volume efficiency and the is
compressor suction flow loss
calculated are investigated.
as follows:
The volumetric efficiency of the refrigerator compressor is calculated as follows:
m
ηv = . (3)
ρ m
V
ηv = Inlet theo (3)
ρInlet Vtheo
where 𝑚 is .the actual mass flow rate of the compressor, Vtheo is cylinder volume of the refrigerator
where m is the actual mass flow rate of the compressor, Vtheo is cylinder volume of the refrigerator
compressor without clearance volume, and ρInlet is the refrigerant density at the suction conditions.
compressor without clearance volume, and ρInlet is the refrigerant density at the suction conditions.

4.2.1. 4.2.1.
EffectEffect
of Suction Pressure
of Suction onon
Pressure thethe
Volumetric
Volumetric Efficiency
Efficiency

The pressure ratioratio

The pressure andand
clearance
clearance volume
volumeare areusually
usually considered
considered totobebethe
the main
main factors
factors affecting
affecting
the volumetric
the volumetric efficiency
efficiency [17].
[17]. BasedBasedonon thethecalculation
calculationmethod
method for
for refrigerant
refrigerantmass
massin in
thethe
cylinder,
cylinder,
the influence
the influence of suction
of suction pressure
pressure ononthe thevolumetric
volumetric efficiency
efficiency of
ofthe
therefrigerator compressor
refrigerator compressor is is
investigated,
investigated, whilewhile
thethe pressure
pressure ratioisiskept
ratio kept constant.
constant. The
Thevolumetric
volumetricefficiency increases
efficiency from 0.59
increases fromto0.59
0.71 when the suction pressure is increased from 76.2 to 112.8 kPa, and the pressure ratio remains 6.45,
to 0.71 when the suction pressure is increased from 76.2 to 112.8 kPa, and the pressure ratio remains
as shown in the Figure 7. That is a basis for improving the compressor control strategy.
6.45, as shown in the Figure 7. That is a basis for improving the compressor control strategy.

Figure 7. Volumetric efficiencies and suction time under different suction pressures
Figure 7. Volumetric efficiencies and suction time under different suction pressures

4.2.2. Effect of Suction Pressure on Suction Flow Loss

Figure 8 shows the experimental p–V indicator diagram, and the flow losses through the valve
can be obtained. Since the suction time is longer than the discharge, the suction loss is two to three
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10, 6650 9 of 11

4.2.2. Effect of Suction Pressure on Suction Flow Loss

Figure 8 shows the experimental p–V indicator diagram, and the flow losses through the valve
can be
Appl. Sci. obtained. Since
2020, 10, x FOR the
PEER suction
REVIEWtime is longer than the discharge, the suction loss is two to 9three
of 11
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10, x FOR PEER REVIEW 9 of 11
times the discharge loss and is thus the main form of energy efficiency loss. There is considerable loss
times
in thethe
times discharge
suction
the loss
loss and
process.
discharge and is
is thus
thus the
the main
main form
form of
of energy
energy efficiency
efficiency loss.
loss. There
There is
is considerable
considerable loss
loss
in the suction process.
in the suction process.

Figure 8.
Figure Theflow
8. The flowloss
lossthrough
throughvalve
valvein
in p–V
p–V indicator
indicator diagram.
diagram.
Figure 8. The flow loss through valve in p–V indicator diagram.

The gas force

The force acting on the suction valve decreases as the suction pressure decreases. To Toopen the
The gas
gas force acting
acting on
on the
the suction
suction valve
valve decreases
decreases asas the
the suction
suction pressure
pressure decreases.
decreases. To open
open
suction
the valve, the flow resistance that overcomes the spring force of the of
valve accounts for a greater
the suction valve, the flow resistance that overcomes the spring force of the valve accounts for aa
suction valve, the flow resistance that overcomes the spring force the valve accounts for
proportion of the suction
greater pressure.pressure.
As shown inshown
Figure 9,Figure
the suction loss increases from 12.44% to
greater proportion
proportion ofof the
the suction
suction pressure. As As shown in in Figure 9,9, the
the suction
suction loss
loss increases
increases from
from
20.62%, with
12.44% the suctionthepressure varying from 112.78from
to 76.2 kPa,toand the pressure ratio is maintained
12.44% toto 20.62%,
20.62%, with
with the suction
suction pressure
pressure varying
varying from 112.78
112.78 to 76.2
76.2 kPa,
kPa, and
and the
the pressure
pressure ratio
ratio is
is
at 6.4.
maintained at 6.4.
maintained at 6.4.

Figure9.
Figure Suctionloss
9.Suction lossunder
underdifferent
different suction
suction pressures.
pressures.
Figure 9. Suction loss under different suction pressures.
5. Conclusions
5.
5. Conclusions
Conclusions
The refrigerant mass variation in the cylinder is researched experimentally, which shows a
The
The refrigerant
refrigerant mass variation in
in the cylinder
cylinder isis researched experimentally, which shows aa
significant influence masson thevariation
mass flow the
characteristics researched experimentally,
of a refrigerator compressor. whichAs shows
the first
significant
significant influence
influence on
on the
the mass
mass flow
flow characteristics
characteristics of
of aa refrigerator
refrigerator compressor.
compressor. As
As the
the first
first
examination of this issue, the study benefits refrigerator compressor optimization. The major
examination
examination of
of this
this issue,
issue, the
the study
study benefits
benefits refrigerator
refrigerator compressor
compressor optimization.
optimization. The
The major
major
conclusions follow:
conclusions
conclusions follow:
follow:
1.
1. With
With the the compression
compression and and expansion
expansion phase
phase approximating
approximating the the adiabatic
adiabatic process
process being
being
experimentally
experimentally verified, a calculation method for the mass flow rate of a compressor is
verified, a calculation method for the mass flow rate of a compressor is proposed,
proposed,
based
based on on the
the experimental
experimental p–V p–V diagram.
diagram.
2.
2. The accuracy of the calculation method
The accuracy of the calculation method forfor the
the mass
mass flow
flow rate
rate of
of aa compressor
compressor is is directly
directly verified
verified
by
by a mass flow meter. Furthermore, the error of the calculation method is less than 3.13%, which
a mass flow meter. Furthermore, the error of the calculation method is less than 3.13%, which
Appl. Sci. 2020, 10, 6650 10 of 11

1. With the compression and expansion phase approximating the adiabatic process being
experimentally verified, a calculation method for the mass flow rate of a compressor is proposed,
based on the experimental p–V diagram.
2. The accuracy of the calculation method for the mass flow rate of a compressor is directly verified
by a mass flow meter. Furthermore, the error of the calculation method is less than 3.13%,
which can replace the mass flow meter for most application situations.
3. Based on the calculation method, the influence of suction pressure on compressor performance
is investigated. Under a constant pressure ratio, the higher suction pressure leads to a higher
volumetric efficiency and less suction loss.
4. As the measuring equipment is expensive and the calculation method is complex, the proposed
method at present is mainly suitable for scientific research. In the future, the authors will focus
on reducing the complexity of the method, and based on this method, the mass flow meter of
compressor will be manufactured.

Author Contributions: Conceptualization, Z.H.; methodology, Z.H.; software, D.L.; validation, L.J.; formal
analysis, X.W.; investigation, T.W.; resources, Z.H.; data curation, T.W.; writing—original draft preparation, D.L.;
writing—review and editing, T.W.; visualization, Z.H.; supervision, T.W.; project administration, T.W.; funding
acquisition, Z.H. and T.W. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.
Funding: This research was funded by the National Natural Science Foundation of China, grant number 52006201;
the Key R&D and Promotion Projects in Henan Province, grant number 202102310231; and the Open Foundation
from the CAS Key Laboratory of Cryogenics, TIPC, grant number CRYO201907.
Conflicts of Interest: The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Nomenclature
Cp Specific heat at constant pressure
Cv Specific heat at constant volume
m Refrigerator mass in the cylinder
p Pressure
Vc The volume of cylinder
Vtheo Theoretical volume of the compressor
ρ Refrigerant density
Subscripts
com Compression phase
exp Expansion phase
Inlet Suction states

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