Performance Evaluation of an Air-Conditioning Compressor Part I: Measurement and Design Modeling

Abstract

In order to comply with legislation to eliminate the use of refrigerants that damage the ozone layer, it is necessary to redesign centrifugal compressors, used by the US Navy for shipboard air-conditioning systems, to use an environmentally acceptable refrigerant. This paper describes an evaluation of a 125-ton compressor designed to use HCFC-124 as the refrigerant. The objectives are not only conducting the performance evaluation, but also pinpointing the design problems for achieving a high-performance compressor. The design method used to design the 125-ton compressor is first reviewed and some related performance curves are predicted based on a quasi-3D method. In addition to an overall performance measurement, a series of instruments were installed on the compressor to identify where the measured performance differs from the predicted performance. The measurement techniques for providing the diagnostic flow parameters are also described briefly. Part II of this paper provides predictions of flow details in the areas of the compressor where there were differences between the measured and predicted performance.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jul 10, 1998
Accession Number
ADA575310

Entities

People

  • Thomas W. Bein
  • Yu-tai Lee

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Air Platforms
  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Air Conditioning
  • Centrifugal Compressors
  • Compressor Components
  • Compressors
  • Flow
  • Flow Rate
  • Fluid Flow
  • Geometry
  • Guide Vanes
  • Inlet Guide Vanes
  • Mach Number
  • Measurement
  • Model Basins
  • Pressure Distribution
  • Static Pressure
  • Surface Warfare
  • Test And Evaluation

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Aerodynamics.
  • Fire Suppression Systems Design.
  • Systems Analysis and Design