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Effects of lubricating oil on the performance of a semi-hermetic twin screw refrigeration compressor

Citation

Wu, X and Xing, Z and He, Z and Wang, X and Chen, W, Effects of lubricating oil on the performance of a semi-hermetic twin screw refrigeration compressor, Applied Thermal Engineering, 112 pp. 340-351. ISSN 1359-4311 (2017) [Refereed Article]

Copyright Statement

Crown Copyright 2016 Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

DOI: doi:10.1016/j.applthermaleng.2016.10.038

Abstract

Lubricating oil is often employed in a twin-screw refrigeration compressor for lubricating bearings, sealing leakage paths, cooling refrigerant gas and regulating capacity. In this paper, the effect of lubricating oil on the performance of a semi-hermetic twin-screw refrigeration compressor is investigated. A mathematical model is established and a comprehensive experimental investigation is performed for this purpose. The model is validated using experimental data and then used to investigate the effect on compressor performance of lubricating oil supplied to the suction and discharge end bearings, and returned to the suction pipe. The results show that the compressor performance is reduced as the compensation oil injection flow rate increases in the suction pipe. However, as the compensation oil injection position moves from the suction pipe to a proper compression chamber position, the compressor efficiencies increase as the oil flow rate increases. The results also show that the compressor performance decreases as the oil flow rate increases at the suction end bearing. But the effect on the compressor performance of the lubricating oil supplied to the discharge end bearing depends on the oil temperature. Low temperature oil supplied to the discharge end bearing increases the compressor performance, while high temperature oil lowers the compressor performance. These analyses provide useful information for optimizing lubricating oil distribution to maximize energy efficiency in semi-hermetic twin screw refrigeration compressors.

Item Details

Item Type:Refereed Article
Keywords:twin screw, refrigeration compressor, lubricating oil, performance
Research Division:Engineering
Research Group:Mechanical engineering
Research Field:Energy generation, conversion and storage (excl. chemical and electrical)
Objective Division:Energy
Objective Group:Energy efficiency
Objective Field:Residential energy efficiency
UTAS Author:Wang, X (Professor Xiaolin Wang)
ID Code:113591
Year Published:2017
Web of Science® Times Cited:27
Deposited By:Engineering
Deposited On:2017-01-09
Last Modified:2018-07-30
Downloads:0

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