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Single Stationary Blade Rotary Compressor

The document discusses parts of refrigeration systems, focusing on compressors. It describes compressors as the heart of mechanical refrigeration systems that circulate refrigerant through the system by compressing low-pressure vapor into high-pressure vapor. There are three main types of compressors: reciprocating compressors where a piston moves in a cylinder; rotary compressors where blades compress vapor; and centrifugal compressors. Reciprocating compressors are further described in terms of their working principles and key components like pistons, crankshafts and valves.

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20 views7 pages

Single Stationary Blade Rotary Compressor

The document discusses parts of refrigeration systems, focusing on compressors. It describes compressors as the heart of mechanical refrigeration systems that circulate refrigerant through the system by compressing low-pressure vapor into high-pressure vapor. There are three main types of compressors: reciprocating compressors where a piston moves in a cylinder; rotary compressors where blades compress vapor; and centrifugal compressors. Reciprocating compressors are further described in terms of their working principles and key components like pistons, crankshafts and valves.

Uploaded by

Vibin cv
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

Parts of refrigeration systems (Compressor)

Expected Learning Outcome


 Types of compressor and their working principles
 Types of evaporators and their working principles
 Types of condensers and their working principles
 Types of expansion devices and their working principles

Parts of refrigeration systems


[Link]
The compressor is referred to as the heart of mechanical refrigeration systems. The
compressor is used to compress the vapour refrigerant coming from the evaporator and to
raise its pressure and temperature more than that of the cooling medium. It also continuously
circulates the refrigerant through the refrigerating system. Since the compression of
refrigerant requires some work to be done on it, therefore a compressor must be driven by
some prime-mover.
[Link] of compressor in a vapour compression system
It is that part in a vapour compression system which sucks the refrigerant vapours at low
temperature and low pressure and compresses it into a lower volume at higher temperature
and pressure and also it creates the flow of refrigerant from one part to other. The pressure
difference between high and low side makes the refrigerant goes forcibly into cooling coil
through refrigerant flow controls. Therefore the main job of compressor is to keep the
difference in pressure at high side and low side of refrigeration system.
[Link] of compressor
The compressors may be classified in many ways, but the following are important from the
subject point of view.
 According to the method of compressor

o Reciprocating compressors
o Rotary compressors
o Centrifugal compressor
 According to the number of working strokes
o Single acting compressor
o Double acting compressors
 According to the number of stages
o Single stage compressors
o Multi stage compressor
 According to the method of drive employed
o Direct drive compressor
o Belt drive compressor
 According to the location of the prime movers
o Semi hermetic compressor (direct rive motor and compressor in separate
housings)
o Hermetic compressors (Direct drive motor and compressor in same housing
Three main groups of compressor,
 Reciprocating compressor

 Rotary compressor
 Centrifugal compressor

[Link].Reciprocating compressors
Reciprocating compressors are those in which piston moves in a cylinder in reciprocating
motion with the help of connecting rod, crank shaft etc. to compress the refrigerant.
The functions of reciprocating compressor in vapor compression refrigeration system are as
follows.
* It sucks and discharge the refrigerant
* It compresses the low temperature and low pressures vapor into high temperature and
high pressure vapor.
* It creates the flow of refrigerant.
Reciprocating compressors are used for refrigerants which have comparatively low volume
per kg and a large differential pressure, such as R717, R12,R22 and R-40. The reciprocating
compressors are available in sizes from 1/12kw which are used in small domestic
refrigerators and up to about 150kw for large capacity installations.
The two types of reciprocating compressor in general use are single acting vertical
compressors and double acting compressors. The single acting compressors usually have their
cylinders arranged vertically, radially or in a V or w form. The double acting compressors
have their cylinders arranged horizontally.

[Link].[Link] principle of Reciprocating compressor


Let us consider that the piston is at the top of its stroke fig (a). This is called top dead centre
position of the piston. In this position the suction valve is held closed because of the pressure
in the clearance space between the top of the piston and the cylinder head. The discharge
valve is also held closed because of the cylinder head pressure acting on the top of it.

When the piston moves down word (i.e during suction stroke) as shown in Fig (b) the
refrigerant left in the clearance space expands. Thus the volume of the cylinder increases and
the pressure inside the cylinder decreases. When the pressure becomes slightly less than the
suction pressure or atmosphere pressure, the suction valve gets opened and the vapour
refrigerant flows into the cylinder. This flow continues until the piston reaches the bottom of
its stroke (i.e. Bottom Dead Centre). At the bottom of the stroke, as shown in Fig (c), the
suction valve closes because of spring action. Now when the piston moves upward (i.e,
during compression stroke) as shown in fig (d), the volume of the cylinder decrease and the
pressure inside the cylinder increases. When the pressure inside the cylinder becomes greater
than that on the top of the discharge valve, the discharged valve gets opened and the vapour
refrigerant is discharged into the condenser and the cycle is repeated.
[Link].[Link] parts of the Reciprocating compressor
Piston
The piston is made of cast-iron and is mechanically well polished. It has a drilled hole to fit
the piston or wrist pin. This pin is fitted for joining the connecting rod to the piston. Piston it
fitted with close tolerance in cylinder. The function of the piston is only to compress the
refrigerant in an enclosed cylinder.
Piston rings
Piston rings are made of cast-iron which are fitted on pistons but some piston rings are made
of bronze metal also. This metal works for long time and not rubbed. These rings are installed
in grooves on the piston. Generally piston has two or more rings. The main function of the
piston ring is to maintain the proper lubrication and to prevent the gas from escaping between
the piston wall and cylinder wall.

Crank shaft
Crank shaft is a moving lever. It is used for inducing the torque. When it is used with the
connecting rod it moves with the reciprocating motion. Crank shafts are made of carbon steel,
cast steel or nickel chromium steel. Crank shafts are equipped with counter weights and are
carefully balanced to ensure smooth and vibration less compressor operation. This counter
weight is made of cast-iron.

Connecting rod
Connecting rod is used for connecting the piston and crank shaft. One end is connected to the
piston by means of hardened, ground and highly polished steel wrist pin. It is made of cast
steel or cast-iron. The wrist pin upper end of the connecting rod have an oscillating or
reciprocating motion while the lower end of the connecting rod combines a reciprocating and
rotary motion.

Rings
There are two types of rings i.e, compression rings and oil scrapper rings. The compression
ring is provided on the top of the piston and is used to seal the difference between the piston
and the cylinder wall. The oil scraper ring is provided below the piston.

Suction and discharge valve


The valve that controls the flow of refrigerant from the suction line into cylinder head is
known as suction valve. The valve that discharges the compressed gas towards the discharged
line is called discharged valve. These valves are named according to the function they
perform.
[Link].[Link] terms used in reciprocating compressor
B.D.C
When the piston reaches at the bottom of the cylinder of compressor is called Bottom Dead
Center.

T.D.C
When the piston reaches at he top of the cylinder of compressor is called Top Dead Centre.

Piston stroke
The distance covered by the piston from B.D.C to T.D.C or T.D.C to B.D.C is called piston
stroke.
Suction stroke
when the piston moves from T.D.C to B.D.C and sucks gas through the suction valve then it
is called suction stroke.
Compression stroke
when the piston moves from B.D.C to T.D.C and compresses and discharges the gas through
the discharge valve then it is called compression stroke.
Piston displacement volume
Total cylinder volume swept by the piston in any certain time is called piston displacement
volume. It is expressed in cubic meter per minute
Compression ratio
compressor ratio is the ratio of absolute discharge pressure or head pressure to the absolute
suction Pressure.
Volumetric efficiency
It is the ratio of actual weight of refrigerant in a cylinder to the weight that the cylinder can
theoretically hold.
[Link]. Rotary Compressors
In rotary compressors, the vapour refrigerant from the evaporator is compressed due to the
movement of blades. The rotary compressors are positive displacement type compressors.
Since the clearance in rotary compressors is negligible, therefore they have high volumetric
efficiency. These compressors may be used with refrigerants R-12, R-22, R-114 and
ammonia. Thease rotary compressors may be divided roughly into two [Link] the first type
one or more stationary blades are used for sealing the suction from the dicharge [Link]
second type uses sealing blades which rotate with the shaft.

[Link].[Link] stationary blade type rotary compressor


A single stationary blade type rotary compressor is shown in figure. This consists of a
stationary cylinder, a roller (or impeller) and a shaft has an eccentric on which the roller is
mounted. A blade is set into the slot of a cylinder in such a manner that it always maintains
contacts with the roller by means of a spring. The blade moves in and out of the slot to follow
the rotor when it rotates. Since the blade separates the suction and discharge ports as shown
in figure, therefore it is often called a sealing blade. When the shaft rotates, the roller also
rotates so that it always touches the cylinder wall.
In figure (a) to (d) shows the various positions of roller as the vapour refrigerant is
compressed. Figure (a) shows the completion of intake stroke (i.e. the cylinder is full of low
pressure and temperature vapour refrigerant) and the beginning of compression stroke. When
the roller rotates, the vapour refrigerant ahead of the roller is being compressed and the new
intake from the evaporator is drawn into the cylinder, as shown in figure (b). As the roller
turns mid position as shown in figure, more vapour refrigerant is drawn into the cylinder
while the compressed refrigerant is discharged to the condenser. At the end of compression
stroke as shown in figure (d), most of the compressed vapour refrigerant is passed through the
discharge port to the condenser. A new charge of refrigerant is drawn into the cylinder. This,
in turn is compressed and discharged to the condenser. In this way, the low pressure and
temperature refrigerant is compressed gradually to a high pressure and temperature.

[Link].[Link] blade type rotary compressor


The rotating blade type rotary compressor is shown in [Link] compressor consists of a
cylinder and a slotted rotor containing a number of blades. The centre of the rotor is eccentric
with the centre of the cylinder. The blades are forced against the cylinder wall by the
centrifugal action during the rotation of the motor.
[Link].Centrifugal Compressors

Working principle
The centrifugal compressor for refrigeration systems was designed and developed by Dr.
Willis H. Carrier in 1922. This compressor increases the pressure of low pressure vapour
refrigerant to a high pressure vapour refrigerant by means of centrifugal force. The
centrifugal compressor is generally used for refrigerant that require large displacement and
low condensing pressure, such as R-Il and R-l13. However, the refrigerant R-12 is also
employed for large capacity applications and low-temperature applications.

A single stage centrifugal compressor, in its simplest form, consists of an impeller to which a
number of curved vanes are fitted symmetrically, as shown in Fig. The impeller rotates in an
air tight volute casing with inlet and outlet points
The impeller draws in low pressure vapour refrigerant from the evaporator. When the
impeller rotates, it pushes the vapour refrigerant from the centre of the impeller to its
periphery by centrifugal force. The high speed of the impeller leaves vapour refrigerant at a
high velocity at the vane tips of the impeller. The kinetic energy thus attained at the impeller
outlet is converted into pressure energy when the high velocity vapour refrigerant passes over
the diffuser. The diffuser is normally a vaneless type as it permits more efficient part load
operation which is quite usual in any air-conditioning plant. The volute casing collects the
refrigerant from the diffuser and it further converts the kinetic energy into pressure energy
before it leaves the refrigerant to the evaporator.

Note :
 In case of a single stage centrifugal compressor. The compression ratio that an
impeller can develop is limited to about 4.5. But when high compression ratio is
desired, multi-stage centrifugal compressors with inter coolers are employed.

 The centrifugal compressors have no valves, pistons and cylinders. The only wearing
parts are the main bearings

[Link].[Link] and disadvantages of Centrifugal Compressors


Advantages
 Since the centrifugal compressors have no valves, pistons, cylinders, connecting rod,
etc., therefore the working life of these compressors is more as compared to
Reciprocating compressors.

 These compressors operate with little or no vibration as there are no unbalanced


masses.
 The operation of centrifugal compressors is quiet and calm.

 The centrifugal compressors run at high speeds (3000 r.p.m. and above), therefore
these can be directly connected to electric motors or steam turbines.

 Because of the high speed, these compressors can handle large volume of vapour
refrigerant, as compared to reciprocating compressors.

 The centrifugal compressors are especially adapted for systems ranging from 50 to
5000 tonnes. They are also used for temperature ranges between - 90°C and + 10°C.
 The efficiency of these compressors is considerably high.

 The large sizes centrifugal compressors require less floor area as compared to
reciprocating compressors.

Disadvantages
 The main disadvantage in centrifugal compressors is *surging. It occurs when the
refrigeration load decreases to below 35 percent of the rated capacity and causes
severe stress conditions in the compressor.
 The increase in pressure per stage is less as compared to reciprocating compressors.
 The centrifugal compressors are practical below 50 tonnes capacity load.
 The refrigerants used with these compressors should have high specific volume.

Common questions

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Refrigeration systems primarily use three types of compressors: reciprocating, rotary, and centrifugal. Reciprocating compressors operate with pistons moving within cylinders to intake refrigerant at low pressure and discharge it at high pressure . Rotary compressors use the rotational motion of blades or rollers to compress the refrigerant, known for their high volumetric efficiency due to negligible clearance . Centrifugal compressors increase refrigerant pressure using centrifugal force from an impeller, suitable for large displacements with low condensing pressure . These differences highlight varying mechanisms in pressure handling and efficiency.

The compressor type profoundly affects a refrigeration system's energy efficiency. Reciprocating compressors, with intricate mechanical components, often suit precise, controlled applications with moderate efficiency due to mechanical losses from friction and frequent start-stop cycles . Conversely, centrifugal compressors, designed for continuous high-speed operation, leverage aerodynamic principles for reduced mechanical losses, leading to higher efficiency in scaled operations where large volumes of refrigerants are managed . Rotary compressors bridge these functions with simpler mechanics yet retain high volumetric efficiency by minimizing clearance spaces, thus enhancing overall energy conversion .

Reciprocating compressors enhance performance through components such as pistons, crankshafts, and valves. The incorporated piston rings maintain lubrication and prevent gas escape, while the crankshaft induces necessary torque for motion . The compression and oil scraper rings ensure efficient sealing and lubrication management, impacting overall efficiency . These design elements support smooth operation and result in precise suction and discharge cycles essential for their role in refrigeration .

In reciprocating compressors, the piston and connecting rod play crucial roles in refrigerant compression. The piston, made of cast-iron, compresses the refrigerant by moving within the cylinder. It is connected to the crankshaft via the connecting rod, which translates the rotational motion of the crankshaft into the reciprocating motion of the piston . This motion enables successive suction and compression strokes, critical for the efficiency of the refrigeration cycle .

Centrifugal compressors offer several advantages over reciprocating compressors: they operate with less vibration due to the absence of unbalanced masses, achieve higher speeds for greater volume handling, and typically have longer working lives due to fewer moving parts like valves or pistons . However, they have drawbacks such as experiencing surging—a condition of stress under low loads—lower pressure increase per stage, and limited efficiency in smaller capacities below 50 tonnes . These factors make them suited for large-scale applications, contrasting with reciprocating compressors effectively handling smaller, precise workloads .

The 'compression ratio' in reciprocating compressors is the ratio of absolute discharge pressure to absolute suction pressure. Higher ratios imply increased pressure elevation per cycle but often require more energy, affecting throughput efficiency . 'Volumetric efficiency' is the ratio of actual refrigerant mass moved by the compressor to the theoretical capacity, influenced by factors like leakage past the piston rings and clearance volume . High volumetric efficiency indicates optimal use of compressor displacement, directly impacting operational efficiency by ensuring minimal energy wastage across cycles within refrigeration systems .

The choice of refrigerants for rotary compressors is determined by factors such as volumetric efficiency and the refrigerant's chemical properties. Rotary compressors work best with refrigerants that have high specific volume tolerances, such as R-12, R-22, R-114, and ammonia, because these match the compressor's design to handle the refrigerant volume effectively . The sealing system used in rotary compressors further dictates that refrigerants maintain consistent temperature and pressure under rotary compression .

A single stationary blade type rotary compressor functions by having the blade maintain contact with a rotating roller within a stationary cylinder. The eccentric shaft causes the roller to rotate and compress the vapor refrigerant, while the blade leverages spring action to maintain seal integrity between the suction and discharge ports . This constant rotation and sealing cycle enables a continuous compression process, drawing low-pressure refrigerant into the cylinder and discharging it at a higher pressure to the condenser .

Centrifugal compressors convert low-pressure vapour into high-pressure vapour using centrifugal force. The impeller, equipped with curved vanes within an air-tight volute casing, draws in vapour from the evaporator. As it rotates, the impeller accelerates the vapour to the periphery, generating high velocity and thus kinetic energy. This energy is subsequently transformed into pressure energy as vapour passes over a diffuser, followed by further conversion in the volute casing before discharge into the condenser . This multistage transformation is key to efficient pressure increase and flow management.

The design of centrifugal compressors, featuring an impeller system to manage substantial volumes of refrigerant and achieve high speed operation, makes them well-suited for large refrigeration systems. They efficiently handle large tonnage capacities (50 to 5000 tonnes) with their high-speed, smooth operation sans the mechanical complexity of reciprocating components like pistons . Despite limitations like surging, their high efficiency at handling sizable displacements and ability to be directly coupled to high-speed motors enhances their large-scale applicability .

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