Unsteady state analysis of the compression cycle of a hermetic reciprocating compressor

In this work, an unsteady state analysis of the compression cycle of a small hermetic reciprocating compressor for domestic refrigeration was carried out. A specific one-dimensional model of the valves was developed and the mass and energy balances were applied to the refrigerant inside the cylinder to determine the mass, pressure and temperature behaviour and the heat and work transfer through the compression process. This analysis was inserted into a traditional steady state model of the compressor to evaluate the efficiency of the compression cycle and the performance of the compressor unit. The whole simulation code was validated against the experimental measurements carried out on a R134a commercial unit in a wide range of operative conditions: a fair agreement was found between predicted and measured performances. The simulation code can be a useful tool for the analysis, the design and the development of small hermetic reciprocating compressors for domestic refrigeration.