Modeling, Design, and Testing of a Microchannel Split-System Air Conditioner

Kirkwood, A.C.

Permalink

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/11892 Copy

Description

Title

Modeling, Design, and Testing of a Microchannel Split-System Air Conditioner

Author(s)

Kirkwood, A.C.

Contributor(s)

Bullard, C.W.

Issue Date

1999-03

Keyword(s)

stationary air conditioning system analysis

Abstract

A steady-state microchannel split-system simulation model has been developed based on previous research at the ACRC. This model was utilized as a design tool to optimize a microchannel split system with the goal of minimizing TEWI, or total equivalent warming impact. The system components were then selected and the optimized microchannel heat exchangers were fabricated. Next, the entire system was assembled and extensive tests were run at steady state conditions over a wide range of outdoor ambient conditions in a calorimeter test facility. The experimental results have been compared to the simulations for the purpose of model refinement and its eventual validation. The full system model overpredicts the total capacity of the system with a minimum error of 0.2%, a mean error of 5%, and a maximum error of 11 %. The evaporator submodel overpredicts the total capacity as well, with a minimum error of 0.7%, a mean error of 7%, and a maximum error of 11%. The condenser submodel also overpredicts with a minimum error of 0.5%, a mean error of 2%, and a maximum error of 6%. A major reason for the lower accuracy with the evaporator is because of the refrigerant maldisribution observed in the experiments. The model assumes perfect distribution, hence one reason for the overprediction of the system's capacity.

Publisher

Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Center. College of Engineering. University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Series/Report Name or Number

Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Center TR-149

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/11892

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Project 69

Owning Collections