Oil Retention and Pressure Drop in Horizontal and Vertical Suction Lines with R410A / POE ISO 32
Zoellick, Kurt F.
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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/16974
Description
Title
Oil Retention and Pressure Drop in Horizontal and Vertical Suction Lines with R410A / POE ISO 32
Author(s)
Zoellick, Kurt F.
Issue Date
2010-08-31T20:02:45Z
Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)
Hrnjak, Predrag S.
Department of Study
Mechanical Sci & Engineering
Discipline
Mechanical Engineering
Degree Granting Institution
University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Level
Thesis
Keyword(s)
Oil retention
Oil return
Suction line
Measurement
Abstract
In refrigeration systems a small amount of compressor lubricant is entrained in the refrigerant and circulated through the system, where some is retained in each component. The suction line to the compressor has the largest potential for oil retention. This paper presents results from an experimental apparatus that has been constructed to circulate POE (polyolester) oil and R410A at a controlled mass flux, OCR (oil in circulation ratio), and apparent superheat, and to directly measure the pressure drop and mass of oil retained in horizontal and vertical suction lines. The bulk vapor velocity and overall void fraction are determined from direct mass and temperature measurements. The oil retention, pressure drop, and flow regimes near the minimum ASHRAE recommended mass flux condition are explored. It was found that oil retention begins to increase sharply even above the minimum recommended flux, so conditions near the minimum should be avoided. Two relationships were developed to predict the oil retention in the vertical and horizontal suction lines. The average error from the predictions method was 10.9% for the vertical tube, and 7.9% for the horizontal tube.
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