A semi-empirical model for hermetic rolling piston compressors

Rolling piston compressors are widely used in many low capacity refrigeration and air conditioning systems as they have advantages over reciprocating compressors. Current models of this compressor technology available in the scientific literature are mainly deterministic models, i.e. models that need a minute description of compressor geometry, whereas for other compressor technologies, such as reciprocating, scroll and screw ones, semi-empirical models are successfully used in simulating compressor operations. Therefore, this paper introduces a semi-empirical model of a rolling piston compressor and validates it by considering four different compressors, designed for different applications and working with different refrigerants, in order to achieve a good degree of generality for the model. Overall, 240 performance data were considered and an agreement within ±5% was found for more than the 96% of the calculated refrigerant mass flow rates and more than 97% of the calculated compressor electrical powers.