Semi-empirical modeling and analysis of oil flooded R410A scroll compressors with liquid injection for use in vapor compression systems

• A semi-empirical compressor model for oil injected compressors was developed.
• Model used to evaluate performance of two experimental compressors incorporated into a heat pump cycle.
• Method to use model to assess the relative magnitude of irreversibilities within compressors developed.

Oil flooding is a technique that can be utilized in compression systems to achieve near-isothermal compression. This can lead to a boost in system efficiency and a reduction in compressor power consumption. In this paper a semi-empirical model for oil flooded compressors using liquid injection was developed. The model is validated with experimental data and integrated into a thermodynamic model of a vapor compression system with oil flooding and regeneration. The performance of the heat pump system is predicted and the semi-empirical model is used to identify and estimate the magnitude of the irreversibilities during the compression process. A method for generalizing the model for different working fluids is also presented. Using this model, design recommendations are made to improve the efficiency of the studied liquid flooded compressors for heat pump applications.