Numerical Simulation and Experimental Validation of an Oil Free Scroll Compressor

• Main Authors: Massimo Cardone, Bonaventura Gargiulo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2020-11-01
• Series: Energies
• Subjects: scroll-compressor; experimental validation; numerical model
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/1996-1073/13/22/5863

This paper presents a virtual model of a scroll compressor developed on the one-dimensional analysis software Simcenter Amesim^®. The model is semi-empirical: it needs some physical details of the modelled machine (e.g., the cubic capacity), but, on the other hand, it does not require the geometrical features of the spirals, so it needs experimental data to calibrate it. The model also requires rotational speed and the outlet temperature as boundary conditions. The model predicts the power consumption and the mass flow rate and considers leakages and mechanical losses. After the model presentation, this paper describes the test bench and the obtained data used to calibrate and validate the model. At last, the calibration process is described, and the results are discussed. The calculated values fit the experimental data also in extrapolation, despite the model is simple and performs calculations within 7 s. Due to these characteristics, the model is suitable for being used in a larger model as a sub-component.