Experimental Investigation and Advanced Exergy Analysis of Different Factors That Can Affect Seasonal Performance in an R410A Chiller

Sugun Tej Inampudi, Stefan Elbel

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Due to the new energy regulations, there is an increased demand for higher efficiency HVAC&R equipment. Improvements in compressors and heat exchangers (BPHX) can lead to a higher system COP. Compressors are compared using efficiency and BPHX are evaluated based on their LMTDs and pressure drops. It is difficult to compare the contribution of these two on the system COP using traditional first law analysis. Advanced exergy analysis (AEA) can help with this estimation by using exergy destruction as a metric. In the current paper, AEA framework is used to analyze the different factors that can impact the system performance and seasonal performance. The study is done on an 8-kW R410A water ethylene glycol chiller (WEG) and the results from seasonal performance of three different scroll compressors are used for this analysis. Three factors included are compressor motor efficiency, condenser size and compressor capacity modulation strategy. AEA shows that optimizing the compressor followed by condenser has the highest potential of improving system performance. drops by 18% with upgraded compressor while it drops by 28% with oversized condenser showing that that the condenser has higher impact on the exergy destruction. AEA comparison of a two-stage compressor and a variable speed compressor show that of the two-stage compressor is 39% higher indicating that variable speed compressor is more efficient at matching the cooling load. Based on the relative magnitude of , compressor upgrade and condenser upgrade would yield higher system performance in two-stage and variable speed compressor systems respectively.
Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication13th International Conference on Compressors and Their Systems
Subtitle of host publicationConference Proceedings
EditorsMatthew Read, Sham Rane, Ivona Ivkovic-Kihic, Ahmed Kovacevic
PublisherSpringer
Chapter201
Pages263-274
ISBN (Electronic)9783031426636
ISBN (Print)9783031426629, 9783031426650
DOIs
StatePublished - Jan 2024

Publication series

NameSpringer Proceedings in Energy
ISSN (Print)2352-2534
ISSN (Electronic)2352-2542

Keywords

  • Exergy
  • BPHX
  • Seasonal performance
  • Variable speed
  • Compressor

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