Simulation and comparison of leakage characteristics of R290 in rolling piston type rotary compressor

This paper presents a comparative analysis on leakage losses of a rolling piston type rotary compressor with refrigerants of R290, R22 and R410a. In particular, the difference of leakage losses characteristics between R290 compressor and that of other refrigerant compressors has been studied. Leakage losses through radial clearance, clearances between rolling piston faces and the cylinder head walls, clearances between the sliding vane faces and the cylinder head walls, as well as the clearances between the sides of the sliding vane and the side walls of the chutes inside the cylinder have been studied in the present methodology. Radial leakage caused by the wall velocity has been taken into account in the present study. Simulation results indicate that smaller radial clearance is required for R290 compressor to obtain relatively high efficiency comparing to that of R22 and R410a compressors under the same condition. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd and IIR. All rights reserved.