ISSN Online: 2379-1748
ISBN Flash Drive: 978-1-56700-469-4
ISBN Online: 978-1-56700-470-0
Second Thermal and Fluids Engineering Conference
Numerical simulation of oil return in compressor gas-liquid separator
Аннотация
Vapor compression heat pump has good significance for future space applications. Compressor is a key component of vapor compression heat pump. Oil return characteristics of compressor gas-liquid separator require to be verified whether it can operate normally under microgravity. Mathematical model of gas-liquid separator was built and oil-gas mixture inside was simulated by Fluent. The influence of gravity on phase distribution and the effect of lubricating oil amount and speed on flow field under microgravity were all explored. The simulation results showed that refrigerant and lubricating oil composition could smoothly flow back when compressor inlet velocity was greater than 10m/s or gravitational acceleration was less than 0.04m/s2. Although gas-liquid separator was not affected in microgravity, the study of gravity on compressor operation and experimental performance would be carried out follow-up.