period two

 

Compressor Capacity Control

notes

 

 

 

 

 

 

methods of capacity control, many of them function in a manner similar to the

inlet vanes presented in this section of the clinic.

 

Inlet vanes “preswirl” the refrigerant before it enters the impeller. By

 

changing the refrigerant’s angle of entry, these vanes lessen the ability of the

 

impeller to take in the refrigerant. As a result, the compressor’s refrigerant-

 

pumping capacity decreases to balance with the evaporator load.

 

 

 

 

 

 

,QOHW￿9DQHV

 

 

 

 

GLIIHUHQFHSUHVVXUH￿

H

 

J

 

U

 

X

 

V

%

&

 

 

￿￿

￿￿ ￿￿

￿￿

XQORDGLQJ￿OLQH

$

￿￿

￿￿

￿￿ ￿￿

YDQH￿SRVLWLRQ

￿GHJUHHV￿

FDSDFLW\

Figure 40

These curves represent the performance of a typical centrifugal compressor over a range of inlet vane positions. The pressure difference between the compressor inlet (evaporator) and outlet (condenser) is on the vertical axis and compressor capacity is on the horizontal axis. The surge region represents the conditions that cause unstable compressor operation.

As the load on the compressor decreases from the full-load operating point (A), the inlet vanes partially close, reducing the flow rate of refrigerant vapor and balancing the compressor capacity with the new load (B).

Less refrigerant, and therefore less heat, are transferred to the condenser. Since the available heat rejection capacity of the condenser is now greater than required, the refrigerant condenses at a lower temperature and pressure. This reduces the pressure difference between the evaporator and the condenser. Continuing along the unloading line, the compressor remains within its stable operating range until it reaches C.

Inlet vanes on a centrifugal compressor allow it to unload over a broad capacity range while preventing the compressor from operating in the surge region.

28

TRG-TRC004-EN

Page 35
Image 35
Trane TRG-TRC004-EN manual Inlet vanes presented in this section of the clinic