/rl/ J. Rrfrig. Vol. 21. No. I, pp. 29-41.

19%
0 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd and IIR
All rights reserved. Printed in Great Britain
PIkSOMO-7007(97)00082-O 0I40-7007/98/$ I9.00+00

Comparative performance evaluation of positive

displacement compressors in variable-speed
refrigeration applications

S. A. Tassou and T. Q. Qureshi

Department of Mechanical Engineering, Brunel University, Uxbridge,
Middlesex UB8 3PH, UK
Received 30 Murch 1996; revised 21 July 1997; accepted 26 October 1997

This paper presents the results of investigations into the performance of positive-displacement
refrigeration compressors for variable-speed capacity control applications. Compressors
tested include an open-type reciprocating, a semi-hermetic reciprocating and an open-type
rotary vane. All three compressors were tested under constant and variable head-pressure
operating conditions. The results indicate that all three compressors were designed for
maximum efficiency at nominal speed. At constant head-pressure only the open-type
compressor exhibited an improvement in the COP at reduced speeds. With variable head-
pressure-control all three compressors showed an increase in the COP with a reduction in
speed. The results of an energy analysis carried out based on the experimental results and
weather conditions for two locations representing temperate and warm weather conditions
showed that all three compressors when operated at variable speed offer energy savings
compared to their fixed-speed counterparts. The analysis has shown the open-type
reciprocating compressor to be the most efficient system offering 12% savings when
operating in a temperate climate and 24% savings when operating in a warm climate. 0 1998
Elsevier Science Ltd and IIR. All rights reserved.
(Keywords: piston compressor: rotary compressor: variable speed: performance)

Evaluation comparative des performances des compresseurs

volumktrique pour les applications frigorifiques i vitesse
variable
On prksente les rtkdtuts d’etudes sur les pe@~wmances de compresseurs volume?riyues
pour les applications air la puissance est rPgIPe par variation de vitesses. Trais types en ant
t;th test& compresseur auvert 13 piston. compresseur semi-hermitique 15 piston et
compresseur rotutifS ir pulettes auvert. Les tests ant PtP ejjectuies ir pression de refoulement
constunte ou vuriable. Le.7 rekdtats mantrent yue les trois compresseurs sent conqus pour un
rendement maximum ci vitesse nominale. A pression constante. seul le compresseur ouvert u
prtkenth une ameliorution du COP ic vitesse rkduite. mais une pression de refklement
luriuble a permis uvec uutomisution d’umtGliorer le COP ir vitesse riduite pour les trois
compresseurs. Les r&dtats d ‘un ululy~e Pner@yue, sur la base de rtkultats expkri-
mentaux et de donnkes me’tPoralogiques de deux endraits (conditions tempkrhes et
chuudes), mantrent que les trais campresseurs cansamment mains d’knergie ci vitesse variuble
yu ‘ri vitesse con.stunte. Le compresseur nuvert ti piston est uppuru c’omme le plus e&we.
@runt des tkonomies de 1270 duns un climut tempt!rP et de 2470 dans un climut chaud.
0 1998 Elsevier Science Ltd and IIR. All rights reserved.
(Mats cl& compresseur a piston: compresseur rotatif: vitesse variable: performance)

Introduction variation in load conditions, however, these systems

operate at part-load for much of their life. Part-load
Conventional refrigeration and air-conditioning systems operation is characterized by on/off compressor control
are designed to satisfy maximum load. Due to wide or other methods of capacity control which, to a higher or

29
 S. A. Tassou and T. 0. Qureshi
NOMENCLATURE
a, 6, c, d Performance coefficients, dimensionless
CCAP Cooling capacity, kW
COP Cooling coefficient of performance,
dimensionless
CHP Constant head-pressure
FHP Floating head-pressure
IDC lnverter driven compressor
MDC Direct motor driven compressor
N Compressors speed, Hz
n Number of cooling hours
P Input power, kW
PWM Pulse width modulation
Q Cooling load, kW
SCOP Seasonal coefficient of performance,
dimensionless
lesser extent, result in reduced steady-state efficiency,
cycling losses, poor temperature control, reduced relia-
bility and higher maintenance costs. Theoretically, the
most efficient method of capacity control is variable-
speed control which continuously matches the compres-
sor capacity to the load. It offers a number of advantages
over other capacity-control methods which include:
improved steady state efficiency at part load
operation;
reduced overdesign capacity providing savings on
capital cost;
close control of temperature and built in ‘soft’
starting; and
power factor correction producing running cost
savings’-‘.
The application of variable-speed capacity control to
refrigeration systems has been under consideration for
the last 20 years. In variable-speed systems stepless
speed-variation is achieved by electronic variable-speed
drives (VSDs). A three-phase variable-speed drive
consists of a rectifier which converts the three-phase
mains voltage i.e. 415 V, 50 Hz to DC voltage and an
inverter which inverts the DC voltage to AC supply
voltage to the compressor motor which is adjustable in
magnitude and frequency. There are different types of
electronic VSD which can be broadly classified into:
a) six-step voltage inverter (VSI);
b) six-step current inverter (CSI); and
c) pulse-width modulated source inverter (PWM).
All three types have certain relative advantages and
disadvantages but the PWM drive is the one predomi-
nantly used in medium-power applications due to its
relatively low cost and high efficiencya.‘.
Despite the potential advantages of variable-speed
control and the wide use of VSDs in various industrial
sectors, the application of the concept to commercial
refrigeration compressors has made little progress. The
T Temperature, “C
VSD Variable-speed drive
Subscripts
a indicates losses in drive
bl refers to building
i indicates bin number
m number of temperature bins
T total
indicates inclusion of drive losses
; indicates exclusion of drive losses
ch cooling season
main reasons for this include:
(1) Insufficient development and integration of
compressors and variable-speed drives. The majority
of commercially available systems mainly consist of
general purpose off-the-shelf inverters coupled to
rotary or reciprocating compressors
(2) The use of general-purpose VSDs with a large
number of surplus components contribute substan-
tially to the capital cost of the equipment which
make them unattractive to a low first-cost-conscious
industry
(3) The poor reliability of initial installations which was
a result mainly of unsophisticated and inadequately
developed control systems.
This paper reports results of research work aimed at
quantifying the performance of compressors and drives
under variable-loading conditions. Emphasis is placed
on the performance of three alternative compressor
technologies driven by a Pulse-Width-Modulated inverter.
The overall aim of the work is to identify and develop
design and control criteria for the optimum integration of
compressors and VSDs for refrigeration applications.
Refrigeration test facility
The experimentation was carried out on a refrigeration
test facility which is based on a commercially available
chiller. The facility is very flexible and allows a wide
range of investigations to be carried out. A schematic
diagram of the test facility is shown in Figure 1.
The chiller uses R22 as a refrigerant and is rated
at 25 kW cooling capacity at an evaporator-water
leaving-temperature of 7°C and a condenser-water
leaving-temperature of 40°C. It is equipped with a shell
and tube-condenser, a shell and tube direct-expansion
evaporator coil, and thermostatic expansion-valve. The
design allows the installation of different types of
compressors and drives for comparative investigations.
 Evaluation of positive displacement
Pl
reciprocating
cooling water flow
Figure 1 Schematic diagram of tent facility
Figure I Sr~hPma du hanc d ‘esstri
Test conditions for the chiller are achieved through
two water storage tanks and 3-way mixing valves. The
valves mix appropriate quantities of chilled and hot
water from the respective tanks to achieve the required
temperatures at the evaporator and condenser. Further
details on the test facility can be found in Refs. lo and ‘I.
Performance data are recorded by a microcomputer-
based data-logging system. The computer records
refrigerant temperatures and pressures at four points in
the cycle, before and after each major component, water
temperatures at inlet and outlet of the condenser and
evaporator, refrigerant and water flow rates and the
power consumption of the compressor motor. The system
is very flexible allowing variation in the number of
logged variables and the logging cycle time. The logging
time used in the experimental investigations
2 s cycle’.
Three-phase power was measured using a precision
universal power analyser capable of measuring funda-
mental components as well as the harmonic contents of
voltage and current up to the 50th harmonic.
The compressors tested were:
l rotary (open type)-25.5 rn’ h-’ at 50 Hz
l reciprocating (open type)-32.25 m3 h-’ at 50 Hz
. reciprocating (semi-hermetic suction-gas cooled
type)-33.07 m’ h-’ at 50 Hz
Although screw and scroll compressors could be good
candidates for variable-speed applications, at the time
the tests were carried out these two compressors were not
commercially available in the capacity range of the test
rig used (25 kW nominal cooling capacity). Screw
compressors are presently available in capacities above
SO kW. Scroll compressors are currently available in
very small capacities, below I5 kW and medium
capacities, above 35 kW. Our test rig could not
accommodate a screw compressor and would require
compressors 31
rotary compressor
chilled water flow
T5
flowmeter
f
two small scroll compressors operating in parallel.
Testing of scroll compressors at variable-speed con-
ditions will form the subject of further investigations.
Tests were carried out at constant condenser pressures
(head-pressures-CHP) of 12, 14, I6 and I8 bar
(absolute) and floating head-pressures (FHP) between
I I bar and I8 bar with the I I bar pressure corresponding
to the speed of 25 Hz and the I8 bar corresponding to the
maximum speed of 60 Hz. The results are discussed in
the following sections.
Results and discussion
In the majority of conventional refrigeration systems, an
artificially high pressure differential is maintained
was between the low and high pressure sides of the system
to ensure efficient operation of the thermostatic expan-
sion valve. This control strategy fails to take advantage
of the opportunity offered by variatrons in ambient
temperature and system load to operate at lower
condensing temperatures and hence higher system
efficiencies.
There are significant energy benefits, however. in
allowing the system to operate at reduced head-pressures
in periods of reduced load and low ambient temperatures
and a number of manufacturers have introduced controls
that allow the head-pressure to vary (float) within a given
pressure range, the minimum head-pressure being
decided by the requirements of the expansion valve. II
is claimed that electronically controlled expansion
valves can be operated stably at lower head-pressures
than conventional thermostatic valves”. In constant-
speed refrigeration systems, the displacement of the
compressor remains constant irrespective of the load and
this necessitates an approximately constant temperature
difference between the refrigerant and air (or water in the
case of a chiller) in the heat exchangers, causing the
 S. A. Tassou and T. 0. Qureshi

head-pressure to remain artificially high. In the case of a
variable-speed refrigeration system, however, at periods
of low load the displacement of the compressor and
hence the refrigerant mass-flow-rate reduces to match
the load. The lower refrigerant mass-flow-rate leads to
lower temperature differences in the heat exchangers and
thus lower condensing (head) and higher evaporating
(suction) pressure. This happens because although the
mass flow rate has reduced, the heat-transfer area of
the heat exchangers remains constant, with a greater
area available for condensation and evaporation of the
refrigerant. As a consequence, the temperature-
difference between the refrigerant and water in the
condenser and evaporator is reduced, forcing the
evaporating temperature to rise and the condensing
temperature to drop.
To enable the effect of head-pressure at constant- and
variable-speed operation to be evaluated for the three
compressor types, results of isentropic and volumetric
efficiency, cooling capacity, power consumption and
COP have been plotted for comparative purposes. To
allow for the small difference in the theoretical
displacement of the three compressors used, the cooling
capacity and input power have been plotted per unit of
theoretical displacement.
Compressor efficiencies
The variation of the volumetric efficiency of the three
compressors with speed at a constant head (condensing
pressure) of I5 bar (absolute pressure) is shown in
Figure 2. It is interesting to note that the volumetric
efficiency of all three compressors reduces with speed
whereas one would expect the volumetric efficiency to
increase as the speed is reduced due to reduced throttling
losses across the suction valve. This indicates that all
three compressors have been designed for maximum
volumetric efficiency at the design speed. The open-type
compressor exhibits the least reduction, of the order
between 2 and 3%. The reduction is more pronounced in
the case of the rotary vane compressor where the
volumetric efficiency drops from 80% to 70% as the
speed is reduced from 50 to 25 Hz. This is due to leakage
taking place between the vanes and the cylinder wall
arising from reduced hydrodynamic sealing at lower
speeds.
The variation of the isentropic efficiency of the three
compressors with speed is shown in Figure 3. All three
compressors exhibit a rising isentropic efficiency with a
reduction in speed due to the fact that the discharge
superheat reduces as the speed of the compressor is
reduced. The highest isentropic efficiency is exhibited by
the open-type compressor. The isentropic efficiencies of
the semi-hermetic and rotary-vane compressor are lower
by more than I5 percentage points. In the case of the
rotary compressor the low isentropic efficiency can be
attributed to the high friction losses and heat generated in
the compressor by the I2 rotating vanes which come into
contact with the compressor cylinder and cause a rise in
the specific work input.
In the case of the semi-hermetic compressor, the low
isentropic efficiency can be attributed to the high
discharge temperature which is caused by the high
suction superheat temperature. This is generated by the
heat of the compressor motor as the suction gas Ilows
over the compressor windings to cool the motor before

100

90
reciprocating compressor (open-type)

5
/
\ reciprocating compressor (semi-hermetic)

\ rotary-vane

50

40 7

20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
Frequency [Hz]
Figure 2 Variation of volumetric efficiency with speed
Figure 2 Vuriution du rendement volumPtriyue en fortctiorz de la vitrsse
 Evaluation of positive displacement compressors 33

reciprocating compressor (open-type)

reciprocating compressor (semi-hermetic)

,- ’

8
- rotary-vane A

20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60

Frequency [Hz]
Figure 3 Variation of isentropic efficiency with speed
Figure 3 Vtrriation de rendenzeut isentropiyue en fonction de kr vitesse

60
\_\
65

E 50

Rotary-vane
3 45
f
k5 40

2 36
d
al 30
P
z 25
::
ii 20

16

10
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80

Frequency [Hz]

Figure 4 Variation of compressor discharge superheat with speed

Figure 4 Vctriution de ltr .surchuuflc uu refoulement en fbrtctiorf de la vitesse

entering the compressor cylinder. The increase in the displacement of the rotary, semi-hermetic reciprocating
suction superheat leads to an increased discharge super- and open type reciprocating compressors is shown in
heat and to a reduction in the isentropic efficiency. The F&ures 5-7, respectively. The maximum cooling
variation of the discharge superheat with speed for all capacity over the speed range is gained at the lower
three compressors is shown in Fi,q~e 4. head-pressure of I2 bar for all three compressors due to
the increased enthalpy difference across the evaporator
at low pressures (a lower condensing pressure leads to a
Cooling capacity higher refrigerant enthalpy at the evaporator inlet).
The variation in the cooling capacity per unit The results for the rotary compressor show that for the
34 S. A. Tassou and T. 0. Qureshi

20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
Frequency [Hz]
Figure 5 Variation of cooling capacity per unit displacement for rotary-vane compressor
Figure 5 Variution de la puissance frigorijique par unitk de deplacement pour le compresseur rotatif d palettes

60

+ 12 bar
-C- 14 bar
-A- 16 bar
-8- 18 bar

30
20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
Frequency [Hz]
Figure 6 Variation of cooling capacity per unit displacement for semi-hermetic reciprocating compressor
Figure 6 Vuriation de la puissance frigorijique par unit& de dt!placemeni pour le compresseur semi-hemetique ir piston

pressure of 12 bar the cooling capacity per unit the reduced hydrodynamic sealing between the rotating
displacement increases with a reduction in speed vanes and the stationary cylinder which results in
whereas at the high head-pressure of I8 bar the cooling increased leakage from the high- to the low-pressure
capacity per unit displacement reduces considerably with sides of the compressor across the vanes.
speed. This indicates that at low head-pressures the In the open-type reciprocating compressor the cooling
volumetric efficiency of the rotary compressor improves capacity per unit displacement for each head-pressure
with the reduction in speed whereas at high head- stayed fairly constant over the entire speed range. This is
pressures the volumetric efficiency reduces with the a result of the fairly constant volumetric efficiency of this
reduction in speed. As mentioned earlier, the reduction compressor with variation in speed.
in the volumetric efficiency at high pressures is due to In the semi-hermetic compressor the cooling capacity
 Evaluation of positive displacement compressors 35

per unit displacement dropped with the reduction in the compressor.‘. This trend is evident from the results of
speed due the negative effects of the increased suction all the head-pressures tested.
gas superheating on the volumetric efficiency. In the
semi-hermetic compressor the refrigerant gas from the
Power consumption per unit displacement
evaporator flows over the compressor motor windings
first before entering the compressor cylinders. This The input power per unit displacement of the rotary,
increases the suction temperature and the specific semi-hermetic reciprocating and open type reciprocating
volume of the gas and leads to a reduction in the compressors is shown in Figures 8-10, respectively. The
volumetric efficiency and hence the pumping capacity of power on the graphs is the input terminal power which

60

+ 12 bar
66 -m- 14 bar
+- 16 bar
E! 66
-e- 16 bar

s 54
l
l *
3= .-
._ 52
C!:
$2 50
8 8

@ 46
A
o-
z 46
” Q 0
8 44
0

42

40
20 25 50 35 40 45 60 56 60 65
Frequency [Hz]

Figure 7 Variation of cooling capacity per unit displacement for open-type reciprocating compressor
Figure 7 Variation de la pui.wm-e frigorijique par unitP de dPplacement pour le compresseur ouvert ri piston

30

26
+ 12 bar
P
E 26 + 14 bar
ii t- 16 bar
$ 24 + 16 bar
k
z 22
E

10
20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
Frequency [Hz]
Figure 8 Variation of input power per unit displacement for rotary-vane compressor
Figure 8 Variation de I’hnergie fournie per unitP de dPplacement pour Ie compresseur rotatif ir palettes
36 S. A. Tassou and T. Q. Qureshi

16

+ 12 bar
-+- 14 bar
--&- 16 bar
+ 18 bar

6
20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
Frequency [Hz]

Figure 9 Variation of input power per unit displacement for semi-hermetic reciprocating compressor
Figure 9 Variation de I’&ergie fournie per uniti de ddpkacrment pour /e cvmpresseur semi-hermt%que ti piston

-+- 14 bar
t- 16 bar
-e- 18 bar

20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
Frequency [Hz]

Figure 10 Variation of input power per unit displacement for open-type reciprocating compressor
Figure 10 Variation de I’Pnergiefournie per unit& de diplacement pour le compresseur ouvert 2 piston

includes the power losses caused by the inverter and the In the rotary compressor for all the head-pressures
motor. In tests to establish the effects of the inverter tested the power consumption per unit displacement
carried out and reported by Tassou et al.13, it was found increased with the reduction in speed. This can be
that the efficiency of the inverter was of the order of 95% attributed to:
and did not significantly change with load or frequency.
Because one of the compressors used was semi-hermetic, a) inadequate lubrication of this compressor at
it was not easy to measure shaft power directly and this speeds lower than the rated speed
was not attempted. Of greater interest to the user of b) reduction in the motor efficiency at speeds below
variable-speed refrigeration systems is the total electrical the synchronous speed of the motor, and
power consumed by the system and not the shaft power c) the effect of harmonics on the motor efficiency at
input to the compressor. low speeds.
 Evaluation of positive displacement compressors 37

Although speed-induced frictional power should
expected to decrease at low speeds this effect is
enough to outweigh the effect of reduced lubrication
reduced motor efficiency at low speeds and as a result
total power consumption increases with a reduction
\pced.
The open type reciprocating compressor
drop in thepower consumption per unit displacement
with the reduction in speed for all head-pressures tested.
The main reason for this is the reduction in the frictional
losses of the compressor at low speeds which is in this
case is sufficient to outweigh the effect of the reduction
in the motor efficiency’“.
The semi-hermetic reciprocating compressor showed
similar trends to the open-type compressor at the low
head-pressures of I2 and I4 bar. However, this trend
reverces at the high pressure of I8 bar with the
compressor showing an increase in the power consump-
tion per unit displacement with the decrease in speed.
This is caused by the excessive compressor discharge
superheat at high pressures which to a certain extent
arises from the high suction superheat caused by the
suction cooling of the compressor. At high head-
pressures the power drawn by the motor increases and
this in turn increases the heat released by the motor to the
refrigerant gas giving rise to increased suction gas
superheat.
Coefficient of performance
The coefficient of performance (COP) of a refrigeration
system can be defined as the ratio of cooling capacity and
power input to the compressor:
be The variation in the COP for both fixed and floating
not head-pressure-control for the rotary vane, semi-hermetic
and reciprocating and open type reciprocating compressors is
the shown in Figures 11-13, respectively. For constant-
in head-pressure operation. results for a number of head-
pressures between I2 bar and I8 bar (absolute) are
showed a presented in steps of 2 bar. It can be seen that for
constant head-pressure-control the COP of the rotary
and the semi-hermetic reciprocating compressors
decrease with a reduction in the compressor speed.
This is caused by the reduction in the volumetric
efficiency of these compressors at low speeds and the
increase in their specific power consumption. The
open-type reciprocating compressor showed an improve-
ment in the COP with the reduction in speed for all hcad-
pressures tested. This is a result of improved volumetric
efficiency and reduced specific power consumption at
low speeds.
For floating head-pressure-control all three compres-
sors exhibit an increase in the COP when speed
reduction is accompanied by a reduction in the head-
pressure. The increase in the COP is approximately 5f.N
for the open-type reciprocating compressor, 67% for the
semi-hermetic reciprocating compressor and 100%~ for
the rotary vane compressor.
An increase in the COP at low speeds is a desirable
characteristic in variable-speed compressor capacity
control as the compressor operates at part load/speed
operation most of its duty cycle. The rotary and semi-
hermetic compressor showed hardly any gain in COP
with decrease in speed and the only gain achieved is due
to decrease in the head-pressure. However. the steady
state COP of the semi-hermetic compressor over the
speed and load-range tested was better than rotary

4
l
3.5
\ Floating head pressure

b
0 2.5
:”
”
8 2
0

1.5

1 --e- 18 bar
--12 to 18 bar

0.5 1
20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
Frequency [Hz]

Figure I1 Variation of cooling COP with speed for rotary-vane compressor for fixed and variable head-pressure-control
Figure II V~~rk~tim, en ,finction du la vitrsse, du COP pour IN c~omprrssrur rotdf il pi.storl,fon~tionnclnt d prrs,sion.s fi.ws et ~wicrhk
38 S. A. Tassou and T. 0. Qureshi

4.5
l
ai\
4 \ L ‘c Floating head pressure
--. n

& 3.5 m- -\
8
P 3
”
8
0 2.5
+ 12 bar
2 --a- 14 bar
+16bar
--8- 18 bar
1.5 --e- 12to18bar

1
20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65

Frequency (Hz]

Figure 12 Variation of cooling COP with speed for semi-hermetic reciprocating compressor for fixed and variable head-pressure-
control
Figure 12 Variation, en fonction de la vitesse, pour le compresseur semi-hetmhique d piston fonctionnant ic pressionsfie et variable

4.5

8
” 3.5

P
z
8 3
0
+ 12 bar
2.5
+ 14 bar
--h- 16 bar
2 -+- 18 bar
--e- 12 to 18 bar

1.5

20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65
Frequency [Hz]
Figure 13 Variation of cooling COP with speed for open-type reciprocating compressor for fixed and variable head-pressure-control
Figure I3 Variation, en fonction de la vitesse. pour le compresseur ouvert ri piston fonctionnant d pressionsfixe et variable

Energy performance evaluation of the three temperature, as are the compressor cooling capacity
compressors and input power. The energy analysis was based on the
temperature-bin method of calculation’4-‘6 and was
The energy performance of the three compressors was carried out using weather data for two geographic
determined by considering the annual cooling require- locations, Croydon in the UK representing a temperate
ments of a small single-storey office building of a 20 kW climate (Case I) and Islamabad in Pakistan representing
design cooling load. It was assumed that the building a warm climate (Case II). In the temperate climate the
load is a linear function of the outdoor dry-bulb compressor will operate for the majority of the cooling
 Evaluation of positive displacement compressors

load hours under relatively low head-pressure con- in each temperature bin and can be expressed as:
ditions, whereas in the warm climate the compressor will
operate over comparatively higher head-pressures.
P,=P,(T,) +p&) +-.P&)
In the analysis it was also assumed that the seasonal or
performance of a variable-speed refrigeration system is a
function of the compressor speed and the evaporating pT= $p,(7,)
and condensing temperatures. In a cooling application i=l

the evaporating temperature will be fairly constant Similarly, the total energy consumed if the drive losses
whereas the condensing temperature will be a function are excluded is given by:
of the ambient temperature. For each compressor type
the relationship between cooling capacity, compressor P,=P,-P,

speed and condensing temperature as well as the or

relationship between power consumption, compressor
speed and condensing temperature were determined
experimentally. These relationships can be expressed
fairly accurately using the following equations.
The seasonal COP (or SCOP) can be calculated by divid-
ing the total cooling energy delivered, by the energy
CCAP= (a,N+b,)T,+ (c,N+d,)
input to the compressor as follows:
and

P=(U*N+b*)Ti+(c*N+d*) SCOP= p=
Nch ;E,
[$1 QblCTi)
pT
where, 2 P,(T))
!=I
25 5 N 5 60
Table I compares the seasonal performance of the three
and compressors when operated in constant-speed mode
directly from mains electricity (MDC) and through the
inverter (IDC). All the results were based on a balance-
and, a, b, c, d are the performance coefficients deter-
point temperature (zero cooling load) of 18°C and an
mined from the experimental tests.
outdoor design temperature of 30°C for Case I and
The seasonal cooling energy delivered can be
37°C for Case 11.
determined by multiplying the number of hours in each
It can be seen that the use of the inverter causes
temperature bin by the building cooling load at that
approximately a 5% reduction in the SCOP for all three
temperature.
compressors at the two locations. This efficiency loss is
CCA P, mainly caused by the power-conversion devices in the
inverter and the non-sinusoidal supply to the motor
which affects the motor efficiency’“.
The energy savings that can arise from variable-speed
operation are shown in Tab/e 2. It can be seen that
or
despite the 5% losses in the variable-speed drive,

1
variable-speed operation offers overall energy advan-
CCAPT = Nch 5 $ Qb,(Ti) tages over fixed-speed operation. The level of energy
i=l [ ch
savings is a function of the compressor type and outdoor
where nj is the number of cooling hours in temperature weather conditions.
bin i and Nch is the total number of hours in m tempera- It can be seen that the open-type compressor offers the
ture bins of the cooling season. highest energy savings, of the order of about 12% for
The total energy consumed over the season when all Case I and 24% for Case II, compared with the other two
drive losses are considered, is the sum of the energy used compressors. The least effective is the rotary vane

Table 1 Effect of inverter losses on the seasonal coefficient of performance

Tableau I Effet des pertes au niveau de I’inverseur sur le coeficient de performance selon la saison
Compressor type Case I Case II
MDC IDC. MDC IDC,
Fixed speed Fixed speed
Rotary 3.52 3.35 3.01 2.86
Reciprocating (open-type) 4.24 4.03 3.51 3.34
Reciprocating (semi-hermetic) 4.01 3.81 3.57 3.39
40 S. A. Tassou and T. 0. Qureshi

Table 2 Seasonal performance for fixed speed and variable-speed operation

Tableau 2 Perjormunce saisonni~re ri vitessesjixe et variable

Compressor type Case I Case II

MDC IDC % Rise MDC IDC ‘% Rise

Rotary 3.52 3.63 3.2 3.01 3.30 9.6

Reciprocating (open-type) 4.24 4.14 I I.8 3.51 4.43 23.1
Reciprocating (semi-hermetic) 4.01 4.19 4.5 3.51 3.92 9.8
-

compressor which shows 3.2% savings for Case I and
9.6% savings for Case II. The higher percentage savings
for the open-type compressor arise from its better steady-
state performance at reduced speeds.
The higher percentage savings for the warm compared
with the temperate climate arise mainly because in the
warm climate the refrigeration system will operate at
higher condensing temperature and hence lower steady
state COP.
All the results were based on standard induction
motors which experience a drop in efficiency with speed.
The use of high-efficiency motors with a flatter
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Conclusions
In this paper, the performance characteristics of a rotary
vane, a semi-hermetic reciprocating and an open-type
reciprocating compressor have been presented for
variable-speed operation under both constant and float-
ing head-pressure-control. Based on these characteristics
an energy analysis was carried out to predict the
performance of the three compressors in an air
conditioning application using weather data representing
a warm and a temperate climate. The most important
conclusions that can be drawn from these investigations
are:
From the compressors tested, the open-type recipro-
cating compressor configuration is the most suitable
for variable-speed operation. This compressor
showed an improvement in the COP during low-
speed operation for both constant and variable
head-pressure-control.
The rotary vane and semi-hermetic reciprocating
compressor showed no improvement in the COP at
low speeds for constant-head-pressure operation.
However, both compressors exhibited a significant
increase in the COP at low speeds under floating
head-pressure-control.
The energy analysis carried out showed the losses of
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the investigations to be around 5%. It has also been
shown that irrespective of the type of compressor
used, variable-speed refrigeration systems based on
PWM inverters and standard induction motors can
provide higher seasonal efficiencies compared with
fixed-speed refrigeration systems in air-conditioning
applications.
The utilization of variable-speed refrigeration
systems for air-conditioning applications will be
more cost effective in warm climates due to longer
operating hours of the system during the cooling
season.
The efficiency of variable-speed refrigeration sys-
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