The development of a performance-enhancing additive for vapor-compression heat pumps

Conference · Wed Dec 31 04:00:00 EST 1997

OSTI ID:351674

Grzyll, L R; Scaringe, R P ^[1]; Gottschlich, J M ^[2]

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1. Mainstream Engineering Corp., Rockledge, FL (United States)
2. Wright Lab., Wright-Patterson AFB, OH (United States). Aero Propulsion and Power Directorate

This paper describes the testing results of a vapor-compression heat pump operating with HFC-134a refrigerant and a performance-enhancing additive. Preliminary bench-top testing of this additive, when added to polyolester (POE) lubricant and HFC-134a refrigerant, showed surprising enhancements to system COP. To further investigate this finding, the authors designed and fabricated a vapor-compression heat pump test stand for the 3--5 ton range. The authors investigated the effect of different concentrations of this additive on various system performance parameters such as cooling capacity, compressor power requirement, pressure ratio, compressor pressure difference, compressor isentropic efficiency, refrigerant flow rate, and heat exchanger performance. The authors investigated various heat source and heat sink conditions to simulate air-conditioning and heat pump operating conditions. To investigate the effect of this additive on compressor lubrication and life, the authors performed compressor life tests (with scroll and reciprocating compressors), and had lubrication wear tests performed with various concentrations of the additive in the POE lubricant.

• OSTI ID: 351674
• Report Number(s): CONF-970701--
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
ADDITIVES
AUGMENTATION
COEFFICIENT OF PERFORMANCE
HEAT PUMPS
TWO-PHASE FLOW
VAPOR COMPRESSION REFRIGERATION CYCLE