Rating Technique for Reciprocating Refrigeration Compressors

As refrigeration compressor manufacturers introduce machines with improved efficiencies there is a need for updating performance data. The compressor performance data which is published should be a true representation of the actual compressor performance, historically this has resulted in lengthy test programmes for the compressor manufacturer. A system is required which can accurately produce performance data from a manageable number of tests. As a result of analysing the behaviour of reciprocating refrigeration compressors, relationships become apparent which could reasonably be expected to form the basis of a technique which will economically generate ,accurate performance data over the full matrix of operating conditions. The basis of possible techniques will be described and justified by reference to the principles of operation of reciprocating compressors. INTRODUCTION Specifiers of refrigeration equipment are continually required to select compressors which best match the needs of a specific system. When considering packaged equipment, the incorrect selection of a compressor will result in additional development time and expense. The existing techniques for providing performance data vary from one compressor manufacturer to another. Although tests may be carried out to the same procedure on the same machine by two test houses it is highly likely that the data sets generated will have