Impact of Power Frequency on the Performance of a Scroll Compressor

The impact of the power frequency on the performance of a scroll compressor was investigated. Two representative frequencies, 50 and 60 Hz, were used to quantify the effects of the power frequency on the scroll compressor performance characteristics for the same design. The major physical mechanisms responsible for the scroll compressor performance were identified. The changes induced by the power frequency on these physical mechanisms were illustrated by numeric simulations and laboratory measurements of the detailed flow physics inside the scroll compressor. The design parameters were obtained by integrating the field quantities over the relevant regions. The link between the design features and flow physics was established. The new design ideals can be generated from the fundamental understanding the physical mechanisms induced by the power frequency change.