Study on Gravity Independence of Compressor Performance for Space-borne Vapor Compression Heat Pump

Vapor compression heat pump is an important aerospace thermal control means to lunar probe program and deep space exploration. Compressors are the most important component in vapor compression heat pump systems. Microgravity environment has a great impact on system performance. The paper tests the gravity independence of compressor performance, and evaluates the performance of compressor and heat pump system in micro-gravity environment. The results show that the maximum tilt angle is about 60° under the condition of low speed operation. The inclination angle of compressor has little effect on evaporation and condensation pressure. Evaporation and condensation pressure is 4.3 bar and 12 bar, respectively, and the pressure ratio is mainly steady. When the compressor works at full speed, the maximum tilt angle is 20°. Under the condition that the tilt angel is less than 20°, the performance parameters do not change with the increase of the inclination angle. Evaporation and condensation pressure stabilize at 4.2 and 13 bar, respectively. Energy efficiency ratio and coefficient of performance are about 2.7 and 3.6, respectively.