Summary

This work presents a numerical simulation model of a sliding vane rotary compressor which is used for low capacity refrigeration systems. All flows of mass and energy inside the compressor are modelled in detail and the discharge valve is treated as a system of discrete.mass nodes connected by straight beam elements arranged angularly. The presence of lubricating oil and refrigerant is considered in all thermodynamic processes and the compressor is adiabatic. The performance of the compressor is evaluated by means of a coefficient of performance and a physical relation between this coefficient and the energy efficiency ratio is presented. The most important working parameters of the compressor, such as pressure inside the cylinder and the displacement of the discharge valve are used for comparing numerical and experimental results. All the flows of mass and energy in the compressor are calculated when different design parameters are changed and the influence of those modifications is analyzed. It is also made a comparison between a reciprocating compressor and a sliding vane rotary compressor of similar characteristics.

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