Reversing valve heat transfer and pressure drops and their effects on the steady-state performance of a heat pump
Abstract
The effects of a reversing valve on the steady-state performance of a heat pump were analyzed. Three elements bring about a change in performance: heat transfer, pressure drops and mass leakage. The heat transfer and pressure drop effects are condsidered. Experiments were conducted to measure the temperatures of a reversing valve and to provide the necessary data for calculating reversing valve heat loss. There calculations were done by a control-volume analysis and a surface heat-transfer analysis to determine the important paths of heat transfer. A heat-transfer model of the reversing valve was also developed. Pressure drops in a reversing valve were measured and predicted in order to identify the important elements of pressure drops. A heat pump model was developed to account for the presence of a reversing valve. The model was based on presently available heat pump models, and included the reversing valve in its thermodynamic cycle. The effects of the reversing valve were examined using the heat pump model and the results of the heat-transfer and pressure drop studies. Of interest were the total and relative effects of those two losses plus a third type of loss, refrigerant leakage, which was the subject of a separate investigation. Effects of ambient conditions and heat pump operating mode were also considered.
Degree
Ph.D.
Advisors
Goldschmidt, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Mechanical engineering
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