Thermal modelling and analysis of an oil-free linear compressor

Gas superheating in the suction system may significantly reduce the volumetric and isentropic efficiencies of small reciprocating compressors adopted for household refrigeration. This paper reports a thermal modelling approach developed to predict superheating in an oil- free linear compressor. A simulation code based on the finite volume method was adopted to solve heat conduction in the solid components and gas flow inside the compressor shell. In order to reduce the computational cost, the compression cycle inside the cylinder was modelled with a transient lumped formulation, but in a coupled manner with the remainder of the solution domain. Comparisons between numerical and experimental results of temperature showed discrepancies in some solid components and in the gas path along the discharge system. However, the model was able to predict suction gas superheating in good agreement with measurements. A sensitivity analysis of the temperature distribution with respect to two design parameters was also carried out. The model is particularly useful for compressor design since no experimental calibration is required.