Study of the response to the variation of thermal parameters and compressor speeds in an experimental air conditioning facility

Air conditioning systems have four main components (evaporator, condenser, expansion valve, and compressor) that work together in a closed cycle. Each of these components introduces variables related to different stages of the system, making it a complex equipment that must operate in a balanced environment to ensure the proper functioning of all elements involved. This study analyzed the response of the experimental air conditioning facility to temperature variations and changes in the compressor speed. The system's performance, the reaction of the components, and the relationship between the direct and indirect changes to the established parameters were evaluated. Specifically, the variations in temperature, pressure, and mass flow were monitored, and from the obtained values, the P-H diagram of the system was created using a Python code with the CoolProp database, thus calculating the coefficient of performance for each set of tested parameters. The results showed that the COP decreased up to 26.3% when varying the air condenser temperature in a range with a 9°C difference. There was an average decrease of 3.7% per 100 RPM speed increase. In addition, the direct proportional and linear relationship between mass flow and compressor speed was observed, highlighting how, in an indirect way, the higher mass flow was not achieved with the higher compressor speed but with the increase of air temperature in the evaporator. Finally, predicting an efficient performance of the system at 1500 RPM, with an air temperature range in the condenser of ± 3 °C of the set point (35 °C) and keeping the evaporator at a temperature above the reference value (26.7 °C), it should be noted that the data represent a trend that allows predicting the behavior of the system and determining the necessary parameters according to the type of study to be implemented.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.S.

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Mechanical Engineering

Grantor

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Year dc:date

2025

Author dc:creator

• Coloma Guzman, Ana Belen

Contributors dc:contributor

• Miljkovic, Nenad

• compressor
• air conditioning
• condenser
• evaporator
• COP

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright 2025 Ana Coloma Guzman

Language dc:language

en, eng

Handle dc:identifier

https://hdl.handle.net/2142/129255

OAI record oai:identifier

https://www.ideals.illinois.edu/oai-pmh?verb=GetRecord&metadataPrefix=etdms&identifier=oai%3Awww.ideals.illinois.edu%3A2142%2F129255