Analysis on Air-Side Characteristics of the Condenser at Low Ambient Pressure Conditions

Abstract

The vapor cycle refrigeration system is used in aircraft cooling. The changes of the ambient air properties will affect the condenser performance of the vapor cycle refrigeration system. The air-side characteristics between the flow and pressure drop at low pressure conditions must be taken into account, especially when it is used in the aircraft. Through the three tests of the condenser fan, the condenser, and the condenser module, the common property model of the air-side flow and pressure head/drop for each part is established and experimentally verified. The results show that the flow and pressure head or drop relationship of each unit under different pressures of 101.3kPa, 79.5kPa, 61.7kPa, and 47.2kPa is simply deduced by means of the ground test. From this study, the operation points of the condenser module under low ambient pressure conditions can be derived as well.Copyright © 2012 by ASME