Numerical research on the hydrodynamic effect on the leakage of two-phase refrigerant-oil mixture in the flank gaps of compressors

Abstract

This paper investigates the two-phase leakage of the flank gap in rotary compressors by using the coupled models of compressible Reynolds equation and refrigerant-oil pair solubility. The models are verified by both the classical analytical model and the published results in the static and dynamic situations. Moreover, results also firstly show how the hydrodynamic pressure, cavitation, and leakage mass flow rate can be influenced by the motion of the roller in the rotary compressor. Compared to the static situation, the pressurized zone in the high-pressure side due to the hydrodynamic effect can potentially increase the leakage mass flow rate of the mixture.