Experimental analysis of the fluid-structure interaction in the pulsating flow in a type of refrigeration compressor valve

• Grant number: 13/06696-7
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: June 01, 2013
• End date: November 30, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Thermal Engineering
• Principal Investigator: José Luiz Gasche
• Grantee: Gabriel Biancolin Moimás
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia (FEIS). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Ilha Solteira. Ilha Solteira , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Hermetic reciprocating compressors are widely used in small and medium size vapor compression refrigeration systems. One of the main parts of this type of compressor is the automatic valve system used for controlling the suction and discharge processes. The experimental or analytical/numerical study of these processes is very complex, mainly because the occurrence of the fluid-structure interaction problem during the operation of the valves and due to the geometric complexity of the whole system. This work consists in an experimental investigation of the fluid-structure interaction problem in an actual geometry of reed type valve largely used by the compressor industry. An experimental setup will be refurbished to produce a pulsating flow through the valve. The fluid-structure interaction problem will be investigated for average Reynolds numbers varying from 2000 to 12000, by measuring the instantaneous position of the valve, for three types of valves differentiated by the value of the stiffness. The idea is to identify the behavior of the valve movement as a function of the Reynolds number of the flow and the stiffness of the valve. (AU)