Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Investigation on the Influence of Refrigerant Charge Amount on the Cooling Performance of Air Conditioning Heat Pump System for Electric Vehicles

  • Published:
Journal of Thermal Science Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The application of air conditioning heat pump (ACHP) in electric vehicles could lead to significant electrical power saving effect. As for an air conditioning heat pump system for electric vehicles, the influence of refrigerant charge amount should be investigated during the design phase. In this study, experimental method was employed to investigate the influence of the refrigerant charge amount on the performance of the ACHP system. The results showed that the refrigerant charge amount had different influence on the refrigerant properties at various locations within the system. The coefficient of performance and pressure-enthalpy diagram were calculated, and showed a close relationship with refrigerant charge amount under different compressor speeds. The degree of subcooling and the degree of superheating were recorded and the critical charge amount was determined by a typical practical test method. In addition, the critical refrigerant charge amount determined by the experimental method was also compared with two typical void fraction correlation models, and the model with consideration of two phase stream reaction of the refrigerant showed a good estimation accuracy on the critical charge amount.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Qin F., Zhang G., Xue Q., Zou H., Tian C., Experimental investigation and theoretical analysis of heat pump systems with two different injection portholes compressors for electric vehicles. Applied Energy, 2017, 185: 2085–2093.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  2. Min H., Cao Y., Zeng X., Qiao W., Development and performance simulation of electric air conditioner module basen on ADVISOR. Automotive Engineering, 2010, 32(4): 359–352. (In Chinese)

    Google Scholar 

  3. Qin F., Xue Q., Albarracin Velez G.M., Zhang G., Zou H., Tian C., Experimental investigation on heating performance of heat pump for electric vehicles at–20°C ambient temperature. Energy Conversion and Management, 2015, 102: 39–49.

    Google Scholar 

  4. Zou H., Jiang B., Wang Q., Tian C., Yan Y., Performance analysis of a heat pump air conditioning system coupling with battery cooling for electric vehicles. Energy Procedia, 2014, 61: 891–894.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  5. Wan X., Cai L., Yan J., Ma X., Chen T., Zhang X., Power management strategy for a parallel hybrid–power gas engine heat pump system. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2017, 110: 234–243.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  6. Kim K.Y., Kim S.C., Kim M.S., Experimental studies on the heating performance of the PTC heater and heat pump combined system in fuel cells and electric vehicles. International Journal of Automotive Technology, 2013, 13(6): 971–977.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  7. Afshari F., Comakli O., Adiguzel N., Zavaragh H.G., Influence of refrigerant properties and charge on performance of reciprocating compressor in air source heat pump. Journal of Energy Engineering, 2016, 143(1): 04016025.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  8. Hosoz M., Direk M., Performance evaluation of an integrated automotive air conditioning and heat pump system. Energy Conversion and Management, 2006, 47(5): 545–559.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  9. Direk M., Hosoz M., Yigit K.S., Canakci M., Turkcan A., Alptekin E., et al. Experimental performance of an R134a automobile heat pump system coupled to the passenger compartment. World Renewable Energy Congress, Linköping, Sweden, 2011: 3605‒3612.

    Google Scholar 

  10. Dong H.K., Han S.P., Min S.K., The effect of refrigerant charge on single and cascade cycle heat pump systems. International Journal of Refrigeration, 2014, 40(3): 254–268.

    ADS  Google Scholar 

  11. Pottker G., Hrnjak P., Effect of condenser subcooling of the performance of vapor compression systems: experimental and numerical investigation. International Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Conference, Purdue, USA, 2012: 2512‒2521.

    Google Scholar 

  12. Pottker G., Hrnjak P., Designated vs. non–designated areas for condenser subcooling. International Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Conference, Purdue, USA, 2012: 2522‒2531.

    Google Scholar 

  13. Cho H., Ryu C., Kim Y., Kim H.Y., Effects of refrigerant charge on the performance of a tranditional CO2 heat pump. International Journal of Refrigeration, 2005, 28(8): 1266–1273.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. RedRedón A., Navarro–Peris E., Pitarch M., Gonzálvez–Macia J., Corberán J.M., Analysis and optimization of subcritical two–stage vapor injection heat pump systems. Applied Energy, 2014, 124(7): 231–240.

    Google Scholar 

  15. Ratts E.B., Brown J.S., An experimental analysis of the effect of refrigerant charge level on an automotive refrigerant system. International Journal of Thermal Science, 2000, 39(5): 592–604.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  16. Rice C K., The effect of void fraction correlation and heat flux assumption on refrigerant charge inventory predictions. Ashrae Transactions, 1987, 93: 341–367.

    Google Scholar 

  17. Thom J.R.S., Prediction of pressure drop during forced circulation boiling of water. International Journal of Heat & Mass Transfer, 1964, 7(7): 709–724.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  18. Zivi S.M., Estimation of steady state steam void fraction by means of the principle of minimum entropy production. Journal of Heat Transfer, 1964, 86(2): 247–251.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  19. Smith S.L., Void fractions in two phase flow: a correlation based upon an equal velocity head model. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineering, 1969, 184(1): 647–664.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Premoli A,, Francesco D,, Prina A., A dimensionless correlation for determining the density of two–phase mixtures. Termotecnica (Milan), 1971, 25(1): 17–26.

    Google Scholar 

  21. Lockhart R.W., Martinelli R.C., Proposed correlation of data for isothermal two–phase, two–component flow in pipes. Chemical Engineering Progress, 1949, 45: 39–48.

    Google Scholar 

  22. Baroczy C.J., Correlation of liquid fraction in two–phase flow with applications to liquid metal, Atomics International, Division of North American Aviation, Inc., Canoga Park, California, 1963.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  23. Tandon T.N., Varma H.K., Gupta C.P., A void fraction model for annular two phase flow. International Journal of Heat and Mass Transfer, 1985, 28(1): 191–198.

    Google Scholar 

  24. Hughmark G.A., Hold–up in gaseliquid flow. Chemical Engineering Progress, 1962, 58: 62–65.

    Google Scholar 

  25. Rigot G., Fluid capacity of an evaporator in direct expansion. Plomberie, 1973, 328: 133–144.

    Google Scholar 

  26. Xu Y., Fang X., Correlations of void fraction for twophase refrigerant flow in pipes. Applied Thermal Engineering, 2014, 64: 242–251.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  27. Dalkilic A.S., Laohalertdecha S., Wongwise S., Effect of void fraction models on the two–phase friction factor of R134a during condensation in vertical downward flow in a smooth tube. International Communications in Heat and Mass Transfer, 2008, 35(8): 921–927.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  28. Zhou G., Li H., Cui S., Liu Y., Xu Y., Experimental study on refrigerant charge of heat pump air conditioning system in electric bus. Cryogenics and Superconductivity, 2016, 3: 44–48.

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was supported by The Open Project Program of State Key Laboratory of Fire Science (No. HZ2018-KF03), Shanghai Sailing Program (No. 18YF1417900), Huaqiao University Scientific Research Foundation (No. 16BS801). The authors thankfully acknowledge all these supports.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. School of Energy and Power Engineering, University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, Shanghai, 200093, China

    Kang Li, Jiao Lan, Guoliang Zhou, Qitian Tang, Qia Cheng, Yidong Fang & Lin Su

Authors
  1. Kang Li
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Jiao Lan
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Guoliang Zhou
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. Qitian Tang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Qia Cheng
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Yidong Fang
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Lin Su
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding authors

Correspondence to Yidong Fang or Lin Su.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Li, K., Lan, J., Zhou, G. et al. Investigation on the Influence of Refrigerant Charge Amount on the Cooling Performance of Air Conditioning Heat Pump System for Electric Vehicles. J. Therm. Sci. 28, 294–305 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11630-018-1056-6

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11630-018-1056-6

Keywords

Search

Navigation