Experimental study of heat transfer effect on oil-free scroll air compressor

The effects of heat transfer on the performance of oil-free scroll air compressor were analyzed. A simulation model of compressor was established and experimental investigation to the developed prototype was carried out with three different cooling methods. The results show that heat transfer is a major factor affecting the performance of oil-free scroll air compressor. With rising of the discharge pressure, the discharge temperature and the electric power of the scroll compressor increase while the volumetric efficiency decreases. Under the situation of natural cooling, the performance of compressor is lowest and the volumetric efficiency gets only about 20% when the discharge pressure is at the rated discharge pressure. The scroll compressor under orbiting scroll forced cooling performs optimally. Hence the cooling of orbiting scroll is the major factor considered in the design of oil scroll air compressor.