LAUSR

Abstract The objective of this study was to develop a methodology for designing T-junction liquid-vapor separators for household refrigerators. The influence of the following independent parameters on the separator performance was studied: (i) refrigerant mass flow rate, (ii) inlet vapor quality, (iii) phase-separation temperature, (iv) critical droplet diameter and (v) compressor duty cycle. For modeling purposes, the T-junction was divided into three sub-models, namely: inlet, vapor and liquid branches. Additionally, a testing facility was designed and constructed to visualize the refrigerant flow through acrylic T-junctions mounted in a novel two-stage cycle architecture. A T-junction with an inlet branch diameter of 7 mm, a vertical branch diameter of 28 mm and total length of 58 mm was tested with compressor speeds ranging from 2000 to 3500 rpm and duty cycle from 10 to 45%. Photographs of the flow pattern through the separator were taken and used to explain the measured results.