The development of performance prediction methods for an automotive CO₂ A/C cycle

In previous research, we have been focusing on the performance of the each element heat transfer and hydraulic performance of refrigeration cycle. Experimental investigations have been repeated several times, and finally, we have substantial database including the effect of lubricant oil. Moreover, the maldistribution of two-phase in an evaporator can be also predicted from the experimental database. Under these circumstances, this study is intended to effectively put the construction of an automotive CO₂ air conditioning system into practical design use through the simulation using the above-mentioned database. This paper describes the refrigeration cycle performance prediction of each element (e.g., an evaporator, a gas-cooler, and so on) by a simulation using substantial database and various available correlations proposed by us and several other researchers. In the performance prediction model of heat exchangers, local heat transfer and flow characteristics are considered and, in addition, the effects of lubricant oil on heat transfer and pressure drop are duly considered. The comparison is also made between simulation results and bench test results using a real automotive air conditioning system. Finally, the developed simulation method can predict the cooling capacity successfully within ±10% for A/C system simulation. By incorporating the lubricant oil effect, the simulation results are improved to ±5% and ±15% for the cooling capacity and pressure drop for evaporator simulation, respectively.