Emulator-type load-based tests for dynamic performance characterization of air conditioners

Current air-conditioning performance evaluation procedures are based on experimental tests conducted at a fixed compressor speed while deactivating the native control system to simplify data acquisition and ensure reproducibility of the results. Conversely, the actual operation of air conditioners responds to thermal loads with variable or cyclic modulations of the compressor speed and expansion valve opening according to the native control system. This study aimed to establish a new reproducible and representative methodology for evaluating the dynamic performance of air conditioners. The developed emulator-type dynamic performance testing facility features hybrid characteristics consisting of an emulator, which is used to simulate the dynamic response of indoor and outdoor environments, and the hardware of a testing facility for performance measurement. This study demonstrates the integrity of the constructed testing facility and the ability of the emulator-type testing methodology to determine the dynamic performance of an air conditioning unit using its native control system, in response to variations in the room-side environment.