Alternative variable refrigerant flow (VRF) air conditioning systems with rational distribution of thermal load

Abstract

One of the most attractive reserves of enhancing the energetic efficiency of air conditioning systems (ACS) is to provide operation of compressors in closed to nominal modes by choosing the rational design refrigeration capacities and their distribution according to current thermal loading to provide closed to maximum annual refrigeration energy generation. Generally, the overall thermal load band of any ACS comprises the unstable load range, corresponding to ambient air precooling with significant load fluctuations, and a comparatively stable load part for further air conditioning from a threshold temperature to a target value. The stable thermal load range can be covered by operation of conventional compressor in closed to nominal mode, meantime ambient air precooling needs load modulation by applying a variable speed compressor. A proposed ACS enables a wide range of refrigerant flow variation without heat flux drop in air coolers and can be considered as advanced alternative to variable refrigerant flow systems.