Heat transfer in small air compressor.

Heat transfer inside the reciprocating compressor influences the efficiency. Gas superheating in the suction line is responsible for about half of the thermodynamics losses and decreases mass flow through the compressor. Inside the cylinder, the heat transfer increases the amount of work necessary for compression process. Therefore, analyzing the heat transfer between the compressor components brings better overview on temperature distribution and consequently may show the possibilities of improvement. This paper presents a thermal analysis of small reciprocating compressor. First part of the work is mathematical description of heat transfer between the components and working fluid and second one is the experimental validation of presented model. Measurement were performed using small heat flux sensors and thermocouples located in suction line, discharge line, cylinder head and cylinder itself. The mathematical model is based on thermal network and thermal resistances, calibrated by experimental data.