Prediction of gas leakage through clearances in scroll compressors.

Gas leakage is an important source of inefficiency in scroll compressors and has to be estimated in simulation models. Current models and correlations are usually based on simplified flow conditions. As a consequence, there remains much uncertainty about such predictions for wide range of operating conditions found in actual applications. This paper reports a numerical analysis of radial and axial leakages in scroll compressors covering different operating conditions and geometric parameters. Correlations for gas leakage are obtained and validated through comparisons with data available in the literature.