Proceedings of the International Conference on Fluid and Thermal Energy Conversion 2003 Bali, Indonesia, December 7 11, 2003

FTEC 2003 ISSN 0854 - 9346

Variable Speed Motor of Compressor for Energy Saving of Air Conditioning

Henry Nasution 1, Mat Nawi Wan Hassan 2 Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, MALAYSIA Contact Person : 1 Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Industrial Engineering Bung Hatta University Padang, 25143, INDONESIA Phone : +6275154257, Fax : +6275151341, E-mail : henrynasution@yahoo.com 2 Faculty of Mechanical Engineering Universiti Teknologi Malaysia Skudai, Johor Bahru Darul Tazim, 81300, MALAYSIA Phone : +6075534755, Fax : +6075566159, E-mail : nawi@fkm.utm.my

Abstract
The potential of variable speed control of compressor for providing load matching capability has become an interest in the efforts to reduce the energy consumed by the compressor. The investigation used central air conditioning model with capacity 3 kW, nominal speed of motor 1450 rotation per minute, room of temperature setting is 22 o C, variable speed motor which are 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 Hz respectively. The result of an experimental in comparison with the proportional control system. The result shows that at nominal speed (50 Hz), room of temperature setting will be quickly achieved. While operating the system become for 3 hours will cause condition of room not comfortable, where room of temperature 18 o C. The other way at speed is 20 Hz, room of temperature setting will be in the long run. Variable speed motor to establish of time duration for cooling room. With using the proportional control, room of temperature setting will be reference and motor of speed will rotate to base on cooling load. When the cooling increases, the motor of speed will be faster to rotate and if the cooling load decreases, the motor of speed will be slowly to rotate. Furthermore, when the room of temperature setting will be achieved, the motor of speed will rotate to 20 Hz and its will change if there is disturbance of cooling room. Keywords : Variable speed compressor, proportional control, save energy, air conditioning.

1 FOREWORD Energy shortages has become more severe with each passing year. The cost of fuels and electricity, with the possibility of not having enough energy at any cost, is a real problem for a country like Malaysia, which is now going towards an industrialized country and hence will definitely require high energy consumption. Electric energy is one of the essential energy source that has been drastically increased in cost since 1973. In Malaysia, the demand on electric energy is increases each year with average rate of 11.2 % per annum, parallel to the development of technology in this country. The consumption of electricity
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Henry Nasution, Mat Nawi Wan Hassan

include the application of lighting, electrical appliance, machineries, and also air conditioning system (Norlidah, 1995). The demand for electricity in Malaysia is influenced by many factors, including population growth, per capita income, demographic changes such as increasing urbanization and economic growth. The economic turmoil in 1997 forced the Malaysian government to postpone the development of the 2400 MW Bakun electricity generation project. Since then policy makers have taken many steps to replant the electricity consumption and distribution. One of the actions is to develop a minimum energy efficiency standard for room air conditioners, which will be implemented sometime in the future (Masjuki et al., 2001 ; Mahlia et al, 2002). Air conditioner system for buildings are a major consumer of electrical energy. The electric power consumption of a compressor accounts for about 90 % of the total electric power consumption of an air conditioner (Tojo, et al., 1984). The number of room air conditioners has increase from 13251 units in 1970 to 253 399 in 1991, and will about 1 511 276 in the year 2020 (Masjuki et al., 2001). These improvement have not required dramatic changes in product design nor the use of unusual basic technology. Neither has refrigerator energy performance so far reached any fundamental technological limits. There remain considerable improvements that can be made. Technological option to improve energy efficiency in refrigeration such as : improved compressor efficiency, variable and rated speed compressor, alternative refrigerant, variable speed van, superior fluid control system, etc. (OECD, 1997). Many domestic electrical appliances with an inverter system has come into use. The inverter system is a device which converts a commercial alternating current into one with adjustable frequency and voltage. The inverter system is also used in air conditioning systems to adjust the mean speed of compressor driven by the induction motor, and thus an air conditioning system with variable speed compressor is formed (Qureshi, 1996 ; Rosenquist, 1998 ; Rieger, 1988 ; Lloyd, 1982 ; Krueger,1994 ; Tassuo, 1998 ; Miller, 1988 ; Lida et al., 1982 ; Garstang, 1990 ; Takebayashi et al., 1994). The use of speed variation of motor driving compressor of air conditioning system to control environmental temperature will be investigated by this research. Control systems very important in air conditioning system when the system is designed to operate automatically. These control methods may utilize differences between space and set point values of temperatures, subsequently, to control motor speeds. This new concept of controller maintains the simplicity and wide applicability and use acquired knowledge to improve the performance of the control system. 2 EXPERIMENTAL EQUIPMENT Figure 1 shows the schematic diagram of AHU and refrigeration unit test facility. The standard thermal environmental room of size 4.5 m long by 3.28 m wide by 3.43 m high with the total volume 0f 30.63 m3 were using four sided walls insulation. A small type of air conditioning system is located outside the thermal environmental room. The system comprises of TD.31a bench (refrigerating unit) and TD.31 bench (air handling unit) to make it as a complete unit. At AHU, the return air from thermal room is sucked through the return duct system and mixed with some outside air. As they passed through the evaporator, the heat from return air its transfer to the tubes. This DX type evaporator has the capacity of 8.31 kW and is capable of supplying up to 1500 cfm of air volume. The R-12 using as a working fluid, the refrigerant uses an reciprocating compressor driven by 3 kW constant speed motor and variable speed motor with inverter . The inverter specification is AC Digital Inverter for the variation of the speed of three phase motors, has a power range 5.5 kW at 400V / 50 Hz and from 1 HP. The inverter connected to the compressor motor.
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Variable Speed Motor of Compressor for Energy Saving of Air Conditioning

Using water as the condensing medium, a cooling tower, located outside from refrigerating unit bench is used for final heat rejection to the atmosphere.

Room Diffuser

Return Air Sensor temperature

Freon to Evaporator

Return Air

Freon from Evaporator From cooling tower Supply Air Motor Fan

To cooling tower

Compressor Refrigerating Unit AHU Unit Inverter Evaporator

Water Cooled Condenser

Control

Figure 1. Schematic diagram of AHU and refrigeration unit 3 INSTRUMENTATION Temperature were measured by T type of thermocouple wire to connected with TC 08 PicoLog Recorder and 12 Channel Thermometer Scanning . Pressure were obtained using Bourdon type gauges. Those location on the high pressure side ranged from 0 to 30 bar (0 430 psig) by 10 psig scale. On the low pressure side ranged 0 to 10 bar (0 140 psig) by 2 psig scale. Figure 2 shows points of measurement for temperature and pressure. Point T1 T2 : input and output temperature at compressor, T3 T4 : input and output temperature at condenser, T5 T6 : input and output temperature at expansion valve, T7 : output temperature at evaporator, T8 T9 : input and output temperature at cooling tower, T10 : supply duct temperature, T11 T14 : room of temperature, and T15 : inlet duct temperature. Point P1 P2 : input and output pressure at compressor, P3 P4 : input and output pressure at condenser, P5 P6 : input and output pressure at expansion valve, and P7 : output pressure at evaporator. Electric consumption were measured by connected to Advantech PCI-1711/PCLD-8710 will be transmitted to the computer.

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Proceedings of the International Conference on Fluid and Thermal Energy Conversion 2003 Bali, Indonesia, December 7 11, 2003

FTEC 2003 ISSN 0854 - 9346

T14 T11 Sensor T12 T13

From cooling tower T8 T9 To cooling tower

P2, T2 P4, T4 Motor T10 P3, T3 P1, T1 Compressor P7, T7

P5, T5 EV P6, T6

T15 Evaporator

Water Cooled Condenser

Inverter

Control

Computer

Figure 2. Points of measurement for temperature and pressure 4 EXPERIMENTAL TECHNIQUE The experiment was tested by conducting three subsequent on the system namely : 1. The constant speed of compressor system test. 2. The compressor test on different frequency setting. 3. The variable speed of compressor system test with proportional control system. The objectives of conducting tests on constant speed of compressor system is to analysis the actual working performance of the system running under one fixed speed compressor without any capacity control. Tests on compressor on different frequency setting must be conducted prior to variable speed of compressor system performance test. The aim is to provide reference data on the compressor as well as the ArtDriveG speed controller used, these reference data are related to : 1. The limitation range of temperature setpoint. 2. The limitation of output Power energy, voltage and current of the motor. 3. The estimation of energy used. The performance test for variable speed of compressor system with proportional control were conducting based on different temperature setting and room of temperature. The temperature selection were done base on the above compressor reference data.
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Henry Nasution, Mat Nawi Wan Hassan

To archive the research objectives, these experiment are necessary in order to obtain the comparative analysis of both constant speed and variable speed compressor system. The results observed will be of compressor energy saving, system efficiency as well as the control performance in terms of room temperature. 5 RESULTS
29.0

50 Hz
27.0

45 Hz 25 Hz

40 Hz 20 Hz

35 Hz P Control

30 Hz

Temperature ( o C)

25.0

23.0

21.0

19.0

Reference temperature T = 22 o C

17.0

15.0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 190

Time (Minute)

Figure 3. Temperatures at different frequency settings

9 8 7 6 Energy (kW.h) 5 4 3 2 1 0 0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 110 120 130 140 150 160 170 180 Time 50 Hz 40 Hz 30 Hz 20 Hz 45 Hz 35 Hz 25 Hz P Control

Standard operation (50 Hz)

Using P Control

Figure 4. The energy consumption

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Variable Speed Motor of Compressor for Energy Saving of Air Conditioning

Table 1. Experimental results

Time 50 Hz 45 Hz
5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 115 120 125 130 135 140 145 150 155 160 165 170 175 180 25.2 23.3 22.3 21.7 21.3 20.9 20.7 20.5 20.4 20.1 20.0 19.9 19.9 19.7 19.6 19.5 19.5 19.4 19.3 19.2 19.2 19.2 19.0 19.0 19.0 19.1 19.1 19.1 19.1 19.1 19.1 19.2 19.1 19.0 19.0 18.9 26.1 24.6 23.6 22.9 22.4 22.1 21.7 21.5 21.3 21.1 20.9 20.7 20.5 20.4 20.3 20.3 20.2 20.1 20.0 20.0 20.0 19.8 19.8 19.8 19.7 19.6 19.6 19.7 19.6 19.6 19.5 19.4 19.4 19.4 19.4 19.3

Temperature ( o C) Variable Speed 40 Hz 35 Hz 30 Hz 25 Hz

26.2 24.6 23.7 22.9 22.5 22.2 22.0 21.7 21.5 21.3 21.2 21.2 21.0 20.9 20.8 20.8 20.7 20.7 20.6 20.5 20.4 20.5 20.4 20.4 20.4 20.4 20.4 20.3 20.3 20.3 20.3 20.3 20.3 20.3 20.2 20.2 26.1 25.1 24.1 23.5 23.0 22.6 22.3 22.1 21.9 21.8 21.7 21.6 21.5 21.4 21.3 21.3 21.3 21.3 21.3 21.2 21.2 21.2 21.2 21.2 21.2 21.2 21.1 21.1 21.1 21.1 21.1 21.1 21.1 21.1 21.1 21.0 25.7 24.6 23.8 23.3 22.9 22.6 22.4 22.3 22.2 22.1 22.0 22.0 21.9 21.8 21.8 21.7 21.7 21.6 21.6 21.5 21.5 21.4 21.4 21.4 21.4 21.4 21.4 21.4 21.3 21.3 21.3 21.3 21.3 21.3 21.3 21.3 26.1 25.0 24.4 24.0 23.6 23.4 23.2 23.0 22.9 22.8 22.7 22.6 22.5 22.5 22.5 22.4 22.4 22.4 22.3 22.3 22.3 22.3 22.2 22.2 22.2 22.2 22.2 22.2 22.2 22.2 22.2 22.2 22.2 22.1 22.1 22.1

20 Hz
27.7 26.9 26.2 25.8 25.5 25.2 25.1 24.9 24.7 24.6 24.5 24.4 24.4 24.3 24.3 24.2 24.2 24.2 24.2 24.2 24.1 24.1 24.1 24.1 24.0 24.0 23.9 23.9 23.9 23.9 23.9 23.9 23.9 23.9 23.9 23.9

P Control
28.3 26.6 25.2 24.2 23.5 23.0 22.9 22.8 22.7 22.6 22.6 22.6 22.5 22.6 22.5 22.6 22.5 22.5 22.5 22.5 22.4 22.5 22.4 22.5 22.4 22.5 22.4 22.4 22.4 22.5 22.4 22.4 22.4 22.5 22.4 22.4

50 Hz 45 Hz
2.64 2.62 2.57 2.55 2.58 2.58 2.56 2.57 2.58 2.57 2.58 2.56 2.58 2.53 2.53 2.52 2.53 2.52 2.52 2.53 2.54 2.53 2.52 2.53 2.52 2.53 2.56 2.57 2.57 2.57 2.57 2.53 2.54 2.53 2.54 2.55 2.34 2.34 2.29 2.30 2.29 2.30 2.31 2.28 2.28 2.27 2.31 2.30 2.31 2.27 2.27 2.27 2.29 2.31 2.27 2.30 2.27 2.27 2.28 2.29 2.28 2.27 2.27 2.29 2.31 2.28 2.27 2.28 2.27 2.28 2.27 2.28

Power Consumption (kW) Variable Speed 40 Hz 35 Hz 30 Hz 25 Hz

2.05 2.03 2.04 2.01 2.02 2.02 2.03 2.02 2.00 2.02 2.01 2.02 2.02 2.03 2.02 2.01 2.02 2.02 2.02 2.02 2.02 2.02 2.02 2.02 2.05 2.03 2.01 2.02 2.02 2.02 2.03 2.05 2.02 2.02 2.02 2.03 1.76 1.80 1.78 1.79 1.76 1.75 1.79 1.76 1.74 1.76 1.76 1.75 1.75 1.74 1.73 1.76 1.77 1.76 1.76 1.75 1.74 1.75 1.76 1.74 1.76 1.75 1.76 1.76 1.75 1.76 1.74 1.75 1.79 1.75 1.75 1.76 1.44 1.45 1.45 1.46 1.47 1.44 1.46 1.44 1.43 1.48 1.46 1.46 1.48 1.46 1.44 1.47 1.43 1.43 1.45 1.45 1.45 1.44 1.46 1.46 1.44 1.46 1.43 1.46 1.46 1.47 1.46 1.46 1.46 1.47 1.44 1.44 1.17 1.19 1.18 1.20 1.17 1.16 1.17 1.15 1.15 1.15 1.15 1.14 1.17 1.17 1.16 1.16 1.16 1.15 1.17 1.15 1.15 1.15 1.15 1.16 1.16 1.17 1.15 1.16 1.16 1.16 1.15 1.16 1.18 1.17 1.16 1.17

20 Hz
0.94 0.95 0.93 0.95 0.95 0.94 0.93 0.95 0.95 0.94 0.95 0.92 0.95 0.95 0.96 0.94 0.95 0.95 0.94 0.94 0.95 0.94 0.95 0.95 0.95 0.95 0.95 0.96 0.95 0.96 0.94 0.95 0.95 0.96 0.95 0.96

P Control
2.98 2.88 2.87 2.85 2.80 1.83 2.38 2.40 2.18 2.49 1.55 1.78 1.71 2.25 1.72 2.17 1.41 2.20 1.59 1.77 1.36 2.22 1.71 2.36 1.14 1.86 1.64 1.45 1.69 2.13 1.37 2.41 1.11 1.94 1.34 1.66

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Proceedings of the International Conference on Fluid and Thermal Energy Conversion 2003 Bali, Indonesia, December 7 11, 2003

FTEC 2003 ISSN 0854 - 9346

Table 2. Energy consumption estimate

Time 5 10 15 20 25 30 35 40 45 50 55 60 65 70 75 80 85 90 95 100 105 110 115 120 125 130 135 140 145 150 155 160 165 170 175 180 50 Hz 0.22 0.44 0.65 0.87 1.08 1.30 1.51 1.72 1.94 2.15 2.37 2.58 2.80 3.01 3.22 3.43 3.64 3.85 4.06 4.27 4.48 4.69 4.90 5.11 5.32 5.53 5.75 5.96 6.17 6.39 6.60 6.81 7.03 7.24 7.45 7.66 45 Hz 0.20 0.39 0.58 0.77 0.96 1.16 1.35 1.54 1.73 1.92 2.11 2.30 2.49 2.68 2.87 3.06 3.25 3.44 3.63 3.83 4.01 4.20 4.39 4.58 4.77 4.96 5.15 5.34 5.54 5.73 5.92 6.11 6.29 6.48 6.67 6.86 Energy Consumption (kW.h) Variable Speed 40 Hz 35 Hz 30 Hz 25 Hz 0.17 0.15 0.12 0.10 0.34 0.30 0.24 0.20 0.51 0.45 0.36 0.30 0.68 0.59 0.48 0.40 0.85 0.74 0.61 0.49 1.01 0.89 0.73 0.59 1.18 1.04 0.85 0.69 1.35 1.18 0.97 0.78 1.52 1.33 1.09 0.88 1.69 1.47 1.21 0.97 1.85 1.62 1.33 1.07 2.02 1.77 1.45 1.17 2.19 1.91 1.58 1.26 2.36 2.06 1.70 1.36 2.53 2.20 1.82 1.46 2.70 2.35 1.94 1.55 2.86 2.50 2.06 1.65 3.03 2.64 2.18 1.75 3.20 2.79 2.30 1.84 3.37 2.94 2.42 1.94 3.54 3.08 2.54 2.04 3.71 3.23 2.66 2.13 3.87 3.37 2.78 2.23 4.04 3.52 2.91 2.32 4.21 3.66 3.03 2.42 4.38 3.81 3.15 2.52 4.55 3.96 3.27 2.61 4.72 4.10 3.39 2.71 4.89 4.25 3.51 2.81 5.06 4.40 3.63 2.90 5.22 4.54 3.75 3.00 5.40 4.69 3.88 3.10 5.56 4.84 4.00 3.19 5.73 4.98 4.12 3.29 5.90 5.13 4.24 3.39 6.07 5.27 4.36 3.49

20 Hz 0.08 0.16 0.24 0.31 0.39 0.47 0.55 0.63 0.71 0.79 0.87 0.94 1.02 1.10 1.18 1.26 1.34 1.42 1.50 1.57 1.65 1.73 1.81 1.89 1.97 2.05 2.13 2.21 2.29 2.37 2.44 2.52 2.60 2.68 2.76 2.84

P Control 0.25 0.49 0.73 0.97 1.20 1.35 1.55 1.75 1.93 2.14 2.27 2.42 2.56 2.75 2.89 3.07 3.19 3.37 3.50 3.65 3.76 3.95 4.09 4.29 4.38 4.54 4.68 4.80 4.94 5.11 5.23 5.43 5.52 5.68 5.80 5.93

From Figure 4 and 5, and Table 1 and 2 indicated that, the longer the time AC operated at frequency 50 Hz then the room temperature will lower ( 19 o C), energy used remain to be constant equal to 2,5 kW. If frequency variated which are : 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, and 50 Hz, will also seen reached temperature variation, that is : 23.9, 22.1, 21.3, 21.0, 20.2, 19.3, and 19 o C, while energy consumption is 0.96 to 2.55 kW. If specified temperature of reference equal to 22 o C, this condition reached at frequency 25 Hz, this is not efficient because long time needed for reach temperature of reference. And if cooling load vary, the condition of temperature of reference do not reach ( during conducted of experiment).

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Henry Nasution, Mat Nawi Wan Hassan

Although effort for the save energy consumption continue to be strived, temperature remain to be indicator to user. For that the effort taken with usage of control systems able to fulfill two the condition above. At first phase this research used by proportional control systems, where temperature of reference equal to temperature of room, with energy usage which as small as possible. At Table 1, shown that energy fluctuation will so that temperature of reference condition reached. During the condition reached and stabilize, the motor will operate on minimum frequency at 20 Hz, and given load in room, this system will continue to operate the condition of which specified (temperature of reference condition). From experimental with the frequency variation shown that the condition of AC operation admit to enable for energy saving consumption strive, also depend on temperature of reference condition. Using with proportional control system, can save energy consumption equal to 22,54% toward AC standard operation. Without using control system, condition of AC operation admit to be degraded up to frequency 40 Hz, can save energy consumption equal to 20,77% toward 50 Hz frequency. 6 CONCLUSIONS The application of variable speed control to air conditioning offers the potential for substantial energy savings or energy efficiency. In variable speed control application, the compressor speed influences various operating and design parameters such as cooling load, power consumption, COP, volumetric and isentropic efficiency. Variable speed control indicate that space temperature may be controlled simultaneously by the simultaneous operation of compressor speed, with the result that operation of compressor speed to adapted of temperature (cooling load) changing. In this system is one of the actions to develop minimum energy efficiency for renewable energy. 7 ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The author acknowledge support provided by Bung Hatta University and Universiti Teknolgi Malaysia for this research. We have to thank Prof. Dr. Mat Nawi Wan Hassan, Fluid and Thermal Laboratory of Faculty Mechanical Engineering. 8 REFERENCES [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] [10] Garstang, Stephen W., Variable Frequency Speed Control of Refrigeration CompressorsPart 1, Australian Refrigeration, Air Conditioning and Heating (March), 21-23, 1990. H.H. Masjuki, T.M.I. Mahlia, and Choudhury, I. A., Potential Electricity Savings by Implementing Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards for Room Air Conditioners in Malaysia, Energy Conversion and Management, 42, 439 450, 2001. Krueger, M., and Schwarz, M., Experimental Analysis of a Variable Speed Compressor, Proc. International Compressor Engineering Conference at Purdue, 599 604, 1994. Lida, K. et al., Development of an Energy Saving Oriented Variable Capacity System Heat Pump, ASHRAE Transactions 88, 441 449, 1982. Lloyd, J. D., Variable Speed Compressor Motors Operated on Inverters, ASHRAE Transactions 88, 1, 633-642, 1982. Miller, W. A., Laboratory Efficiency Comparisons of Modulating Heat Pump Components Using Adjustable Speed Drives, ASHRAE Transactions 94, 1, 874-891, 1988. Norlidah Zainal Abidin, Retrofitting of Compressor Motor in Air Conditioning System for Energy Saving , Universiti Teknologi Malaysia : Masters Thesis, 1995. OECD, Enhancing the Market Deployment of Energy Technology a Survey of Eight Technologies, France : OECD, 1997. Q. Qureshi, T. and Tassou, S. A., Variable Speed Capacity Control in Refrigeration Systems, Applied Thermal Engineering, 16, 2, 103-113, 1996. Riegger, O. K., Variable Speed Compressor Performance. ASHRAE Transactions 94, 1, 1215-1228, 1988.
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Henry Nasution, Matfor Nawi WanSaving Hassanof Air Conditioning Variable Speed Motor of Compressor Energy

[11] [12] [13] [14] [15] [16]

Rosenquist, Gregory J., Energy Conservation Standards for Room Air Conditioners ASHRAE Transactions, V, 104, 1988. Takebayashi, M. et al., Performance Improvement of A Variable-Speed Controlled Scroll Compressor for Household Air Conditioners, ASHRAE Transactions 100, 1, 471-475, 1994. Tassou, S. A and Qureshi, T. Q., Comparative Performance Evaluation of Positive Displacement Compressors in Variable Speed Refrigeration Applications, Int. J. Refrigeration, 21,1, 29-41, 1998. T.M.I Mahlia, H.H.Masjuki, and I.A.Choudhury, Potential Electricity Savings by Implementation Energy Labels for Room Air Conditioner in Malaysia, Energy Conversion and Management, 43, 2225 2233, 2002. __________________ , Development of Energy Labels for Room Air Conditioner in Malaysia : Methodology and Results, Energy Conversion and Management, 43, 1985 1997, 2002. Tojo, K. et al., A Scroll Compressor for Air Conditioners, Proc. International Compressor Engineering Conference at Purdue, 496-503, 1984.

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