HVAC Compression Ratios & Info

Understanding Service Compressor Replacements

This is part 2 of a 3 part series on understanding compressor replacements.

What are compression ratios and how do they affect compressors?

As discussed in the first part of this series, an air conditioning compressor’s re-expansion gas directly affects its volumetric efficiency at different system operating conditions. The volumetric efficiency of a reciprocating (piston) compressor can vary over a wide range, depending on the compressor design and the compression ratio.

Compression Ratio

The compression ratio is the ratio of the absolute discharge pressure (psia) to absolute suction pressure (psia), found using the formula Discharge Pressure Absolute ÷ Suction Pressure Absolute.

In that chart that accompanies part one of this series, the left side (Y-axis) represents compression ratios. As the compression ratio increases, the volumetric efficiency decreases in reciprocating compressors.

To convert any gauge pressure to absolute, add 14.7 (or 15 to make it easy) to the pressure reading from a manifold gauge set. 14.7 represents the atmospheric pressure that the manifold gauge already takes into consideration. (At 0 psig, the actual reading is 14.7 psia.)

Consider a few examples:

Discharge = 185 psig + 15 = 200 psia
Suction = 5 psig + 15 = 20 psia

This example uses a low temperature application range, and rounds the 14.7 (atmospheric) to 15. Using these psia pressures from the examples above, a 10:1 compression ratio is calculated

200 psia = 10:1
20 psia

10:1 is a compression ratio commonly found in refrigeration applications. If you are thinking about air conditioning, it is often around 3:1 or 4:1

Example 2:

200 psia = 20:1
10 psia

In this example, the suction pressure drops by 10 psia, which doubles the compression ratio. At this compression ratio, a compressor designed for a 10:1 ratio would have a tough time surviving. Do you think the Service Tech would notice this drop in absolute suction pressure? Probably not.

Example 3:

400 psia = 20:1
20 psia

In this calculation, absolute discharge pressure is raised to 400 psia, essentially doubling it, to give the same 20:1 compression ratio. Do you think the Service Tech would notice if his discharge pressure doubled? Hopefully. In either case, the compressor would have a difficult time operating at double its rated compression ratio. After understanding how compression ratio affects volumetric efficiency, at what efficiency level do you think this system is currently operating at, versus its design envelope?

It is important to pay attention to those system pressures, and in the next article we will tie compression ratio and volumetric efficiency together for a better understanding of service compressor replacements.

Part 1 – Compressor Volumetric Efficiency for HVAC Systems

Part 3 – Service Compressor Replacements

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14 thoughts on “HVAC Compression Ratios & Info

  1. When compression ratio of a VRF unit is too low, what can I do to normalise the compression or outright replacement??

  2. From Harold Stanton, Houston texas May 20 2017 i been in the hvac field ( 1979 to the present dated. I have seen a lot i have done lot on compression i thank you i have a total of four licenses in the hvac and one as boiler engineer iam going to finish in 4 yrs i done my time it’s been good thanks again.

  3. how can we know the compression ratio of the particular refrigerant compressor, is it possible to calculate it from capacity value which is in tons

    • Compression ratio is a designed value. You could look it up in the design specs for the system or the compressor. You might also be able to estimate it if you knew some of the designed operating parameters of the system and the refrigerant being used. I do not think you can derive it directly from the designed capacity.

  4. how can we know the compression ratio of the particular refrigerant compressor, is it possible to calculate it from capacity value which is in tons..please help

  5. Good stuff to know. I’ve finished two semesters of HVAC/R and currently working in the field, but to be able to pull up even more deep seeded education on my computer helps to advance my training.

    Thank You!!

  6. Good explanation. I would like to read more. I arrived from google directly to part 2 but find it difficult to navigate to part 1 and part 3 of the series.

  7. good advice . I once had problem with compressor burn outs it now makes a whole lot of sense thanks guys

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