Performance Test of Scroll Compressor for Cryogenic Refrigeration System

This paper describes the performance test of a helium scroll compressor originally used for Gifford-McMahon (GM) cryocooler. This compressor can also be used for the reverse Brayton cryogenic refrigeration system. In this paper, the performance characteristics of a scroll compressor is experimentally investigated with helium and neon gas to obtain reference data for designing thermodynamic cycle of cryogenic refrigeration system. To maintain constant suction pressure during experiments, an experimental setup contains pressure regulation system which consists of three control valves and gas buffer. Pressures, mass flow rate and power consumption are measured for 400, 450, 500, 550 kPa of suction pressure condition. With experimental measurements, performance characteristics of a helium scroll compressor is investigated. The tested scroll compressor shows the higher isentropic efficiency with helium as a working gas than neon.