Refrigerant piping for split-type air-conditioning system: software automation

Abstract

Correct line sizing is important in the design of refrigerant piping system as it helps minimize the pressure losses which cause inefficiency of the refrigeration system. Toward this end, the study developed refrigeration piping software which serves as a tool and guide for the proper design of refrigerant piping system. This windows-based program is easy to use and is equipped with different features which will help the designer in actual installation of split type air conditioning unit.

The objective of this study is to create simulation software for designing refrigerant piping system which will determine the minimum pipe size required to deliver refrigerant between the compressor/condenser and evaporator within specified pressure loss limits. This study also establishes the relation between the design parameters of the refrigerant piping system and pressure loss limits. The equation used in computing system capacity is based on empirical equation. ASHRAE equations were also used in solving temperature drop and pressure drop. The programming language used in is Visual Basic Software or known as VB programming language.

The result of the study provides engineers the essential parameters for designing refrigerant piping system. It helps the designer visualize the different refrigerant piping layout with its corresponding pressure losses. The results of pressure losses of this software are closely the same with the pressure drop using Darcy’s equation.