Abstract
In this paper, a test apparatus for reliability evaluation of a rotary compressor has been suggested with a short-cycle concept. $CO_2$ refrigerant is adopted for this cycle to avoid phase change during cycle operation. Evaporator is not necessary in short-cycle. Utilizing a short-cycle, the test apparatus was built on the purpose of evaluating the reliability of each rotary compressor on the conveyer belt of the factory. The primary validation of the test apparatus is discussed by analyzing the experimental heat balance data. Additional validation was performed through the overload continuous operation test where the wear rate of the $CO_2$ short-cycle was found to similar to that of the R22 normal-cycle. The reliability evaluation test apparatus with a short-cycle in present investigation was found simple and efficient in the view of reducing sample numbers, costs, and test time in analyzing the reliability of rotary compressors.
