The Friction Characteristics of the Journal Bearing in the Refrigerant Compressor

The rotary-vane compressor has become one of the most successful types of compressors because of its mechanical reliability, compactness, and adaptability to moderately high-speed operation in virtually an unlimited range of sizes. However recently, the depletion of the ozone layer due to the current refrigerant(R22) has been getting worse, and it is one of the world's pressing issues. In this paper, we will discuss the use of R410a in the compressor of a room air-conditioner as an alternative refrigerant and air-conditioning system to R22, since R410a has greater refrigerant characteristics than R22. Miniaturization of the rotary compressor for the new refrigerant and air-conditioning system is also possible, which reduces the prime cost of production, hence R410a is naturally a better refrigerant. But to apply the new HFC refrigerant system in refrigeration and air-conditioning systems, a significant redesign of the current refrigerant system is also required, because as the refrigeration changes, lubrication characteristics vary. Close attention must be paid to friction force and energy loss due to friction and wear at many sliding areas.