Hyung Suk Han/Weui Bong Jeong/Min Seong Kim/Tae Hoon Kim
The Journal of Mechanical Science and Technology, vol. 23, no. 12, pp.3245-3256, 2009

Abstract : Refrigerant-induced noises, which occur irregularly at special thermodynamic cycle conditions, are frequently cited by residential customers who use refrigerators. However, these noises are very difficult to resolve and their root causes cannot usually be exactly identified. In this research, the root causes of the irregular refrigerant-induced noise are estimated through the theories of two-phase flow and bubble dynamics. Also, by using refrigerant-supplying equipment that can continuously supply refrigerant to the test unit at typical cycle conditions, the flow patterns of the evaporator in vertical and horizontal pipes are inspected and their noises are simultaneously measured. Through the observation of the relationship between the flow pattern and the refrigerant-induced noise, the root causes of this irregular refrigerant noise can be identified and verified.

Keyword : 2-phase; Refrigerant-induced noise; Flow pattern map; Refrigerant-supplying equipment; Evaporator-inlet