Specific application recommendations
Discharge line and reversing
valve
The Danfoss PSH scroll compressor is a high
volumetric machine and, as such, can rapidly
build up pressure in the discharge line if gas
in the line becomes obstructed even for a very
short period of time which situation may occur
with slow-acting reversing valves in heat pumps.
Discharge pressures exceeding the operating
envelope may result in nuisance high-pressure
switch cutouts and place excess strain on both
the bearings and motor.
To prevent such occurrences, it is important that
a 1-meter minimum discharge line length be
allowed between the compressor discharge port
and the reversing valve or any other restriction.
This gives sufficient free volume for the discharge
gas to collect and to reduce the pressure peak
during the time it takes for the valve to change
position. At the same time, it is important that
the selection and sizing of the reversing or 4-way
valve ensure that the valve switches quickly
enough to prevent against too high discharge
pressure and nuisance high-pressure cutouts.
Check with the valve manufacturer for optimal
sizing and recommended mounting positions.
In order to limit liquid amount handled per
compressor when beginning & ending defrost,
one of the defrost, it is recommended to stop
compressor before moving the 4 way valve:
- First stop compressors
- Wait for 10 seconds
- Move the 4 way valve
- Wait for 2 seconds
- Restart the compressors.
The use of a suction line accumulator is strongly
recommended in reversible-cycle applications.
This because of the possibility of a substantial
quantity of liquid refrigerant remaining in the
evaporator, which acts as a condenser during the
heating cycle.
This liquid refrigerant can then return to the
compressor, either flooding the sump with
refrigerant or as a dynamic liquid slug when
the cycle switches back to a defrost cycle or to
normal cooling operations.
Sustained and repeated liquid slugging and
flood back can seriously impair the oil’s ability
to lubricate the compressor bearings. This
situation can be observed in wet climates where
it is necessary to frequently defrost the outdoor
coil in an air source heat pump. In such cases a
suction accumulator becomes mandatory.
Suction line accumulator
Defrost and reverse cycle
The Danfoss PSH scroll compressor has the
ability to withstand a certain amount of liquid
refrigerant dynamic slug. However we advise that
the system is unloaded to the minimum capacity
step for defrost or when the cycle is reversed.
Apart from residual moisture in the system
after commissioning, water could also enter the
refrigeration circuit during operation. Water in
the system shall always be avoided. Not only
because it can shortly lead to electrical failure,
sludge in sump and corrosion but in particular
because it can cause serious safety risks.
Common causes for water leaks are corrosion and
freezing.
Corrosion
: Materials in the system shall be
compliant with water and protected against
corrosion.
Freezing
: When water freezes into ice its volume
expands which can damage heat exchanger
walls and cause leaks. During off periods water
inside heat exchangers could start freezing when
ambient temperature is lower than 0°C. During
on periods ice banking could occur when the
circuit is running continuously at too low load.
Both situations should be avoided by connecting
a pressure and thermostat switch in the safety
line.
Water utilizing systems
27
FRCC.PC.022.A4.02
Application Guidelines
