Vibration analysis of compressor piping system with fluid pulsation

A piping system connected to a rotary compressor is an essential component for refrigerant transport in air-conditioning systems. The vibration of the pipes has been thought to be generated only by the mechanical forces due to the compressor operation. In this study, the fluid pulsation in the pipe is considered to be a source of the vibration, as well as the mechanical forces by the compressor operation. The mechanical force was first identified experimentally using measured acceleration signals over the shell. The calculation of the fluid force resulting from the pulsating fluid in the pipe was then derived theoretically. The estimation used the pressure pulsation signal in the pipe measured by a pressure transducer. Both sources of the vibration were finally applied to the finite element model of the piping system. Conclusively, the prediction of the vibration response to both sources showed better agreement with the experimental results than prediction considering only the mechanical force. Therefore the theoretical process deriving the fluid force was valid.