Evaluating Scroll Refrigerant Compressors for Reducing Size and Weight of Military Aircraft ECS

A pod-mounted aircraft environmental control system, incorporating a two-stage Scroll-type refrigerant compressor, was designed to achieve minimum weight, volume, and electric power input. Alternative thermodynamic cycles, common refrigerants and azeotropes, capacity controls, cooling techniques, operating speeds, and pressure ratios were evaluated. A breadboard Scroll compressor design was completed. In the next phases of this hardware program, two prototype compressors will be fabricated and tested to evaluate performance.