Volume 15, Issue 7

Experimental Analysis of Superheat and Subcooling Effects on Compressor Power Consumption and Cooling Performance of a 5-Ton York Air Conditioning System under Kuwait Climate Conditions

Author

Eng Sayed Fadhel Abdullah, Eng Usama Saleh Aldhaif

Abstract

Air conditioning systems play a critical role in maintaining indoor thermal comfort, particularly in hot climate regions where cooling systems operate under severe outdoor conditions for extended periods. Improper adjustment of refrigerant operating parameters, especially superheat and subcooling, can significantly affect compressor operation, energy consumption, and overall system efficiency. This study experimentally investigates the effects of superheat and subcooling variations on the electrical and thermal performance of a 5-ton York packaged air conditioning system operating with R410A refrigerant under Kuwait climate conditions. The experimental investigation was conducted by adjusting the refrigerant operating conditions, specifically superheat and subcooling levels, and evaluating their impact on key performance parameters, including compressor power consumption, electrical current, cooling capacity, refrigerant pressures, and coefficient of performance (COP). Several operating cases with different superheat and subcooling settings were analyzed to establish the relationship between refrigerant control parameters and system performance. All measurements were performed under steady-state operating conditions. Each operating point was recorded after the system had reached thermal equilibrium to ensure stable and reliable readings. Due to experimental facility limitations, repeated full experimental runs for each condition were not performed. Instead, measurement uncertainty was evaluated based on the accuracy specifications of the measuring instruments provided by the manufacturers, and this uncertainty was considered in the interpretation of the results. The results demonstrate that increasing superheat from 5°C to 20°C increased compressor power consumption by 19.5% and reduced cooling capacity by 12.5%. In contrast, optimized subcooling improved refrigerant flow stability, increased cooling capacity, and enhanced the coefficient of performance (COP) by reducing flash gas formation before the expansion device. These findings highlight the importance of proper refrigerant charge adjustment and operating condition control to achieve improved energy efficiency and reliable compressor operation. This study provides practical guidelines for HVAC technicians and system operators to optimize air conditioning performance under high ambient temperature conditions similar to Kuwait’s climate, contributing to energy savings and extended equipment lifetime.

Keywords: Superheat; Subcooling; R410A Refrigerant; Compressor Power Consumption; Cooling Capacity; COP; York Air Conditioning System; Kuwait Climate.

DOI: https://doi.org/10.62226/ijarst20262729

References

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DOI

https://doi.org/10.62226/ijarst20262729

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