Experiment study on the influence of four-way reversing valve leakage on heat pump performance

To investigate the heat pump performances at the condition of four-way reversing valve leakage, a test-rig was built by which tests were conducted, and experimental data such as pressure and temperature of compressor suction and discharge, air temperature difference through the indoor coil, and compressor power consumed were measured. The experimental results show that the leakage makes the pressures of compressor suction and discharge declined, the temperatures of compressor suction and discharged increased, the air temperature difference of indoor coil lowered to 0.9°C, and the compressor input power to be only 58.6% of that without leakage, which means the performance of heat pump has been seriously affected by the leakage of four-way reversing valve. The results are helpful to the fault detection of four-way reversing valve and the performance diagnosis of heat pumps.