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• Method to scale the scroll compressor for different cooling capacities and refrigerants. • Validation of scroll compressor model in PDSim. • Performance evaluation of low-GWP refrigerants in scroll compressor. Performance evaluation of low-GWP refrigerants in scroll compressor is carried out to aid the selection of suitable refrigerant for different applications. The open-source modeling platform PDSim, used for this study, is based on the mechanistic chamber model that has the accuracy comparable to the heuristic methods. A scaling model is developed to design and select the scroll geometry for 1–100 ton range of cooling capacity and seven refrigerants. This method is based on manufacturing constraints and minimization of leakage. Additionally, the ports and the bearings are scaled to make their effect fair for a range of capacities and refrigerants. The simulation model is validated using two example scroll compressors. The predicted mass flow rate and power are within 3% MAE while the isentropic efficiency is within 4% mean absolute error. A validated model and standard AHRI conditions are used for the performance evaluation of the refrigerants over a range of 1 to 100 tons of refrigeration capacity. Seven refrigerants are studied including low-pressure refrigerants, R1234ze(E) and R1234yf, medium-pressure refrigerants, R410A, R32, R454B, and R452B and high-pressure R744. The results suggest that an optimum range exists for each refrigerant to achieve good compressor performance. The leakage area is the primary contributor to the scroll compressor performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• 0-D/1-D compressor model. • PDSim. • Programming platforms evaluation. Several regulatory measures aimed to mitigate climate change are forcing compressor manufacturers to replace current refrigerants to those with low Global Warming Potential (GWP). New refrigerants need to be evaluated to ensure adequate efficiency for use in modern products. Evaluation can be done heuristically, which is expensive and time-consuming, while a carefully designed simulation model can provide similar outcomes for a significantly reduced cost. This paper presents a comparison between various user-developed and existing reciprocating compressor models to assist in the selection of a suitable modeling platform for a wide-ranging study. The reciprocating compressor is selected because of the simplicity of the model to ensure consistency across different platforms. The user-developed models are developed in MATLABTM and ModelicaTM for the reciprocating compressor. The same compressor is also modeled using existing compressor modeling platforms, PDSim and GT-SuiteTM. The compressor model includes three main components; geometry, compression process and frictional losses. Other sub-models, like valve model and heat transfer model, are also part of the compression process. These platforms are evaluated based on both quantitative and qualitative criteria. ModelicaTM is found to be computationally efficient while GT-SuiteTM took maximum time for simulation among the compared platforms. On a qualitative basis, PDSim is potentially a better platform for compressor optimization; which is also readily available to end user due to its open-source nature and prospects for future model development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]