User Guide

Hot Gas Bypass and Desuperheating TEVs
Systems which are required to operate at load conditions
below the unloading capabilities of their compressors pres-
ent an additional design problem. To balance the system
under these conditions, bypassing a controlled amount of
hot gas to the suction side of the system provides a practical
solution. Bypassing hot gas is accomplished with a modu-
lating control valve known as a discharge bypass valve.
Sporlan manufactures a complete line of these valves. For
details, refer to Bulletin 90-40.
For close coupled systems, the preferred method of hot gas
bypass is bypassing to the inlet of the evaporator. This
method has three advantages: (1) the TEV will respond to
the increased superheat of the vapor leaving the evapora-
tor and will provide the liquid required for desuperheating;
(2) the evaporator serves as an excellent mixing chamber
for the bypassed hot gas and the liquid vapor mixture from
the TEV; and (3) oil return from the evaporator is improved
since the refrigerant velocity in the evaporator is kept high
by the hot gas.
For multi-evaporator or remote systems, bypassing hot gas
directly into the suction line in the manner illustrated in
Figure 11 may be necessary. In addition to the discharge
bypass valve, an auxiliary TEV known as a desuperheating
TEV is required to supply the necessary liquid refrigerant to
cool the discharge gas entering the suction line. Compressor
manufacturers generally rate their air conditioning compres-
sors for a 65°F return gas temperature, and this temperature
is usually appropriate for selecting desuperheating TEVs.
Many refrigeration and low temperature compressors, how-
ever, require lower suction gas temperatures to prevent dis-
charge gas temperatures from rising too high and damaging
compressor parts and carbonizing oil. Consult the compressor
manufacturer if the maximum permissible suction gas tem-
perature for a compressor is not known.
Sporlan has developed special desuperheating thermostatic
charges. See Table 5 below. Each charge will allow the desu-
perheating TEV to control the listed suction gas superheat.
For suction gas temperatures that require superheats other
than those listed, contact the Sporlan Division of Parker or
the compressor manufacturer for assistance.
Sizing a desuperheating valve involves determining the
amount of refrigerant liquid necessary to reduce the suc-
tion gas temperature to the proper level. For hot gas bypass
applications, a desuperheating valve can be properly sized
from the selection procedure provided in Bulletin 90-40.
An externally equalized TEV is recommended for most desu-
perheating applications. If the piping of the desuperheating
TEV is close coupled, an internally equalized valve may be
used. Figure 11 illustrates the use of an externally equal-
ized desuperheating TEV. Refer to the section, Equalization
Method on Page 5 for further information on this subject.
When piping the discharge bypass valve and the desuper-
heating TEV, remember that good mixing of the discharge
gas and liquid must be obtained before the mixture reaches
the sensing bulb of the desuperheating TEV. Improper mix-
ing may produce unstable system operation causing the
desuperheating TEV to hunt. Proper mixing can be accom-
plished in two ways: (1) install a suction line accumulator
downstream of both valve outlet connections with the desu-
perheating TEV bulb downstream of the accumulator; or (2)
mix the liquid vapor mixture from the desuperheating TEV
and the hot gas from the bypass valve together before con-
necting a common line to the suction line. The latter method
is illustrated in Figure 11.
Off-Cycle Pressure Equalization
Certain applications utilizing low starting torque single
phase compressor motors (e.g., a permanent split capacitor
motor) require some means of pressure equalization during
system offcycle. Pressure equalization is necessary since low
starting torque compressors are not capable of restarting
against a large pressure differential. Typical applications
requiring pressure equalization are small air conditioning
and heat pump systems which frequently cycle on and off in
response to a thermostat.
Permanent Bleed Port Any Sporlan thermostatic
expansion valve may be ordered with a bleed port. Standard
bleed port sizes are: 5%, 10%, 15%, 20%, 30%, and 40%.
Bleed ports are designated by the percentage they increase
nominal valve capacity at 40°F evaporator temperature.
For example, a 2 ton TEV with a 30% bleed will have the
capacity of: 2 x 1.3 = 2.6 tons. Refer to Page 17 for Ordering
instructions. Please contact Sporlan for assistance in select-
ing appropriate bleed port sizes.
The subject of pressure equalization during system off-
cycle should not be confused with the external equalizer of
the TEV. System pressure equalization is accomplished by
allowing a certain amount of refrigerant to leak through a
machined notch or hole in the valve seat during system off-
cycle. The external equalizer of the TEV, however, simply
allows the valve to sense evaporator pressure. The external
equalizer does not provide pressure equalization during
system off-cycle.
Page 12 / BULLETIN 10-9
SEGRAHCCITATSOMREHT*
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tnaregirfeR
saGnoitcuS
*taehrepuS
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gnitaropavEelbawollAmuminiM
daoLdecudeRtaerutarepmeT
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04 ° urht 51 ° 61 ° urht 04 °
134a,21
25
L2
L1
35
L2
45 L3
22
25
L1 L1
35
45 L2 L2
,A404
705,205
35
L1 L1
45
* For suction gas temperatures that require superheats other than those listed
above, contact the Sporlan Division of Parker or the compressor manufacturer
for assistance.
External Equalizer
Evaporator
Compressor
See•All
Solenoid
Valve
TEV
Catch-All
Condenser
Receiver
External Equalizer
Desuperheating
TEV
Hot Gas
Solenoid Valve
Discharge
Bypass
Valve
Figure 11
Table 5