Discharge mufflers

[catkicker]

One of the AC units I scrounged had a discharge muffler on it. I understand what they are used for. Would it be worth having one of these installed on a chiller unit?

[Stewie007]

If its free, why not?

I wouldn't spend any money on one though.

[RussC]

Can you explain what a "discharge muffler" is for? I know what the words mean, but in refrigeration, what is it for exacly?

thanks,
RussC

[catkicker]

Discharge mufflers are used to smooth out gas pulsations and reduce vibration and noise. prices are anywheres from $40.00 up to hundreds

[RussC]

Thanks,
RussC

[catkicker]

I don't know if it would improve much on overall noise or if theres any performance gain with one of these installed. that a question for the more experienced ones to answer. I would use it if it was worth the effort.

[Stewie007]

They aren't designed for performace gains. They are designed to muffle :)

If its not something you found, don't bother.

[epion2985]

If it helps with noise then bother indeed. Well worth a 40$ investment and a few extra minutes to braze it in when you are starting a new rig in my opinion.

[expansionvalve]

Unless you have a noise issue I'm not sure it would be worth fitting it, if you had a condenser check valve in there and a reverse cycle for defrost then yeah, you may need a muffler to shut the check valve up but on a small basic system?? I know I do not need one on my 1/3 hp chiller.

You should carry out an experiment. Set the rig up without muffler and load test it, note performace and things, then later down the line fit the muffler and see what happens, I think you may see a slight performance loss perhaps, I think the unit may take a little longer to cool due to slight loss in discharge line speed, I'm unsure on that one, I'm pretty certain that I have read that some mufflers can reduce capacity a little.

[Stewie007]

In a system such as this its almost garunteed.