scholarly journals Experimental Investigation of Diffuser Hub Injection to Improve Centrifugal Compressor Stability

2005 ◽  
Vol 127 (1) ◽  
pp. 107-117 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gary J. Skoch

Results from a series of experiments to investigate whether centrifugal compressor stability could be improved by injecting air through the diffuser hub surface are reported. The research was conducted in a 4:1 pressure ratio centrifugal compressor configured with a vane-island diffuser. Injector nozzles were located just upstream of the leading edge of the diffuser vanes. Nozzle orientations were set to produce injected streams angled at −8, 0, and +8 degrees relative to the vane mean camber line. Several injection flow rates were tested using both an external air supply and recirculation from the diffuser exit. Compressor flow range did not improve at any injection flow rate that was tested, and generally diminished as injection rate increased. Compressor flow range did improve slightly at zero injection due to the flow resistance created by injector openings on the hub surface. Resistance and flow range both increased as the injector orientation was turned toward radial. Leading edge loading and semivaneless space diffusion showed trends that are similar to those reported earlier from shroud surface experiments that did improve compressor range. Opposite trends are seen for hub injection cases where compressor flow range decreased. The hub injection data further explain the range improvement provided by shroud-side injection and suggest that stability factors cited in the discussion of shroud surface techniques are valid. The results also suggest that a different application of hub-side techniques may produce a range improvement in centrifugal compressors.

Author(s):  
Gary J. Skoch

Results from a series of experiments to investigate whether centrifugal compressor stability could be improved by injecting air through the diffuser hub surface are reported. The research was conducted in a 4:1 pressure ratio centrifugal compressor configured with a vane-island diffuser. Injector nozzles were located just upstream of the leading edge of the diffuser vanes. Nozzle orientations were set to produce injected streams angled at −8, 0 and +8 degrees relative to the vane mean camber line. Several injection flow rates were tested using both an external air supply and recirculation from the diffuser exit. Compressor flow range did not improve at any injection flow rate that was tested and generally diminished as injection rate increased. Compressor flow range did improve slightly at zero injection due to the flow resistance created by injector openings on the hub surface. Resistance and flow range both increased as the injector orientation was turned toward radial. Leading edge loading and semi-vaneless space diffusion show trends that are similar to those reported earlier from shroud surface experiments that did improve compressor range. Opposite trends are seen for hub injection cases where compressor flow range decreased. The hub injection data further explain the range improvement provided by shroud-side injection and suggest that stability factors cited in the discussion of shroud surface techniques are valid. The results also suggest that a different application of hub-side techniques may produce a range improvement in centrifugal compressors.


2011 ◽  
Vol 138-139 ◽  
pp. 471-477
Author(s):  
Islem Benhegouga ◽  
Ce Yang

In the present work steady air injection upstream of the leading edge was used in a centrifugal compressor, Whose preliminary design of compressor injection systems can be modeled by a geometrical relationship between user-specified yaw angle and resulting blade incidence angle based on simple velocity triangles, the error between the best yaw angle obtained from this relationship and that obtained from numerical simulation is less than 3%. To reveal the mechanism, steady numerical simulations were performed on high pressure ratio centrifugal compressor rotor operated with a rotor tip speed of 586 m/s. Parametric studies of the injection yaw angle was performed to determine the configuration that provide the best steady results for the compression systems studied in this work. The injectors were placed at short distance (ten percent of the inlet tip radius upstream of the compressor face) the objective of this was to achieve maximum control over the leading edge flow by varying individual injection parameters. The injection angle, α, was fifteen while the yaw angle, β, was parametrically varied. The results show that at design speed (n= 50 000 r/min) with injection flow rate equal to 3% of the main flow rate and 25 degree air injection yaw angle can lower the mass flow rate at stall for approximately 7.5%.


Author(s):  
A. Whitfield ◽  
F. J. Wallace ◽  
R. C. Atkey

Two variable geometry techniques have been applied to a small turbocharger compressor, with the objective of trying to move the peak pressure ratio operating point to lower flow rates, thereby yielding a broad flow range map. Variable prewhirl guide vanes and variable vaneless diffuser passage height have been studied separately. The results obtained with both techniques are compared and the relative merits and demerits with respect to improved flow range and isentropic efficiency penalties are considered.


2018 ◽  
Vol 22 (Suppl. 2) ◽  
pp. 409-418 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dong-Bo Shi ◽  
Yu-Qi Wang ◽  
Yong-Hui Xie ◽  
Di Zhang

In this paper, based on the thermodynamic design of the supercritical carbon dioxide (sCO2) centrifugal compressor, the design idea of the flow passage geometries and the method to improve the performance of the sCO2 centrifugal compressor are discussed. With the help of commercial software ANSYS CFX, the influence of the shape of the leading edge and trailing edge is studied, and the elliptical leading edge makes the pressure ratio 10.30% higher and the efficiency 3.95% higher than the square leading edge. By changing the forward-swept angle and backward-swept angle of the leading edge, the effects of aerodynamic swept shape in sCO2 centrifugal compressor are discussed. The effect of the gap between the impeller blade and diffuser blade is discussed, and the 10 mm gap makes the performance best. The pressure ratio is increased by 2.5% compared with the original design, while at the same time the efficiency is slightly improved. In summary, based on thermal design of the sCO2 centrifugal compressor, the effects of different flow geometries are analyzed in detail.


Author(s):  
D. Wittrock ◽  
M. Junker ◽  
M. Beversdorff ◽  
A. Peters ◽  
E. Nicke

Abstract In the last decades major improvements in transonic centrifugal compressor design have been achieved. The further exploration of design space is enabled by recent progress in structural mechanics and manufacturing. A challenging task of inducer design especially in terms of transonic inflow conditions is to provide a wide flow range and reduced losses due to a sufficient shock control. The use of so called multidisciplinary design optimization with an extensive amount of free parameters leads finally to complex designs. DLR’s latest Fast Rotating Centrifugal Compressor (SRV5) operates at a design speed of Mu2 = 1.72 and a total pressure ratio of 5.72. This compressor design is characterized by an S-shaped leading edge and free-form blade surfaces. Due to the complex design the key design features are difficult to explore. Therefore, non-intrusive measurements are conducted on the highly loaded SRV5. The Laser-2-Focus (L2F) approach that is used in addition with the Doppler Global Velocimetry (DGV) delivers a three dimensional velocity field. Besides the impeller inflow the ouflow is also part of the experimental and numerical verification of the advanced compressor design. Experimental results are compared with the numerical analysis of the compressor using DLR’s RANS Flow Solver TRACE. The deep insight of the inflow leads to a better understanding of the operating behavior of such impeller designs.


Author(s):  
Jin Tang ◽  
Teemu Turunen-Saaresti ◽  
Arttu Reunanen ◽  
Juha Honkatukia ◽  
Jaakko Larjola

Numerical analysis is conducted for the 3-dimensional impeller and vaneless diffuser of a small centrifugal compressor. The influence of impeller tip clearance is investigated. A Navier-Stokes flow solver Finflo has been applied for the simulation. A practical real gas model has been generated for the calculation. Simulations with different sizes of tip clearance at different mass flow rates have been made. The results are compared to experimental results at a certain tip clearance and one operating point. Reasonable agreement has been obtained. The ideal gas model has also been applied to compare with the real gas model. The numerical results show that tip clearance has a significant effect on the performance of a small centrifugal compressor. As the size of tip clearance increases, both the pressure ratio and the efficiency decrease. The decreasing rate of efficiency is higher at higher mass flow rates and lower at lower mass flow rates. The input power of the compressor hardly changes with different sizes of tip clearance, but increases as the mass flow rate increases. The incidence of impeller and flow angle at the exit of the impeller increase as the size of tip clearance increases. Correlations of the size of tip clearance with the efficiency drop and change of flow angle at the exit of impeller are given. The detailed flow distribution shows that as the size of tip clearance increases, the tangential leaking flow at the tip clearance makes the low velocity flow region grow larger and move from the suction-shroud corner to the center of the flow channel. The main flow at the pressure side is compressed and accelerated. Therefore the uniformity of the flow in the whole channel decreases. The detailed flow distribution also shows that the leaking flow is stronger at higher mass flow rates.


Author(s):  
Xinqian Zheng ◽  
Yangjun Zhang ◽  
Mingyang Yang ◽  
Takahiro Bamba ◽  
Hideaki Tamaki

This is the Part II of a two-part paper involving the development of asymmetric flow control method to widen the operating range of a turbocharger centrifugal compressor with high-pressure-ratio. Non-axisymmetric Self Recirculation Casing Treatment (SRCT) as an instance of asymmetric flow control method is presented. Experimental and numerical methods were used to investigate the impact of non-axisymmetric SRCT on surge point of the centrifugal compressor. Firstly, the influence of the geometry of a symmetric SRCT on the compressor performance was studied by means of numerical simulation. The key parameter of the SRCT was found to be the distance from the main blade leading edge to the rear groove (Sr). Next, several arrangements of a non-axisymmetric SRCT were designed, based on flow analysis presented in Part I. Then, a series of experiments was carried out to analyze the influence of non-axisymmetric SRCT on the compressor performance. Results show that the non-axisymmetry SRCT has certain influence on performance and has a larger potential for stability improvement than the traditional symmetric SRCT. For the investigated SRCT, the surge flow rate of the compressor with the non-axisymmetric SRCT is about 10% lower than that of the compressor with symmetric SRCT. The largest surge margin (smallest surge flow rate) can be obtained when the phase of the largest Sr is coincident with the phase of the minimum static pressure in the vicinity of the leading edge of the splitter blades.


Author(s):  
W. W. Clements ◽  
D. W. Artt

A series of experiments was carried out on two turbocharger compressors to determine the influence of pressure face angle, semi-vaneless space suction surface profile and diffuser leading edge radius ratio on stage performance. It was found that whilst compressor performance was virtually unaffected by changes in pressure face angle, performance was sensitive to changes in the semi-vaneless space suction surface profile. Straight wedge diffusers produced higher stage efficiencies than any diffuser with a concave suction surface profile between the leading edge and throat. Optimum stage performance was achieved with diffuser leading edge radius ratios between 1.06 and 1.10.


2012 ◽  
Vol 135 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Xinqian Zheng ◽  
Yangjun Zhang ◽  
Mingyang Yang ◽  
Takahiro Bamba ◽  
Hideaki Tamaki

This is part II of a two-part paper involving the development of an asymmetrical flow control method to widen the operating range of a turbocharger centrifugal compressor with high-pressure ratio. A nonaxisymmetrical self-recirculation casing treatment (SRCT) as an instance of asymmetrical flow control method is presented. Experimental and numerical methods were used to investigate the impact of nonaxisymmetrical SRCT on the surge point of the centrifugal compressor. First, the influence of the geometry of a symmetric SRCT on the compressor performance was studied by means of numerical simulation. The key parameter of the SRCT was found to be the distance from the main blade leading edge to the rear groove (Sr). Next, several arrangements of a nonaxisymmetrical SRCT were designed, based on flow analysis presented in part I. Then, a series of experiments were carried out to analyze the influence of nonaxisymmetrical SRCT on the compressor performance. Results show that the nonaxisymmetrical SRCT has a certain influence on the performance and has a larger potential for stability improvement than the traditional symmetric SRCT. For the investigated SRCT, the surge flow rate of the compressor with the nonaxisymmetrical SRCTs is about 10% lower than that of the compressor with symmetric SRCT. The largest surge margin (smallest surge flow rate) can be obtained when the phase of the largest Sr is coincident with the phase of the minimum static pressure in the vicinity of the leading edge of the splitter blades.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simone Corbò ◽  
Tommaso Wolfler ◽  
Nicola Banchi ◽  
Ippolito Furgiuele ◽  
Majid Farooq

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to present the various technological solutions optimized for the use of hydrogen, in transport, distribution, storage and utilization, analyzing their criticalities and advantages. Hydrogen compression is a fundamental step in the transportation and storage segments and continuous improvement are required. The greatest technological challenges are certainly the high pressures required for the various fields of use, the need to maintain a clean gas and to use materials that are not subject to embrittlement. The choice between the different compression technologies is based on the need for pressures and flow rates; in the case of high flow rates and low compression ratios a centrifugal compressor is preferable, while for low flow rates and high compression ratios the choice goes to piston compressors. To prevent gas contamination, dry reciprocating compressor are preferred because they allow to avoid an oil separator filter on the discharge. Current technology of reciprocating compressors allows to compress hydrogen up to 300 bar with lubricated machines, while with dry technology it is possible to reach up to 250 bar. A second criticality on reciprocating compressors is maintenance: the parts subject to wear need to be serviced every 8000 hour of operation. The use of innovative materials will increase the maintenance intervals reaching higher pressures without lubrication. To increase the pressure ratio with centrifugal compressor, it's needed to increase the rotating speed, therefore the peripheral speed, with materials suitable for H2, stages get high compression to reduce the number of compressor bodies. If the process conditions require high delivery pressures combined with large flow rates, a solution of centrifugal compressors alone would be able to manage the flow rate but not the required delivery pressure. On the other hand, the use of reciprocating compressors would require a considerable number of units. In this case, therefore, the optimal solution is to combine the two technologies, centrifugal and pistons, using the best features. A case study in which the superior performances of the hybrid solution in terms of total cost of ownership will be described and compared with traditional single technology compression train


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