Numerical Investigation of the Effect of Tip Clearance to the Performance of a Small Centrifugal Compressor

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin Tang ◽  
Teemu Turunen-Saaresti ◽  
Arttu Reunanen ◽  
Juha Honkatukia ◽  
Jaakko Larjola
Keyword(s):  
Mass Flow ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Flow Distribution ◽  
Ideal Gas ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Real Gas ◽  
Mass Flow Rates

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.

Effect of Area Ratio on the Aerodynamic Performance of Parallel Wall Volute Casing of an Industrial Centrifugal Fan

2012 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Hariharan ◽  
M. Govardhan
Keyword(s):  
Mass Flow ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Flow Distribution ◽  
Centrifugal Fan ◽  
Centrifugal Blower ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Uniform Flow Distribution ◽  
Mass Flow Rates ◽  
Parallel Wall ◽  
Varying Mass

To design a compact centrifugal fan with parallel wall volute, the ratio between the impeller exit width (B2) and volute width (B5) is kept high. In the present study, a detailed numerical simulation of parallel wall volutes for backward curved centrifugal blower with different (B5/B2) ratios (4 and 5) is carried out. These simulations are done for varying mass flow rates. By increasing the ratio from 4 to 5, the material required by the volute can be reduced by 15%. The analysis of the flow field shows that an increase in the B5/B2 ratio causes a slight decrease in the pressure ratio and efficiency at higher mass flow rates. At the outlet of the impeller, higher ratio volute generates a more uniform flow distribution which reduces the structural load on the impeller.

Effects of Inlet Mass Flow Distribution and Magnitude on Reactant Distribution for PEM Fuel Cells

2005 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-50 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. McGarry ◽  
L. Grega
Keyword(s):  
Fuel Cell ◽  
Mass Flow ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Flow Separation ◽  
Flow Distribution ◽  
Pem Fuel Cells ◽  
Local Flow ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Large Active Area ◽  
Mass Flow Rates

The mass flow distribution and local flow structures that lead to areas of reactant starvation are explored for a small power large active area PEM fuel cell. A numerical model was created to examine the flow distribution for three different inlet profiles; blunt, partially developed, and fully developed. The different inlet profiles represent the various distances between the blower and the inlet to the fuel cell and the state of flow development. The partially and fully developed inlet profiles were found to have the largest percentage of cells that are deficient, 20% at a flow rate of 6.05 g/s. Three different inlet mass flow rates (stoichs) were also examined for each inlet profile. The largest percent of cells deficient in reactants is 27% and occurs at the highest flow rate of 9.1 g/s (3 stoichs) for the partially and fully developed turbulent profiles. In addition to the uneven flow distribution, flow separation occurs in the front four channels for the blunt inlet profile at all flow rates examined. These areas of flow separation lead to localized reactant deficient areas within a channel.

Numerical Analysis of the Flow Inside a Centrifugal Compressor’s Vaneless Diffuser and Volute

2001 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hooman Rezaei ◽  
Abraham Engeda ◽  
Paul Haley
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Numerical Analysis ◽  
Mass Flow ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Vaneless Diffuser ◽  
Flow Angle ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Mass Flow Rates ◽  
Minimum Medium ◽  
Good Agreement

Abstract The objective of this work was to perform numerical analysis of the flow inside a modified single stage CVHF 1280 Trane centrifugal compressor’s vaneless diffuser and volute. Gambit was utilized to read the casing geometry and generating the vaneless diffuser. An unstructured mesh was generated for the path from vaneless diffuser inlet to conic diffuser outlet. At the same time a meanline analysis was performed corresponding to speeds and mass flow rates of the experimental data in order to obtain the absolute velocity and flow angle leaving the impeller for those operating conditions. These values and experimental data were used as inlet and outlet boundary conditions for the simulations. Simulations were performed in Fluent 5.0 for three speeds of 2000, 3000 and 3497 RPM and mass flow rates of minimum, medium and maximum. Results are in good agreement with the experimental ones and present the flow structures inside the vaneless diffuser and volute.

Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Different Rectangular Volute Geometries for Large Radial Compressors

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Bartelt ◽  
Thomas Kwitschinski ◽  
Thomas Ceyrowsky ◽  
Daniel Grates ◽  
Joerg R. Seume
Keyword(s):  
Mass Flow ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
High Mass ◽  
Local Flow ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Reduced Dimensions ◽  
External Reference ◽  
Mass Flow Rates ◽  
Compressor Map ◽  
Operating Points

Increases on mass flow rates of modern radial process compressors result on larger machine components. In particular, the dimensions of the outlet volutes increase strongly, resulting in disproportionately large machines whose technical feasibility is restricted due to technological and economical reasons. A resulting aim is to design modern radial compressors much more compact, while improving the efficiency and the pressure ratio. Therefore, the present experimental investigation addresses the compressor behaviour for reduced dimensions of rectangular volutes. Furthermore, the experimental setups are numerically modelled and different operating points are simulated with a commercial CFD-Code. A rectangular, external reference volute is equipped with differently shaped blockage-inlays and the global compressor parameters are measured for all variants. Additionally, the pressure and velocity distributions of the local flow field are determined experimentally for varying mass flow ratios at different circumferentially distributed volute layers. The decrease of the volute cross-section results in a reduction of the compressor map width especially at high mass flow rates. Recommendations are given for designing compact volutes of large radial compressors.

Review of Critical Flowmeters for Gas Flow Measurements

1962 ◽  
Vol 84 (4) ◽  
pp. 447-457 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. T. Arnberg
Keyword(s):  
Mass Flow ◽  
Flow Measurement ◽  
Gas Flow ◽  
Flow Measurements ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Real Gas ◽  
Discharge Coefficients ◽  
Critical Nozzles ◽  
Mass Flow Rates ◽  
Flow Functions

Critical flowmeters for accurately measuring the mass flow rates of nonreacting real gases were reviewed. Discussions were presented on theoretical flow functions, on parameters for correlating discharge coefficients, and on the importance of real gas properties. The performance characteristics of critical nozzles and orifices of several designs were reviewed. Approaches were discussed to problems which must be researched before the fullest potential of this type of flow measurement can be realized.

Mass flow rate for nearly-free molecular slit flow

1969 ◽  
Vol 35 (3) ◽  
pp. 599-608 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Daniel Stewart
Keyword(s):  
Mass Flow ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Molecular Flow ◽  
Two Dimensional ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Average Mass ◽  
Slit Flow ◽  
Mass Flow Rates ◽  
Flow Through ◽  
Tank Pressure

The local and average mass flow rates for nearly free molecular flow through a two-dimensional slit are determined for several tank pressure ratios. The equilibrium gas in the two tanks and the container walls are assumed to be at the same temperature and the Willis iterative method with the Bhatnager-Gross-Krook model is used for the analysis. The results for an infinite pressure ratio are also presented in order to illustrate the effects of a finite pressure ratio.

Performance Characteristics of a Centrifugal Compressor with Air Injection

1973 ◽  
Vol 187 (1) ◽  
pp. 425-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Ledger ◽  
R. S. Benson ◽  
H. Furukawa
Keyword(s):  
Mass Flow ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Total Mass ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Performance Characteristics ◽  
Air Injection ◽  
Delivery Pressure ◽  
Mass Flow Rates ◽  
The Right

The parameters which influence the performance characteristics of centrifugal compressors with air injection through nozzles at the rotor tip are developed using both dimensional analysis and a simple model. Experiments on a small centrifugal compressor show that the injection air pressure is the main influence on the overall performance such as excess torque, increased delivery pressure and increased delivery flow. With air injection the pressure-mass flow characteristics are displaced to the right with surge occurring at increased total mass flow rates and the overall pressure ratio across the compressor is increased for the same total mass flow.

Calibration of a V-Cone for Low Mass Flows for Small Core Compressor Research

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia E. Stephens ◽  
Sameer Kulkarni
Keyword(s):  
Mass Flow ◽  
High Speed ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Axial Compressor ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Turbofan Engines ◽  
Mass Flow Rates ◽  
Low Mass ◽  
Mass Flows ◽  
Multistage Axial Compressor

Abstract Advancements in core compressor technologies are necessary for next generation, high Overall Pressure Ratio (OPR) turbofan engines. High pressure compressors (HPCs) for future engines are being designed with exit corrected mass flow rates less than 2.25 kg/s (5 lbm/s). In order to accurately measure the performance of these advanced designs, high accuracy measurements are needed in test facilities. The W7 High Speed Multistage Axial Compressor Facility at NASA Glenn Research Center has been used to acquire data for advanced compressor designs. This facility utilizes an advanced differential pressure flow meter called a V-Cone. The facility has historically tested components with physical mass flow rates in the range of 27 to 45 kg/s (60 to 100 lbm/s). As such, when the V-Cone was calibrated prior to installation, the calibrations focused on higher mass flow rates, and uncertainties in that regime range from 0.5% to 0.85%. However, for low mass flow rates under 9 kg/s (20 lbm/s), expected in tests of advanced high OPR HPCs rear stages, the uncertainties of the V-Cone exceed 2.5%. To address this, using a method similar to that utilized by the National Institute of Standards and Technology, an array of Critical Flow Venturi Nozzles (CFVs) was installed in the W7 test section and used to calibrate the V-Cone in 0.5 kg/s (1 lbm/s) increments up to 10.5 kg/s (23 lbm/s). This effort details the measurements and uncertainties associated with this calibration which resulted in a final uncertainty of the V-Cone measurements under 1%.

Performance Characteristics of a Centrifugal Compressor with Air Injection

1973 ◽  
Vol 187 (1) ◽  
pp. 425-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. D. Ledger ◽  
R. S. Benson ◽  
H. Furukawa
Keyword(s):  
Mass Flow ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Total Mass ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Flow Characteristics ◽  
Performance Characteristics ◽  
Air Injection ◽  
Delivery Pressure ◽  
Mass Flow Rates ◽  
The Right

The parameters which influence the performance characteristics of centrifugal compressors with air injection through nozzles at the rotor tip are developed using both dimensional analysis and a simple model. Experiments on a small centrifugal compressor show that the injection air pressure is the main influence on the overall performance such as excess torque, increased delivery pressure and increased delivery flow. With air injection the pressure-mass flow characteristics are displaced to the right with surge occurring at increased total mass flow rates and the overall pressure ratio across the compressor is increased for the same total mass flow.

Investigation of Effects of Radial Distortion on Transonic Fan Behavior

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dmytro M. Voytovych ◽  
Guoping Xia ◽  
Chenzhou Lian ◽  
Charles L. Merkle
Keyword(s):  
Mass Flow Rate ◽  
Mass Flow ◽  
Flow Rate ◽  
Total Pressure ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Tip Vortex ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Mass Flow Rates ◽  
Transonic Fan ◽  
Total Pressure Ratio

The flow analysis around blades of a transonic fan is presented for both clean and radially distorted inlets. Computations are shown for four-blade passages that are accomplished with a second order accurate code using a k-ω turbulence model. The mass flow rate along a speed line is controlled by varying a choked nozzle downstream of the fan. The results show good agreement with data for three speed lines. In the near-stall region, the flow first becomes unsteady and then unstable with the unsteadiness increasing at lower speeds. The four-blade simulations remained stable to lower mass flow rates than the single-blade simulations. In the near-stall vicinity, tip vortex breakdown occurred creating a low momentum zone near the blade tip on the pressure side that grew as the mass flow was decreased until it eventually blocked the passage. The presence of distortion reduced the operational range and moved the stall line to higher mass flow rates. At high speeds distortion reduced both the mass flow rate and total pressure ratio while at lower speeds, the choking mass flow rate was reduced, but the total pressure ratio was slightly improved. The flow separation near the hub on the suction side was caused by the distortion. Its size was decreasing with rotational speed.

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