Numerical Investigation on the Labyrinth Seal Design for a Low Flow Coefficient Centrifugal Compressor

2010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiheng Wang ◽  
Liqun Xu ◽  
Guang Xi
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Labyrinth Seal ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Design Parameters ◽  
Centrifugal Impeller ◽  
Computational Domain ◽  
Cfd Simulations ◽  
Isentropic Efficiency ◽  
Low Flow Coefficient

The leakage flow across the shroud of a centrifugal compressor impeller has an important effect on the compressor’s performance, in particular, in the low flow coefficient compressor. This paper presents the three-dimensional CFD simulations and the Radial Basis Function (RBF) model to investigate the aerodynamic performance of the labyrinth seal as well as the low flow coefficient centrifugal impeller. The CFD simulations are performed on the computational domain consisting of the labyrinth seal and the impeller. The relationship between the leakage loss coefficient and the isentropic efficiency is indicated. With the application of the RBF model, the global sensitivity analysis to the seal geometric design parameters is carried out, and the geometry of the labyrinth seal is optimized. The leakage of the optimized labyrinth seal is reduced remarkably and the impeller’s isentropic efficiency improved by 2% in a wide operating range.

scholarly journals Numerical characteristics of a centrifugal compressor with a low flow coefficient

2019 ◽  
Vol 140 ◽  
pp. 06010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksey Yablokov ◽  
Ivan Yanin ◽  
Nikolay Sadovskyi ◽  
Yuri Kozhukhov ◽  
Minh Hai Nguyen
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Numerical Study ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Ultrahigh Pressure ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Classical Type ◽  
Numerical Characteristic ◽  
Wall Cell ◽  
Low Flow Coefficient ◽  
Near Wall

The study presents the simulation results of the viscid gas flow in low flow coefficient centrifugal compressor stages. The problem is solved in a stationary formulation using the Ansys CFX software package. The numerical simulation is carried out on three ultrahigh-pressure model stages; two stages have blades of the classical type impeller and one stage is of the bodily type. The value of the conditional flow coefficient is 0.0063 to 0.015. As part of the study, block-structured design meshes are used for all gas channel elements, with their total number being equaled as 13–15 million. During the calculations a numerical characteristic was validated with the results of tests carried out at the Department of Compressor, Vacuum and Refrigeration Engineering of Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. With an increase of inlet pressure as a result of a numerical study, it was found that for a given mathematical model the disk friction and leakage coefficient (1 + βfr + βlk) is overestimated. The analysis of flow in labyrinth seals has shown an increase of total temperature near the discs by 30–50 °С, nevertheless this fact did not influence gas parameters in the behind-the-rotor section. The calculation data obtained with finer design mesh (the first near-wall cell was 0.001 mm) is identical to those obtained with the first near-wall cell 0.01 mm mesh.

Development of a Low Flow Coefficient Single Stage Centrifugal Compressor

2005 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Xu ◽  
R. S. Amano
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Design Method ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
High Pressure Ratio ◽  
Surge Margin ◽  
Low Flow Coefficient

A low flow coefficient unshrouded centrifugal compressor would give up clearance very large in relation to the span of the blades, because centrifugal compressors produce a sufficiently large pressure rise in fewer stages. This problem is more acute for a low flow high-pressure ratio impeller. The large tip clearance would cause flow separations, and as a result it would drop both the efficiency and surge margin. Thus a design of a high efficiency and wide operation range for a low flow coefficient centrifugal compressor is a great challenge. This paper describes a new development of high efficiency and large surge margin low flow coefficient (0.145) centrifugal compressor. A viscous turbomachinery optimal design method developed by the authors for axial flow machine was further extended and used in this centrifugal compressor design. The new compressor has three main parts: impeller, a low solidity diffuser and volute. The tip clearance is under a special consideration in this design to allow impeller insensitiveness to the clearance. A three-dimensional low solidity diffuser design method is proposed and applied to this design. This design is successful to extend the low solidarity diffusers to high-pressure ratio compressor. It is demonstrated that the design is in a great success. The design performance range of the total to static efficiency of the compressor is about 85% and stability range is over 35%. The experimental results showed that the test results are in good agreement with the design.

Experimental and Numerical Investigation of Labyrinth Seal Clearance Impact on Centrifugal Impeller Performance

2015 ◽  
Author(s):  
Russell Marechale ◽  
Min Ji ◽  
Michael Cave
Keyword(s):  
Flow Field ◽  
Performance Test ◽  
Labyrinth Seal ◽  
Working Environment ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Centrifugal Impeller ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Compressor Performance ◽  
The Impact

Labyrinth seals are widely used in industrial multistage centrifugal compressors to reduce internal leakage and maintain compressor performance for a prolonged operation time. The leakage flow across the shroud seal of covered impellers and the hub seal of the rotating shaft has an important effect on the compressor performance. The amount of leakage flow is primarily a function of seal running clearances, which is typically designed based on the compressor working environment, such as pressure and temperature conditions. The present paper discusses the experimental and numerical studies of seal clearance impact on the performance and operation of a single stage centrifugal compressor. Two experimental campaigns of running a medium-flow coefficient impeller and a low-flow coefficient impeller with various radial clearances of the impeller shroud and the hub labyrinth seal were conducted based on the configuration of the impeller and the return channel system in a closed-loop compressor test rig. The experimental investigation consists of both the overall stage performance test and the traverse test of the flow field downstream of the impeller using three-hole Cobra probes. Static pressure taps were arranged in the impeller shroud cavity in order to obtain the stream-wise pressure distribution. CFD simulations were then performed to compare with the test results. The paper presents the analysis of test data and simulation results of five arrangements of the impeller shroud and the hub seal radial clearances. The impacts of seal clearance height on stage efficiency and head are quantitatively evaluated. The impact on impeller internal flow field and cavity pressure distributions and swirl angle are discussed. Findings from this study are that efficiency reduction with increased seal clearance was as expected, but impeller Euler work was significantly reduced. CFD simulation was validated as a tool for predicting these effects and provides some understanding of the flow mechanisms.

A Study of a Single Stage Centrifugal Compressor

2006 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Xu ◽  
R. S. Amano
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
High Efficiency ◽  
Design Method ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Tip Clearance ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
High Pressure Ratio ◽  
Surge Margin ◽  
Low Flow Coefficient

A low flow coefficient unshrouded centrifugal compressor would give up clearance very large in relation to the span of the blades, because centrifugal compressors produce a sufficiently large pressure rise in fewer stages. This problem is more acute for a low flow high-pressure ratio impeller. The large tip clearance would cause flow separations, and as a result it would drop both the efficiency and surge margin. Thus a design of a high efficiency and wide operation range for a low flow coefficient centrifugal compressor is a great challenge. This paper describes a new development of high efficiency and large surge margin low flow coefficient (0.145) centrifugal compressor. A viscous turbomachinery optimal design method developed by the authors for axial flow machine was further extended and used in this centrifugal compressor design. The new compressor has three main parts: impeller, a low solidity diffuser and volute. The tip clearance is under a special consideration in this design to allow impeller insensitiveness to the clearance. A three-dimensional low solidity diffuser design method is proposed and applied to this design. This design is successful to extend the low solidarity diffusers to high-pressure ratio compressor. It is demonstrated that the design is in a great success. The design performance range of the total to static efficiency of the compressor is about 85% and stability range is over 35%. The experimental results showed that the test results are in good agreement with the design.

scholarly journals Design and Performance Evaluation of a Very Low Flow Coefficient Centrifugal Compressor

2013 ◽  
Vol 2013 ◽  
pp. 1-12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yongsheng Wang ◽  
Feng Lin ◽  
Chaoqun Nie ◽  
Abraham Engeda
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Cfd Simulation ◽  
Volume Flow Rate ◽  
Three Dimensional ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Centrifugal Compressors ◽  
Lower Efficiency ◽  
One Dimensional ◽  
Low Flow Coefficient

Very low flow coefficient centrifugal compressors are often applied as the last stages of multistage compressors. Due to the lower volume flow rate, the flow channels in the impeller and diffuser are so narrow that friction loss becomes the main factor, which leads to lower efficiency than that of other stages in the same compressors. In addition, most of design methods are generally based on medium flow coefficient centrifugal compressors. Taking on researches on the low flow coefficient centrifugal compressors is significant and necessary. One-dimensional (1D) code, consisting of design and analysis parts, is developed in this study to provide basic geometric data and predict the entire performance of centrifugal compressor. Three-dimensional geometry of the impeller is built. CFD simulation is carried out as well to be compared with 1D prediction. With the continuous geometry adjustment, the final performance of the centrifugal compressor will be fixed once the performance discrepancy between CFD and one-dimensional code is acceptable. The details on the flow field within impeller will be presented through CFD.

Analysis and Redesign of the Stationary Components for a Low Flow Coefficient Centrifugal Compressor Stage

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Zhiheng Wang ◽  
Guang Xi
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Design Flow ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Meridional Plane ◽  
Compressor Stage ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor Stage ◽  
Lower Stage ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Low Flow Coefficient

A low flow coefficient centrifugal compressor stage is characterized by the small relative outlet width, and is often one of the latter stages in the multistage compressor. The low flow coefficient stage is known to give lower stage efficiency in comparison with the conventional stage, which still leaves much more space to be improved with modern tools such as CFD techniques. In the paper the flow in a CO2 centrifugal compressor stage with a low design flow coefficient of 0.008 is simulated based on the 3D viscous CFD codes. The analysis shows the impeller gives a favorable performance over a wide range of low flow coefficient, but the high losses exist in the stationary components and this incurs the poor performance of the whole stage. In this case, the diffuser, the return channel and the meridional plane are redesigned. The redesigned stage has distinct improvements on the performance and the flow structure.

scholarly journals The Problem of Accounting for Heat Exchange between the Flow and the Flow Part Surfaces When Modeling a Viscous Flow in Low-Flow Stages of a Centrifugal Compressor

2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (24) ◽  
pp. 9138
Author(s):  
Sergey Kartashov ◽  
Yuri Kozhukhov ◽  
Vycheslav Ivanov ◽  
Aleksei Danilishin ◽  
Aleksey Yablokov ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Heat Transfer ◽  
Heat Exchange ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Calculation Model ◽  
Flow Coefficient ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Relative Width ◽  
Adiabatic Wall ◽  
Flow Part ◽  
Computational Fluid Dynamics Cfd

In this paper, we review the problem of accounting for heat exchange between the flow and the flow part surfaces when creating a calculation model for modeling the workflow process of low-flow stages of a centrifugal compressor using computational fluid dynamics (CFD). The objective selected for this study was a low-flow intermediate type stage with the conditional flow coefficient Փ = 0.008 and the relative width at the impeller exit b2/D2 = 0.0133. We show that, in the case of modeling with widespread adiabatic wall simplification, the calculated temperature in the gaps between the impeller and the stator elements is significantly overestimated. Modeling of the working process in the flow part was carried out with a coupled heat exchanger, as well as with simplified accounting for heat transfer by setting the temperatures of the walls. The gas-dynamic characteristics of the stage were compared with the experimental data, the heat transfer influence on the disks friction coefficient was estimated, and the temperature distributions in the gaps between disks and in the flow part of the stage were analyzed. It is shown that the main principle when modeling the flow in low-flow stage is to ensure correct temperature distribution in the gaps.

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