Dynamic Model of Multistage Centrifugal Compressor With a Stage-by-Stage Anti-Surge Recirculating System

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicola Casari ◽  
Michele Pinelli ◽  
Alessio Suman ◽  
Matteo Manganelli ◽  
Mirko Morini ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Suction Side ◽  
System Level ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Return Flow ◽  
Control Line ◽  
Compressor Surge ◽  
Surge Control ◽  
Surge Line

Abstract The operability region of a centrifugal compressor is bounded by the low-flow (or high-pressure ratio) limit, commonly referred to as surge. The exact location of the surge line on the map can vary depending on the operating condition and, as a result, a typical Surge Avoidance Line is established at 10% to 15% above the stated flow for the theoretical surge line. The current state of the art of centrifugal compressor surge control is to utilize a global recycle valve to return flow from the discharge side of a centrifugal compressor to the suction side to increase the flow through the compressor and, thus, avoid entering the surge region. This is conventionally handled by defining a compressor surge control line that conservatively assumes that all stages must be kept out of surge at all the time. In compressors with multiple stages, the amount of energy loss is disproportion-ally large since the energy that was added in each stage is lost during system level (or global) recycling. This work proposes an internal stage-wise recycling that provides a much more controlled flow recycling to affect only those stages that may be on the verge of surge. The amount of flow needed for such a scheme will be much smaller than highly conservative global recycling approach. Also, the flow does not leave the compressor casing and therefore does not cross the pressure boundary. Compared to global recycling this inherently has less loss depending upon application and specific of control design.

3D CFD Approach to Predict the Performance of a Centrifugal Compressor With Surge and Choke Limits

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Abishek Sriram ◽  
Jeff Schlautman ◽  
Mehul Varshney ◽  
Dipak Maiti ◽  
Shyam Sundar Pasunurthi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Cfd Simulation ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Design Stage ◽  
Test Bed ◽  
Process Industries ◽  
Flow Rates ◽  
Compressor Surge ◽  
Wear And Tear

Abstract Centrifugal compressor has widespread applications in areas such as aerospace, automotive, power and process industries and hence the prediction of its performance is crucial at the design stage. Traditional design, build and test are accelerated through numerical simulation as a virtual test bed for compressor development. In this work, a CFD methodology has been developed to predict the performance of a centrifugal compressor with its surge and choke limits. The transient, compressible flow in a moving domain with body-fitted unstructured mesh is solved in Simerics-MP. The distributed parallel solver of Simerics-MP enables to perform the complete performance map of a centrifugal compressor in a day. The phenomena of surge and choke in a centrifugal compressor is of paramount importance as it determines the limiting points of operation for a particular speed of the compressor. Surge occurs at low flow rates, and it is characterized by instabilities causing undesirable noises that lead to drop in the operational efficiency. It can also result in wear and tear of the impeller blades. Whereas choke occurs at high flow rates with no further increase in pressure and it is accompanied by aberrant vibrations. The CFD simulation predicts the instabilities occurring at surge such as pressure oscillations and flow reversal accurately, which is used as a criterion for the prediction of surge point. The choke phenomenon is characterized by fluid attaining sonic velocity in the impeller or diffuser region of the compressor. The CFD predicted results showed a fair comparison with the experimental results of pressure ratio, power, and efficiency at different speeds.

Influence of Labyrinth Seal Leakage on Centrifugal Compressor Performance

2009 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bob Mischo ◽  
Beat Ribi ◽  
Christof Seebass-Linggi ◽  
Sebastiano Mauri
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Leading Edge ◽  
Suction Side ◽  
Labyrinth Seal ◽  
Main Flow ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Leakage Flow ◽  
Multi Stage ◽  
Compressor Impeller ◽  
Rotating Impeller

The focus of this paper lies on the leakage flow across the shroud of a centrifugal compressor impeller. It is common practice to use shrouded impellers in multi stage compressors featuring a single shaft. The rotating impeller then has to be sealed against the higher pressure in the downstream diffuser by means of labyrinths. The relative amount of leakage is higher for stages designed for low flow, meaning that the associated losses gain in relevance. In addition to this loss source, the injection of the leakage flow has a serious influence on the main flow in a region where it is prone to separation, i.e. at the suction side of the impeller blades close to the shroud, where the highest relative velocities are found. The present paper discusses the numerical results of several geometrical arrangements where the leakage flow was mixed with the main flow in different ways. The distance between the location of injection and the leading edge of the impeller as well as the orientation of the injected flow showed a distinct influence on the performance of the entire stage, mainly on stability.

Single Versus Dual Recycle System Dynamics of High Pressure Ratio, Low Inertia Centrifugal Compressor Stations

2011 ◽  
Vol 133 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
K. K. Botros
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Dynamic Instability ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Check Valve ◽  
Analytical Methodology ◽  
High Pressure Ratio ◽  
Compressor Surge ◽  
Rapid Transients ◽  
Single Versus

Compression systems are designed and operated in a manner to eliminate or minimize the potential for surge, which is a dynamic instability that is very detrimental to the integrity of the compressor unit. Compressor surge can occur when compressors are subjected to rapid transients such as those occurring following an emergency shutdown (ESD) or a power failure, which in turn, requires fast reaction. To prevent this from occurring, compressor stations are designed with single or dual recycle systems with recycle valves, which are required to open upon ESD. There has been extensive debate and confusion as to whether a single recycle or a dual recycle system is required and the circumstances and the conditions under which one system or the other must be used. This paper discusses this crucial design issue in detail and highlights the parameters affecting the decision to employ either system, particularly for high pressure ratio, low inertia compressors. Parameters such as gas volume capacitance (V) in the recycle path, compressor power train inertia, compressor performance characteristics, the recycle valve coefficient (Cv), prestroke and stroke time, and check valve dynamic characteristic are crucial in determining the conditions for dynamic instabilities. A simple analytical methodology based on the perturbation theory is developed that provides a first-cut analysis to determine if a single recycle system is adequate for a given compression system. The concept of an inertia number is then introduced with a threshold value that determines which recycle system to use. Techniques to circumvent compressor surge following ESD are discussed and their respective effectiveness are highlighted including when and if a delay in the fuel cutoff will be effective. An example of a case study with actual field data of a high pressure ratio centrifugal compressor employed in a natural gas compressor station is presented to illustrate the fundamental concept of single versus dual recycle systems.

scholarly journals Numerical Simulation of Stall Inception Mechanisms in a Centrifugal Compressor With Vaned Diffuser

2016 ◽  
Vol 138 (12) ◽  
Author(s):  
Y. Bousquet ◽  
N. Binder ◽  
G. Dufour ◽  
X. Carbonneau ◽  
M. Roumeas ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Mass Flow ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Axial Compressor ◽  
Suction Side ◽  
Boundary Layer Separation ◽  
Flow Topology ◽  
Vaned Diffuser ◽  
Stall Inception ◽  
Flow Reduction

The present paper numerically investigates the stall inception mechanisms in a centrifugal compressor stage composed of a splittered unshrouded impeller and a vaned diffuser. Unsteady numerical simulations have been conducted on a calculation domain comprising all the blade passages over 360 deg for the impeller and the diffuser. Three stable operating points are simulated along a speed line, and the full path to instability is investigated. The paper focusses first on the effects of the mass flow reduction on the flow topology at the inlet of both components. Then, a detailed analysis of stall inception mechanisms is proposed. It is shown that at the inlet of both components, the mass flow reduction induces boundary layer separation on the blade suction side, which results in a vortex tube having its upper end at the casing and its lower end at the blade wall. Some similarities with flows in axial compressor operating at stall condition are outlined. The stall inception process starts with the growth of the amplitude of a modal wave rotating in the vaneless space. As the flow in the compressor is subsonic, the wave propagates upstream and interacts with the impeller flow structure. This interaction leads to the drop in the impeller pressure ratio.

scholarly journals The Performance of a Centrifugal Compressor With High Inlet Prewhirl

1997 ◽  
Author(s):  
A. Whitfield ◽  
A. H. Abdullah
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Variable Geometry ◽  
Pressure Pulsations ◽  
Operating Range ◽  
Swirl Generator ◽  
Geometry Design ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
Inlet Swirl

The performance requirements of centrifugal compressors usually include a broad operating range between surge and choke. This becomes increasingly difficult to achieve as increased pressure ratio is demanded. In order to suppress the tendency to surge and extend the operating range at low flow rates inlet swirl is often considered through the application of inlet guide vanes. To generate high inlet swirl angles efficiently an inlet volute has been applied as the swirl generator, and a variable geometry design developed in order to provide zero swirl. The variable geometry approach can be applied to progressively increase the swirl or to switch rapidly from zero swirl to maximum swirl. The variable geometry volute and the swirl conditions generated are described. The performance of a small centrifugal compressor is presented for a wide range of inlet swirl angles. In addition to the basic performance characteristics of the compressor the onset of flow reversals at impeller inlet are presented, together with the development of pressure pulsations, in the inlet and discharge ducts, through to full surge. The flow rate at which surge occurred was shown, by the shift of the peak pressure condition and by the measurement of the pressure pulsations, to be reduced by over 40%.

scholarly journals Research on the Simplified Design of a Centrifugal Compressor Impeller Based on Meridional Plane Modification

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 1339 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hong Xie ◽  
Moru Song ◽  
XiaoLan Liu ◽  
Bo Yang ◽  
Chuangang Gu
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Design Method ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Aerodynamic Characteristics ◽  
Low Flow ◽  
Measure Data ◽  
Meridional Plane ◽  
Stall Margin ◽  
Numerical Result ◽  
Compressor Impeller

This study mainly focuses on investigating the influence of meridional contour of a steam centrifugal compressor on aerodynamic performance. An optimal design method is put forwards, in which the hub-line on the meridional plane is modified and optimized. Based on the data from numerical simulation, aerodynamic characteristics are compared in detail among a prototype and three modified impellers. It is shown that stall margin of the optimized impeller can be enlarged by approximately 50%, though at design point efficiency and pressure ratio is decreased a little bit. Under the working conditions with low flow rate, the optimized impeller exhibits the best performance compared with the prototype and two other impellers. Furthermore, numerical result is validated by the experiment and is matched the measure data very well.

Centrifugal Compressor Surge Behaviour

1984 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Wachter ◽  
K.-H. Rohne
Keyword(s):  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Industrial Design ◽  
Theoretical Models ◽  
Transient Characteristic ◽  
Sufficient Data ◽  
System Behaviour ◽  
Different Types ◽  
Piping Systems ◽  
Compressor Surge ◽  
Surge Line

The unsteady behaviour of compressor systems near the surge line and during surge was investigated. Experimental examinations were carried out using a three stage centrifugal compressor of industrial design in different types of piping systems. The results obtained were compared with different theoretical models. It is demonstrated that the compressor system behaviour can be calculated adequately, if sufficient data concerning the transient characteristic of the compressor are available.

Single vs. Dual Recycle System Requirements in the Design of High Pressure Ratio, Low Inertia Centrifugal Compressor Stations

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
K. K. Botros
Keyword(s):  
High Pressure ◽  
Centrifugal Compressor ◽  
Dynamic Instability ◽  
Pressure Ratio ◽  
Check Valve ◽  
Threshold Value ◽  
Analytical Methodology ◽  
High Pressure Ratio ◽  
Compressor Surge ◽  
Rapid Transients

Compression systems are designed and operated in a manner to eliminate or minimize the potential for surge, which is a dynamic instability that is very detrimental to the integrity of the compressor unit. Compressor surge can occur when compressors are subjected to rapid transients such as those occurring following an emergency shutdown (ESD) or a power failure, which in turn, requires fast reaction. To prevent this from occurring, compressor stations are designed with single or dual recycle systems with recycle valves, which are required to open upon ESD. There has been extensive debate and confusion as to whether a single recycle or a dual recycle system is required and the circumstances and the conditions under which one system or the other must be used. This paper discusses this crucial design issue in detail and highlights the parameters affecting the decision to employ either system, particularly for high pressure ratio, low inertia compressors. Parameters such as gas volume capacitance (V) in the recycle path, compressor power train inertia, compressor performance characteristics, the recycle valve coefficient (Cv), pre-stroke and stroke time, and check valve dynamic characteristic are crucial in determining the conditions for dynamic instabilities. A simple analytical methodology based on the perturbation theory is developed that provides a first-cut analysis to determine if a single recycle system is adequate for a given compression system. The concept of an inertia number is then introduced with a threshold value that determines which recycle system to use. Techniques to circumvent compressor surge following ESD are discussed and their respective effectiveness are highlighted including when and if a delay in the fuel cut-off will be effective. An example of a Case study with actual field data of a high pressure ratio centrifugal compressor employed in a natural gas compressor station is presented to illustrate the fundamental concept of single vs. dual recycle systems.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document