Abstract
The implementation of a ported shroud casing treatment is often used to extend the operating range of a centrifugal compressor. This work utilizes the STAR-CCM+ CFD package to analyze steady-state, single-passage simulations of a centrifugal compressor with and without a ported shroud to better understand how a ported shroud affects compressor flow physics. Verification and validation of simulations were conducted by comparison of results with a time-accurate full-annulus simulation and experimental data. Four different ported shroud revisions were considered and modeled along the full range of their stable operation, with emphasis placed on the flow limits of choke and stall. A ported shroud is found to improve the choked mass flow limit by increasing the aerodynamic area of the compressor. Near-stall operation is improved through flow recirculation through the ported shroud. This flow, which is induced with a large component of tangential velocity from having passed the impeller blades' leading edge once, reduces the impeller incidence. The influence of a strut is found to restrict both limits of operation by reducing the aerodynamic area and obstruction of tangential velocity. The revisions considered demonstrate that facilitation of flow entering the ported shroud under either near-stall or choked conditions causes a noteworthy improvement in performance. Such alterations, in this application, demonstrate a 3.3% improvement in choked mass flow rate under choked conditions and an 1.3 degree reduction in impeller incidence under near-stall conditions, as compared to the initial ported shroud design. Understanding the effect that a ported shroud casing treatment has on compressor flow physics, especially near its limits of operation, suggests methods for improving centrifugal compressor design to increase its stable operating range.
Degree
MS
College and Department
Ira A. Fulton College of Engineering and Technology; Mechanical Engineering
Rights
https://lib.byu.edu/about/copyright/
BYU ScholarsArchive Citation
Newell, Alexander A., "Effect of Ported Shroud Casing Treatment Modifications on Operational Range and Limits in a Centrifugal Compressor" (2021). Theses and Dissertations. 8904.
https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/etd/8904
Date Submitted
2021-04-05
Document Type
Thesis
Handle
http://hdl.lib.byu.edu/1877/etd11544
Keywords
casing treatment, centrifugal compressor, CFD, operating range, ported shroud
Language
english