Performance prediction of a centrifugal compressor for a cogeneration microturbine

Abstract

This work presents the performance evaluation of a centrifugal compressor using computational fluid dynamics to verify the sizing and operational characteristics of a particular compressor design configuration obtained from a 1-D methodology approach. This study aims to establish the impact of losses and conditions such as surge and choke on the compressor operation. Results obtained are validated by a mesh independence study using Richardson’s extrapolation methodology, ensuring the results obtained are reliable and independent of the mesh quality. In addition, the methodology implemented allows obtaining the compressor map to graphically observe the impact of the operation and configuration conditions used in the case base design, facilitating the analysis of the configuration and its performances under several operational conditions. Finally, from the results obtained, aspects that affect the compressor performance are identified in the case of the study and are taken as a basis for future studies to optimize the evaluated design.

Keywords

• Microturbine
• Centrifugal compressor
• Computational fluid dynamics
• Design and co-generation