The operating range and efficiency of a centrifugal compressor is limited by the development of rotating stall and surge at low mass flow rates. To extend the operating range of a compressor, flow control in the compressor can be used to suppress secondary flow structures that lead to rotating stall. The presented work seeks to use the novel idea of placing passive vortex generators (VG) upstream of the impeller to suppress rotating stall, while also developing new concepts and optimization of microvortex generators (MVG). To accomplish this goal, a new SIMPLE-type algorithm for compressible flows was written in Code_Saturne along with a 2nd-order MUSCL scheme for convective terms and an AUSM+-up scheme for mass flux computation. The new algorithm was successfully validated against several widely-used test cases. The new algorithm was used to model the flow of the NASA CC3, a high-speed centrifugal compressor, from choke to rotating stall with a vaneless and vaned diffuser. The new algorithm predicted the performance of the compressor with a vaneless diffuser very well; satisfactory results were obtained for the compressor with a vaned diffuser. The full compressor with a vaned diffuser was used to model rotating stall. A complex stall cycle between the inlet of the impeller and diffuser was observed and studied. The fundament behavior of MVG, i.e. micro (sub-boundary layer) vortex generator, in a turbulent boundary layer was investigated in a channel flow with RANS and LES. Complementary wind tunnel testing was conducted to validate the computational predictions. The configuration of the MVG was studied to determine an optimal configuration and several conclusions were reached on the design of MVG. Most importantly triangle MVG were found to be the most efficient shape followed by NACA0012 and e423-type MVG, and a MVG angle of 18˚ to 20˚ was found to be optimal. Rectangle MVG were observed to suffer flow separation on the vanes which reduced their performance. The circulation and drag of a MVG was found to have a logarithmic relationship with the device's Reynolds number. These findings were incorporated in a LES study to control separated flow on the e387 airfoil and achieved an improvement in lift-to-drag ratio of 11.27%. Additional recommendations for MVG implementation were given. Combining the work on the NASA CC3 with the work on MVG, vortex generators were implemented near the inlet of the impeller. A detailed optimization study was conducted for the implementation vortex generators in the compressor. It was found vortex generators equal to the boundary layer thickness were the most efficient on controlling the downstream flow. The best configuration was implemented into the full compressor with a vaned diffuser to assess the ability of vortex generators to suppress rotating stall. The vortex generators were found to suppress rotating stall and extend the operating range of the compressor.

Low-temperature energy systems are processes that operate below ambient temperatures and make use of refrigeration cycles, where the main energy consumption is due to the shaft work required to drive the compressors. Very-low-temperature energy systems, also known as cryogenic processes, operate at around -150°C and below. Due to increasing demand of products from cryogenic processes and tighter environmental regulations, existing plants need to be revamped to increase their energy efficiency or adapt to new processing capacities. So, accurate models of the performance of cryogenic processes are needed in order to optimise their operation. The present work proposes a new approach for optimising the operating conditions of existing refrigeration cycles in cryogenic processes, using pure refrigerants, for different plant operating conditions. In this work, the process conditions are considered as given and not considered as variables during the optimisation. The operational optimisation is achieved by integrating models for the part-load performance of centrifugal compressors and models for the simulation of plate-fin heat exchangers (PFHEs), into a single optimisation approach. An optimisation approach similar to the one proposed in this work was not found in the open literature. The optimisation approach varies the refrigerant evaporation temperatures, flow rates and cooling duties, minimum temperature difference in PFHEs, and rotational speed of compressors. The objective function seeks to minimise shaft work demand and the constraints consider the operational limitations of centrifugal compressors (minimum and maximum flow rates) and PFHEs (no temperature crosses and meeting the target temperatures of the process streams). In order to explore the solution space that is generated by the complex interactions between the variables and find an approximation to a global optimum, a multistart optimisation algorithm is implemented. The part-load centrifugal compressor model implemented in this work uses regressed data from their performance curves together with the fan laws. The proposed simulation model of PFHEs represents these units as a ‘fictitious’ heat exchanger network of two-stream matches. The simulation model accounts for single and two-phase streams and for the temperature-dependent physical properties of pure refrigerants (e.g. viscosity, heat capacity, etc.). In addition to the simulation model, design and rating models for PFHEs with single and two-phase streams are also proposed. The examples presented in this work for the design, simulation and rating of single and two-phase streams in PFHEs show that the models proposed can find feasible designs, and can predict the outlet temperature of the process streams within ±3°C for different inlet conditions. The example presented in this work for the operational optimisation of refrigeration cycles shows that savings of around 3% in shaft work consumption (up to £0.86 million per year), for different process throughput, can be achieved using the proposed methodology.

Diante do expressivo aumento do número de refinarias de petróleo, bem como, com a crescente modernização das tecnologias de processo, englobando também o ramo petroquímico e de fertilizantes, notou-se que o consumo de energia de compressores centrífugos e suas eficiências tornaram-se de suma importância. Uma consequência desta nova realidade, está na necessidade de melhoria dos métodos estimativos para pré-dimensionamento e performance destas máquinas, o que necessariamente implica em uma previsão precisa de sua eficiência politrópica. Além disso, tais métodos devem também estimar as dimensões básicas de cada seção de compressão. A maior parte da literatura atual, versando sobre compressores centrífugos, tipo multiestágio, não está atualizada no que diz respeito à estimativa de eficiências politrópicas, quando comparadas com as eficiências alcançadas por compressores de fornecimento recente. Sendo assim, o principal objetivo da presente dissertação foi estimar um compressor centrífugo multiestágio, utilizando métodos adequados de cálculo. Isto implicou em comparar três métodos de estimativas, refletindo três procedimentos clássicos de cálculo, normalmente utilizados. Após pesquisa foram identificados três métodos, dois otimizados recentemente e um terceiro de abordagem mais antiga, proveniente de alguns fornecedores de compressores. Os métodos em análise são: Método das relações de Semelhança Otimizado por Sandberg (2016), Método de Lüdtke (2004), com correções propostas por Busaid e Pilidis (2016) e finalmente o Método dos Expoentes Politrópicos (N-Method), apresentado por Gresh (2001) e editado novamente em Gresh (2018). Os dois métodos mais recentes, embora baseados em diferentes critérios, apresentam estimativas de desempenho, dentro de uma precisão razoável, quando comparada aos dados reais de teste, enquanto que o método mais antigo, apresenta desvios significativos. Nesta dissertação, serão estimados seis casos reais de compressores, cujos resultados serão comparados aos estimados pelos três métodos de cálculo. Analisando os métodos, à luz dos desvios indicados nas tabelas para os seis casos, pode-se afirmar que o Método Simplificado e Corrigido de Lüdtke foi o que apresentou melhores resultados. O desvio relativo máximo apresentado foi na potência de eixo, cujo valor foi de 5,1%. Considerando o Método de Sandberg, verifica-se a partir dos desvios listados nas tabelas, que não cumpriu com o limite de aceitabilidade no tocante à potência no eixo para dois dos casos estudados. Entretanto, com exceção a estes dois casos, o método mostrou-se bastante satisfatório. Finalmente, analisando o Método dos Expoentes Politrópicos, citado por Gresh (2018), pode-se dizer que este método só foi aceitável para dois casos. Para os demais, segundo os desvios indicados nas tabelas, o método mostrou-se inadequado devido a desvios significativos na sua eficiência politrópica. / With the crescent number of modern fertilizer plants and hydrocracking process units in oil refineries, the consumption of energy and consequently the efficiency of centrifugal compressors were made of paramount importance in present day. A consequence of this new reality is the necessity of improvement of the methods that estimate the polytropic efficiency of these compressors. Furthermore, new methods also need to predict the basic geometric parameters of each machine. On the other side, most of the literature, which deals with polytropic efficiencies, is not up to date with the values performed by modern compressors. The main scope of present work is to provide background information and present a comparison between two up to date methods and a third classical old method, based on different approach, but capable to predict the performance and sizing of multistage centrifugal compressors. The methods under analysis are: Sandberg (2016) Optimized Similarity Method, Lüdtke\'s Method (2004), with corrections proposed by Busaid and Pilidis (2016) and finally the Politropic Exponent Method (N-Method), presented by Gresh (2001) and edited again in Gresh (2018). Both the newer methods present good agreement with the values performed by several compressors, as demonstrated when these methods are adopted, whilst the old method presents some deviations, mainly in the gas power. In this paper, six real cases will be estimated by the three methods and compared against supplier data; the results will be justified. Analyzing the methods, in respect of the deviations indicated in the tables for the six cases, it can be stated that the Simplified and Corrected Method of Lüdtke was the one that presented the best results. The maximum relative deviation presented was in the brake horsepower, whose value was of 5.1%. Considering the Sandberg Method, it can be verified from the deviations listed in the tables, that it did not meet the limit of acceptability regarding power on the axis for two of the cases studied. However, with the exception of these two cases, the method was quite satisfactory. Finally, analyzing the Politropic Exponents Method, quoted by Gresh (2018), it can be said that this method was only acceptable for two cases. For the others, according to the deviations indicated in the tables, the method proved to be inadequate, due to significant deviations in its polytropic efficiency.

This thesis constitutes detailed computational investigation on ow through the passages of a centrifugal compressor used for turbocharging applications. Given the dynamic nature of operation of the turbocharger, it becomes necessary to under- stand the ow that occurs within the blade passages and its e ect on performance. CFD is an established computational technique wherein the ow is dissected to fun- damental levels and a detailed picture is presented, application of this technique with limited and diverse sense towards understanding of ows through a turbocharger compressor has been successfully carried out by many before. This work presented attempts to address many of the lacuna reported and carries forward the work of several researchers to ll in the gaps. The complexity of the geometry of the blade shape poses many challenges in model- ing within the virtual space, an e ective way to overcome the obstacles is presented as a part of this work. Grid generation of the impeller and casing are discussed and adaptive approach is followed with generation of hexahedral grids for the impeller whereas tetrahedral for the casing. Since the grids of the impeller and its casing are di erent, ways of interfacing between the two domains in a CFD environment is discussed. An industry standard implicit 3D RANS solver was used to carry out the simula- tions. The importance of use of boundary conditions for the domain at unsteady operating points is presented in detail. On the choice made for turbulence model that governs the validity of the solution obtained, an extensive literature survey of the relevant topic as applicable for centrifugal compressors is presented and logic of the choice made for the present work is discussed. Menter's two equation SST-k! model emerges as the clear choice to be used even though the di erence in perfor- mance predictions by other turbulence models are insigni cant. Dynamics of ow at optimum design point, surge and choke of the compressor are presented in detail. With the geometry modeled with a tip clearance and the casing included within the simulation environment, it can be seen that the performance predicted is closer to actual at all operating points. A study of behavior of the compressor at extreme o design points is carried out and it can be seen that it depicts the trends that are seen in experimental works available in open literature. The distortion of pressure within the vaneless di user and the inviscid nature of the ow within the volute space are e ectively captured and an in depth analysis is carried out to uncover new patterns. A parametric study involving important geometric features such as the tip clearance and wrap angles are conducted leading to discovery of anomalies. The work summarizes to point out that the investigation carried out with the CFD simulations comprehensively leads to uncovering of ow dynamics within a complex system such as the centrifugal compressor within the limits of numerical analysis.

Thesis (MScEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Turbomachinery plays an important role in the efficiency of power generation and combustion processes used in the automotive and aerospace industries. The potential for fulfilling future energy needs has been identified in both civilian and military applications, for example micro gas turbines (MGTs) used in unmanned aireial vehicles (UAVs). The goal of this thesis was to build a performance testing facility for small-scale centrifugal compressors, for use in MGTs. The objectives of this study were mainly achieved through experimental work. In addition to the experimental work, numerical simulations using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) software were performed to substantiate the experimental results. The project methodology followed the process whereby a compressor performance map is constructed from experimental data and compared to map obtained from theoretical data. The test facility consists of a turbocharger fitted with an experimental compressor section. The turbocharger turbine is driven by unheated compressed air. Sensors, data acquisition and ancillary equipment required to perform performance test measurements, were obtained and installed on the test facility. Performance curves at three different rotational speeds were successfully obtained for the experimental compressor. When compared to the CFD results there was good qualitative agreement, although deviations in the results increased with rotational speed. In addition a second impeller design was tested which correlated well with the theoretical data. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Turbomasjinerie speel 'n belangrike rol in die doeltre endheid van kragop- wekking en verbrandingsprosesse wat in die motor- en lugvaartbedryf gebruik word. Die potensiaal om in toekomstige energiebehoeftes te voorsien is in beide burgerlike en militêre toepassings uitgewys, byvoorbeeld mikrogastur- bines (MGT's) wat in onbemande vliegtuie (OLV's) gebruik word. Die doel met hierdie tesis was om 'n prestasietoetsfasiliteit vir kleinskaalse sentrifu- gale kompressors te bou wat in MGT's gebruik kan word. Die doelstellings van hierdie studie is hoofsaaklik deur eksperimentele werk behaal. Daarbe- newens is numeriese simulasies met gebruikmaking van sagteware vir bereke- ningsvloeidinamika (BVD) gedoen om die eksperimentele resultate te staaf. Die projekmetodologie volg die proses om 'n kompressorprestasiekaart uit eks- perimentele data op te stel en dit te vergelyk met 'n kaart wat uit teoretiese data bekom is. Die toetsfasiliteit bestaan uit 'n turboaanjaer wat met 'n eksperimentele kompressordeel toegerus is. Die turboaanjaer se turbine word deur onverhitte druklug aangedryf. Sensors, dataverwerwing en bykomstige toerusting, wat benodig is om prestasietoetsmetings mee te doen, is bekom en op die toetsfasiliteit geïnstalleer. Prestasiekrommes is vervolgens by drie verskillende omwentelingsnelhede suksesvol met die eksperimentele kompres- sor bekom. In vergelyking met die BVD-resultate was daar goeie kwalitatiewe ooreenstemming, ofskoon afwykings in die resultate vergroot het namate die omwentelingspoed toegeneem het. Daarby is 'n tweede stuwerontwerp getoets wat goed met die teoretiese resultate korreleer.

Thesis (MEng)--Stellenbosch University, 2014. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This thesis details the methodology for developing a centrifugal compressor for application in a Micro Gas Turbine (MGT). This research forms part of a larger project, namely project Ballast, initiated by the South African Air Force (SAAF) in conjunction with Armscor. The methodology encompasses the development of a mean-line code that makes use of 1-dimensional theory in order to create an initial centrifugal compressor geometry which includes a rotor as well as radial vaned diffuser. This is followed by a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulation process during which the compressor is optimised in order to maximise its performance. Before manufacturing a Finite Element Analysis (FEA) is done in order to ensure that the rotor does not fail during testing. The testing of the compressor is done to compare the numerical results with the experimental results and in so doing confirms the design process. A previous student had designed a rotor by making use of a mean-line code as well as a CFD optimisation process. The rotor had a measured total-static pressure ratio of roughly 2.8 at 121 kRPM and a total-total isentropic efficiency of 79.1 % at said rotational speed. The inclusion of a vaned diffuser resulted in a higher total-static pressure ratio and accordingly the compressor designed in this report has a CFD determined total-static pressure ratio of 3.0. The efficiency would however drop and as such a total-total isentropic efficiency of 76.5 % was determined theoretically. The theoretical results correlated well with the experimental results and as such it was concluded that the design methodology developed was sound. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Hierdie tesis bespreek die metodologie vir die ontwikkeling van ‘n sentrifugale kompressor vir toepassing in ‘n Mikro-Gasturbine (MGT). Die tesis vorm deel van ‘n groter projek, genaamd die Ballast projek, wat deur die Suid-Afrikaanse Lugmag (SALM) daargestel is in samewerking met Krygkor. Die metodologie behels die ontwikkeling van ‘n middel-lyn kode wat gebruik maak van 1-dimensionele teorie om die aanvanklike geometrie van die kompressor te skep. Die geometrie bevat beide die rotor asook die gelemde radiale diffusor. Hierdie proses word gevolg deur ‘n Berekeningsvloeidinamika (BVD) simulasie waartydens die kompressor geoptimeer word om sodoende die verrigting ten volle te verbeter. Voordat vervaardiging plaasvind word ‘n Eindige Element Analise (EEA) toegepas om te verseker dat die rotor nie sal faal tydens toetse nie. Die toetse word gedoen sodat die eksperimentele resultate met die numeriese resultate vergelyk kan word. Sodoende word die proses waardeur die kompressor ontwikkel word bevestig. ‘n Vorige student het ‘n rotor ontwerp deur gebruik te maak van ‘n middel-lyn kode asook ‘n BVD optimerings proses. Die rotor het ‘n gemete totaal-statiese drukverhouding van ongeveer 2.8 teen 121 kRPM gelewer en ‘n totaal-totale isentropiese benutingsgraad van 79.1 % teen dieselfde omwentelingspoed. Met die insluiting van ‘n gelemde radiale diffuser word ‘n hoër totaal-statiese druk verhouding verwag en as sulks lewer die nuut-ontwerpte kompressor soos in die tesis bespreek ‘n teoretiese totaal-statiese drukverhouding van 3.0. Die benutingsgraad sal egter daal en daarvolgens het die nuwe kompressor ‘n totaal-totale isentropiese benutingsgraad van 76.5 % gelewer. Die eksperimentele resultate het goed ooreengestem met die teoretiese resultate en as sulks was dit besluit dat die ontwerps-metodologie goed is.

No description available.

Le comportement dynamique des turbomachines industrielles doit respecter des critères émis par les normes internationales et les utilisateurs. Les rotors flexibles sont sensibles à la distribution de balourd, et sont soumis aux excitations aérodynamiques de leur environnement. Usuellement, les contrôleurs utilisés peinent à délivrer le niveau d’exigence demandé, par conséquent les propriétés mécaniques des paliers magnétiques sont fortement dépendantes de celles des rotors. L’objectif de ce mémoire est d’analyser le comportement dynamique des compresseurs centrifuges afin de proposer une stratégie de contrôle innovante. D’abord, chaque palier est considéré comme une entité a part entière en couplant ses deux axes d’action. Le comportement dynamique du rotor est exprimé dans le repère polaire. Par ailleurs, la logique floue, qui utilise un modèle de pensée proche du raisonnement humain, applique des actions correctives en fonction du comportement dynamique global du rotor. Ainsi, l’utilisation couplée de ces deux approches créé une synergie permettant d’agir sur le système de manière ciblée. Le contrôleur dissipe l’énergie cinétique du rotor lors du franchissement de vitesses critiques afin d’atténuer la réponse au balourd, ou augmente la raideur du palier lors de vibrations transitoires ou asynchrones afin de réduire la trajectoire du rotor. Le faible amortissement structurel du rotor le rend sensible au phénomène de « spillover » (l’énergie de contrôle affecte les modes de fréquence élevée). Or, la logique floue ne peut pas gérer ce phénomène. Ainsi, un contrôleur PID sous-jacent est utilisé pour maîtriser la stabilité des modes hautes fréquences. Au final, le contrôleur flou polaire permet d’obtenir des marges de performances entre les capacités de cet asservissement et le cahier des charges. Ces marges sont utilisées pour trois objectifs : le respect des spécifications, l’amélioration du comportement subsynchrone, et enfin la simplification et la standardisation du contrôleur sous-jacent nommé ici SPID. Ce contrôleur est tel que ses caractéristiques, dans la plage de fréquence utile, sont indépendantes du rotor pour une application donnée. Enfin, la stratégie développée est évaluée avec des simulations numériques et des essais expérimentaux. D’abord, le modèle numérique est validé, puis le contrôleur est appliqué à un banc d’essais académique. Le comportement est stable et robuste. Il présente des performances supérieures au PID augmenté fourni avec le banc, que ce soit pour la réponse au balourd, ou pour la réponse à des excitations subsynchrones. Finalement, la démarche est appliquée à un compresseur industriel. Les simulations montrent que le comportement est proche de celui exigé pour des machines sur paliers classiques. L’optimisation de l’approche et l’automatisation de la conception pourraient conduire à la standardisation des paliers magnétiques actifs. / The dynamic behaviour of large turbomachinery should satisfy stringent requirements dictated by international standards and final users. Their flexible rotor is sensitive to the unbalance distribution and subjected to particular excitations coming from the industrial process. Usually, the performance margins between the requirements and the classical controller capabilities are small. Consequently, the magnetic bearing characteristics depend on the rotor geometry. Designing such controllers is difficult and time consuming. The objective of this thesis is to investigate the dynamic behaviour of supercritical centrifugal compressors in order to propose a new control strategy. First, each bearing is considered as one entity by coupling its two axes of action. The introduction of polar quantities permits a better observation of the rotor dynamic behaviour. In addition, by using logic close to human being reasoning, the fuzzy logic modulates the action forces as a function of the global dynamic behaviour. The coupling of the two approaches is an efficient way to apply targeted corrective actions. This controller attenuates the unbalance vibration when crossing critical speeds by applying damping forces, or increases the stiffness during transient or asynchronous excitations in order to limit the maximum displacement reached. As their structural damping is low, flexible rotors are very sensitive to spillover effect, which cannot be managed by fuzzy controllers. Consequently, an underlying PID is necessary. This hand-synthesized controller has high frequency characteristics tuned in order to ensure stability and robustness for each rotor. Compared to a classical approach, the polar fuzzy controller enables to increase the performance margins. These margins are used to fulfil three objectives: the achievement of standards requirements, the improvement of the subsynchronous behaviour, and the simplification and the standardization of the PID controller that we called SPID. This SPID is designed for a given application, such that the bearing characteristics on the operating frequency range are always the same. The control strategy is assessed numerically and experimentally. First, the numerical model is validated with experimental tests. Then, the controller developed is applied to an academic test rig. The controller is stable and robust. It exhibits performance superior to the augmented PID supplied with the test rig for both unbalance response and response to subsynchronous excitations. Finally, the control of an industrial compressor is assessed numerically. The results obtained are close to the standards requirements used for classical bearings. The optimization of the approach and the utilization of an automatic tuning algorithm for high frequency characteristics could lead to the standardization of Active Magnetic Bearings.