Centrifugal Compressor Cooling Layout for Lower Pressure Drop
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Solution Overview
Problem
In centrifugal compressors, the series configuration of motor cooling and bearing cooling passages leads to increased flow rates and pressure drops of the cooling fluid, which can result in inadequate cooling of critical components.
Innovation Solution
The centrifugal compressor design includes a branching passage that divides the cooling fluid into separate motor cooling and bearing cooling passages, with a joining passage that reunites the fluids, thereby reducing flow rates and pressure drops while ensuring effective cooling.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the motor cooling passage and the bearing cooling passage are connected in series, then the cooling fluid flows through both passages, but the flow rate increases and the pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The cooling passage system is segmented into parallel branches: a motor cooling passage and a bearing cooling passage. The cooling fluid is divided into separate streams that flow through each passage independently, then rejoin. This segmentation reduces the flow rate and pressure drop in each individual passage compared to a series configuration, while still providing cooling to both components.
2Temperature
If the cooling fluid flow rate is increased to cool both motor and bearing, then cooling effectiveness improves, but pressure drop increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a hydraulic branching system where the cooling fluid is divided into parallel hydraulic paths. The branching passage and joining passage create a parallel circuit configuration that reduces flow resistance and pressure drop while maintaining adequate cooling flow rates to both the motor and bearing passages simultaneously.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design reduces the pressure drop of the cooling fluid, ensuring uniform and effective cooling of both the electric motor and the thrust bearings, thereby preventing overheating and maintaining optimal compressor performance.
Implementation Method 1
a motor cooling passage through which the cooling fluid flows to cool the electric motor
Implementation Method 2
a bearing cooling passage through which the cooling fluid flows to cool the thrust bearing
Data Source
AI summary
A centrifugal compressor includes a rotary shaft, an electric motor, an impeller, a thrust bearing, and a housing having a passage that includes a motor cooling passage and a bearing cooling passage. The housing includes an inner housing and an outer housing. The motor cooling passage is defined by the inner housing and the outer housing. The passage includes a branching passage through which cooling fluid is divided and flows into the motor cooling passage and the bearing cooling passage and a joining passage through which the cooling fluid flowing through the bearing cooling passage joins the cooling fluid flowing through the motor cooling passage. The motor cooling passage includes a guide wall that guides the cooling fluid flowing through the motor cooling passage.