Centrifugal Compressor Discharge Section Curvature

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Solution Overview

Problem

In centrifugal compressor discharge sections with a straight shape, flow collisions at higher flow rates lead to efficiency losses due to interactions with the tongue section.

Innovation Solution

A discharge section structure with a curved discharge flow passage and strategically positioned tongue section, where the tongue section is located in the middle of the second flow passage section curving outward, reducing the likelihood of flow collisions.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the discharge section is configured in a straight shape, then the structure is simple, but a loss due to collision of flow occurs on a side of a larger flow rate than the flow rate producing peak efficiency

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge section structureVSAvoidflow collision loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge section is configured with a curved shape instead of a straight shape. The curved discharge section includes a first curved section and a second curved section with different centers of curvature, which guides the flow smoothly and prevents collision with the tongue section, thereby reducing flow collision loss while maintaining structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The discharge section is divided into multiple sections: a first curved section and a second curved section, each with different centers of curvature. This segmentation allows optimized flow guidance in different regions, preventing flow collision at the tongue section while maintaining overall structural simplicity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

2Ease of manufacture

If the discharge section is configured in a straight shape, then the manufacturing is easy, but efficiency reduction occurs due to flow collision with the tongue section

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedischarge section fabricationVSAvoidcompressor efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The discharge section employs a curved configuration with defined centers of curvature for each section. This curved design is manufacturable using standard techniques while significantly improving compressor efficiency by preventing flow collision with the tongue section

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Solution Approach 2:

The geometry parameters of the discharge section are optimized by defining specific centers of curvature for the first and second curved sections. This parameter optimization enables efficient flow guidance that prevents tongue section collision while maintaining ease of manufacture

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If the tongue section is positioned at the ending point of the scroll, then the structure is conventional, but flow collision loss occurs at higher flow rates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetongue section positioningVSAvoidflow collision loss

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

The curved discharge section with defined centers of curvature guides the flow away from the tongue section, preventing collision loss while maintaining a conventional tongue section position at the scroll ending point, thus avoiding increased device complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

Data Source

PatentUS10788045B2Discharge section structure for centrifugal compressor

Publication Date: 2020.09.29 IHI CORP

AI summary

Provided is a discharge section structure for a centrifugal compressor provided with a scroll flow passage and a discharge flow passage connected to the scroll flow passage. The discharge section structure includes a tongue section provided in a branching section between the scroll flow passage and the discharge flow passage; a first flow passage section having a center of curvature on an origin side of the scroll flow passage; and a second flow passage section communicating with the first flow passage section and having a center of curvature on an outer side of the scroll flow passage. The first flow passage section includes at least a part of the scroll flow passage, and the second flow passage section includes at least a part of the discharge flow passage. The tongue section faces the second flow passage section and is located in the middle of the second flow passage section.