Centrifugal Compressor Heat Shield and Movable Vanes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Centrifugal compressors face challenges in reducing temperature differences and accommodating thermal deformations, particularly at the beginning of operation, which leads to thermal contraction and increased costs due to the need for large amounts of heat medium and ancillary facilities.
Innovation Solution
A centrifugal compressor design featuring a rotor, diaphragm, suction side casing head with a temperature adjusting mechanism, a heat shield, and straightening vanes with an interference maintaining mechanism to prevent gaps and maintain efficient fluid flow, even during thermal deformations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Temperature
If heating with oil is used to reduce temperature difference, then thermal contraction is reduced, but the amount of oil required becomes large and costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
A heat shield is introduced as an intermediary component between the suction flow path and the casing. This heat shield acts as a thermal barrier that reduces heat transfer between the cold fluid and the warmer casing, thereby reducing thermal contraction without requiring large amounts of heating oil. The heat shield serves as a passive thermal management solution that addresses the temperature difference problem more efficiently.
2Temperature
If heat shield is provided to reduce thermal contraction, then temperature difference is reduced, but thermal deformation during operation periods becomes problematic
Solution Approach 1:
The heat shield is designed with movable straightening vanes that can dynamically adjust their position. The vanes are capable of moving in response to thermal deformation during different operation periods (start-up, steady operation, shutdown). This dynamic design allows the heat shield to maintain its thermal barrier function while accommodating thermal expansion and contraction of the casing and internal components throughout the operation cycle.
3Productivity
If straightening vanes are provided in suction flow path, then fluid flow is improved, but gaps may form between vanes and heat shield during thermal deformation
Solution Approach 1:
The straightening vanes are designed as movable components that can adjust their position relative to the heat shield. During thermal deformation, the vanes can move to maintain optimal clearance and prevent gap formation. This dynamic adjustment ensures that the vanes continue to effectively straighten fluid flow while maintaining proper spacing from the heat shield throughout different operation conditions.
4Stability of the object's composition
If interference state between straightening vanes and heat shield is maintained, then thermal deformation is accommodated, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The interference maintaining mechanism utilizes the natural dynamic movement of the straightening vanes. The vanes are designed to move freely within certain limits, allowing them to maintain interference contact with the heat shield during thermal deformation without requiring complex active control systems. The movability of the vanes themselves provides the interference maintaining function, reducing the need for additional actuators or control mechanisms.
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
The design effectively reduces thermal contraction and maintains the straightening effect of vanes throughout the compressor's operation, using a smaller amount of heat medium and preventing defects from thermal deformation, thus enhancing operational stability and reducing costs.
Implementation Method 1
a heat shield that is provided between the suction side casing head and the diaphragm
Implementation Method 2
a temperature adjusting mechanism that is provided in the suction side casing head and configured to adjust a temperature of environment by flow of a heat medium
Implementation Method 3
a plurality of straightening vanes that are provided in the suction flow path and configured to straighten the fluid flowing through the suction flow path
Implementation Method 4
Centrifugal compressors used in industrial processes and process plants radially pass a fluid such as air or gas through a rotating impeller, and compress the fluid using a centrifugal force generated in passing the fluid
Data Source
AI summary
A centrifugal compressor that includes a rotor including a shaft rotatably supported in a casing and an impeller secured to an outer periphery of the shaft; a diaphragm surrounding the impeller from an outer peripheral side; a suction side casing head disposed so as to be spaced apart from the diaphragm on a side where a fluid is suctioned; a temperature adjusting mechanism that is provided in the suction side casing head and configured to adjust a temperature of environment by flow of a heat medium; a heat shield that is provided between the suction side casing head and the diaphragm and defines, together with the impeller, a suction flow path through which the fluid is introduced to the impeller; and a plurality of straightening vanes that are provided in the suction flow path and configured to straighten the fluid flowing through the suction flow path.