Centrifugal Compressor Washing Nozzle Array
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional centrifugal compressors face challenges in efficiently washing entire flow paths due to restricted washing liquid flow rates, leading to incomplete cleaning and adherence of washing liquid to return vanes, as the injection device's proximity to the return vane and high main flow velocities cause the washing liquid to collide and adhere prematurely.
Innovation Solution
A centrifugal compressor design featuring a washing liquid injection device with nozzles arranged along the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft, allowing selective supply to chambers, and flow regulating valves to control the washing liquid flow rate, ensuring uniform distribution and extended reach of the washing liquid within the flow path, including the use of multiple nozzles on diffuser walls to intersect with the main flow and spread across a wider area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the injection device is disposed at the top portion of the return vane outside in the radial direction to atomize the washing liquid, then the washing liquid can be injected toward the flow path, but the distance between the injection port and the return vane is short causing the washing liquid to collide and adhere prematurely
Solution Approach 1:
The injection device is divided into multiple nozzles arranged along the circumferential direction of the rotating shaft, with each nozzle serving a specific sector of the flow path. This segmentation allows the washing liquid to be injected at multiple locations, extending the effective coverage distance without requiring a single long injection path from one location.
Solution Approach 2:
The injection device transitions from a single-point radial injection to a circumferential array of nozzles, utilizing the circumferential dimension to distribute injection points. This dimensional expansion allows washing liquid to reach further along the flow path while maintaining effective injection distance from each individual nozzle.
2Loss of energy
If the washing liquid is restricted in flow rate to prevent erosion and enhance energy transfer efficiency, then energy transfer efficiency is improved, but the amount of washing liquid becomes insufficient to wash the entire flow path
Solution Approach 1:
The flow path is divided into multiple sectors served by different nozzles arranged circumferentially. By segmenting the washing liquid supply to match the segmented flow path sections, the system can provide adequate washing liquid to each section without requiring excessive total flow rate, thus maintaining energy transfer efficiency while achieving complete flow path washing.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of attempting to wash the entire flow path with a single large volume of washing liquid, the system applies partial washing action to each sector using appropriately dosed liquid from individual nozzles. This partial action approach ensures complete coverage without excessive total liquid consumption.
3Speed
If the main flow has extremely large flow velocity to maintain compressor performance, then compressor performance is maintained, but the washing liquid is subjected to shear force and atomized, decreasing its vector and causing it to be taken by the main flow to collide against the return vane
Solution Approach 1:
The circumferential arrangement of multiple nozzles segments the washing liquid injection into multiple directed streams, each targeting a specific flow path section. This segmentation allows the washing liquid to maintain its vector and reach further along the flow path before being affected by the high-velocity main flow, improving distribution effectiveness.
Solution Approach 2:
The circumferential nozzle array acts as an intermediary structure that distributes the washing liquid in a controlled manner before it interacts with the high-velocity main flow. This intermediary arrangement ensures uniform distribution across the flow path while the main flow velocity remains high for compressor performance.
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 enables efficient washing of the entire flow path even with restricted washing liquid flow rates, ensuring thorough cleaning from the diffuser channel to the return vane by maintaining uniform pressure and distribution, effectively preventing incomplete washing and adhering of washing liquid.
Implementation Method 1
a plurality of nozzles which are arranged along a circumferential direction of the rotating shaft to inject the washing liquid into the flow path
Implementation Method 2
the washing liquid which has been atomized and sprayed (injected) by the injection device is subjected to shear force by the main flow
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
The centrifugal compressor is provided with a casing, a rotating shaft which is supported inside the casing, an impeller which is arranged on the rotating shaft and rotates to compress a fluid, and a washing liquid injection device which injects a washing liquid into a flow path formed by the impeller and the casing. The washing liquid injection device is provided with a plurality of nozzles which are arranged along a circumferential direction of the rotating shaft to inject the washing liquid into the flow path and a plurality of chambers which communicate with each corresponding nozzle among the plurality of nozzles and supply the washing liquid to the corresponding nozzle.