Atomized Oil Injection Nozzle for Screw Compressor Heat Transfer

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing screw compressor systems with oil flooded contact cooling lubricant systems face inefficiencies due to large lubricant droplet sizes and uneven distribution, leading to increased leakage and reduced heat transfer during the compression process.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of an atomization nozzle system that breaks down lubricant into finer droplets, creating a wider spray pattern and improving distribution within the compression chamber, enhancing lubrication and heat transfer by reducing droplet size and increasing surface area.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If conventional oil injection systems are used, then lubrication is provided to the compression chamber, but the lubricant droplets are large and unevenly distributed leading to increased leakage and reduced heat transfer

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvelubrication effectivenessVSAvoidcompression efficiency
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The injection nozzle breaks down the lubricant stream into smaller droplets through internal geometry design, segmenting the continuous lubricant flow into discrete fine droplets that distribute more evenly across the compression chamber, thereby improving both lubrication effectiveness and compression efficiency

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The nozzle changes the physical parameters of lubricant delivery by altering droplet size distribution and spray pattern characteristics, transforming the lubricant from large uneven droplets to fine uniformly distributed droplets, which enhances heat transfer and reduces leakage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Temperature

If larger lubricant droplets are injected, then less surface area is exposed for heat transfer, but this results in reduced heat transfer effectiveness and increased wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveheat transfer effectivenessVSAvoidrotor surface durability
Core Design Contradiction:
TemperatureVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The nozzle segments the lubricant into fine droplets that collectively provide vastly increased surface area for heat transfer, while the fine droplet size ensures better coverage and protection of rotor surfaces, simultaneously improving temperature control and durability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention transforms the lubricant delivery from a single-dimensional stream to a multi-dimensional spray pattern, creating fine droplets that distribute lubricant across multiple spatial dimensions in the compression chamber, maximizing surface area exposure for heat transfer and rotor surface coverage

Inventive Principle:
Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

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 results in reduced wear on rotor surfaces, minimized fluid leakage, and improved compression efficiency through enhanced lubrication and heat transfer within the compressor system.

Implementation Method 1

an atomization nozzle system that breaks down lubricant into finer droplets, creating a wider spray pattern

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectAtomization: Aerosol

Implementation Method 2

enhancing lubrication and heat transfer by reducing droplet size and increasing surface area

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHeat transfer: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 3

improved compression efficiency through enhanced lubrication and heat transfer within the compressor system

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectLubrication: Lubrication

Data Source

PatentEP3462031B1Rotary screw compressor with atomized oil injection
Publication Date: 2021.04.21 INGERSOLL RAND IND US INC
  • EP3462031B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3462031B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3462031B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4

AI summary

Screw compressor system having a compressor housing (110) with a pair of screw rotors (112,114) rotatably supported within a compression chamber (118). A lubricant port (132) is in fluid communication with the compression chamber. A nozzle insert (136) having a longitudinal body extending between a first end and a second end can be positioned within the lubricant port (132). A swirl chamber formed by the nozzle insert (136) or tangential flow into an offset lubricant port is configured to generate an atomized lubricant flow and discharge the atomized lubricant into the compression chamber (118).