Scroll-Centrifugal Compressor Layout for High-Ratio Mixed-Flow Compression
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing compressors face inefficiencies and limitations in handling high compression ratios and mixed gas-liquid flows, with displacement compressors experiencing leakage and flow loss, and dynamic compressors facing damage and instability under varying conditions.
Innovation Solution
A dual-mode compressor integrating scroll and centrifugal compression mechanisms, allowing adaptable operation through a compact structure with controllable flow channels and sealing features to handle different flow rates and medium types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of energy
If displacement compressor is used to compress working medium, then compression efficiency is improved, but leakage occurs from gaps in structures forming working cavity under high compression ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines displacement compression mechanism (scroll plates forming working cavities) with dynamic compression mechanism (impeller with rotating blades) into a single integrated compressor system. The working medium undergoes sequential compression: first by the displacement scroll mechanism, then by the dynamic impeller, achieving high compression ratios while maintaining reliability through the complementary strengths of both mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary compression stage using the impeller between the scroll compression and the final discharge. This intermediary dynamic compression stage handles the high-pressure differential that would cause leakage in pure displacement compressors, while the scroll mechanism handles the initial compression efficiently, with each mechanism operating in its optimal range.
2Adaptability or versatility
If displacement compressor is used to compress working medium, then ability to compress gas-liquid mixed working medium is improved, but flow loss increases and efficiency decreases at large flow condition
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the displacement compression mechanism (suitable for gas-liquid mixtures) with the dynamic compression mechanism (suitable for high flow rates) in a single integrated system. The scroll plates handle the compressibility and mixture handling, while the impeller provides high-speed compression for large flow conditions, achieving both adaptability and productivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces dynamic elements (rotating impeller with blades) into a traditionally static displacement compression system. The impeller rotates at high speed to compress the working medium dynamically, enabling the system to handle large flow rates efficiently while the scroll mechanism maintains adaptability to gas-liquid mixtures.
3Productivity
If dynamic compressor is used to compress working medium, then efficiency is improved under high compression ratio and large flow, but rotating blades are damaged by droplets when compressing gas-liquid mixed working medium
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary compression using the scroll displacement mechanism before the working medium enters the impeller region. This preliminary action reduces the volume and velocity of liquid droplets before they reach the rotating blades, significantly reducing the risk of blade damage while maintaining the efficiency benefits of dynamic compression.
Solution Approach 2:
The scroll compression mechanism serves as an intermediary stage that prepares the working medium for the impeller. It performs initial compression and reduces the kinetic energy of liquid droplets, protecting the impeller blades from direct impact damage while still allowing the impeller to perform its high-efficiency compression function.
4Loss of energy
If dynamic compressor is used to compress working medium, then high efficiency is achieved under high compression ratio, but blade channels cause flow separation under low flow condition resulting in unstable operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines displacement compression (scroll mechanism) with dynamic compression (impeller) so that at low flow conditions, the displacement mechanism maintains stable operation through its inherent positive displacement characteristics, while at high flow conditions, the dynamic mechanism provides high efficiency. The two mechanisms work together to ensure stable and efficient operation across the entire flow range.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a dynamically adaptable system where the compression mechanism transitions between displacement-dominated operation at low flow (stable) and dynamic-dominated operation at high flow (efficient). The rotating impeller blades adjust their interaction with the working medium based on flow conditions, preventing flow separation and maintaining stability.
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 dual-mode compressor achieves high efficiency and adaptability, minimizing leakage and damage while effectively handling gas-liquid mixtures and varying flow conditions.
Implementation Method 1
a second scroll plate including a second scroll wrap extending spirally around a rotation axis of the second scroll plate, in which the second scroll wrap and the first scroll wrap define a working cavity centrifugal compression flow channels
Implementation Method 2
an impeller including a plurality of blades, in which adjacent blades in a circumferential direction of the impeller define a centrifugal compression flow channel
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a dual-mode compressor. The dual-mode compressor includes a first scroll plate (31), a second scroll plate (32), and an impeller (33). The first scroll plate (31) and the second scroll plate (32) define a scroll compression working cavity (3a), and the impeller (33) defines a centrifugal compression flow channel (33d). The impeller (33) and the second scroll plate (32) are fixed relative to each other and are arranged coaxially, and the inlet of the centrifugal compression flow channels (33d) is communicated with the outlet of the scroll compression working cavity (3a). When the dual-mode compressor works in different models, working medium leaving the scroll compression working cavity (3a) can enter the centrifugal compression flow channel (33d) and then flow out of the dual-mode compressor or directly flow out of the dual-mode compressor.