Numerical analysis of Multisplitter blade impeller for a CO2 centrifugal compressor

• Grant number: 19/24804-8
• Support type: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Effective date (Start): February 01, 2020
• Effective date (End): January 31, 2021
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Mechanical Engineering - Transport Phenomena
• Principal researcher: Leandro Oliveira Salviano
• Grantee: Bruno Antonio Barbizan
• Home Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia (FEIS). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Ilha Solteira. Ilha Solteira , SP, Brazil

Abstract

The increasing advancements in Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) capacities have allowed the applications of new techniques for the design of new engineering equipment, obtaining technologies with higher overall performances. The equipment to be studied in the present research project is a CO2 centrifugal compressor operating at subcritical for the first stage, in order to evaluate the influence of two splitters to the impeller on isentropic efficiency and pressure ratio. Techniques applied to improve the efficiency of CO2 centrifugal compressors can contribute to strategies to mitigate greenhouse gas emissions in the oil and gas industry. The splitter geometrical parameters to be analyzed in the numerical simulation are the leading edge position and the camber angles, which make up a total of 12 input parameters for a steady-state, compressible, turbulent and three-dimensional flow. Coupled to CFD modeling, a promising approach to sensitivity analysis (SA) is coupling to screening tools such as the Morris method, which is a powerful tool for 'factor clamping', identifying non-influential input variables, allowing quantify the impact of the studied geometric parameters on the performance of the centrifugal compressor. Although is not an objective of this research project, this is an important and preliminary step to submit the solution to the optimization method. (AU)