Blade Designs For Improved Multi-Phase Performance In sCO2 Compressors Will Be Presented at ASME Turbo Expo 2024

Conference: ASME Turbo Expo
Title: Blade Designs For Improved Multi-Phase Performance In sCO2 Compressors: Part I - Design And Numerical Evaluation At Application Relevant Conditions
Presenter: Timothy Weathers
Date: Thursday, June 27
Session: 30-04 Compressors 2
Time: 1:30 - 3:30 PM

Abstract: Design changes to improve the performance of MWe scale sCO2 compressors by delaying the onset of phase change at the leading edge have been evaluated. The design changes involve modifications to the leading edge suction surface of the blade and are referred to as a biased wedge blade. Simulations were performed with the CRUNCH CFD® software tool that has been matured to accurately model near critical real fluid effects in sCO2. Simulations in a stationary cascade compared well with test data and confirm that the biased wedge design reduces the velocity acceleration on the suction surface. Numerical parametric studies at higher velocities in the range of inlet tip speed for MWe scale compressors indicate that the biased wedge design can suppress the onset of phase change in this regime and preserve single phase supercritical flow. These designs can potentially be retrofitted into existing compressor models since this design change.

Presentation Number: GT2024-122297

Authors: Ashvin Hosangadi, Timothy Weathers, Antontio Cepero, Paul Cooper, Erik Fernandez, Jayanta Kapat