Elevate Compressor Performance with Our Advanced Surge Control Technology

Introduction

Are you looking to enhance the efficiency and reliability of your centrifugal compressors? We offer a cutting-edge solution to one of the most critical challenges in compressor technology: surge prevention.

This innovative system uses precise microjet injection to actively control surge conditions, significantly reducing the risk of compressor downtime and extending equipment lifespan. By licensing this technology, you can:

- Boost Efficiency: Optimize compressor performance, resulting in lower energy consumption and operational costs.

- Enhance Reliability: Prevent costly failures and maintain smooth operations with advanced surge control.

- Expand Applications: Ideal for use in industries like oil and gas, aerospace, power generation, and manufacturing.

Don’t miss the opportunity to integrate this state-of-the-art technology into your compressors, ensuring top-tier performance and reliability. License our surge control system today and stay ahead in the competitive industrial landscape.

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Abstract
Claims

A centrifugal compressor according to an exemplary aspect of the present disclosure includes , among other things , an impeller provided in a main flow path and configured to pressurize a main flow of fluid . The compressor also includes a secondary flow path configured to provide a secondary flow by recirculating a portion of the main flow . The amount of the main flow that becomes the secondary flow is less than or equal to 15 % . A method is also disclosed.

What is claimed is:

1. A centrifugal compressor, comprising:

an impeller provided in a main flow path and configured to pressurize a main flow of fluid; and

a secondary flow path configured to provide a secondary flow by recirculating a portion of the main flow, wherein less than or equal to 15% of the main flow becomes the secondary flow, wherein the secondary flow is introduced back into the main flow path by a plurality of injection nozzles each having a diameter within a range of 300 to 500 microns, and wherein the injection nozzles are circumferentially spaced-apart from one another by an arc length within a range of 8 to 25 of the diameters.

2. The compressor as recited in claim 1, wherein less than or equal to 10% of the main flow becomes the secondary flow.

3. The compressor as recited in claim 2, wherein 8.5% of the main flow becomes the secondary flow.

4. The compressor as recited in claim 1, including an injection plate, the injection nozzles formed in the injection plate.

5. The compressor as recited in claim 1, wherein the secondary flow path includes one of a volute and a plenum adjacent inlets of the injection nozzles.

6. The compressor as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of injection nozzles are configured to introduce the secondary flow into the main flow path in a direction normal to a direction of the flow of fluid in the main flow path.

7. The compressor as recited in claim 1, wherein the plurality of injection nozzles are radially aligned with one another relative to an axis of rotation of the impeller.

8. The compressor as recited in claim 7, wherein the plurality of injection nozzles are evenly spaced-apart from one another in a circumferential direction.

9. The compressor as recited in claim 8, wherein the plurality of injection nozzles have the same diameter.

10. The compressor as recited in claim 1, wherein the secondary flow is reintroduced back into the main flow path at a location downstream of the impeller.

11. The compressor as recited in claim 10, wherein the impeller is a first impeller within the main flow path, and wherein the compressor further includes a second impeller within the main flow path, the second impeller downstream of the first impeller.

12. The compressor as recited in claim 11, wherein the secondary flow enters the secondary flow path at a location downstream of the second impeller.

13. The compressor as recited in claim 1, further including:

a controller; and

a flow regulator provided in the secondary flow path, the flow regulator selectively regulating the secondary flow within the secondary flow path in response to instructions from the controller.

14. A centrifugal compressor, comprising:

an impeller provided in a main flow path and configured to pressurize a main flow of fluid;

a secondary flow path configured to provide a secondary flow into the main flow; and

injection nozzles configured to introduce the secondary flow back into the main flow path, the injection nozzles each having a diameter within a range of 300 to 500 microns, wherein the injection nozzles are radially aligned relative to an axis of rotation of the impeller and are also circumferentially spaced-apart from one another by an arc length within a range of 8 and 25 of the diameters.

15. The compressor as recited in claim 14, wherein less than or equal to 15% of the main flow is recirculated and becomes the secondary flow.

16. A method of operating a centrifugal compressor, comprising:

establishing a main flow of fluid along a main flow path;

pressurizing the main flow with an impeller; and

selectively providing a secondary flow by recirculating less than or equal to 15% of the main flow, wherein the secondary flow is introduced back into the main flow path by a plurality of injection nozzles, the injection nozzles each having a diameter within a range of 300 to 500 microns, wherein the plurality of injection nozzles are circumferentially spaced-apart from one another by an arc length within a range of 5 and 8 millimeters.

Title

Active surge control in centrifugal compressors using microjet injection

Inventor(s)

Joost Brasz, William Bilbow, Farrukh ALVI, Erik Fernandez, Jennifer Gavin

Assignee(s)

Danfoss AS, Florida State University Research Foundation Inc

Patent #

10962016

Patent Date

March 30, 2021