Loss model of low pressure compressor for mechanical vapor recompression system

Abstract

Abstract Low pressure compressor (LPC) serves the role of enhancing pressure levels of secondary steam at nominal pressure ratios (1.5), procured from the evaporator as a primary thermal energy source. A loss model has been proficiently proposed to rapidly predict the performance of the LPC. Instead of conventional lump sum loss equations, the model adopts well-established one-dimensional (1D) loss formulations scattered across scholarly publications. Given an explicit configuration of the LPC, the environmental conditions, rotational velocity, and capacity, static and total temperatures, static and total pressures, pressure reductions, polytropic head, and efficiencies of each individual segment of the compressor can be calculated. Validation of this model was done using computational fluid dynamics (CFD) analysis. This model renders it feasible to conduct a parametric examination of the impact of each loss apparatus on the LPC’s capability, thereby aiding designers in substantiating design choices that minimize these losses and consequently positively influencing the comprehensive efficiency.