The design and performance of a centrifugal compressor research facility
Abstract
The objective of this research has been to develop an advanced high-speed, high performance centrifugal compressor research facility and obtain the baseline performance map. This facility utilizes a Rolls-Royce production model C28 centrifugal compressor from the Rolls-Royce 250 turboshaft engine used on helicopters. The compressor is powered by a 1400 hp AC motor and a variable frequency drive. The high operational speed is achieved through a 30.46:1 speed increasing gearbox. The drive system has been designed, manufactured, and assembled into the facility, and includes a driveshaft which interfaces the gearbox to the compressor, a drive housing which encloses the driveshaft and holds two sets of oil jets used to lubricate and cool the compressor rear bearing and driveshaft splines. The drive housing also aligns the compressor to the gearbox through the use of two pilots. The lubrication and cooling system has also been designed and installed and includes a boost pump, a scavenge pump, an oil reservoir, two air-over-oil heat exchangers, and a series of regulating and relief valves to control the oil pressure throughout the system. The inlet and exhaust piping have also been designed, which includes flow conditioning at the inlet of the compressor as well as an inlet bellmouth. A throttle has also been designed to control the flow of air through the compressor as well as provide a backpressure to simulate the operating conditions in a gas turbine engine. All of the instrumentation has also been designed, calibrated, and installed into the facility. Some of the measurements integrated into the facility include mass flow measurements of the inlet and bleed flows of the compressor using Venturi and orifice flow meters, respectively. Inlet and exit rakes provide total temperature and total pressure data. Oil pressure and temperature measurements are also acquired throughout the system, as well as vibration measurements through the gearbox, drive housing, and compressor to monitor the health of the facility. The data acquisition of the facility is conducted through a health monitoring and performance computer through the use of LabVIEW software. Speed lines have been measured from choke to stall at corrected speeds of 30,000 rpm to 50,000 rpm in increments of 5,000 rpm. Results are repeatable, and the uncertainty in all of the measurements has been established.
Degree
M.S.M.E.
Advisors
Key, Purdue University.
Subject Area
Mechanical engineering
Off-Campus Purdue Users:
To access this dissertation, please log in to our
proxy server.