Session: 20-01 Compressor and Gas Turbine Development and Testing

Paper Number: 123766

123766 - CFD Analysis of Inlet Flow Region in a Centrifugal Compressor 

The inlet region of a typical multi-stage centrifugal compressor for Oil and Gas applications consists of an inlet flange/nozzle, splitter vanes, and inlet guide vanes (IGVs). Recent findings of an existing legacy multi-stage centrifugal compressor, which had been recently revamped, indicated a lower flow capacity than what is expected. Further testing of the compressor revealed a potential scope for improvement in flow capacity. After performing stage-by-stage analysis, it was determined that an improvement in the design of inlet region could enhance the performance. The inlet region plays a crucial role in guiding the flow towards the impeller, ideally distributing the flow uniformly with minimal loss. Flow distortions may occur in any inlet, the extent of which may differ depending on its design and can further lead to poor performance characteristics of the compressor.  This paper will describe the work completed to reduce the flow losses and distortions in the inlet region by performing computational fluid dynamic (CFD) analysis with the help of a simulation software. A parametric study was carried out to optimize the flow characteristics in the inlet region, where it was observed that rotating the IGV angles by a certain amount, loss coefficient and pressure distortions are reduced. The results obtained and lessons learned can be used for enhancing the performance and improving existing correlations when designing future compressors.

Presenting Author: Giridhar Kumar Dhinne Siemens Energy Industrial Turbomachinery India Private Limited

Presenting Author Biography: Dr. Giridhar Kumar Dhinne is currently Working as Head Engineering (Gas Turbines & Turbo Compressors), Engineering and Services Center (ESC), Siemens Energy Industrial Turbomachinery India Pvt Ltd, Pune, collaborating several Global locations of Siemens Energy.

He has ~24 years of experience with diverse roles in Engineering, R&D, Design, Management, Technology Innovation, Project Execution, PI/Lean in Turbomachinery (Gas Turbines and Turbo Compressors including Auxiliary Systems) in Aerospace and Energy/Oil & Gas/ Power domains including 13+ years in Management positions.

He is an MTech in IC Engines & Gas Turbines. He completed his doctorate (PhD) in Performance Analysis of Centrifugal Compressor and its Matching to other Gas Turbine Components for Evaluation of Aero-Engine Performance. He also holds MBA in Operations Management and MSc in Industrial Psychology.

His areas of Interest are Engineering Management, Conceptual Design Studies of small Gas Turbines, Component Matching (or Off-design Performance Analysis) of Turbo-shaft engines, Centrifugal Compressor Preliminary Design and Performance Analysis (incl. Compressor Map Generation), Aero-Engine Performance Testing and Test Data Analysis, Defective Investigations (DI) of Aero-engine field problems, RCA of technical problems and Experimental Studies related to Aircraft Engines. Lean Management Principles and Six Sigma.

He is a Member of Aeronautical Society of India, The Institution of Engineers (India), Quality Circle Forum of India (QCFI).
He has presented/published several Technical Papers in International/National Journals/Seminars

Authors:

Meera Sudheer Siemens Energy Industrial Turbomachinery India Private Limited
Giridhar Kumar Dhinne Siemens Energy Industrial Turbomachinery India Private Limited
Greg Hoch Siemens Energy