Reciprocating Compressor 1D Thermofluid Dynamic Simulation: Problems and Comparison with Experimental Data

The authors here extend a 0D-1D thermofluid dynamic simulation approach to describe the phenomena internal to the volumetric machines, reproducing pressure waves’ propagation in the ducts. This paper reports the first analysis of these phenomena in a reciprocating compressor. The first part presents a detailed experimental analysis of an open-type reciprocating compressor equipped with internal sensors. The second part describes a 0D-1D thermofluid dynamic simulation of the compressor. Comparison of computed and measured values of discharge mass flow rate shows a good agreement between results for compression ratio β < 5. Then, to improve the model fitting at higher pressures, a new scheme has been developed to predict the blow-by through the ring pack volumes. This model is based on a series of volumes and links which simulate the rings’ motions inside the grooves, while the ring dynamics are imposed using data from the literature about blow-by in internal combustion engines. The validation is obtained comparing experimental and computing data of the two cylinder engine blowby. After the validation, a new comparison of mass flow rate on the compressor shows a better fitting of the curves at higher compression ratio.