Abstract:
This research focuses on the design and performance evaluation of a centrifugal compressor tailored for use in hydrogen refilling stations, a critical component for fueling fuel cell vehicles. Hydrogen fueling presents unique challenges for design engineers, and this study employs advanced simulation tools, including Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for 3D modeling and ANSYS for fluid-structural interface analysis, to refine the design process. The compressor design features 9 blades and aims to achieve a pressure ratio of 10, an operational speed of 100,000 rpm, a mass flow rate of 0.6 kg/s, and an inlet temperature of 288 K. CFD simulations are performed to optimize performance, with the compressor operating under atmospheric inlet conditions and designed to achieve a tenfold pressure increase at the outlet with minimal temperature rise. The study incorporates fluid properties using property tables in the computational analysis code and employs hexahedral meshing through the ATM optimize technique in ANSYS TurboGrid. Steady-state simulations are conducted using the k-ω SST turbulence model in ANSYS CFX, resulting in a polytropic efficiency of 87.88%. The research extends to comparing the performance of 8 and 10-blade centrifugal compressors, highlighting the importance of numerical methods and meshing techniques in optimizing compressor designs for efficient hydrogen fueling applications.
Aim:
In this research, a comprehensive design and simulation are conducted to analyze the performance of a centrifugal compressor and impeller for use in a hydrogen refuel storage tank. The design process begins with defining the key operational parameters, such as pressure ratio, flow rate, rotational speed, and inlet conditions, which are critical for efficient hydrogen compression. The compressor is designed with a specific focus on achieving a tenfold pressure increase while maintaining a low temperature rise, with minimal energy loss. Using advanced Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) tools, simulations are carried out to model the fluid dynamics and thermodynamic behavior within the compressor, incorporating real gas properties and optimizing the design using hexahedral meshing in ANSYS TurboGrid. The k-ω SST turbulence model in ANSYS CFX is employed for steady-state simulations, providing detailed insights into the aerodynamic and thermodynamic performance of the compressor and impeller. The simulations are aimed at evaluating key performance metrics such as efficiency, pressure rise, and temperature variation across the compressor stages. Additionally, the effect of different blade configurations (e.g., 8, 9, and 10 blades) on compressor efficiency is analyzed to identify the optimal design. This study aims to enhance the performance of hydrogen compression systems for refueling applications, contributing to more efficient and sustainable hydrogen storage and distribution in fuel cell vehicles.
Objective:
This study focuses on determining the essential design parameters for a centrifugal compressor used in a hydrogen storage tank, including the required design pressure and temperature for efficient operation. The design begins by specifying the compressor’s operational limits, such as the desired pressure rise, flow rate, and temperature conditions that are critical for optimizing hydrogen compression and storage. A 3D model of the centrifugal compressor impeller is created using ANSYS CFX software, incorporating these design specifications. To ensure accurate simulations, an optimal meshing approach is identified through mesh convergence studies, ensuring that the mesh density is sufficient to capture critical flow features without excessive computational cost. The analysis evaluates key performance metrics such as pressure head, power consumption, and overall efficiency, with varying blade configurations to study their impact on the compressor’s performance. By systematically changing the number of blades in the impeller, the study aims to determine the optimal configuration that maximizes both efficiency and pressure head, providing insights into the most effective design for hydrogen
compression in refueling applications.
