FVV Radial compressor test rig

Without radial compressors, modern mobility, logistics and energy supply would be unimaginable. Radial compressors are a component of turbochargers, which are used in many combustion engines such as those in passenger cars and ships for increasing efficiency. In addition, as industrial compressors they play an important role in the oil and gas industry. In order to optimally design radial compressors, tests on industry-suitable test stands are essential. The new FVV test stand, jointly developed by scientists and industry experts at the Institute of Jet Propulsion and Turbomachinery (IST | RWTH Aachen University), covers a large spectrum of industrial applications. With a drive power of two megawatts and the possibility of examining transonic compressor stages with a compression ratio of up to seven, it counts among one of Europe's most powerful radial compressor research facilities. Manufacturers and service providers of the turbomachinery industry thus have an important tool at their disposal for improving compressor design.

Motivation

Radial compressors are suitable for a wide variety of applications. Their best-known area of application is turbochargers, which use energy from the engine exhaust for compressing combustion air and thus increase the engine’s performance. Owing to their efficiency enhancing effects, turbochargers are an indispensable component of combustion engines such as those found in passenger cars or ships. Also as industry compressors in the oil and gas industry, radial compressors play an important role. In order to optimally design them, experimental preliminary examinations on a test stand are essential.

Methodology

Experts from the scientific community and turbomachinery industry jointly developed and built the test stand. The facility was specified in such a way to allow for the entire spectrum of industrial applications to be covered and also for it to be flexible and expandable. Other important aspects of the test stand concept were robust safety and noise protection technology as well as modern (pressure and temperature) measurement and plant control. During the initial assembly the impeller SRV4R, modified from other FVV projects, was used.

Result

With a drive power of two megawatts and its outstanding technical features, the new FVV test stand is one of the most powerful radial compressor research facilities in Europe. It makes possible pressure ratios – ratios from end to suction pressure – of six to seven as well as the examination of transonic compressor stages. The focus of future research work lies in optimising transonic radial compressor stages with respect to noise reduction and greater efficiency as well as improving numerical calculation methods. For manufacturers and service providers of the turbomachinery industry, the test stand is an important tool for optimally designing radial compressors.

Documentation

FVV Radial Compressor Test Rig | Setup and validate a FVV radial compressor test stand at IST, RWTH Aachen University | Project No. 2300

The extensive research project was supported not only by the funding provided by the public sponsors, but also by funds provided by the research and technology performer and the FVV member companies.

Themis