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Characterization of Inlet Guide Vane Performance for Discharge Compressor Operation near the Dome of an sCO2 Pumped Heat Energy Storage

Technical Report ·
DOI:https://doi.org/10.2172/3013930· OSTI ID:3013930
 [1]
  1. Southwest Research Institute
Southwest Research Institute® (SwRI®) developed and tested a Variable Inlet Guide Vane (IGV herein) assembly on an integrally-geared sCO2 compressor (IGC) to demonstrate compressor operation at both the compressor design point and near the dome and to define the operating limits of the compressor by monitoring for two-phase flow, flow turbulence from the IGVs, and compressor choke and surge as the CO2 inlet temperature is varied. Performance testing was conducted on an existing integrally-geared, two-stage main compressor designed for near-critical-point operation with CO2. This testing campaign validated the IGV design and operation, as well as improved the understanding and confidence in operating compressors and predicting performance characteristics near the critical point where fluid properties change rapidly with temperature. In addition to improving the robust operating limits of an sCO2 compressor, the development of an IGV for the IGC system improved off-design compressor efficiency by 12%.
Research Organization:
SOUTHWEST RESEARCH INSTITUTE
Sponsoring Organization:
Southwest Research Institute
DOE Contract Number:
EE0009813
OSTI ID:
3013930
Report Number(s):
DOE-EE0009813
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English