Design of centrifugal compressors for heat pump systems. (15th December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Meroni, Andrea; Zühlsdorf, Benjamin; Elmegaard, Brian; Haglind, Fredrik
• Is Part Of: Applied energy. Volume 232(2018)
• Page Start: 139
• Page End: 156
• Publication Date: 2018-12-15
• Subjects: Turbocompressor -- Validation -- Preliminary design -- Refrigerant -- High-temperature heat pump; 00-01 -- 99-00; Power (Mechanics) -- Periodicals; Energy conservation -- Periodicals; Energy conversion -- Periodicals; 621.042
• DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2018.09.210
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-2619

Abstract

Highlights: A mean-line model for design and analysis of centrifugal compressors is presented. The model is validated against five test cases including three different fluids. The model is coupled to that of a high-temperature heat pump and optimized. The optimization method accounts for trade-offs in cycle and compressor designs. A two-stage steam compressor yields the best cycle performance. Abstract: This work presents a mean-line model of a centrifugal compressor and a method for a coupled optimization with a heat pump system. The compressor model was validated with five test cases from the open literature including the working fluids: air, refrigerant R-134a and carbon dioxide. Afterwards, the compressor model was coupled and optimized with that of a heat pump cycle supplying steam at 150 °C. Two cycle configurations were considered: an open-loop system using steam, and a closed-loop system with five other working fluid candidates. The compressor was designed using a multi-objective optimization algorithm, which seeks to maximize simultaneously the cycle coefficient of performance and the supplied heat flow rate. The method employed in this work considers the possible trade-offs regarding cycle and compressor design criteria, and can be used to identify cost-effective solutions for the next generation of heat pumps. The obtained results suggest that a two-stage compressor using steam yields the highest values of coefficient of performance and heat supply, and at the same time requires a more challenging compressor design.