Energy analysis of a coupled vane compressor

Abstract

The coupled vane compressor (CVC) is a rotary vane compressor designed to have a smaller rotor size and be more compact than other rotary compressors, achieving material savings and efficiency improvements towards sustainability. This report presents on an exergy analysis method done on the CVC, to quantify and identify the various irrerversibilities in the compressor. The four mechanisms of exergy destruction are irreversible heat transfer, adiabatic throttling, fluid mixing, and friction. The exergy destruction rates for these mechanisms are formulated throughout the operation of the CVC using a simulation programme done in Fortran programming language. Different methods to reduce the rates of exergy destruction such as increasing the discharge valve stop limit and reducing the sealing arc and vane endface clearances were discussed. Through analysis, they were shown to be effective in decreasing the exergy losses, hence, increasing the overall second law efficiency.